HomePublished BooksTree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature

Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature

By: Manchán Magan
Publisher: Gill
Published: October 2021
Pages: 96
Categories: Children
Language: English
Available as: Hardback
On sale at:
ISBN-13: 9780717192557

A magical illustrated collection of Irish words for the natural world from the author of the bestseller, 32 Words for Field. 'In Irish there are so many great rain words and magic words and highly specific natural words (such as the material put on the hooves of donkeys to stop them slipping in ice), or words to communicate with animals, or evocative plant words, or the gorgeous words for different amounts of light in the sky, or words that hint at different ways of seeing colour, or twilight words ... Manchan Magan is fascinated by words, particularly Irish words, with all of their complex meanings and associations and their connections to the natural world. Having enjoyed huge success with his bestselling book Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchan now brings his infectious wonder and enthusiasm for the Irish language to a younger audience, offering delightful translations and explanations of animal, bird, fish, insect and nature words. When you see the world through Irish, you see the world differently. Get ready to share the magic with this delightful book for readers of all ages. Manchan Magan is a writer and documentary-maker. He has written books on his travels in Africa, India and South America, and his book Thirty-two Words for Field was a runaway bestseller. He lives in an oak wood, with bees, hens and vegetables, in a slightly confused house with a grass roof, near Lough Lene, Co. Westmeath. Steve Doogan works in a wide variety of media and styles. He loves printmaking - etching, linocut and monoprints - and drawing. '

Other Books From this Category

View More From This Category

Other Books From this Author

  • 11 Sep 2025 - Gill

    Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun)

    By Manchán Magan

    Meet the néaladóirí (cloud-watchers) and réadóirí (star-gazers) from our past who, without the luxury of Met Éireann at their disposal, observed birds, trees, animals, as well as markers on lan...

  • 20 Nov 2024 - Mayo Books Press

    Brehons and Brahmins

    By Manchán Magan

    Ireland and India seem far apart, with apparently little in common in terms of culture, language, and tradition. Yet appearances can be deceiving: there are, in fact, remarkable similarities between t...

  • 25 Oct 2024 - Gill

    Irish Words for Nature

    By Manchán Magan

    Manchán Magan is fascinated by words, particularly Irish words, and their connections to the natural world. Having enjoyed great success with the bestselling Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Iris...

  • 1 Jan 2024 - Mayo Books Press

    Ireland in Iceland

    By Manchán Magan

    In this richly illustrated journey, Manchán Magan traces the forgotten presence of the Irish in Iceland; monks and migrants, storytellers and shapeshifters who helped shape a land we’ve long imagin...

  • 1 Dec 2023 - Mayo Books Press

    Focail na mBan

    By Manchán Magan

    Focail na mBan is a gathering of Irish words for vaginas, vulvas, clitorises and periods with illustrations from 29 artists. It is meant as a catalyst for those willing to seek out further terms a...

  • 15 Sep 2023 - Gill

    Wolf-Men and Water Hounds: The Myths, Monsters and Magic of Ireland

    By Manchán Magan

    Uncover the secrets of our island in this engrossing look at magical landmarks across the country. Travelling province by province through Ireland, Manchán outlines the stories most closely associate...

  • 30 Sep 2022 - Gill

    Listen to the Land Speak: A journey into the wisdom of what lies beneath us

    By Manchán Magan

    Our ancestors developed a uniquely nature-focused society, centred on esteemed poets, seers, monks, healers and wise women who were deeply connected to the land. They used this connection to the cycle...

  • 28 Aug 2020 - Gill

    Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape

    By Manchán Magan

    A lyrical reminder of Ireland's lost words that offer a different way of seeing the world. The Irish language has thirty-two words for field. Among them are: Geamhar - a field of corn-grass ...

  • 9 Apr 2007 - Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd

    'Manchan's Travels: A Journey Through India'

    By Manchán Magan

    This entertaining, offbeat travelogue by an Irish tv documentary maker is a true story of deluded maharajahs, murderous environmentalists, sex-obsessed yogis, and bizarre high-society belles. It stret...

  • 5 Apr 2006 - Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd

    'Angels and Rabies'

    By Manchán Magan

    Angels and Rabies follows the experiences of Mocha/Manchan on a journey through the Americas from a primal screaming commune in the Colombian Andes to contracting rabies in the Peruvian rainforest and...

View More From This Author