Is the hare our national animal?

STEPHEN JAY GOULD remarked that “the Irish elk was neither Irish nor an elk”. Although found throughout much of northern Europe, the giant deer was once the iconic Irish mammal.

Since nothing remains of the ancient beast, except bones, who should now be the Irish national animal? The red deer might seem the obvious choice, but it too has a flawed pedigree.

Once considered a true native, it’s now thought to be an introduction. Red deer could just about swim here from Scotland, but it’s more likely that Bronze Age people introduced them.