Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature

Manchán Magan invites readers to see the world anew through Irish words for animals, plants, and nature.

‘"n Irish there are so many great rain words and magic words and highly specific natural words (such as the material put on the hooves of donkeys to stop them slipping in ice), or words to communicate with animals, or evocative plant words, or the gorgeous words for different amounts of light in the sky, or words that hint at different ways of seeing colour, or twilight words…"

Manchán Magan is fascinated by words, particularly Irish words, with all of their complex meanings and associations and their connections to the natural world. Having enjoyed huge success with his best-selling book Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchán now brings his infectious wonder and enthusiasm for the Irish language to a younger audience, offering delightful translations and explanations of animal, bird, fish, insect, and nature words.

When you see the world through Irish, you see the world differently. Get ready to share the magic with this delightful book for readers of all ages.

Manchán Magan is a writer and documentary-maker. He has written books on his travels in Africa, India, and South America, and his book 'Thirty-two Words for Field' was a runaway bestseller. He lives in an oak wood, with bees, hens, and vegetables, in a slightly confused house with a grass roof, near Lough Lene, Co. Westmeath.

Steve Doogan works in a wide variety of media and styles. He loves printmaking - etching, linocut and monoprints - and drawing.