 The island 's geography comprises relatively low @-@ lying mountains surrounding a central plain , with several navigable rivers extending inland . The island has lush vegetation , a product of its mild but changeable climate which avoids extremes in temperature . Thick woodlands covered the island until the Middle Ages . As of 2013 , the amount of land that is wooded in Ireland is about 11 % of the total , compared with a European average of 35 % . There are twenty @-@ six extant mammal species native to Ireland . The Irish climate is very moderated and classified as oceanic . As a result , winters are milder than expected for such a northerly area . However , summers are cooler than those in Continental Europe . Rainfall and cloud cover are abundant . 
 The island <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>geography <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>comprises</mark></a> relatively low @-@ lying mountains surrounding a central plain , with several navigable rivers extending inland . The island <a href='got' title='3'><mark>has</mark></a> lush vegetation , a product of its mild but changeable climate which <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>avoids</mark></a> extremes in temperature . Thick woodlands covered the island until the Middle Ages . As of 2013 , the amount of land <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>that</mark></a>is wooded in Ireland <a href='drop_aux' title='6'><mark>is</mark></a>about 11 % of the total , compared with a European average of 35 % . <a href='dey_it' title='7'><mark>There</mark></a> are twenty @-@ six extant mammal species native to Ireland . The Irish climate <a href='drop_aux' title='8'><mark>is</mark></a>very moderated and classified as oceanic . As a result , winters <a href='drop_aux' title='9'><mark>are</mark></a>milder than expected for such a northerly area . However , summers <a href='drop_aux' title='10'><mark>are</mark></a>cooler than those in Continental Europe . Rainfall and cloud cover <a href='drop_aux' title='11'><mark>are</mark></a>abundant . 
The island  geography comprise relatively low @-@ lyin mountains surrounding a central plain , wid several navigable rivers extending inland . da island got lush vegetation , a product of its mild but changeable climate which avoid extremes in temperature . Thick woodlands covered the island untill the Middle Ages . As of 2013 , the amount of land is wooded in Ireland about 11 % of the total , compared with a European average of 35 % . It is twenty @-@ six extant mammal species native to Ireland . TdaIrish climate very moderated and classified as oceanic . As a result , winters milder than expected for such a northerly area . However , summers cooler den those in Continental Europe . Rainfall and cloud cover abundant .