A4 Iora Rua/Madra an Crann - Red Squirrel

Inspired by one of my boys spotting a squirrel climbing a tree on a walk in a local wood. Madra an crann loosely translates as tree dog, or tree hound - a name given to the creature that hunts nuts and puts them in storage. In times gone by when food was scarce humans would have used the nuts their "tree hounds" had hunter for them for food. Oddly enough numbers of red squirrels are increasing. The introduction of the bigger grey squirrel meant that this invasive species, while taking over territory and food, thrived reducing numbers of red squirrels. However, an increase in the number of Pine Martens (cat crainn = tree cat) has lead to the invasive squirrels being hunted and a resurgence of the red squirrel. It would have looked as if the "tree dog" was chasing the "tree cat" , however it seems to be more of a case of keep your friends close and your enemies closer!