A powerful story of connection, healing, and the wonder of the natural world.

In Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong & Belonging, Irish ornithologist Seán Ronayne shares his extraordinary journey through sound, solitude, and the search for meaning in nature.

Nicknamed “nature boy” as a child, Seán often struggled to fit in — finding solace instead in the woods, coastlines, and birdsong of his native Cork. After a near-death experience in his teens, nature became not just his refuge, but his way back to life.

Now one of Ireland’s leading bird recordists, Seán has made it his mission to capture the song of every regularly occurring bird species in Ireland, using sound to connect people with the beauty — and fragility — of the natural world. Along the way, his autism diagnosis at thirty-two brought new understanding and clarity to his lifelong passion for listening deeply.

Blending memoir, travelogue, and environmental call to action, Nature Boy takes readers from the jungles of Nepal to the night sounds of Catalunya, the Sahara Desert to the Irish coast — revealing, in Seán’s words and recordings, how profoundly nature speaks when we truly listen.

Why You’ll Love It:

• An intimate memoir – one man’s journey through birdsong, belonging, and purpose.

• Global and local – from Cork to Catalonia, a story rooted in Irish nature with universal resonance.

• Deeply human – explores autism, identity, and healing through the natural world.

• Sensory and lyrical – written with the same sensitivity Seán brings to every recording.

“A stunning testament to the wonders of nature.” — Padraic Fogarty
“Informative, inspiring, and deeply moving.” — Anja Murray

A profound exploration of sound, sensitivity, and the wild heart of Ireland.

Shop Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong & Belonging and rediscover how nature helps us find our place in the world.