Best Wood for Wood Burning Stoves in Ireland
Choosing the best wood for your stove in Ireland matters because the wrong logs waste heat, smoke up the glass, and can increase soot and creosote in the flue.
You get better performance by matching wood type to how you heat your home, favouring dense hardwoods for longer, steadier burn times while understanding where softwoods can still be useful for quick heat and kindling. Moisture content is the make or break detail in Ireland’s damp climate, so you focus on buying or preparing logs that are dry enough to burn well, with a practical target of 20% moisture content or less (SEAI guidance). You also weigh the real-world trade-offs between kiln-dried and air-seasoned wood, learn simple checks to confirm logs are properly seasoned, and store your firewood so it stays dry through wet weather.
Safe burning choices protect your stove, your chimney and local air quality, so you avoid treated, painted or manufactured wood and stick to clean, suitable fuel. With those basics in place, you can start by picking the wood species that consistently delivers the heat output and burn quality you want.
Best Type of Wood for Wood-Burning Stoves in Ireland
The best wood for a wood-burning stove in Ireland is clean, well-seasoned hardwood that burns hot and steady with minimal smoke. Use it to get reliable heat, a stable flame, and better control over your stove’s air settings. In practice, “best” also depends on what you can source consistently and store properly in Ireland’s damp weather, because keeping logs dry is half the battle.
Why seasoned hardwood matters most
Well-seasoned hardwood lights easier, gives stronger heat, and helps keep your glass and flue cleaner because you are not wasting energy boiling off water. Many stove manufacturers specify burning seasoned timber with a moisture content below 20%, which is a useful benchmark when you are buying logs or checking your own supply with a moisture meter. That “dry fuel” standard also tends to mean less tar and soot in the flue over the season, which matters for safety and for keeping a good draw.
Hardwood choices Irish homes do well with
Ash, oak, beech, and birch are solid picks, and matching log size to your stove matters as much as species. Ash is popular because it burns well when properly seasoned and is straightforward to manage, while oak can give a long burn but usually needs plenty of time to dry out fully. Birch catches nicely and gives quick heat, but it tends to burn faster, so it suits shorter, hotter fires rather than long overnight burns. If you are comparing appliances, the range in the wood-burning and multi-fuel stove collection makes those firebox and log-length differences obvious, and it naturally brings you to the other part of the fuel conversation that affects smoke, heat, and running costs just as much.
Hardwood or Softwood: What's Best?
Choosing between hardwood and softwood matters because it changes how steady your stove heat feels, how often you refuel, and how clean the burn stays. The main difference is density: hardwood is heavier per log, while softwood is generally lighter and can be more resinous. Hardwood usually gives longer, steadier burn times and better overnight embers in a typical Irish sitting room stove. Softwood lights faster and throws quick heat, but it can be burned through sooner if you’re heating for hours. Both work well if properly seasoned and stored dry, and it is worth aiming for logs around 20% moisture or less for a cleaner burn and better efficiency, as reflected in SEAI’s domestic fuel comparisons and wider solid-fuel best practice in Ireland.
Overall
In Irish weather, your storage and dryness usually matter more than species, and they also affect soot and tar build-up in the flue over time.
Hardwood
Use hardwood for long evening burns and fewer reloads in enclosed stoves, especially when you want steady output and a good bed of embers to keep the stove ticking over.
Softwood
Softwood suits kindling and fast warm-ups, especially in shoulder seasons, and it can be a perfectly good main fuel when it is properly dry and you are happy to refuel a bit more often.
Best for you
If you’re comparing stove types and outputs, browse the range of wood burning & multi-fuel stoves and match fuel style to how you actually heat the room, since the right appliance and a clean-burning fuel routine tend to make the biggest difference in day-to-day comfort.
Burning the right wood makes your stove cleaner, more efficient, and far easier to live with in an Irish winter. Moisture content is the real divider here, because any water in the log has to boil off before the wood can burn properly. Kiln-dried wood is dried quickly in controlled conditions, so it lights fast and delivers steadier heat. Seasoned wood is air-dried over time, so it can burn very well, but only when it is genuinely dry right through. Green wood is freshly cut and wet, so it hisses, smokes, and wastes heat, often leaving you with more mess than warmth.
How moisture content changes the burn
Moisture matters because it directly affects efficiency, smoke, and soot. If your wood is too wet, a lot of the stove’s energy is spent evaporating water instead of heating the room, and the cooler, dirtier burn can contribute to creosote and soot in the flue. In Ireland, damp weather and poor storage can undo good fuel surprisingly fast, so it is worth checking what you are actually burning rather than trusting a label.
For buyers, there is also a legal angle. Under the Solid Fuel Regulations published by Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wood sold in small volumes must meet a maximum moisture limit, which is designed to reduce smoke and improve air quality, and it pushes the market towards cleaner-burning fuel that behaves better in real stoves.
Kiln-dried wood
Kiln-dried wood suits you when you want predictable lighting and less fuss. It is particularly handy for short evening fires where slow-to-burn fuel never really gets into its stride, leaving the stove sluggish and the glass dirtier. When moisture is consistently low, you tend to get a brighter flame, better response to air controls, and less smoke smell around the house, which is exactly what most people want day to day.
That reliability also makes it easier to judge your stove’s output and comfort level, which matters when you are trying to heat a room properly without constantly tinkering.
Seasoned wood
Seasoned wood suits you when you have the space and patience to store it correctly. Air-dried logs can burn very well, but the word “seasoned” is not a guarantee in itself, especially if the wood has been stacked in a damp corner, left uncovered, or stored without airflow. In Irish conditions, good storage is everything: keep logs off the ground, covered on top, and open at the sides so air can move through.
When you get this right, seasoned wood becomes a cost-effective, dependable fuel option, and you will usually notice the difference in cleaner glass and a more stable flame.
Green wood
Green wood mainly matters as a warning sign. Because it is freshly cut and holds a lot of water, it tends to hiss and smoulder, with more visible smoke and poorer heat. It can also contribute to soot and creosote build-up in the flue, which is something you never want to ignore from a safety point of view.
If you have access to green wood, the sensible move is to treat it as fuel for a future season, store it properly, and run your stove on suitable dry fuel in the meantime while you compare wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves by output and format for the kind of heat you actually want in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kiln-Dried vs Seasoned vs Green Wood
What moisture level should firewood be in Ireland for a stove?
For most stoves, you want firewood that is properly dry, typically at or under 20% moisture content when measured on a freshly split face with a moisture meter. Drier wood generally lights easier, burns hotter, and produces less smoke and soot, which is particularly important in Ireland where damp storage conditions can creep moisture back into logs.
Is kiln-dried wood always better than seasoned wood?
Not always. Kiln-dried wood is more consistent and convenient, which is why it is popular for quick, clean burns. Well-seasoned wood can perform just as well if it is truly dry throughout and has been stored correctly, but the risk is variability. In practice, kiln-dried is the safer choice when you want predictable results, while properly seasoned can be a great option when you can verify dryness and storage.
How can you tell if wood is too wet to burn?
Typical signs include a dull, lazy flame, lots of smoke, logs that hiss or bubble at the ends, and stove glass that soots up quickly. You may also struggle to keep the fire going unless the air controls are wide open. The most reliable check is a moisture meter reading taken on the inside face of a freshly split log, because the outside can feel dry even when the middle is still wet.
Can you burn green wood in a wood-burning stove?
You can physically burn it, but it is a poor choice. Green wood wastes heat boiling off moisture, tends to smoke more, and can leave extra soot and creosote in the flue, which increases maintenance and can raise safety risks. It is generally better to season it properly and use it later, while burning dry fuel now.
Does wet wood cause creosote in the chimney?
Wet wood can contribute to creosote build-up because it usually burns cooler and dirtier, sending more unburnt vapours and particles up the flue where they can condense. Creosote is not just messy, it can be a fire risk, so dry fuel and proper burning technique matter, along with regular chimney sweeping as recommended for your appliance and usage.
Do the Irish Solid Fuel Regulations apply to all firewood?
The Solid Fuel Regulations set requirements for certain solid fuels placed on the market, including limits for moisture content for wood sold in small volumes. The details can depend on how the fuel is sold and supplied, so if you are buying firewood, it is worth checking the supplier’s information and ensuring what you are getting is suitable for clean burning in a stove.
Choose cleaner-burning fuel and a stove that suits your room
If you are aiming for easier lighting, cleaner glass, and more usable heat from every load, start by matching your fuel quality and stove type to how you actually heat the room. Browse the wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves collection and shortlist a few options by output, size, and style, then you can build your setup around dry, compliant fuel for a steadier, more comfortable burn.
Optimal Moisture Content for Firewood
Burning the right moisture level is one of the biggest make-or-break factors for stove performance in Irish homes, where damp weather can leave “seasoned” logs wetter than you think. Aim for firewood at 20% moisture content or lower. SEAI’s Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison uses seasoned hardwood at 20% moisture as the reference point for performance and cost comparisons, so it is a useful benchmark for what “good burning” looks like in real terms. If you burn wetter logs, more of the heat is spent boiling off water, so you typically get a weaker flame, more smoke, and dirtier stove glass and flue.
Why 20% changes the whole burn
SEAI’s own costing assumes “Hardwood…20% moisture” in its comparisons, as shown in the SEAI Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison (Jan 2025), and that is the level where stoves generally deliver steady heat rather than steaming away your fuel. In practical terms, drier wood lights easier, burns cleaner, and helps your stove and chimney stay in better condition, which matters for both comfort and ongoing maintenance. When you are ready to match fuel to an appliance, the wood burning and multi-fuel stove range is a handy place to compare firebox sizes and stove outputs that suit typical Irish rooms, where the right setup only performs properly when the fuel quality is up to scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Firewood Moisture Content
What moisture content should firewood be for a stove in Ireland?
For most wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves, 20% moisture content or below is the target. This aligns with SEAI’s reference assumption for seasoned hardwood in its domestic fuel cost comparison, and it is also the point where logs tend to burn with a stable flame instead of wasting energy drying themselves out in the firebox.
Is it OK to burn logs at 25% or 30% moisture?
It will burn, but it is usually poor value and hard on the stove. At 25% to 30% moisture, a noticeable portion of the heat goes into driving off water, so you can expect a lazier flame, more smoke, sootier glass, and faster build-up of deposits in the flue. That build-up increases the need for sweeping and can contribute to chimney problems, so the hassle often outweighs any savings on cheaper “not-quite-dry” wood.
How do I check the moisture content of firewood accurately?
Use a moisture meter and test a freshly split face of the log, not the outside. The outside can feel dry while the centre is still wet, especially with thicker pieces or wood stored in a humid Irish shed. Take a couple of readings from different logs in the batch to get a realistic picture of what you are burning.
What are the signs that my firewood is too wet?
Common signs include difficulty lighting, hissing or sizzling at the start of the burn, lots of smoke, a sluggish flame that struggles to stay bright, and blackened stove glass. You may also notice a tar-like smell or sticky deposits around the stove outlet or in the flue, which is a good prompt to sort your fuel and book a sweep if needed.
How long does firewood need to season in Ireland?
It depends on the wood species, log size, and how it is stored, but in Ireland it often takes a year or more for split logs to reliably get down near 20% moisture, and some hardwoods can take longer. The biggest difference-maker is storage: split it, stack it off the ground, keep rain off the top, and give it plenty of airflow, because Irish humidity can slow drying even when it is not raining.
Does burning wet wood damage my stove or chimney?
It can. Wet wood tends to burn cooler and dirtier, which encourages soot and creosote-type deposits in the flue. Over time, that can reduce draw, make the stove harder to control, increase smoke, and raise the risk of chimney issues. Clean burning with dry fuel is one of the simplest ways to keep your system running efficiently between sweeps.
Does moisture content affect stove efficiency and running costs?
Yes, directly. When the wood is wet, energy is spent evaporating water instead of heating your room, so you burn more fuel to get the same comfort. SEAI’s fuel cost comparison uses hardwood at 20% moisture as a reference point, which underlines that moisture level as a practical baseline for comparing performance and cost in an Irish context.
Choose a Stove That Performs Properly on Real-World Irish Fuel
If you are aiming for cleaner burning and steadier heat, it helps to match your stove to the way you actually fuel it, including typical log length, firebox size, and the heat output that suits your room. Browse the wood burning and multi-fuel stoves collection to shortlist a few options, and keep the 20% moisture target in mind so the stove you choose can deliver the efficiency and flame quality it is designed for.
Check that your logs are properly seasoned so your stove lights easily, burns cleanly, and avoids wasting heat boiling off water in the firebox. Measure moisture on a freshly split face rather than trusting the outside after a shower. Back that reading up with simple cues like weight, feel, and the sound two pieces make when tapped together. Confirm it with a quick burn test so you can spot smoky, sluggish fuel before it gums up your glass and flue, leaving you with a fire that never really gets going.
How to Identify Properly Seasoned Wood
Start by checking moisture, then confirm it with your senses: weight, sound, and surface feel. Split a log and judge the freshly exposed face, because the outside can lie after rain. Finish by lighting one or two pieces; the flame behaviour tells you quickly if the batch is worth using, and it usually shows up in the glass and smoke output straight away.
1. Check moisture on a fresh split
Good stove wood is genuinely dry because Irish rules set “small-volume” firewood (wood sold in single units under 2m³) at 25% moisture or less, moving to 20% within 4 years, in the Government of Ireland’s solid-fuel standards announcement. Take a reading on the freshly split face with a moisture meter if you have one, as that gives you the most honest picture of what is actually going into the stove.
2. Use weight, texture, and sound
Seasoned logs feel lighter for their size, have a drier, slightly rough texture, and give a sharper “clack” when knocked together rather than a dull thud. You will often see more checking and cracking at the ends too, which is a handy visual cue that the moisture has had time to leave the wood.
3. Do a quick burn test in your stove
Dry logs catch fast and give a clean, steady crackle; if you’re comparing outputs, the range of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves helps you match fuel quality to how the appliance performs. Wet or borderline wood tends to hiss and smoulder, darkens the stove glass quickly, and can leave you chasing the fire with extra kindling, which is a good sign you should sort your fuel before relying on it for regular heating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Properly Seasoned Wood
What moisture content should firewood be in Ireland?
For wood sold in single units under 2m³, the Irish standard is 25% moisture content or less, with a move to 20% within 4 years, as set out in the Government of Ireland announcement on domestic solid-fuel standards. In practical stove terms, many homeowners aim as close to 20% as possible for easier lighting, cleaner glass, and better heat.
Can you tell if logs are seasoned without a moisture meter?
You can get a decent steer from feel and behaviour. Seasoned logs are noticeably lighter, feel drier and rougher, and make a sharper, higher “clack” when tapped together. The most reliable non-meter check is still to split a log and look at the freshly exposed face, then do a small burn test to see if it lights quickly and burns with a lively flame rather than hissing and smouldering.
Why do my logs hiss and smoke even though they look dry?
The outside can dry after a spell of decent weather, while the centre stays wet, especially with larger rounds or logs stored in poor airflow. Hissing, heavy smoke, and sluggish flames usually mean water is still being driven off in the firebox, which steals heat and can contribute to soot and creosote in the flue. Splitting a piece and checking the centre is the quickest way to confirm what is going on.
How long does it take to season logs in Ireland?
It depends on species, log size, splitting, and storage, and Irish damp weather can slow things down. Split wood with good airflow and cover from rain tends to season far faster than roundwood piled tight on the ground. If you are buying in, ask how it was processed and stored, because “seasoned” can mean very different things unless moisture is actually measured.
What is the best way to store firewood so it stays seasoned?
Keep it off the ground, stacked so air can move through it, and cover the top to keep rain off while leaving the sides open to breathe. A fully wrapped pile often traps moisture, which is the opposite of what you want in Irish conditions. Good storage makes the burn more consistent, which is where stove control and heat output start to feel predictable.
Choose a Stove That Performs Properly With Dry Fuel
If you are ready to get cleaner burns and more usable heat from properly seasoned logs, browse the wood-burning and multi-fuel stove range and shortlist models that suit your room size and heating needs. If you are unsure on output, flue setup, or what will work best in a typical Irish home, contact the team for practical guidance before you buy so your stove, flue, and fuel all work together the way they should.
Storing Firewood in Ireland's Damp Climate
Store firewood off the ground, keep rain off the top, and leave the sides open so air can move through the stack. Start with a sheltered, well-drained base, then use a store or cover that sheds water without trapping moisture. Bring a small batch indoors 24 to 48 hours before burning so surface dampness does not spoil your light-up and you get a cleaner burn.
1. Raise and site your stack
Pick a breezy spot and lift logs on pallets or bearers so ground moisture cannot wick up into the wood. A hardstanding area like paving or gravel helps, especially after a wet spell when lawns stay saturated.
2. Use a proper log store (or a “breathing” cover)
A roofed, open-sided log store dries best; if you are planning your setup, a stove with an optional log store can keep day-to-day fuel tidy. If you are using a tarp, cover the top only and weight it down so it does not flap, leaving the sides exposed for ventilation.
3. Rotate and stage fuel for burning
Burn oldest-first and move a few days’ supply indoors to stabilise before you start thinking about whether hardwood or softwood suits you best for heat, flame, and day-to-day handling.
Safe Burning Practices
Is it safe to burn treated, painted, or manufactured wood in a stove?
No. Treatments, paints, and glues can give off toxic fumes and corrosive compounds when burned. That is bad for your lungs, and it can also damage your flue and stove internals over time. In Ireland, domestic solid-fuel burning is flagged as a key air-quality issue by the EPA in its Ireland Informative Inventory Report 2023, and burning “waste wood” only adds to the risk. A simple rule that usually keeps you right is this: if you would not barbecue on it, do not burn it.
Painted or varnished timber: the “invisible smoke” problem
This matters because coatings do not burn cleanly, so you can get harsher smoke, more odour indoors (especially during lighting and refuelling), and quicker soot build-up in the flue. That build-up increases the chances of a chimney fire and can leave you with poorer draw, which makes the stove harder to run cleanly.
Treated wood and MDF/chipboard: why stoves hate them
This matters because preservatives and resins can foul baffles and liners, shortening service life and making your stove harder to control. Manufactured boards like MDF and chipboard are also heavy on glues and binders, which is exactly what you do not want going up your flue in a real Irish winter when you are depending on steady, reliable draw.
A safer baseline before “Hardwood or Softwood”
If you are upgrading appliances, compare Ecodesign-ready options in wood burning & multi-fuel stoves and stick to clean, dry, untreated logs so your fuel choice, not fumes or contamination, is the main variable when you are judging heat, efficiency, and day-to-day comfort.
Considerations for Choosing a Stove
Wood choice matters because it sets the real-world heat you get, the soot you create, and how often you will be feeding the fire. If your fuel is consistently dry and clean-burning, you can size the stove to the room with confidence instead of buying big to compensate. The catch is that Irish wood supply varies by season and storage, so your stove choice should suit the fuel you can reliably source and keep dry.
Why fuel quality affects efficiency and compliance
Fuel drives performance because wet logs waste heat evaporating water, and Irish rules have tightened around what can be sold. Government guidance on domestic solid fuels states that wood sold in single units under 2m³ must have a moisture content of 25% or less, moving to 20% within four years, as set out in the new standards for domestic solid fuels. That moisture target is not just about clean air; it also helps your stove run more efficiently and keeps the flue system cleaner over time, which matters for safe, reliable draw in a typical Irish heating season.
How this ties into room size and running costs
Stove sizing is far simpler when you assume consistent, seasoned logs, because the same stove can feel underpowered on damp fuel and too lively on very dry hardwood. When you are comparing models, browsing by heat output (for example, wood burning and multi-fuel stoves) helps you keep room size, efficiency, and day-to-day running costs connected, especially when you start weighing up hardwood versus softwood and what you will actually be burning most nights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Stove for Wood Fuel in Ireland
What moisture level should firewood be in Ireland?
For good performance, you want genuinely seasoned wood, and the legal standards are a useful benchmark. Government guidance states that wood sold in single units under 2m³ must be at 25% moisture content or less, moving to 20% within four years, under Ireland’s domestic solid fuel standards outlined on gov.ie. In practical terms, drier wood gives you more usable heat, easier lighting, less smoke, and less tar and soot building up in the flue.
Can you burn softwood in a wood-burning stove?
Yes, provided it is properly seasoned and you run the stove correctly. Softwood tends to ignite quickly and can be handy for getting a bed of embers going, while hardwood often burns longer per log. The bigger issue in Irish homes is not the species, it is moisture content and airflow control. Wet or half-seasoned softwood can smoke heavily and contribute to creosote in the flue, which is a safety concern and can leave you cleaning the appliance more often.
Does wet wood really cost more to run?
It usually does, because a portion of the energy is wasted boiling off water before the stove can deliver steady heat into the room. That can tempt you to run the stove harder, use more fuel, and still feel like the heat is not there. It also tends to mean more soot and deposits, which can increase maintenance costs over the season and make the stove feel less efficient in day-to-day use.
Should you size a stove bigger to cope with poorer fuel?
It is rarely the best fix. Oversizing often leads to slumbering or running the stove too low to keep the room comfortable, which can increase soot and reduce efficiency. It is normally better to match heat output to the room and commit to dry fuel and correct operation, because that is what the stove is designed around. If your fuel supply is genuinely variable, it is worth choosing a model with good controllability and a proven track record on real-world Irish usage, while keeping installation and ventilation requirements in mind.
Are there any Irish rules that affect what you can burn?
Yes, Ireland regulates domestic solid fuels, including moisture content requirements for certain wood sales volumes and smoke emission standards for other solid fuels. The most reliable starting point is the Government announcement on domestic solid fuel standards. Local restrictions can also apply through low-smoke zones, so it is sensible to confirm what is permitted in your area and to follow the stove manufacturer’s fuel recommendations to protect performance and warranty.
Find a Stove That Matches Your Fuel, Room Size, and Heat Output
If you are trying to avoid the common trap of oversizing, use heat output as your filter and shortlist models that make sense for your room and the wood you can reliably get seasoned and stored. Browse the range of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves to compare outputs and styles, and keep your fuel quality front and centre so your stove runs cleanly, efficiently, and comfortably through an Irish winter.
Is kiln-dried firewood better than air-dried/seasoned firewood?
It can be, but only when you compare like with like. Kiln-dried logs are dried in a controlled environment, so the moisture level is usually more consistent, which makes them easier to light and cleaner to burn in Irish weather. Properly seasoned (air-dried) logs can perform just as well if they have genuinely reached stove-ready dryness and have been kept dry right through delivery and storage.
If you are buying in Ireland, the practical difference is reliability: kiln-dried is less likely to arrive borderline and reabsorb damp on a wet week, while well-seasoned hardwood can be excellent value when it is truly dry.
How should I store firewood in Ireland’s damp climate for best results?
Aim to keep rain off and air moving through the stack. In Ireland, logs left on the ground or wrapped tightly in plastic tend to pull in moisture and stay damp.
Raise it off the ground on pallets or a purpose-built log store so airflow can dry the underside.
Cover the top only with a sheet, board, or roof, leaving the sides open so wind can do the work.
Face the cut ends outward and stack loosely so moisture can escape.
Bring in a small rotation indoors (a day or two’s worth) so the surface moisture can lift before burning.
Keep it away from walls to reduce condensation and mould spots.
If you use a moisture meter, test a freshly split log at the centre rather than the outside, because Irish humidity can make the surface reading misleading.
Is it safe to burn treated, painted or manufactured wood in my stove?
No. Treated or coated timber, painted wood, and most manufactured boards (MDF, chipboard, plywood) can release harmful pollutants when burned, and they can also foul your flue and stove internals. The EPA advises: do not burn waste and do not burn treated or coated wood in an open fire or solid fuel stove because it can release harmful toxic pollutants EPA home-heating guidance (Jan 2015).
Stick to clean, untreated firewood that is properly dried, plus manufacturer-approved fuels for your appliance.
What are the benefits of kiln-dried logs for stoves and open fires?
Kiln-dried logs are popular in Irish homes because they typically give you:
More usable heat per log since less energy is wasted boiling off water.
Easier lighting and steadier flames, especially helpful in open fires where airflow is less controlled.
Cleaner glass and less visible smoke, because dry wood burns more completely.
Reduced soot and tar risk in the flue compared with burning damp logs, which helps keep draught strong and maintenance simpler.
For a benchmark, SEAI’s domestic fuel cost comparison lists firewood at 20% moisture as a reference point for comparing delivered fuel costs SEAI Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison (Jan 2025).
Are softwood logs suitable for stoves in Ireland?
Yes, softwood can be suitable if it is properly dried and you use it in the right way. Softwoods (like spruce, pine, and larch) tend to light quickly and give fast heat, so they are handy for kindling, for bringing a room up to temperature, or for shorter evening burns.
For longer, slower heat in many stoves, Irish households often prefer dense hardwoods because they usually form a longer-lasting bed of embers. Whatever you choose, dryness matters more than the species, and building a habit of buying, storing, and burning genuinely dry fuel is what keeps a stove running sweetly through a wet Irish winter.
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If you are also weighing up an upgrade, having the right appliance for your room makes every load of logs go further. Take a look at the ESSE Warmheart wood-fired cook stove to see what a quality, efficient setup can look like in a real home.