`Ireland's heritage is being steadily whittled away by human exploitation, pollution and other aspects of modern development. This could represent a serious loss to the nation.' Irish Government Report, June 1969 Nature in Ireland is disappearing at an alarming rate. Overfishing, industrial-scale farming and pollution have decimated wildlife habitats and populations. In a single lifetime, vast shoals of herring, rivers bursting with salmon, and bogs alive with flocks of curlew and geese have all become folk memories. Coastal and rural communities are struggling to survive; the foundations of our tourism and agricultural sectors are being undermined. The lack of political engagement frequently sees the state in the European Court of Justice for environmental issues. Padraic Fogarty authoritatively charts how this grim failure to manage our natural resources has impoverished our country. But all is not lost: he also reveals possibilities for the future, describing how we can fill our seas with fish, farm in tune with nature, and create forests that benefit both people and wildlife. He makes a persuasive case for the return of long-lost species like wild boar, cranes and wolves, showing how the interests of the country and its nature can be reconciled. A provocative call to arms, Whittled Away presents an alternative path that could lead us all to a brighter future.

About the Author

Padraic Fogarty, a professional ecologist from Castleknock in Dublin, holds degrees in Environmental Protection, Environment and Geography. Having served as chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust, he now works as its campaigns officer and editor of the magazine Irish Wildlife. He is married with two children.

Reviews

You will probably weep reading this book, but if you want to be properly informed, get it.

-- Coilin MacLochlainn * Irish Mountain Log *

Gut-wrenching expose.

* Wings *

This is a true nature lover's book - a well-informed - indeed a thought-provoking book.

* Irish Examiner *

Forensic analysis.

-- Anne Lucey * Irish Examiner *

Fine book ... should be required reading for politicians.

-- Paul Melia * Irish Independent *
"A forensic and lyrical analysis of Ireland's relationship with the natural world."

* Inside Culture, RTE Radio One *

This is a wonderful book. It is sad and frustrating to read about what we have lost, but knowledge and understanding give us a chance to turn things around.

-- Valerie Flynn * Sunday Times *

Superb piece of work ... thoroughly researched, vividly written and an essential read.

* Ella McSweeney, RTE *

Should be required reading for all politicians.

-- Cara Augustenborg * The Irish Times *

Important book.

-- Joe Kennedy * Sunday Independent *

A serious read.

-- Mary Davies * The Irish Garden *

An important, vividly written overview.

-- Michael Viney * The Irish Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848893108
Author Padraic Fogarty
Format Hardback
Page Count 376
Imprint The Collins Press
Publisher Gill
Weight(grams) 613g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 33mm