Wild Shores: The Magic of Ireland’s Coastline

by Richard Nairn

‘A great read – whatever part of the coast you visit’ – Éanna Ní Lamhna

‘A brilliant and timely odyssey around our precious, precarious shores’ – Professor John Brannigan, University College Dublin

‘An exhilarating journey right around our coastline’ – Paddy Woodworth, journalist and author

‘An intimate, inspiring and lovely read about Ireland's its places and spaces’ – Professor Robert Devoy, lead editor of The Coastal Atlas of Ireland

Following the Irish coast in a clockwise direction, acclaimed ecologist Richard Nairn travels by boat, on foot, and sometimes by air to visit the best remaining wild places, including islands, cliffs, beaches and dunes.

The result is a unique mix of nature, history, science and a reflection on the author’s personal experiences of exploring Ireland’s coast. By viewing the Irish coastline from the sea, and featuring excellent drone photography, Richard gains a unique perspective on the island. And along the way, he recalls a lifetime spent studying nature.

Wild Shores highlights the magic of Ireland's coastline and is a lovely armchair read and can even be used as a travel guide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Ireland

480 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2022

Reviews

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a disappointment. Nairn travels around Ireland's coastline following in the footsteps of Robert Lloyd Praeger, a late 19th century early 20th century naturalist, and quoting him a lot. The book could have done with more detailed maps of certain areas throughout the book and more photos of the flora and fauna he encounters during his travels. Outside of the quite interesting historical bits, Nairn's recollections and description are a bit samey in places. I did however learn a few things and know now for instance that the Connemara "coral" beaches are not what they are said to be.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be so I’m giving up. 😰

[Ellecia Vaughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read about the shores of Ireland, especially given Nairn’s other notable works but I unfortunately lost interest very fast. It reads almost like a letter of recommendation Robert Lloyd Praeger. Praeger, a great naturalist, of course deserves recognition- but I wanted to read about Irish shores from Nairn’s pov NOT Praeger. It seems Richard Nairn spends more time referencing Praeger then the beautiful shorelines all around Ireland

[George Foord · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was all over the place I lost interest.

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a memoir from a fanboy than a modern tour of the coastline ecology.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love letter to the island of Ireland's coastline. The first thing to say is that the authors passion for Ireland and its shores was infectious and I finished the book determined to one day visit some of the areas described. For that alone the book was a worthy read. The second thing is that the book is littered with fascinating insights into Ireland's natural and human history, and although it covers serious subjects the narrative is positive and warm throughout. Thirdly, the author covers well the future conservation challenges facing Irish shores and the rest of the world.

Throughout the book the author regularly refers to 'The way that I went' by Robert Lloyd Praeger which was clearly a source of great inspiration in his writing. One of the great naturalists of the early 20th century, Praeger was a man of considerable passion and observations from both authors journeys are shared so that this book acts as a tribute, almost sequel to the early discovery work by Praeger. Whilst there was a charm to this, I often think books which wrap so closely around another's work lose a little bit of their own personality.

The only slight disappointment is a bit of a niche one. The author often refers to the same species assemblages on his travels - the same species of dolphins, whales and shorebirds. I was awaiting mention of orcas which never came, given that the last resident British & Irish resident orca are on the brink of extinction and seen most years along the west coast of Ireland. I wonder why the author neglected mention of them, perhaps he hadn't seen them but I thought it relevant that the true apex predator roaming the shores is about to disappear forever.

Overall any book which lights such a fire inside to visit somewhere has done its job. I look forward to exploring the Ireland that Praeger and Nairn so love.

[By Book and Bone (Sally) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wild Shores doesn't seem to have a strong purpose. It's almost like a memoir following a previous naturalist's footsteps, but doesn't quite get there. It also doesn't really work as Nairn's own memoir because he quotes Prager so often and thoroughly. I listened to the audiobook and it was difficult sometimes to figure out who was describing the various stops on the journey. I'd imagine that it's not as confusing in a physical copy.

I also don't think the author did a good job determining what made each coastal area unique and spectacular in their own right. There were some very similar stories, almost word for word which made me wonder if I was accidentally listening to the same sections (I wasn't). I don't think the book achieved much of what it set out to do.

Two stars for the narrator and the author's obvious love of the Irish coast.

[Brian Gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 out of 4. I was surprised by some of the less favourable reviews for this book. It’s an enjoyable tour of the coast of the island of Ireland and there’s some interesting anecdotes. Richard Nairn is a legend among ecologists and birdwatchers in Ireland, and I thoroughly enjoyed his book Wild Woods where he recounted his experience of buying a piece of land to extend a woodland. In this book he quotes Praeger a lot, but I thought those references enriched the book. “The way that I went” is an Irish nature-writing classic and this book brought it to life and contextualised it in the modern landscape. It might have benefited from some tighter editing, but it reads well and I thought the last chapter outlining what needs to be done to protect Ireland’s biodiversity was important and useful.

[Noel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I confess I listened to this book as an audio book. I don’t understand how a reader was chosen who could not pronounce common Irish place names and bird species. This annoyed me (I know it shouldn’t) right through the book
I found the book was very mixed in holding my interest. Some of the anecdotes were interesting and amusing but they were interspersed wily long sections which were basically lists of locations. All in all I was disappointed with this book.

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable tour around the Irish coast. The references to Praeger (19/20th century naturalist) were too many and too lengthy for me to mark this as a 5 star as I found them a bit too intrusive. The conservation chapter at the end and other related sections would make a great book or resource guide on their own or expanded.

[Teri B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mix between looking back on a life lived alongside the shores of Ireland, being concerned with conservation and putting it into the bigger context of Ireland's story with conversation of its shores and immediate waters.
I loved going onto this journey around Ireland sailing around its shores and dipping in and out of specific places, harbours, events and memories.

[Geoff Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very pleasant stroll around Ireland, very gentle read.