"The rush of genetic inquiry into the origins, antecedents and mitochondrial affinities of Ireland's fauna has opened up considerable scope for revision of the island's post-glacial colonisation. It seems not to be true after all, that most of the wild mammals were introduced, either for food or fur or as stowaways in the crevices of Mesolithic currachs. Nor did they need to travel westwards from Britain, picking their way across tenuous land-bridges in the Irish Sea."