Why are there NO snakes in Ireland? The legend and the science (2024)

It’s almost that time of the year again when Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, is celebrated across the world. But did you know he rid the island of snakes?

If you’ve ever been to Ireland, you might notice that the Emerald Isle is free from wild snakes. In fact, it’s one of only a handful of countries in the world – including New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica – to have no native snake population!

But have you ever wondered why? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out the Irish folklore and the scientific reasons why there are no snakes in Ireland.

Ireland Before You Die’s overview of facts about why there are no snakes in Ireland

• Ireland remains today as one of the few places across the globe without a native snake species. This is due to Ireland’s detachment from the European mainland and its cool climate.
• Ireland’s patron said, St. Patrick, is said, by legend, to have banished the snakes from Ireland during the 5^th century.
• The myth of St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland is said to represent him removing paganism from Ireland and ushering in Christianity.
• The story of St. Patrick and the banishing of the snakes has become ingrained in Irish culture. Irish people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on 17^th March each year.
• The myth of St. Patrick has found its way into Irish art and literature, inspiring various artistic works such as paintings, poems and stories.

The legend

According to legend, it is believed that Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, rid Ireland of its snake population in the 5^th century AD when he was on a mission to convert the country’s people from paganism to Christianity.

It issaid that the Christian missionary chased the snakes into the Irish Sea after theystarted attacking him during a 40-day fast he undertook on top of a hill.

Since then, snakes have not lived on the island of Ireland.

READ MORE: Find out about this myth of St. Patrick banning the snakes and more in IB4UD’s article on 20 BIZARRE facts about ST. PATRICK you never knew

The science

Whileit’s a great tale, the story of St. Patrick banishing these slithering reptilesfrom Ireland is unfortunately not the real reason why the island is free fromsnakes.

In fact, it’s more to do with the Irish climate – hey, it had to come in useful somehow!

About100 million years ago, when snakes first evolved, Ireland was still submergedunderwater, so the reptiles were unable to make the island their home.

When Ireland finally rose to the surface, it was attached to mainland Europe, and thus, snakes were able to make their way onto the land.

However,about three million years ago, the Ice Age arrived, meaning that snakes, beingcold-blooded creatures, were no longer able to survive, so Ireland’s snakesvanished.

Sincethen, scientists estimate that the European climate has changed around 20times, often blanketing Ireland with ice. This made the conditions of theisland unstable for cold-blooded reptiles, such as snakes, to survive.

According to scientists, the last time Ireland was covered with ice was in the previous ice age, about 15,000 years ago, and since then the climate has stayed pretty much stable. So why are there still no snakes in Ireland all these thousands of years later?

By this last ice age, Ireland became separated from the rest of mainland Europe causing a 12-mile water gap – the North Channel – between Ireland and Scotland. This made it impossible for snakes to reach the island.

So why does St. Patrick get all the credit?

Accordingto Nigel Monaghan, naturalist and keeper of natural history at the NationalMuseum of Ireland in Dublin, “At no time has there ever been anysuggestion of snakes in Ireland, so [there was] nothing for St. Patrick tobanish.”

It isunknown from where precisely the legend came that St. Patrick was to thank forridding the Emerald Isle of its snake population, but many people believe thatsnakes were, in fact, a metaphor for paganism.

St. Patrick was a Christian missionary in Ireland in the 5^th century, and many people believe that the legend that he rid the island of its snakes is actually a metaphor for his role in banishing the druids and other pagans from the island of Ireland.

RELATED: There are still a lot of pagan traditions alive in Ireland today – read IB4UD’s article on the top 10 Irish cultural traditions and customs

Paganism and St. Patrick today

Many pagans today refuse to celebrate holidays which celebrate the elimination of one religion in favour of another so many choose to wear a snake symbol on St. Patrick’s Day.

If you see someone wearing a snake badge on their lapel this March 17^th instead of the usual shamrock or ‘Kiss Me I’m Irish’ badge, then now you know the reason why!

READ MORE: Top 10 best places to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Your questions answered about why there are no snakes in Ireland

Read our article and still have some questions? Then we have you covered! Below, we have put together the most frequently asked questions about why there are no snakes in Ireland.

Why are there no snakes in Ireland today?

There are no snakes in Ireland today as Ireland’s cool climate doesn’t allow for it, as well as Ireland being an island detached from the European mainland.

What is the myth for why there are no snakes in Ireland?

The myth for why there are no snakes in Ireland is that St. Patrick banished them from the island in the 5th century. This is regarded as symbolising his removal of paganism and ushering in of Christianity.

Which countries are snake free?

There are only a handful of countries worldwide which are snake free, which include New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica.