Monday, November 13, 2006

There's only one Eanna Ni Lamhna

She recently sang "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly" in the middle of a shopping centre with as much gusto (but not as much success) as her regular radio broadcasts. Her up-for-anything approach and bubbling enthusiasm breathes life into wildlife and nature. According to Amazon this broadcaster, writer, botanist, entomologist, field naturalist, President of An Taisce, Honorary Member of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and former diver is also "noted for her matter-of-fact knowledge, humour and folklore-laden take on Irish wildlife". Particularly interested in creepy-crawlies and bats and with a solid knowledge of all things wild. As she travels the country she takes people on nature walks, saves seals, performs general wildlife detective duties and deals with all sorts of enquiries from the general public. Altogether great fun and definitely someone you'd enjoy taking for a pint in the local. Just don't ask her to sing.

Look out for her with co-conspirator Derek Mooney on RTE Radio’s ‘Mooney’ show (also available on podcast via iTunes) or get a copy of one of her books:

  • Straight Talking Wild: More Wildlife on the Radio, Townhouse, Dublin, 2006
  • Wild and Wonderful, Townhouse, Dublin, 2004
  • Talking Wild: Wildlife on the Radio, Townhouse, Dublin, 2002
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The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.