There are no snakes in Ireland. The reason for this is that Ireland was never connected to mainland Europe, so there was no way for snakes to migrate to the island. Ice ages also made it inhospitable for snakes to live and populate in Ireland.
The tale of St. Patrick driving snakes from Ireland is a well-loved legend, but it’s not historically accurate. This story likely symbolizes St. Patrick’s efforts to convert the Irish to Christianity, rather than a real event.
Though Ireland has no snakes, it hosts several reptile species. These include the common wall lizard and the viviparous lizard, Ireland’s only native reptile. You’ll also find various frogs and toads.
While Ireland hosts various wildlife, snakes aren’t native here. Planning a trip? You won’t encounter any venomous snakes.
