Visiting The Source tonight for a public talk is Seán Ronayne, an ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, and environmental activist hailing from Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. How do we protect something we do not love or understand? In this sound-packed, illustrative talk, Seán will bring you on a beautiful journey through Irish birds, sharing their sounds, stories and struggles. Along the way we get to know Seán, whose hypersensitivity to sound has proven both a struggle and a strength. At once inspiring and cautionary, Seán’s journey illustrates the beauty and importance of sound, and what listening can tell us about the state of our natural world, and how it can also heal and nourish the soul. With degrees in Zoology, Marine Biology, and Ecological Impact Assessment from University College Cork (UCC), Seán's lifelong passion for nature was instilled by his parents and flourished into a professional career studying birds and their vocalisations. In Barcelona, Seán embraced a new avian soundscape, sparking his venture into sound recording. Upon returning to Ireland in 2021, he embarked on a mission to document the vocalisations of every Irish bird species, a daunting task revealing the precarious state of Irish ecology. With 63% of its birds at risk of extinction and minimal native woodland, Seán utilises his recordings and narratives to advocate for nature's preservation, sharing the beauty and urgency of Irish biodiversity. His portfolio boasts over 11,000 recordings encompassing 199 Irish bird species, alongside engagements with documentary crews and parliamentary presentations, amplifying his conservation message nationwide. Sean was the subject of 'Birdsong' a 52-minute documentary film directed by Kathleen Harris and produced by Ross Whitaker and Aideen O’Sullivan for True Films. His book 'Nature Boy' won biography of the year at the Irish Book Awards and is also nominated for overall Irish Book of the Year. Expect laughter, expect tears, and expect the unexpected. Not to be missed - you will never look at the world around you in the same way again.