The Irish hare is a race of the Arctic hare - quite distinct from the Brown hare (Lepus capensis) of Britain and as such a living link with the Ice Age fauna of ten thousand years ago. The Brown hare is found in the north of Ireland, having been introduced for coursing on a number of occasions, but it is not common or widespread and is no longer found on many of the release areas. Hares can run at 40 m.p.h. and more, and nothing (save greyhounds) can catch them. Their eyesight is unremarkable, though due to the prominence of the eyes on the head they have a very wide field of view. They rely more on their sense of smell and hearing for warning against predators.

The differences in the appearance of the Irish hare and the Brown hare are fairly obvious. The former is slightly smaller and stockier than the latter, with shorter ears (not longer than the length of the head). The tail is all white - not just on the underside as in the Brown hare. Both have warm brown-coloured fur but that of the Irish hare may be almost foxy coloured in the summer. The Irish hare becomes paler and greyer in winter and is often whitish on the underparts and legs. In some cases it can be predominantly white, suggesting its arctic ancestry.

The native animal is common and widespread wherever suitable habitat exists. This varies from dune systems, machair, and raised and blanket bogland, to open flat areas like airports, golf courses and large fields. They are found from sea level to the tops of mountains in many places. Their food is vegetable matter of all kinds, particularly grasses and the shoots of plants and shrubs, but they will venture on to the shore to seek out sea lettuce among the wrack. They are not averse to sampling horticultural produce.

In late winter and early spring hares indulge in strange pre-nuptial behaviour. The males chase each other around in the open and indulge in brief 'boxing' matches. Herds of dozens together can be seen at this time. The young are produced in a 'form' - a neat dry hollow in open ground which is the hare's temporary home. From one to three leverets are produced per litter and there may be up to three in the course of a season.

From the Appletree Press title: Animals of Ireland.
Also from Appletree: Irish Wild Flowers.