Nature Boy: A journey of birdsong and belonging
| By: | Seán Ronayne |
| Publisher: | Hachette Books Ireland |
| Published: | October 2024 |
| Pages: | 432 |
| Categories: | Non-Fiction, Autobiography |
| Language: | English |
| Available as: | Ebook |
| On sale at: |
'Captivating' Manchán Magan 'Sublime' Eoghan Daltun Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. Nicknamed 'nature boy' by the other kids, as a child he struggled to fit in and regularly escaped to the woods and coastlines around his home in Cork. The natural world was his happy place and where he discovered his true passion - identifying and understanding birds through their sound and song. A passion that would save him in the weeks and months following a near‑death experience in his late teens. Even in the darkest times, nature became his guiding light. As Seán found his path working as an ornithologist, he began to see how, by highlighting the wonder and beauty of the natural world, he could draw attention to the danger it currently faces. And, at the age of thirty-two, Seán received an autism diagnosis and his life finally started to make sense. Here, Seán takes us on his journey. From his adventures in the Sahara Desert, the jungles of Nepal and the streets of Thailand, to discovering the night sounds of Catalunya, and his mission to sound record all the regularly occurring bird species in Ireland, Nature Boy is an inspiring story of love, connection and the healing power of nature. 'Seán's sensitivity to the natural world captivates the reader, allowing all of us approach closer and appreciate more the sublime beauty of what surrounds us' Manchán Magan 'A stunning testament to the wonders of nature' Pádraic Fogarty 'Seán is perhaps the greatest and most eloquent champion for Irish nature I have come across. Powerful, impassioned and deeply moving, please read this book, now!' Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland 'With disarming honesty, eloquence and humour, Seán Ronayne recounts how he took possession of a childhood taunt and made it his adult mission' Magnus Robb 'Seán is a man who reveals wonder from within the ordinary' Ken O'Sullivan 'A gorgeously personal, and deeply moving, account of living a life fully immersed in the fantastic wonderland that is nature. Sublime' Eoghan Daltun 'Informative, inspiring and insightful, this book is a heartfelt and enthralling personal journey of a life ensconced in nature' Anja Murray
Other Books From this Category
-
31 Dec 2026 - Irish Manuscripts Commission
The Red Book of Ossory
-
31 Dec 2026 - Four Courts Press Ltd
Directory of Historic Dublin Guilds: Second Edition
-
27 Nov 2026 - Four Courts Press Ltd
The Irish Soldier: In Peacetime and at War, at Home and Abroad, from Earliest Times to the Present
By Thomas Bartlett (historian)
This edited volume presents some thirty chapters by a team of international scholars reviewing the Irish military experience throughout the world over the past 1000 years with each chapter seeking to ...
-
27 Nov 2026 - Four Courts Press Ltd
Brigid’s Worlds: Proceedings from the Brigid 1500 Maynooth University and Kildare County Council Conference
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet South America Planning Map
Chart your dream trip to South America with Lonely Planet's South America Planning Map, the ultimate travel tool to help you navigate your way around this amazing part of the world. Witness the mig...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Argentina
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Argentina. Discover Argentina's most popular experiences...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Kids Maptacular!
By Laura Baker
Get a whole new look at our planet with this awesome collection of unusual maps packed with fun insights and astounding information about the world. Which countries prefer dogs and which prefer cats?...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Southeast Asia Planning Map
Chart your dream trip to Southeast Asia with Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia Planning Map, the ultimate travel tool to help you navigate your way around this amazing part of the world. Roam the stre...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Hawaii Island (The Big Island)
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Hawaii the Big Island. Discover Hawai'i the Big Island's mos...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Honolulu Waikiki & Oahu
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu. Discover Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu'...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Experience Hawaii
This latest edition of Lonely Planet's Experience Hawaii travel guide reveals exciting new ways to explore this iconic region with all the tools you need to create your own unique trip. Discover ...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Journey Inca Trail
Lonely Planet's Journey Inca Trail is the definitive guide to one of the world's great adventures – bringing you closer to the culture, history and landscapes you'll encounter along the way. Ge...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Central America Planning Map
Chart your dream trip to Central America with Lonely Planet's Central America Planning Map, the ultimate travel tool to help you navigate your way around this amazing part of the world. Dive headfi...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Quechua Travel Phrasebook & Dictionary
Learn essential phrases and vocabulary – from directions to eating out and travelling safely – and get to the heart of the local culture with this on-the-go language guide. Never get stuck for ...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands. Discover Ecuador & the Galá...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Where to Cheat on Your Cat: The Cat Lover’s Travel guide
The definitive guide to the top spots around the world where you can see, pet and photograph one of the planet's most beloved animals: cats! Meet warm-bellied felines snoozing in bookstores, gape at ...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Maui
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Maui. Discover Maui's most popular experiences and best kept...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Kauai
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime in this latest edition of our guide to Kauai. Discover Kaua‘i's most popular experiences and best...
-
12 Nov 2026 - Lonely Planet Global Limited
Lonely Planet Experience Antarctica
Lonely Planet's Experience Antarctica travel guide reveals exciting new ways to explore this iconic region with all the tools you need to create your own unique trip. Discover amazing local experie...
-
30 Oct 2026 - New Island Books
ON AIR: A People's History of Irish Radio
At 7.45pm on 1 January 1926, a crackling voice over the airwaves marked the beginning of public broadcasting in Ireland. From that first transmission by 2RN - the precursor to RTÉ - ON AIR: A PEOPLE�...
Other Books From this Author
-
14 May 2026 - Hachette Books Ireland
Nature Boy: A journey of birdsong and belonging
By Seán Ronayne
Ornithologist Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. While he struggled to fit in at school, when he was surrounded by nature, listening to birdsong, he felt a sense of calm and could truly be hi...
-
6 Mar 2025 - Hachette Books Ireland
Nature Boy: A journey of birdsong and belonging
By Seán Ronayne
'Captivating' Manchán Magan 'Sublime' Eoghan Daltun Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. Nicknamed 'nature boy' by the other kids, as a child he struggled to fit in and regularly escaped to ...
