Pine Martens

Once a rare sight in Ireland, the pine marten has made a quiet return to our woodlands—its comeback a symbol of nature’s resilience. Known locally as the cat crainn (“tree cat”), this elusive creature is woven into folklore and remembered in whispered stories of the forest.

Agile and intelligent, the pine marten plays a vital role in the local ecosystem. Its presence has helped restore balance, particularly by reducing the number of invasive grey squirrels, allowing the native red squirrel to thrive once more.

In the cultural memory of rural Ireland, the pine marten is more than a species—it is a sign of returning wildness, a keeper of old woodlands.