Nature Magic

80 Dr Debbie Saunders fights biodiversity loss with tech

Dr Debbie Saunders is a Conservation Ecologist & Nature-Tech Innovation Dr Debbie Saunders has a PhD in Conservation Ecology from the Australian National University and over 20 years experience translating biodiversity conservation research into...

79 Jim and Mark are birds of a feather

The Birds of Ireland, Jim Wilson with photography by Mark Carmody – Today Mary is talking to Jim Wilson and Mark Carmody. Jim Wilson in a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader and former chairman of Birdwatch Ireland.  Mark Carmody has a PhD in...

78 Anna Murphy is requesting legal rights for nature

Today Mary is talking to Anna Murphy. Anna moved to Kinvara in 2001 and raised her three children here, and works in the village. Her main passion is environmental activism, and she has been  involved in Plastic Free Kinvara, Kinvara Climate Action,...

77 Time to hibernate!

Mary Bermingham wraps up the year with a short report on 2023 at The Burren Nature Sanctuary and a poem inspired by native Irish Trees. The Song of Ogham.

76 Victoria Beeler The Butterfly Lady

Today Mary is talking to Victoria Beeler. Victoria is a butterfly enthusiast and enjoys gardening, wildlife, nature, and learning. She and her family have helped with the Smith-Gilbert Gardens butterfly exhibit in Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.A., and with...

75 Lorraine Fletcher is painting foxes

Today Mary is talking to Galway based artist Lorraine Fletcher. Lorraine's wildlife-inspired prints and giftware showcase the beauty and strength in animals through colour. Her studio is based here at The Burren Nature Sanctuary where there are...

74 Isabella Tree is rewilding with hope

Today Mary is talking to Isabella Tree. Isabella is an award-winning journalist and author, and lives with her husband, the conservationist Charlie Burrell, in the middle of a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex. She is author of six...

73 Eoghan Daltun loves an Irish Atlantic Rainforest

Today Mary is talking to Eoghan Daltun. Eoghan is a sculpture conservator, a High Nature Value farmer and, above all, a rewilder. Originally from Dublin, since 2009 he has lived with his two sons, Liam and Seánie, on their 73-acre farm near Eyeries on...

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72 Richard Nairn loves Ireland's Wild Waters

Today Mary is talking to Richard Nairn. Richard is an ecologist and writer. His latest book is Wild Waters which is the third title in a trilogy which includes Wild Woods and Wild Shores. He is a lifetime naturalist who has worked as a nature reserve...

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71 Ambrose and Brid let the tree live on

Today Mary is talking to Ambrose and Brid, master wood turners. We talk about the craft and the philosophy behind the creative arts. Ambrose began woodturning in 1993, he is interested in craft education His belief is that stated by W.B. Yeats...

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Episode 70 Jethro Sheen is carving a badger

Today Mary is talking to Jethro Sheen. Jethro runs a stone carving business, Sheenstoneworks in Gort, South county Galway. He grew up in the countryside on a mountain with stunning views out over the Burren in County Clare. As children he had a very...

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Episode 69 Emma Rushworth is creating a giant dragonfly

Today Mary is talking to Emma Jane Rushworth. We are very excited that Emma is in the process of making a giant dragonfly for Burren Nature Sanctuary as part of our new interpretive trail. Emma has been making wire sculptures since 2015. Her Love For...

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Episode 68 Davin Butler is building a copper orchid

Welcome to the 2023 season of Nature Magic. It is hard to believe we are on episode 68 and have spoken to all those incredible nature advocates. This year we are changing it up a bit, we are focusing on crafts as a medium to connect people to nature....

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Episode 67 Time to hibernate!

A thank you to all our wonderful guests this year and a Christmas gift The Song of Wandering Aengus by William Butler Yeats

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Episode 66 Minister Malcolm Noonan's good news for nature in Ireland

Today Mary is talking to Minister Malcolm Noonan. He is a TD representing the Carlow Kilkenny Constituency and was appointed Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform in July 2020. First elected to Kilkenny Borough Council and...

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Episode 64 Jack O Donovan Trá is fighting for Fair Seas

Today Mary is talking to Jack O’Donovan Trá. Jack is the Communications Officer at Fair Seas. Jack is blending the art of good comms with marine science to bring the message of ocean protection to a wide audience in an engaging and impactful way....

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Episode 63 L K Howells is creating Stories of Change

Today Mary is talking to Laura Kate (LK) Howells. LK designs and delivers environmental education programs inspired by nature, led by creativity, driven by solutions, and based on the notion that small actions done by many can make a big...

Episode 62 Neil Campbell is saving seeds

Today Mary is talking to Neil Campbell, an ecologist living in Galway and helping Dr Colin Kelleher from the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin with the National Native seed bank project Neil has Masters and undergraduate degrees in Botany and...

Episode 61 Gavin Pretor-Pinney appreciates clouds

Today Mary is talking to Gavin Pretor-Pinney. Gavin is founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, which has over 58,000 members in 120 countries. He is the author of the internationally bestselling Cloudspotter’s Guide and Cloud Collector’s...

Episode 60 Doug Allan is talking to Belugas

Today Mary is talking to Doug Allan. Doug is an Award-winning natural history photographer, documentary filmmaker, diver, author and public speaker. Doug’s photographic awards include eight Emmys, five BAFTAs and five Wildscreen Pandas. In his 35...