Topics covered: Nature, belonging, grief, childhood loss, the Whiddy Island disaster, family, fatherhood, night fishing, love, mortality, the healing power of nature, wildlife encounters, biodiversity, climate change, our relationship with the natural world, identity, ag foghlaim Gaeilge, slowing down, Manchán Magan.
My guest this week is Eoin Warner, an award-winning wildlife documentary presenter, naturalist and now author, whose work has introduced audiences to the extraordinary beauty and biodiversity of Ireland.
Originally from West Cork, Eoin now lives in Galway with his wife Ríona and their two sons, Tristan and Ferdia.
His beautiful debut book, Through the Long Grass: Love, Loss and Belonging in Nature, is so much more than a book about wildlife. It's a deeply personal exploration of life, love, grief and our connection to the natural world.
When Eoin was just two years old, his father David was killed in the Whiddy Island disaster in Bantry Bay in January 1979, when an oil tanker exploded, claiming 50 lives.
His mother Mary was left to raise three young boys, and Eoin speaks so movingly about her in this conversation. One particularly touching memory involves his teenage love of night fishing.
We talk about how nature has helped him make sense of some of life's most difficult experiences.
We also explore Eoin's relationship with the Irish language. Níor tógadh le Gaeilge é, ach tá Gaeilge álainn aige anois. He has presented numerous documentaries trí Ghaeilge, even though he didn't grow up speaking it. It wasn't until his twenties, when he experienced Irish as a living language in West Kerry, that everything changed.
We also discuss his friendship with the late Manchán Magan, some extraordinary wildlife encounters, and why Eoin believes we need to rethink our relationship with the natural world, moving away from dominance towards kinship and respect.
Eoin's book:
Through the Long Grass: Love, Loss and Belonging in Nature (Gill Books)
Wildlife documentaries:
TG4: Éire Fhiáin - An Cósta Thiar, Iontais na bhFarraigí Ceilteacha, Oileán Glas, Fásach Bán
RTÉ: Wild Conamara, Ireland's Wild Islands, A Wild Irish Year
Explore Eoin's documentaries and viewing links:
https://www.eoinwarner.com/videos
TG4 Player: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/
RTÉ Player: https://www.rte.ie/player/
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