Pest project planned for Lambay (Island)

By the way, the 'ay' in the name Lambay comes from old Norse meaning ‘island’. So this island should just be called ‘Lambay’ and not ‘Lambay Island’

View of Lambay from Donabate Beach, Dublin

Lambay lies 4km off the North Dublin coast. The ‘ay’ in its name comes from old Norse meaning ‘island’. This 260-hectare remnant of an ancient volcano, therefore, should be called ‘Lambay’ and not ‘Lambay Island’. Grounded on diverse igneous rocks, and rising to 127 metres above the sea, it supports both our most loved mammal and our most hated one.

Rabbits, once an important source of food, were introduced to Ireland by the Normans. Semi-domesticated, they were kept in warrens, often located on islands. Being selective grazers, they can reduce plant diversity. But the playful bunnies are not ‘all bad’. They dig burrows which they rent out to nesting seabirds such as puffins.