Who called montserrat the emerald isle and why?

The Irish author and explorer, Sir Thomas Warner, is credited with giving Montserrat the nickname the Emerald Isle. He visited Montserrat during the mid 1600s and noted the lush green landscapes and dense vegetation. He was struck by the beauty of the island and made comparisons to the island of Ireland which is nicknamed the Emerald Isle for similar reasons. The name has stuck ever since and Montserrat is often referred to as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.