Two Laois people lead new series of Ireland's biggest nature podcast

A new series of a popular Irish nature podcast has launched, and now two talented Laois people are playing a big role in it.

In Your Nature is the most popular natural history podcast in Ireland, In Your Nature brings you conversations about birds and wildlife, wild places, tips on enjoying and understanding nature and, of course, the work of BirdWatch Ireland and our fellow wildlife conservationists.

The latest season of In Your Nature is once again co-hosted by Laois nature expert Ricky Whelan and BirdWatch Ireland’s Head of Communications and Development, Niall Hatch.

The show is now edited by award winning Abbeyleix radio star and documentary maker Ann Marie Kelly.

This popular podcast covers a range of everything to do with the natural world, with the first episode of this new season recorded at the Bog of Allen Nature Reserve in Co. Kildare, diving into the world of butterflies.

Mountmellick native Ricky is Offaly County Council’s Biodiversity Officer.

He told Laois Live / Leinster Express what’s coming up in the new season.

“I didn’t realize how much I missed the podcast until we started making episodes again. I’ve really enjoyed making this season and am really excited for the new episodes we have lined up,” he said.

“This season we're chatting about loads of stuff from local and domestic topics, like the future of our bogs, to some more international items like the Fish Doorbell a bit of a mad project in The Netherlands.

“We also definitely keep birds at the heart of it with "Bird of the Week" and some stand alone episodes, like "Record Breaking Birds".

“The podcast has continued to surprise us in its popularity and reach with both strong download figures and its international listenership from both the Irish abroad (looking for that feeling of home) and lots of others just wanting to get in on the friendly and casual nature themed banter,” Ricky said.

Ann Marie shared her hopes for the nature show.

“I find it a real pleasure to record and edit the In Your Nature Podcast. This is a special season as we recorded a couple of episodes live, particularly our season opener which is the Butterfly special. My goal is to make the listener feel that we are there in nature itself so that they can get away from their lives for that time," she said.

The first episode, titled Butterflies with Jesmond Harding, kicks off the first of five episodes to be launched on consecutive Mondays, went live on Monday, September 7.

Another round of five episodes will then be released in November.

This season is a mixture of interviews recorded in the field or on the road, immersing listeners to nature in Ireland and beyond.

Niall Hatch of www.birdwatchireland.ie is hoping everyone tunes in.

“It’s great to be back for a new season of In Your Nature. I hope that you enjoy listening to these new episodes as much as Ricky and I enjoyed making them.

“We would like to thank everyone who joins us on our exploration of the natural world and we can’t wait to hear your feedback,” Niall said.

In Your Nature is supported by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, The Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In Your Nature is available on all podcast streaming services or can be found at https://birdwatchireland.ie/in-your-nature/.