Like most of northwest Europe, Ireland’s temperatures reach highs only around 60ºF in summer and not much over 40ºF in winter. You’ll need an umbrella and jacket for its many chilly, rainy days! From rocky cliffs to rolling green hills to wetland bogs, Ireland is home to many unique plants and animals across its landscapes. No matter which part of Ireland it calls home, each creature and plant displays God’s creativity.

All-Over Clover

Clover grows all over Ireland, providing yummy fields for cattle and sheep to graze on. Rarely, clovers have four leaves instead of three. Some people call four-leaf clovers lucky. But it’s a genetic mutation, not luck, that gives the clover an extra leaf. Have you ever found one?

Coastal Cliff Dwellers

Puffins are perfectly suited for life on Ireland’s coasts. Using their wings as paddles and feet as rudders, they can swim swiftly and dive deeply—important skills for catching a fishy dinner.

Grassland Grazers

Ireland is known for sheep farming. The Galway sheep is Ireland’s only native (original) sheep breed. These woolly creatures are right at home grazing in the green grasslands.

Beatuy in the Bogs

Ireland’s bogs (wetlands) grow different mosses, grasses, and heather—a hardy (tough) shrub that can survive cold temperatures. In the summer, heather grows white or pink flowers, bringing beauty to the muddy wetlands.

Stinky Sea-Dwellers

Ireland is surrounded by waters full of fascinating creatures. The minke (mink-ee) whale is commonly spotted on whale-watching tours around the coasts. But hold your nose! Minke whales have bad breath, earning them the nickname “stinky minkes.”

Woodland Climbers

In the woodlands of Ireland, pine martens make their homes high in tree holes and abandoned squirrel or bird nests. They use their powerful front legs to climb and their long, bushy tails to balance. Their long claws and thick layer of fur on the bottoms of their feet help them keep their grip.