‘Seán’s sensitivity to the natural world captivates the reader’ Manchán Magan
‘Earnest and uplifting’ Irish Times
‘Informative, inspiring and insightful’ Anja Murray
Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. Nicknamed ‘nature boy’ by the other kids, as a child he 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. This passion would see him find his calling as an ornithologist.
From a near-death experience as a teenager, to his adventures in the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Nepal, coming to terms with an autism diagnosis at the age of thirty‑two and his mission to sound record all the regularly occurring bird species in Ireland (resulting in acclaimed documentary Birdsong), here in Nature Boy Seán takes us on a journey of discovery and wonder.
‘Powerful, impassioned and deeply moving, please read this book, now!’ Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland
‘Earnest and uplifting’ Irish Times
‘Informative, inspiring and insightful’ Anja Murray
Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. Nicknamed ‘nature boy’ by the other kids, as a child he 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. This passion would see him find his calling as an ornithologist.
From a near-death experience as a teenager, to his adventures in the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Nepal, coming to terms with an autism diagnosis at the age of thirty‑two and his mission to sound record all the regularly occurring bird species in Ireland (resulting in acclaimed documentary Birdsong), here in Nature Boy Seán takes us on a journey of discovery and wonder.
‘Powerful, impassioned and deeply moving, please read this book, now!’ Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland
Reviews
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
Ronayne lays bare the experiences that cultivated in him such a rich and amplified lens on the natural world
Nature Boy is an earnest and uplifting blend of biography, almanac, travelogue and conservation call-to-arms
There are many fascinating passages in Nature Boy ... This book will help a reader better understand the dynamics of autism and better appreciate the natural world on our doorstep