Seán Ronayne, a Cork-born ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist and award-winning author, is on the cusp of completing a remarkable mission: to record the vocalisations of every bird species in Ireland.
His mission is as poetic as it is scientific: to listen, preserve, and share the subtle symphonies of the natural world.
He made a critically acclaimed documentary and published a best selling book and has appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, The Blindboy Podcast and on Pat Kenny’s Newstalk radio show.
The very engaging and entertaining Seán Ronayne will be on stage at Lime Tree Theatre on Thursday May 22. Tickets from www.limetreetheatre.ie
Birdsong, Ronayne believes, is more than background music — it’s a vital expression of the health and diversity of our ecosystems. From the ethereal call of the blackbird at dawn to the haunting tones of the curlew, each song tells a story of place, season and survival. Using sensitive field equipment, often in remote locations and under challenging conditions, he documents these avian melodies with extraordinary clarity.
His work isn’t just about sound — it’s about connection. Through public talks, walks, and his online archive “Irish Wildlife Sounds,” Ronayne invites us to tune in more closely to the world around us. As habitats shrink and species decline, birdsong becomes not just a joy, but a reminder of what we stand to lose — and what we might still protect.
Raised in the countryside near Cobh, Ronayne’s passion for the natural world was sparked during childhood explorations of local fields and woodlands. He went on to study Zoology and later earned a Master’s degree in Marine Biology at University College Cork (UCC). Further specialising in ornithology, he returned to UCC to pursue a Master’s in Ecological Impact Assessment.
After early career experience at a seabird sanctuary in the UK, Ronayne moved to Barcelona in 2018 with his partner Alba, where he began recording birds in earnest. Returning to Ireland in 2021, he set out to capture the sounds of all native bird species — a journey that has led him to amass over 12,000 recordings, with just three species remaining.
Ronayne’s work has highlighted the fragility of Ireland’s ecology, where 63% of bird species are now at risk. His recordings are both a celebration of biodiversity and a call to action.
The 2024 documentary Birdsong, directed by Kathleen Harris, brought his work to wider audiences. He has also appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, The Blindboy Podcast, and A Note for Nature. His digital albums Wild Silence and Hope reached best-seller status on BandCamp, and his debut book Nature Boy won the 2024 Irish Biography of the Year.
Ronayne now lives near Cobh with Alba, their daughter Laia, and their dog Toby, and is currently working on a second book and several new media projects.
Seán Ronayne will be on stage at Lime Tree Theatre on Thursday May 22. Tickets from www.limetreetheatre.ie
