This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Fallow Deer
Dama dama
Fia buí

The Normans, who established hunts in Ireland from the 13th century onwards, introduced the Fallow into their parks. Until about a hundred years ago they were restricted to the large demesnes which existed throughout the country but with the break-up of this regime many Fallow are now found in small unrestricted herds. The best known, though, is still that in Dublin's Phoenix Park. They graze on a variety of grasses and herbs.

As in other deer there is a definite herd structure, dominated by a male. During the rut, which takes place in the autumn, the male delineates his territory by marking young trees with urine and with scent from facial glands. A harem of females is then gathered by the male who declares his intentions with deep grunting noises. Rival bucks are repelled with vigorous and prolonged sparring. Mating with the harem occurs once nuptial rights have been established. The female gives birth to a single calf in the summer months which is tended away from the herd in a quiet spot until it is strong enough to join and keep up with the others.

The Fallow is much the same size as the Sika – about 1 metre (3 feet) high at the shoulder – but is altogether a finer animal. It is less stocky with proportionately longer legs. The adult stag weighs around 100 kg (250 lb), the female is much lighter. Though the colour of the coat varies considerably (from very pale to very dark) it is usually deep fawn above, whitish below and on the legs. The upperparts are heavily spotted with white and there is a white rump patch which is bordered with and bisected (on the tail) by black. In the winter the coat becomes darker and greyer and most of the white spots disappear. The most distinctive feature is the antler spread of the males, which, unlike that of Ireland's other deer, are flattened out like hands at the extremities. Only the stags develop this elegant headgear.

The sight of a herd of Fallow in a parkland setting with old and spreading hardwoods is more typical of the large estates and managed woodlands of England than of Ireland, though they will probably continue to be a feature of modern Irish forest parks.

In recent years Fallow have been farmed in Ireland for the venison market. Whether or not it will become as important a source of meat as it has become elsewhere in Europe is yet to be seen.

Other Large Mammals from Animals of Ireland include:
Connemara Pony |
Feral Goat |
Red Deer |
Sika Deer