Shows
The Pat Kenny ShowA powerful documentary ‘Impact: Anatomy of a Car Crash’ airs todayOn the morning of December 4, 2016, 22-year-old Eamonn Dixon collided head-on with a car carrying a family of six. The driver Dixon and his two passengers died at the scene. Mary Bermingham and her family survived but they still bare the physical and psychological scars. Nearly a decade later, impact – anatomy of a car crash revisits the collision, by speaking to the voices of those who survived. Mary Bermingham joined Pat Kenny on the show.2025-07-2816 min
Nature Magic79 Jim and Mark are birds of a featherThe 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 biochemistry and works as a European Patent Attorney. He is an award winning wildlife photographer.They have published a brand-new edition of this birdwatching field guide by leading experts (and uncle-nephew duo!) Jim Wilson and Mark Carmody at the end of March. It’s the only photographic identification guide...2024-06-1439 min
Nature Magic78 Anna Murphy is requesting legal rights for natureToday 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, the Ballindereen Kinvara Tree gang and now Rights of Nature Galway. Activism gives me hope and can help with eco anxiety. " We need to re-imagine our relationship with Nature, and protect it for this and future generations to head off a looming sixth mass extinction"rightsofnaturegalway@gmail.comwww.ejni.net/rights-of-natureKinvara and Ballindereen tre...2024-04-1723 min
Turn Autism AroundHow can you teach group social skills? Help from Kelly BerminghamLearn about the essence of social skills development with BCBA Kelly McKinnon-Birmingham. She and Dr. Mary Barbera go over the significance of joint attention beyond mere eye contact and its role in transitioning to group learning, effective classroom management strategies and the power of positive reinforcement in fostering a conducive learning environment. Learn about Kelly's unique stress reduction practices, including the transformative concept of non-contingent Sundays for family well-being.2024-04-0228 min
Nature Magic77 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.2023-11-0505 min
Nature Magic76 Victoria Beeler The Butterfly LadyToday 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 releasing butterflies there. They have raised Monarchs—from eggs, to caterpillars, to chrysalis, and to emerging butterflies—in an outdoor butterfly garden habitat at home near Atlanta for the first time last fall and then released them into the wild to migrate! It was truly an incredible, inspiring, and transformative experience! Victoria has written a documentary book about her Monarch experience with...2023-10-0229 min
Nature Magic75 Lorraine Fletcher is painting foxesToday 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 endless inspirational views and wildlife.The paintings are a combination of vivid colours and focus on the subject, with the grey backgrounds the focus is on the animal. Expressions and compositions are important in Lorraine’s work, with an importance on the beauty and strength in each animal, from the elegant stag to the curious and powerful owl.Lorraine also offers group an...2023-09-0415 min
Nature Magic74 Isabella Tree is rewilding with hopeToday 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 non-fiction books. Her book Wilding, the story of the ambitious journey she and Charlie undertook to rewild their farm, has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 8 languages. It won the Richard Jefferies prize for nature writing, was shortlisted for the Wainwright prize and was one of the Smithsonian’s top ten science books for 2018. In 2020 Is...2023-08-0731 min
Nature Magic73 Eoghan Daltun loves an Irish Atlantic RainforestToday 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 the Beara Peninsula, West Cork.He released his hugely successful and award winning book late last year.An Irish Atlantic Rainforest winner of the An Post Irish Book Award winner, 2022'The stories are absorbing, the writing charismatic and the ideas thought-provoking' Irish Independent'Fascinating ... a manifesto for saving our o...2023-07-0346 min
Nature Magic72 Richard Nairn loves Ireland's Wild WatersToday 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 warden and was the first National Director of Birdwatch Ireland. He lives on a small farm in County Wicklow. Wild waters by Richard Nairn and published by Gill books is now available to purchase in book shops and online.Contact Richard Nairn at r.nairn236@gmail.comContact...2023-06-0535 min
DUST- An Irish Fairy TaleExtra content! Fairy JobsDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamFairy Jobs"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street StudiosNarrated by Sean Keanyseankeanyactor@gmail.comwww.arthurnewman.co.uk...2023-05-1903 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 10 HomeDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 10 Home- keep an eye out for extra content over the next two weeks!The fairies celebrate and King Dagda sets off fireworks full of fairy dust"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie...2023-05-0505 min
Nature Magic71 Ambrose and Brid let the tree live onToday 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 “Education is not filling a pail, but lighting a fire”.His articles have been published by the former International Woodturning Centre in Philadelphia USA (now Centre for Wood Art).Ambrose believes that craft is the bridge between technology and art. He believes without a deep insight into the philosophy of the craft, any maker only...2023-05-0126 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 9 Dunguaire Castle car parkDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 9 Dunguaire Castle car parkThe fairies have to get home but SIORC their boat is gone!"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street Studios...2023-04-2805 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 8 Princess Moppet's RoomDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 8 Princess Moppet's roomThe fairies have to make Princess Moppet cry."If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street StudiosNarrated by Sean Keany...2023-04-2107 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 7 Dunguaire CastleDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 7 Dunguaire CastleThe fairies reach the castle and climb up the ivy to Princess Moppet's room"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street Studios...2023-04-1405 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 6 The Underground RiverDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 6 The Underground RiverThe fairies travel on the Underground River in SIORC the bottle boat to find Princess Moppet at Dunguaire Castle"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman 2023-04-0704 min
Nature MagicEpisode 70 Jethro Sheen is carving a badgerToday 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 active outdoors lifestyle that was very close to nature on a day to day basis and also with hiking, camping and caving adventures both near and far. He started working with stone at around aged 14, and at aged 22 after a few years abroad started his own business. He has been in the South Galway area...2023-04-0334 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 5 The Disappearing LakeDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 5 The Disappearing LakeKing Dagda reveals 'Siorc' his submarine boat and the fairies launch it at The Disappearing Lake."If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street...2023-03-3103 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 4 King Dagda's House- DawnDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 4 King Dagda's House- DawnKing Dagda calls a meeting of all the fairies and describes his plan to get the Princesses' tears."If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman 2023-03-2407 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 3 King Dagda's House- DuskDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 3 King Dagda's House- DuskQueen Maeve visits King Dagda and tells him the bad news."If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street StudiosNarrated...2023-03-1705 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 2 Queen Maeve's HouseDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 2 Queen Maeve makes a new batch of DUST but disaster happens when Justin the Bumble Bee lands with a thump on the kitchen table. "If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by...2023-03-1005 min
Nature MagicEpisode 69 Emma Rushworth is creating a giant dragonflyToday 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 Wildlife And The Great Outdoors Shines Through In Her Work. She Works Continually On Commissioned Pieces In Her Workshop In Greystones County Wicklow Ireland. She Has Worked On A Number Of Projects This Year 2021 Including A Very Special Memorial Tree For The Lauralynn Children’s Hospice. Contact Emma To Commission Your Unique An...2023-03-0631 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 1 Zarara The Tooth Fairy's HouseDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleBy Mary BerminghamChapter 1Meet Queen Maeve and Zarara the Tooth Fairy and find out how the fairy DUST got spilt!"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieProduced by Arthur Newman Old Street Studios...2023-03-0305 min
Nature MagicEpisode 68 Davin Butler is building a copper orchidWelcome 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. This series was sparked from a new project that is in progress at Burren Nature Sanctuary. We obtained a Leaser grant towards some audio artworks to help interpret the biodiversity of the Burren around the walks. The three sculptures are a 7 foot Ladies Tresses Orchid at the Meadow, a large dragonfly...2023-02-0116 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleDUST -An Irish Fairy Tale- Chapter TwoDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 2Queen Maeve takes Zarara, the Tooth Fairy, to her house to make a new batch of fairy DUST.But Justin her pet bumble bee bumps into the table and the vital ingredient is lost. They will have to visit King Dagda to get urgent advice."If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for...2023-01-2804 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleDUST-An Irish Fairy Tale- Chapter OneDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleChapter 1Find out how the fairy DUST got spilt!"If you want your children to be intelligent read them fairy tales.If you want them to be more intelligent read them more fairy tales"Albert EinsteinCheck out our other podcastNature Magic- A positive voice for nature from IrelandGet in touchmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieOrder the full colour book DUST An Irish Fairy Tale in the online shop at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie2023-01-2205 minDUST- An Irish Fairy TaleDUST- An Irish Fairy Tale- TrailerDUST- An Irish Fairy Tale.A perfect bedtime story divided into ten short chapters. Age 1-100When Zarara, they gymnastic Tooth Fairy,a ccidentally spills the last bottle of fairy DUST Queen Maeve finds that she is missing the vital ingredient to make a new batch, A Princess's Tear.Now the fairies are in BIG TROUBLE, they cannot fly and have lost their magic powers.Join the fabulously bossy Queen Maeve, the cranky King Dagda, the sprightly Zarara and all the other fairies from the Hazel woodland at Cloonsee on a hilarious...2023-01-2201 minNature MagicEpisode 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 Yeats2022-12-0502 min
Nature MagicEpisode 66 Minister Malcolm Noonan's good news for nature in IrelandToday 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 Kilkenny County Council in 2004, he has served sixteen years in local government and was Mayor of Kilkenny in 2009; the first Green Party Mayor in the City’s long history. He served for a short time as Irish Delegate on the EU Committee of the Regions and Co-Chair of the All Island Nuclear Free Local Authorities Forum. Malcolm’s ba...2022-11-2224 min
Nature MagicEpisode 65 Matthew Parkinson is growing Slow CabinsToday Mary is talking to Matthew Parkinson. Matthew is Director of Slow Cabins Ireland - a slow tourism focused accommodation start up. A Tyrone native who now calls Galway home, Slow Cabins was developed in Ireland through lockdown in conjunction with their Belgium sister business. Slow Cabins Ireland places off-grid cabins in hidden gem locations around Ireland, hoping to persuade people to take a short break here rather than flying away to far flung destinations abroad. Core to their business is working with partners in areas of natural beauty to help support and improve the host site. The Burren Nature...2022-11-0719 min
Nature MagicEpisode 64 Jack O Donovan Trá is fighting for Fair SeasToday 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. Jack is a marine biologist by training and moved into comms and campaigns in 2018, and has since worked with many large international environmental coalitions and campaigns across Europe.Recommended booksThirty two words for fieldBy: Manchan MaganTree DogBy: Manchan Magan2022-10-2436 min
Nature MagicEpisode 63 L K Howells is creating Stories of ChangeToday 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 difference through her business Essentially Eco.This year she was 1 of 15 out of 166 applicants that received the Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund for her project Stories of Change. Stories of Change is a storytelling project that tells the tales of good people around Ireland doing good things for Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. ...2022-10-0328 min
Nature MagicEpisode 62 Neil Campbell is saving seedsToday 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 Plant Sciences from NUI Galway He is interested in preserving and improving biodiversity and natural habitats with an interest in native Irish plants.Contact Neil Campbell atncampbell@mkoireland.ieContact Dr Colin Kelleher at botanicgardens@opw.ieContact Mary Bermingham atmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie...2022-09-1910 min
Nature MagicEpisode 61 Gavin Pretor-Pinney appreciates cloudsToday 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 Handbook as well as A Cloud A Day. Gavin is a winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. He is a TED Global speaker with over 1.3 million views. He has presented television documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4 and is a Visiting Fellow at the Meteorology Department of Reading University and winner of the Royal Meteorological Society’s Michael Hunt a...2022-09-0534 min
Nature MagicEpisode 60 Doug Allan is talking to BelugasToday 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 years of filming he’s been involved with more than 65 films, freelancing for the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and others. He was principal cameraman on many prestigious award-winning programmes, making over 25 trips to the Antarctic and more than 30 across the Arctic, filming for series including Hostile Planet, Forces of Nature, Operation Iceberg, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Human Planet, Life, Planet Earth, The...2022-08-2252 min
Nature MagicEpisode 59 Ruth Hanniffy is protecting the Pine MartinRuth Hanniffy is a Conservation Biologist with Vincent Wildlife Trust. For the past 17 years, she has worked across disciplines including geomorphology, river restoration, freshwater fisheries, terrestrial mammal conservation, innovative survey techniques and the relationship between people and nature. Her current areas of research are on mustelids and bats, particularly the lesser horseshoe bat, pine marten and Irish stoat, with previous research on small mammals, water vole, otter and European mink. Ruth is a guest lecturer in NUI Galway on mustelids and mammal survey techniques and she manages www.pinemarten.ie on behalf of VWT and NPWS. She is also...2022-08-0844 min
Nature MagicEpisode 58 Mary Bermingham describes The Burren Nature SanctuaryAfter various requests this week's episode is a brief description of The Burren Nature Sanctuary; it's vision and mission. Mary paints a picture of the home of Nature Magic to help people place the podcast in the landscape that it is broadcasting from.Visit the website www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie to find out moreOr email Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie2022-07-2507 min
Nature MagicEpisode 57 Dr Stephen Newton is birdwatching in IrelandToday Mary is talking to Dr Stephen Newton. senior Seabird Conservation OfficerStephen is responsible for managing the long-term conservation projects at Rockabill (Roseate Terns), Kilcoole (Little Terns) and a variety of other seabird monitoring and research initiatives, including the FAME and MarPAMM programmes which have focused on deploying loggers on seabirds to identify key feeding areas and migration strategies.Away from seabirds, Stephen has coordinated surveys of Choughs, upland birds and was a member of the team who developed the ‘Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland’ concept back in 1999. He is also Chairperson of the Irish Rare Bree...2022-07-1138 min
Nature MagicEpisode 56 Éanna ní Lamhna is passionate about Our Wild WorldToday Mary is speaking to Éanna Ní Lamhna.Éanna is an Irish biologist, environmental consultant, radio and television presenter, author and educator. She is one of the best-known public figures in Ireland in the area of nature and the environment. Her books include Talking Wild, Wild and Wonderful and Straight Talking Wild.Her latest book Our Wild WorldFrom the birds and bees to our boglands and the ice capsis available from O Brien PressContact Mary Bermingham atmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieCheck out Burren Nature Sanctuary at 2022-06-2717 min
Nature MagicEpisode 55 The National Biodiversity Conference 2022 Act Now for NatureToday Mary gives a brief outline of her experience at the National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin Castle that took place over two days in June 2022. Act Now For Naturehttps://www.biodiversityconference.ie/2022-06-1312 min
Nature MagicEpisode 54 Féidhlim Harty is simply cleaning up Ireland's waterFéidhlim Harty is an environmental consultant and writer. His company, FH Wetland Systems, established in 1996, offers designs and guidance on waterway repair and rewilding, eco-friendly wastewater treatment, and holistic landuse management for catchment protection and regeneration. His recent books include Towards Zero Waste and Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds. www.wetlandsystems.ie2022-05-3022 min
Nature MagicEpisode 53 Harrison Gardner is building a more sustainable IrelandToday Mary is talking to Harrison Gardner. Harrison is a builder, teacher and co-founder of Common Knowledge, the non-profit social enterprise focused on sharing skills for a sustainable life. He has 15 years experience designing and managing the construction of conventional, sustainable and alternative buildings worldwide. His current focus is on facilitating the creation of community spaces whilst teaching the core construction principles and techniques needed to build more efficient, affordable and sustainable structures. He has just released a new book entitled BUILD YOUR OWN, instructing owner-builders on the fundamentals of construction, and is currently filming ‘Build Your Own’, a 5 part...2022-05-1634 min
Nature MagicEpisode 52 Janet Jones explores the equine brainToday Mary is talking to Janet Jones. Janet applies brain science to the training of horses and riders. She earned her Ph.D. from UCLA and taught the neuroscience of perception, language, memory, and thought for 23 years. Janet trained horses at a large stable early in her career, and later ran a successful horse training business of her own. She has schooled hundreds of green or difficult horses and competed in hunter, jumper, halter, reining, and western pleasure disciplines. Her 2020 book Horse Brain, Human Brain won Japan’s Equine Culture Award and is being translated into seven languages.www.ja...2022-05-0237 min
Nature MagicEpisode 51 John Carrig speaks up for the Barn OwlToday Mary is talking to John Carrig. John set up The Barn Owl project in January 2019 to help with conservation of Barn Owls in Ireland. Johnis a published wildlife photographer and has been involved in wildlife conservation and rescue for many years. The project team consists of a number of wildlife experts covering conservation rescue and rehabilitation of Barn Owls in Ireland.Find John on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/BarnowlprojectirelandOr on his website at https://www.thebarnowlproject.comRecommended bookBarn Owl Trust Conservation Handbook A Comprehensive...2022-04-1844 min
Nature MagicEpisode 50 Elaine Butler is zeroing in on fast fashionToday Mary is talking to Elaine Butler. Elaine runs the website Living Lightly in Ireland. This website is a sustainable living guide with all the information needed to live a greener life; from where to shop, to what to cook. She has been featured in the Irish Times, The Irish Independent, and on Radio 1, RTE and Virgin Media. https://livinglightlyinireland.comFor second hand clothes try Depophttps://www.depop.com/2022-03-2150 min
Nature MagicEpisode 49 Lisa Tully is speaking to animalsWelcome back to Nature Magic after our winter hibernation! Today Mary is talking to Lisa Tully. Lisa is professional animal healer & communicator She has an international practice working with all kinds of species. Lisa travelled to Mongolia to study shamanic healing for animals. During her studies she learnt to identify the root causes behind any mental, emotional, physical or spiritual challenges animal companions may be facing & she creates holistic programs to heal them. With a science background she understands both sides of the coin and collaborates with homeopathic vets when needed. By communicating directly with animals of...2022-03-0728 minNature MagicEpisode 48 When The Bald Eagle rode the Gulf Stream to IrelandThe nature magic podcast is taking a short break - We wish you all a very happy holidays and for the final episode of 2021 Today Mary is reading a short story that she wrote based on real life events. Thank you for all the support spreading a positive voice for nature from Ireland- See you in 2022!Contact Mary Bermingham atmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieCheck out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ieSupport the Nature Magic Podcast athttps://www.patreon.com/naturemagicShow...2021-12-1317 min
Nature MagicEpisode 47 Conor Ruane is giving a voice to Irish riversToday Mary is talking to Conor Ruane. Conor is a Community Water Officer with the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) covering Galway and South Roscommon. Conor works with voluntary groups to support projects focusing on the protection of rivers, lakes, coastal, and groundwater. Conor previously worked as a freshwater ecologist carrying out ecological surveys and river restoration works. More Information on LAWPRO; https://lawaters.ie/The Draft River Basin Management Plan; https://drbmp-vcr.ie/Funding for community groups; https://lawaters.ie/funding/Conor’s Twitter; https://twitter.com/ruane22LAWPRO Facebook: https://www.fa...2021-11-2939 min
Nature MagicEpisode 46 (Nature Educators No 6) Nancy Striniste is designing a natural worldToday Mary is talking to Nancy Striniste, as part of our mini series of nature educators. Nancy has a lot of amazing advice to offer. She is Director of East Coast Programs for Green Schoolyards America; and founder and principal designer at EarlySpace. Nancy has a unique background as both a landscape designer and an early childhood educator and she has worked with schools, childcare centers, municipalities and organizations across America to create beautiful, sustainably designed natural play and learning spaces.Nancy is the author of Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children to the...2021-11-1532 min
Nature MagicEpisode 45 We need more wildlife warriors like MatildaToday Mary is speaking to Wildlife warrior Matilda. Matilda moved from Australia to Ireland a couple of years ago. Matilda is a conservationist and activist and we became aquainted two years ago when she was running a fundraiser for wildlife aged 6She is part of the Australian zoo wildlife warrior programme. The vision of the programme is that people, wildlife and habitat survive and prosper without being detrimental to the existence of each other.Their mission is to be the most effective wildlife conservation organisation in the world through the delivery of outstanding outcome-based programs...2021-11-0109 min
Nature MagicEpisode 44 Nikita Zimov is turning back time in the ArcticToday Mary is talking to Nikita Zimov, director of Pleistocene park. Nikita is a Russian scientist at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change. Nikita and his father Sergey have been resurrecting an Ice Age biome since 1998. Pleistocene Park is a major initiative that includes an attempt to restore the mammoth steppe ecosystem, which was dominant in the Arctic in the late Pleistocene era. The initiative requires replacement of the current unproductive northern ecosystems by highly productive pastures which have both a high animal density and a high rate of biocycling. (Biocycling is the cycle through which...2021-10-1845 min
Nature MagicEpisode 43 Professor Martin Bunzl wonders if viruses have rightsToday Mary is talking to Professor Martin Bunzl. Martin taught Philosophy at Rutgers University in New Jersey for 40 years Much of his work has revolved around the nature of scientific knowledge and in his new book Thinking While Walking reflections on the pacific quest trail….. He delves into difficult topics such as these.•Millions of trees along the trail are being destroyed by beetles. If we have a duty of respect to nature, why does that respect not extend to the beetles?•We have rights, and perhaps other animals do as well, but does nature itself have rights...2021-10-0434 min
Nature MagicEpisode 42 Joe Slattery is healing with horsesToday Mary is talking to Joe Slattery. Joe is an Experienced Addiction counsellor and coordinator of the NorthStar Family Support Project, a community based project in Limerick , Joe is a specialist in-dealing with issues of substance abuse with adolescents and their families. Joe is the Irish network coordinator and advanced certified in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Counselling and CEO of JS Equine Assisted Therapies. Joe is a public speaker/educator in the area of drug abuse and disadvantage and the important role horses can play in supporting people to heal from emotional and physical distress. ...2021-09-2049 min
Nature MagicEpisode 41 Randal Plunkett 21st Baron of Dunsany is making haste slowlyToday Mary is talking to Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany Castle, in County Meath. The Plunkett family motto is: Make Haste Slowly and through Randal’s dedication to rewild the estate he is at the forefront of the battle to fight the biodiversity crisis. The ancient slow growing trees are the backbone to the project that leaves 750 acres to nature. A charismatic figure, Randal is a film director and movie maker and as he said himself ‘a bit of a goth’ His latest movie: The Green Seais available to rent on Sky and You Tu...2021-09-0644 min
Nature MagicEpisode 40 Geeks in suits are fighting for the planetToday Mary is talking to Kushal Jayakumar and Anees Ali from the Ecology department of Christ Junior College, Bangalore on their new podcast Geeks in Suits.Geeks in Suits are on a quest to unravel the journeys of experts in various fields with an enquiry on Physis-Nomos!We talk about the biodiversity crisis, species on the edge of extinction and the healing power of nature. Contact Geeks in Suits at 20p0630@cjc.christcollege.eduContact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie2021-08-2321 min
The Positive Spirit Podcast with ShelleyEp 21 - Conversation with Mary Bermingham of Burren Nature SanctuaryJoin me as I chat with the lovely Mary Bermingham from the Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara, Ireland. We discuss all the wonderful things that are happening at the sanctuary such as the education programs and the rescue animals that now live in this magical place including the resident celebrity, Amelia the Pig!🌱 Mary educates the audience in the rewinding efforts that are taking place in the sanctuary amd nearby areas 🌱 We learn about the organic space at Burren 🌱 We talk about the World Seed Bank and the importance of the work they are...2021-08-1854 min
Nature MagicEpisode 39 Dr Karen Bacon is topping up your plant awarenessToday Mary is talking to Dr Karen L. Bacon. Karen is a plant ecologist and palaeoecologist based in Botany & Plant Sciences at the National University of Ireland, Galway. She completed her PhD in plant palaeoecology in 2012 in University College Dublin. After spending several years in the UK, she returned to Ireland in 2019. Dr Bacon’s interests span palaeobotany to modern plant ecology and incorporates elements of plant biology, geology and chemistry. She is particularly interested in understanding plant extinction and how plants respond to environmental change both in a modern context and in relation to environmental upheavals, such as...2021-08-0928 min
Nature MagicEpisode 38 Aga Grandowicz's remarkable disappearing animalsToday Mary is talking to Aga Grandowicz. Aga is a multi-award winning art director, graphic designer and wildlife illustrator.Aga studied graphic design, graphic art, fine arts and traditional photography in ASP Gdansk (Academy of Fine Arts Gdansk) and Shortly after completing her masters in 2003, with the highest honours, she set up her graphic design practice and started working for a large variety of Polish businesses. In 2006, in search of adventure and inspiration, Aga has moved to Ireland where she still lives and works.Her first book, created together with Rob Maguire, ‘Dr Hi...2021-07-2626 min
Nature MagicEpisode 37 Gearóid McEvoy is reforesting the nationToday Mary is talking to Gearoid McEvoy, a 21-year-old Irish Wildlife Biology graduate and the founder of Reforest Nation that has just hit it's goal of planting 50,000 trees in Ireland. Burren Nature Sanctuary has partnered with Reforest nation to plant 1000 trees this Autumn. Their new goal is 1 million trees planted- listen in to the amazing story of how one young person started Reforest nation in lockdown during a global pandemic. A message from Gearóid...I have a passion for all creatures big and small and I want to do something that really makes a...2021-07-121h 06
Nature MagicEpisode 36 Conor W O Brien and the woolly mammothToday Mary is talking to Conor W. O’Brien, author of Life in Ireland- A short history of a long time. Available to purchase athttps://irishacademicpress.ie/product/life-in-ireland-a-short-history-of-a-long-time/Conor is a wildlife writer and photographer, with a lifelong interest in the natural world. His work has been published in Ireland’s Own, Irish Wildlife magazine and Wings, the official publication of Birdwatch Ireland, in which he wrote about Ireland’s extinct birds. Conor’s first book, Ireland Through Birds: Journeys in Search of a Wild Nation, was nominated for Best Irish Publishe...2021-06-2837 min
Nature MagicEpisode 35 Dr Joseph Bruchac beats a drum of hopeToday Mary is talking to Dr Joseph Bruchac, proud Nulhegan Abeneki citizen and respected elder of his tribe. For over forty years Joseph Bruchac has been creating literature and music that reflects his indigenous heritage and traditions. He is the author of more than 170 books for children and adults. His best selling Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children series, with its remarkable integration of science and folklore, continues to receive critical acclaim and to be used in classrooms throughout the USA. Joseph attended Cornell University from 1960 to 1965, initially majoring in Wildlife Conservation...2021-06-1449 min
Nature MagicEpisode 34 Dan Donoher is helping WRI build a Wildlife HospitalToday Mary is talking to Dan Donoher Animal Manager of Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland’s brand new Wildlife Hospital.Dan is amongst a group of admirable people who this year started the first Wildlife hospital in Ireland. The emergency facility is in Garlow Cross, County Meath in an adapted barn and stables. Dan worked previously at the wildlife unit in Kildare Animal Foundation. He is an advanced oiled wildlife responder and assistant Instructor on WRI wildlife courses.He is WRI Rehabilitation & Outreach Manager and contributes to radio, TV and print articles to support WRI.2021-05-3131 min
Nature MagicEpisode 33 Ramiro Crego is face to face with a wild pumaToday Mary is talking to Ramiro D. Crego. Ramiro is a conservation biologist from Argentina, living on the farm at Burren Nature Sanctuary with his wife Nora and their rescue cat, Alba and currently working remotely as a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, USA. Ramiro has been studying birds and mammals inhabiting semi-arid grasslands of Argentina and Kenya, and temperate forests in southern Chile. In his studies, Ramiro investigates how our human actions are affecting ecosystems to find conservation solutions that can benefit both wildlife and the people that live and depend on...2021-05-171h 04
Nature MagicEpisode 32 Janie Chodosh meets the Elephant Doctor of IndiaToday Mary is talking to Janie Chodosh, author of 'The Elephant Doctor of India'. She is an undergraduate at the University of Michigan and majored in biology, ecology, natural resources management, creative writing, and poetry. After college, she moved to Yosemite National Park where she worked as a naturalist and educator and learned to rock climb and backcountry ski.For her thesis as a graduate student in the University of Montana's environmental studies she traveled to a rural community on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico to develop an environmental education program focusing on neotropical migratory songbirds...2021-05-0334 min
Nature MagicEpisode 31 (Nature Educators No 5) Dr Claire Warden is mending the planet with golden glueToday Mary is talking to Dr. Claire Warden. Claire is an advocate for outdoor learning. Among many achievemnts she is Founder of Living Classrooms, the International Association of Nature Pedagogy and the Mindstretchers Academy.Claire is also director of the wonderful Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland where children spend 80% of their day outside.She received the international award 'Exceptional Master Leader' for her work on the Floorbooks Approach and she has written many other educational books including ‘Nature Kindergartens and Forest schools’ Get in touch with Claire at https://www.Claire-warden.com2021-04-1938 min
Nature MagicEpisode 30 Warwick Schiller - What horses teach humansToday Mary is speaking to Warwick Schiller. Warwick is a You tube superstar with over 20 million views of his horse training videos. Warwick moved from his home country of Australia in his 20s to the United States. He became NRHA Reserve World Champion representing Australia at the 2010 & 2018 World Equestrian Games. Warwick's ever-evolving training philosophy places the horse's mental well-being at the forefront of every interaction. He now spends his time helping people create deep and meaningful relationships with their horses, by helping them to change their perceptions about their horses and themselves. Warwick has over 600...2021-04-0556 min
Nature MagicEpisode 29 (Nature Educators No 4) Professor David Sobel is otterly delightfulToday Mary is talking to Professor David Sobel as a contributor to the nature educators series within Nature Magic. David is a Professor in the Education Department at Antioch University New England. He consults and speaks widely on child development and place-based education with schools, environmental organisations and the National Park Service in the US. He has authored eight books and more than 70 articles focused on children and nature for educators, parents, environmentalists and school administrators in the last 30 years. His published books include Beyond Ecophobia and Place-based Education:: Design Principles for Educators and Wild Play...2021-03-2241 min
Nature MagicEpisode 28 Professor Temple Grandin on the bovine mindProfessor Temple Grandin is professor of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. She is a prominent proponent for the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. She is a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and an autism spokesperson. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to document the insights she gained from her personal experience of autism. In the 2010 Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, she was named...2021-03-0830 min
Nature MagicEpisode 27 (Nature Educators No 3) Professor Jan White makes a mud kitchenToday Mary is talking to Professor Jan White. Jan is a leading thinker and writer on outdoor play and advocate for nature-rich outdoor provision for services for children from birth to seven. She works as an early childhood consultant across the UK, Ireland and internationallyJan has over thirty-eight years’ experience in education and has developed a deep commitment to the consistently powerful effect of the outdoors on young children. With a childhood love of rocks and soil, leading to a degree in Soil Science, a masters in Ecology and post-graduate teaching certificate in Science and Outdoor Ed...2021-02-2255 min
Nature MagicEpisode 26 Sy Montgomery has the soul of an OctopusToday Mary is talking to New York Times bestselling author Sy Montgomery. Sy is a multi-award winning nature writer and author of 28 books including ‘The Soul of an Octopus- A surprising exploration into the wonder of consciousness.' It is a deeply touching and enlightening personal storySy writes for adults and children, for print and broadcast, in America and overseas in an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible at what she considers a critical turning point in human history. “We are on the cusp of either destroying this sweet, green Earth—or revolu...2021-02-0834 min
Nature MagicEpisode 25 (Nature Educators No 2) Dr Paddy Madden speaks up for the woodlouseToday Mary is talking to Dr Paddy Madden."How far we adults have retreated from childhood" Paddy worked as a primary school teacher for three decades before becoming a lecturer in SESE education. He presently works as a Heritage in School Specialist and delivers CPD courses. He constructed the first school wildlife garden in Ireland in 1984 on which his thrice printed book Go Wild at School is based.In 2010 he co-founded SEED, an organisation which seeks to promote school gardening on the island of Ireland. To date, SEED has organised 6 school garden conferences and...2021-01-2536 min
Nature MagicEpisode 24 (Nature Educators No 1) Michelle Lawton stretches the imaginationWelcome to 2021 and a Happy New Year to our listeners!Today is the start of a series of Nature Magic podcasts talking to inspirational people who are dedicated to nature education. Today Mary is speaking to Michelle Lawton. Michelle founded Stretch the Imagination in 2002. Stretch is a program where children are free to explore and delve deeply into their experiences. Michelle has a passion for connecting children to the natural world and she started the Natural Classroom in 2010 bringing children out of the classroom and into nature during their weekly school days.2021-01-1134 minNature MagicMary Bermingham walks the fairy pigA quick round up for the year on the 2020 solstice. Thanks and gratitude to our guests, listeners and the community of Kinvara and a short reading from the book Nature Magic- A positive voice for nature from Ireland.Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieCheck out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Happy New Year!2020-12-2108 min
Nature MagicEpisode 22 Brigid Barry is farming for natureToday Mary is talking to Brigid Barry. Brigid coordinates Farming for Nature since its inception in 2018. This was set up to encourage and inspire farmers that farm or wish to farm more for nature. Prior to this initiative, she was the manager of the landscape charity Burrenbeo Trust for 9 years, biodiversity officer for Clare County Council and a project officer on numerous conservation projects abroad for the previous 10 years in the Amazon, West Africa and the Zoology Dept in Cambridge. Brigid lives in Kinsale, Co.Cork. She can be contacted on info@farmingfornature.ie...2020-12-0740 min
Nature MagicEpisode 21 Melanie Croce is saving sealsToday I am speaking to Melanie Croce, Melanie is the executive Director of Seal Rescue Ireland. Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity organisation that works around the clock to rescue, rehabilitate and release native seals found sick, injured or orphaned from across the coast of Ireland. Melanie studied environmental science at Virginia tech university and went on to do environmental consulting work on the BP Oil Spill Response on the Gulf Coast, before becoming an Animal Care and Education Intern for SRI back when it was known as ‘Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary’ in 2013. From ther...2020-11-2338 min
Nature MagicEpisode 20 Edward Dee speaks up for the badgersToday Mary is chatting to Edward Dee. This was the hardest interview to set up as Eddie was not keen to get in front of the microphone!Eddie is the phenomenal plantsman at Burren Nature Sanctuary. A truly passionate nature lover he has been planting a forest garden at his home for the last 33 years and in 2012 became the gardener at Burren Nature Sanctuary. Eddie has single handedly developed the collection of Burren Flora in the Burren Botany Bubble, which is now an important resource for the new National Native Seed Bank in the National Botanic...2020-11-0939 min
Nature MagicEpisode 19 Susan Kerwin builds a bat hospitalToday Mary is chatting to the inspirational Susan Kerwin. Susan is a wildlife Rehabilitater based in County Limerick with a special focus on bats. She found her love for bats when suffering from insomnia after her cancer treatment. She is founder of Bat Rehabilitation Ireland and has just opened a fully dedicated bat hospital. Happy Halloween!Connect with Susan on facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Bat-Rehabilitation-Ireland-112126603812172/Recommended book Wild IrelandBy: Eamonn de BuitlearCheck out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ieCheck...2020-10-2229 min
LoiteringProse Poems and the Color BlueThis week, we engaged in the particular magic of the prose poem, sussing out what it means, what it is, and who does it well. Listen for thoughts on work by Zachary Schomburg, Diane Glancy, Hanif Abdurraqib, Mary Oliver, and the one - the only - Maggie Nelson!2020-10-1700 min
Nature MagicEpisode 18 Irene Graham and the magical Irish hareToday Mary is chatting to the super talented, Kinvara local, Irene Graham. Irene is a writer, story editor and photographer. From 1998 to 2008 she was a full-time photographer signed to Getty Images in NY, with an image speciality in portraits, nature and architecture. In 1991 she founded The Creative Writer’s Workshop, which has become an international success in fiction and memoir writing. Irene’s writing workshops and courses provide innovative writing techniques based on right-brain/left-brain learning exercises that evoke recall and enhance creativity. She is Author of The Memoir Writing Workbook and I Am A Hare! Hanna and the Hop Fami...2020-10-0528 min
Nature MagicEpisode 17 Dr Jenny Lloyd-Strovas loves the horny toad!Mary talks to Jenny Lloyd-Strovas about getting children off their devices and outside learning about nature. Dr. Jenny is a biologist, researcher and educator. Her passion is connecting people with nature so they become stewards of our natural resources. She does this by helping parents get their kids off screens, outdoors, and learning about nature in their own backyards while building STEM skills and confidence. Her program, Nature Matters Academy, embodies the moto “You love what you know. You care for what you love.” Through Nature Matters Academy she provides STEM-based nature curricula and online programming to give pare...2020-09-2124 min
Nature MagicEpisode 16 Raquel Noboa is allergic to single use items!Today Mary is chatting to Raquel Noboa from Fifty Shades Greener. Raquel has worked in the Hospitality industry for the past 23 years, working in hotels around the world since the age of 17. She knows the industry well, the challenges it faces and the mind-set barriers to greening a Hospitality business.Raquel started her own green journey at Hotel Doolin, in Ireland. She was working there as the Sales & Marketing Manager in 2012 when the Hotel decided to start a Green Hospitality programme and Raquel was chosen as the new Hotel Green Manager. Within 2 years of implementing Raquel’s...2020-09-0721 min
Nature MagicEpisode 15 Mary Bermingham on the Nature Magic bookMary Bermingham, cofounder of Burren Nature Sanctuary and host of the podcast Nature Magic- A positive voice for nature from Ireland- talks to Simon Cocking of Irish Tech News about the new Burren Nature Sanctuary book-Nature Magic- How you can engage everyone with biodiversity. The kindle version was best seller on launch day in many categories on Amazon including Green Business and Botany. The print version is due out on Amazon on 1 September Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ieContact Simon at simoncocking3@gmail.com2020-08-2419 min
Nature MagicEpisode 14 Gordon Darcy asks us to treat the planet as a giftWe talk to Gordon about treating the planet as a gift, planting trees and his recent book The Breathing Burren.Gordon is a civil engineer but has spent most of his working life as a freelance environmental author, artist and educator. He has had 17 exhibitions featuring his nature artwork, has contributed to many magazines and has published 9 books: The Birds at Lough Beg, The Guide to the birds of Ireland, The Pocket guide to the birds of Ireland, The Pocket guide to the animals of Ireland, The Natural history of the Burren, Irelands lost birds, The Burren Wall...2020-08-1019 min
Nature MagicEpisode 13 Sean McCormack is jumping off his lawnmower!Today I am talking to Sean McCormack. Sean is a life long naturalist, a vet by profession and a self-confessed nature nerd. He studied Animal Science at Agricultural College in Essex followed by Veterinary Medicine as a graduate in Dublin at UCD. Having been involved in wildlife conservation in various volunteer capacities over the years, Sean set up his own local conservation organisation where he lives in West London, Ealing Wildlife Group. He regularly leads bat and bird walks, speaks on nature conservation and biodiversity and runs volunteer-led habitat creation and management task days in key local habitats. He's particularly...2020-07-2721 min
Nature MagicEpisode 12 Patrick McCormack on preparing the groundPatrick McCormack is an organic farmer from the Burren, Co Clare, in the West of Ireland. If you are lucky you can join one of his occasional guided walks and learn about the history, biodiversity and culture of this special landscape. Patrick is one of the strongest voices in Ireland speaking for nature and a return for sustainable land management. He also lives, with Cheryl his wife and family, in Father Ted's house! Recommended books So Shall We ReapBy: Colin TudgeArctic DreamsThe Crow and the Weasel ...2020-07-1335 min
Nature MagicEpisode 11 Gonçalo Santos - in love with wild orchidsGonçalo Santos is a 27-year-old chemist and amateur botanist from Portugal. His passion for plants started in 2014 when he created a garden from wasteland around his apartment block. It now counts over 500 native species and is enjoyed by all his neighbours! He is living in Dublin since 2018 and since then has been recording Irish wildflowers.Recommended books A field guide to the Orchids of Europe and the MediterraneanBy: Rolf Kuhn, Henrik Pedersen and Phillip CribbCollins Wild Flower GuideBy: Davide Streeter, C. Hart-Davies, A Hardcastle F. Cole and L. H...2020-06-2926 min
Nature MagicEpisode 10 Catherine Farrell is accounting for conservationCatherine talks about the INCASE project, (Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments) her love of bogs and her new novel The Easter Snow. Dr Catherine Farrell is an ecologist, specialising in restoration ecology and how to revive degraded natural systems. Catherine has worked on wetland and woodland systems across Ireland and internationally, with a particular focus on how to bring industrially used peatlands back to life. She is currently working as a research fellow in Trinity College Dublin with her attention now fixed on how to develop natural capital accounting through the lens of the Water Framework...2020-06-1646 min
Nature MagicEpisode 9 Laura Powers- lessons on lockdownLaura talks about lessons from lockdown, being nice to spiders and the intelligence of plants. As well as being a nature lover, Laura is a celebrity psychic, a business coach, an author of 7 books, a chart topping podcaster, an actor, model, singer and a movie award judge! Laura invited me as a guest on to her health podcast ‘Healing Powers’ on the subject of the healing power of nature and then encouraged me, forcefully, to start this podcast! She was right of course! and it has been a very rewarding experience. So grab a cup of tea, find out how plan...2020-06-0825 min
Nature MagicEpisode 8 Professor Jane Stout on awesome ants, solitary bees and Ireland's Pollinator PlanProfessor Jane Stout talks about her love for ants and solitary bees and her role in setting up the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Jane is a professor in Botany in the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. She leads the Plant-Animal Interactions research group and is Ireland’s leading expert on bees and pollination ecology. She is co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, and deputy chair of its Steering Group, as well as co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Irish Forum on Natural Capital.Check out the All Ireland Pollinator Plan he...2020-06-0126 min
Nature MagicEpisode 7 Eamon Ryan on snorkelling off Inishbofin and meeting poets in The BurrenEamon talks about snorkelling and kayaking in Inishbofin, writers and poets that inspired him, finding nature along the River Dodder and connecting to the natural world in his allotment. Eamon served as Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources from 2007-2011 and since then has been the leader of the Green Party in Ireland. With the European Green Deal announced this week with a €20 billion a year budget it is even more important than ever that we have strong voices in Government to insure these measures are implemented. They include reducing chemical pesticides by 50%, planting 3 billion native trees an...2020-05-2523 min
Nature MagicEpisode 6 Pádraic Fogarty fights for whales and wolvesPádraic talks about loving the Humpback Whale and the controversial concept of reintroducing Wolves to the Island of Ireland. Pádraic is an ecologist and also the Campaigns Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust. The Trust aims to conserve wildlife and the habitats they depend on throughout Ireland while encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the need to protect it. Pádraic is author of the successful nature book ‘Whittled Away – Ireland’s Vanishing Nature.’ In his book Pádraic issues a provocative call to arms and presents an alternative...2020-05-1831 min
Nature MagicEpisode 5 Joshua Styles is the cure for plant blindness!Joshua talks about being ‘a plant obsessive’ and taking over his mother's back garden at an early age to grow wildflowers.Joshua is a 24 year old botanist with a BSc in Ecology and a passion for plants that is irresistible. His work since gaining his first-class degree in 2017 includes founding and coordinating the North West Rare plants initiative. The NWRPI is a conservation programme based in NW England, funded primarily by Chester Zoo and Lancashire Wildlife Trust that aims to reverse the fortunes of over 40 target plant species on the brink in the region, including plants like the Grea...2020-05-1118 min
Nature MagicEpisode 4 Dr Noeleen Smyth- mad about MossNoeleen talks about the tricks plants play, her love of moss and its importance in controlling flooding. She speaks about being deeply connected to the ancient spiritual landscape of Ireland, her efforts to conserve plant species and combat 'plant blindness.' She is currently Conservation Botanist at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, where she is working on launching the new National Seed Bank for Irish native flora. She also continues her work in invasive species control, island endemic species recovery, along with conservation research into Ireland's rare and threatened fern and bryophyte species.Recommended book...2020-05-0420 min
Nature MagicEpisode 3 Jonathan Porritt on loving the LoraxJonathan talks about his love for rainforests and Slime mould! He is an environmental activist, and has been fighting for nature since the 1970s. He was a prominent leader of the Green Party, formerly the Ecology Party, in the UK, and was the inspirational Director of Friends of the Earth until 1990. In 1996, he founded Forum for the Future, advising leading organisations in both the public and private sector on sustainability issues. He’s passionate about promoting solutions to today’s multiple problems, and working with young people – which is the one thing above all else that keeps him hopeful today!2020-04-2721 min
Nature MagicEpisode 2 Costas Christ putting the eco back in the economyCostas Christ talks about sea turtles, organic blueberry farming and how we need to reframe our relationship with nature.Learn more about ecotourism and contact Costas at https://www.beyondgreentravel.com/what-we-doRecommended booksUrashim Taro, The Fisher Lad- audio https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/urashima-taro-the-fisher-lad/The works of Ralph Waldo Emmerson Paul TherouxRobert FrostMy Side of the Mountain By: Jean Craighead GeorgeLiving The Good Life: How to Live Simply and Sanely in a Troubled World. By: Helen and Scott Nearing2020-04-2023 min
Nature MagicEpisode 1 Mary Reynolds on building an ArkMary Reynolds talks about meeting plant spirits in her childhood in rural Ireland, her inspiring project 'We Are The Ark', her magical book 'The Garden Awakens' and what we can do to help save the planet. Find contact details for Mary and information on ‘We are the Ark’at http://marymary.ieBuy her book ‘The Garden Awakens’ – Designs to nurture ourselves and our land.https://bit.ly/2UKBMxaRecommended BooksDoug W TallamyNatures Best- A new approach to conservation that starts in your yardhttps://amzn.to/3aIz54UIsabella T...2020-04-1024 min
Write Hot PodcastReleasing Your First Children’s Book with Mary BerminghamMary Bermingham, author of DUST, is co-founder of Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara where over 30,000 people visit the fairy woodland every year. We discussed tips and challenges for releasing your first illustrated children’s book.In 'DUST' find out what the fairies from Cloonasee (Meadow of the Fairies) get up to! With over 100 colour illustrations by illustrator and artist Anne Forde. Join the fabulously bossy Queen Maeve, the cranky King Dagda, the sprightly Zarara and all the other fairies from the Hazel Woodland at Cloonasee on a hilarious, heroic journey to Princess Moppet’s castle. Can they complete thei...2019-12-2615 min
Healing Powers PodcastNature Magic in Ireland with Mary Bermingham, and Lyme DiseaseMary Bermingham is the creative director at the Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara, Co. Galway. It is filled with interpretive trails, shattered limestone pavement, an orchid meadow, disappearing lakes and a fairy woodland. Learn more at https://www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie. For more information about Laura and her work you can go to her website www.healingpowers.net or find her on Twitter @thatlaurapowers, on Facebook @realhealingpowers and on instagram @laurapowers44. Send a link or screenshot of your review of the show on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher to bookings@laurapowers.com for a chance to win a free reading...2019-10-2941 min
Discover the Top 100 Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, SuspenseTwisted River Audiobook by Siobhan MacDonaldPlease visit https://fashabooks.com/aff/fashabooks/1450 to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Twisted River Subtitle: A Novel Author: Siobhan MacDonald Narrator: Sile Bermingham, Gerard Doyle, Alana Kerr Collins, Tom Taylorson Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins Language: English Release date: 03-22-16 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 220 votes Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense Publisher's Summary: In this twisty debut psychological thriller, two families agree to a holiday house swap, each wife hoping a vacation will help her troubled marriage. But then a woman is murdered in the driveway of one house in an...2016-03-2205 min