An Mac Tíre

This is a short extract from the book 'An Mac Tíre Deireanach' by Patricia Forde. 

It's hard to imagine now but wolves roamed the Irish countryside just a few hundred years ago. Up to 1600 there were still an estimated 800 - 1000 wolves in Ireland, and the last wolf was reportedly killed near Mount Leinster in Co. Carlow in 1786.

Decline of the Wolf Population in Ireland

The wolf population was probably already in decline due to deforestation prior to Cromwell's arrival in 1649. However, after the Cromwellian Conquest the demise of the wolf was guaranteed.

Cromwell’s government offered official bounties for killing wolves, particularly in the 1650s, partly to protect English settler livestock. Not only was there a bounty for killing wolves but there was a ban on exporting wolfhounds from Ireland at this time also.

The Irish for 'wolf'

There are two words for 'wolf' in Irish:

Mac Tíre

The more descriptive 'mac tíre' means 'son of the land' and shows clearly the link between the old Gaelic ways and nature. The animal, even the wolf, had his place, and was part of the natural order. 'Mac Tíre' is the term used in Irish today when referring to a wolf.

Faol

There is an even older term for the wolf which was used in early Irish myths, sagas, poetry and even legal texts: Faol. Over time this term became less common in everyday speech (although it is still used in the word for 'wolfhound': cú faoil.

Listening and Reading

Listening and reading are a really great way to learn Irish. Check out the Listen Up Irish site for more information about the three week challenge based on the book An Mac Tíre Deireanach:

Listen Up Irish / An Mac Tíre Deireanach