Best Fionn O Podcasts (2025)

1
208: Encounters with Corvids - Fionn Ó Marcaigh 54:04

28d ago54:04

54:04

Are corvids overabundant pests or are they simply survivors in landscapes we've shaped? Why do these birds seem to look at us as intently as we look at them? What can ravens teach us about intelligence that might humble our sophisticated intelligence tests? This episode explores the world of corvids, from the familiar rooks and jackdaws to the acro…

1
Understanding Lead Exposure from Ammunition 1:04:29

7d ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Should we worry about consuming venison from an animal harvested with lead ammunition? Will cutting out and discarding meat around the impact area solve the problem? And what are the best practices to keep us safe? Most of us have heard about the negative effects of lead on health. Not only on our health but also on the health of the ecosystems. In…

1
209: Beavers vs Salmon - Balance The Scales with Rob Needham 1:07:10

14d ago1:07:10

1:07:10

Can beavers save Britain's dying rivers? Are these ecosystem engineers the key to reversing the catastrophic decline of Atlantic salmon, or do their dams create impassable barriers for struggling fish populations? With salmon numbers plummeting by 70% in just 20 years and predictions they could vanish entirely within two decades, the stakes couldn'…

1
207: Land Access and Irish Trails with John Smyth 1:03:06

1M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Why are no trespassing signs appearing on Irish mountains that hikers have accessed for decades? Can walkers really sue farmers when they injure themselves on private land? What happens when busloads of tourists arrive at remote trailheads with no permission from landowners? Our guest John Smyth, a hiker with 20 years' experience in Connemara and v…

1
206: The Real Yellowstone 1:41:19

2M ago1:41:19

1:41:19

Why is the farming community so opposed to the American Prairie Foundation's rewilding vision? Can ranchers and conservationists find common ground when grizzly bears are eating cattle and wolves are reducing elk herds? What happens when well-meaning conservation efforts clash with rural communities who've worked the land for generations? To explor…

1
205: The Rewildlife with Jack Morley 1:20:30

2M ago1:20:30

1:20:30

Why are people so opposed to the term "rewilding" when it can inspire action for nature restoration? How can we communicate conservation issues without alienating the very people we need to reach? And what happens when a creative professional decides to transform four fields in Wicklow into a biodiversity haven while documenting every step for othe…

1
204: The Elephant Translocation Disaster with Jens Ulrik Høgh 58:47

3M ago58:47

58:47

How does a wealthy animal welfare organisation, funded by well-meaning donors from Europe and North America, end up relocating hundreds of elephants to an area where some of the world's poorest people live? What happens when two people are killed within 24 hours of the first four elephants arriving, yet the organisation presses on with moving anoth…

1
203: TB in Deer: An Irish Hunter's Guide to the Uncomfortable Reality 29:32

3M ago29:32

29:32

Is TB in deer a growing concern for Irish hunters? What happens when you shoot a deer infected with TB, and what are the realities from a hunter's perspective? In this episode of the Conservation and Science podcast, we dive into the contentious topic of bovine tuberculosis in deer - an issue I've attempted to cover for over a year. While scientist…

1
202: Uncommon Ground with Patrick Galbraith 1:00:42

4M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Are we being locked out of the countryside, or is the narrative around land access more complex than it seems? How can we navigate the competing demands of farmers, conservationists, and recreational users? In Patrick's new book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside", he tackles the contentious topic of land access in B…

1
201: Rewild Your Land with Pádraic Fogarty 1:01:23

4M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

What does it mean to 'rewild' a landscape in Ireland, one of Europe's most nature-poor countries? Can rewilding coexist with traditional farming practices, or must we choose between them? How do we balance the need for biodiversity recovery with the cultural and economic realities of rural communities? These questions are at the heart of this episo…

1
200: Deer Management in Ireland with Ashley Glover 1:17:38

5M ago1:17:38

1:17:38

Is Ireland ready to tackle its growing deer management challenges? How will the new national deer management programme impact hunters, landowners, and conservation efforts? What role do thermal imaging technologies play in modern wildlife management? In this milestone 200th episode of Conservation and Science, we welcome back Ashley Glover, a conse…

1
199: Circumnavigating the Globe for Science with Bert terHart 1:09:36

5M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

Can one person sailing solo around the world contribute to scientific knowledge? What happens when you encounter illegal fishing vessels in the middle of the ocean? How can we address the growing crisis of plastic pollution in our seas? In this episode, we dive into these questions with Bert Terhart, a scientist, explorer and entrepreneur who circu…

1
198: Living with Wolves - The Complete Guide to Coexistence 1:22:44

6M ago1:22:44

1:22:44

I feel like this episode is the ultimate guide to understanding coexistence with wolves. Once again I talk with ecological anthropologist Thorsten Gieser, this time about his excellent book “Living with Wolves: Affects, Feelings and Sentiments in Human-Wolf Coexistence”. In the episode, Thorsten recounts a tense atmosphere during the visit to a wol…

1
Podcasthon: IWDG and IWT 39:39

6M ago39:39

39:39

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Irish Wildlife Trust. This episode is part of the global Podcasthon initiative, in which podcasters worldwide dedicate one episode to their chosen charity. To maximise impact, all episodes are published in a single week. I’m showcasing two of the most influential Irish environmental charities: the Irish Whale and D…

1
197: Living with Lynx - Conversation with Jonny Hanson 1:07:29

6M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Is it possible for humans and large carnivores to share landscapes without conflict? What happens when predators like wolves, bears, and lynx return to areas where they've been absent for centuries? How do we balance the ecological benefits of apex predators with the real concerns of rural communities and farmers? We’re trying to answer these quest…

1
196: Offshore Wind and Marine Mammals with Stephen Comerford 1:05:50

7M ago1:05:50

1:05:50

Are offshore wind farms detrimental to marine mammals? What happens when we industrialise our seas with massive turbines? Can we balance the urgent need for renewable energy with protecting marine life? These questions take centre stage in our conversation with marine ecologist Dr Stephen Comerford, who is the ORE Marine Biodiversity Officer at the…

1
195: Can Hunting Foster Environmental Stewardship? Conversation with Thorsten Gieser 1:40:07

7M ago1:40:07

1:40:07

What makes someone kill an animal and still claim to care deeply about nature? Can the act of hunting foster environmental stewardship? These somewhat provocative questions lie at the heart of my conversation with Thorsten Gieser, an anthropologist studying hunting practices and their deeper meaning in modern society. Our discussion explores the co…

1
194: Pink Salmon Invasion on Norwegian Rivers with Jude Isabella 1:03:59

7M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

What happens when Pacific salmon invade Atlantic waters? How does a Soviet-era experiment from the 1950s continue to impact Norwegian rivers today? We’re answering these questions in conversation with Jude Isabella, founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine. This episode was inspired by her three-week journey along Norway's border with Russia, …

1
193: Human-Wildlife Conflict - Romanian Bears and African Elephants with Jens Ulrik Høgh 1:08:49

8M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

Can hunting be an effective way to manage human-wildlife conflict? What happens when well-intentioned wildlife protection measures backfire? I spoke with Jens Ulrik Høgh, a Scandinavian hunting journalist, to find answers to these questions through the lens of Romania's bear management crisis. When hunting was banned in 2016 under pressure from ani…

1
Conservation and Science 2024 Recap 1:00:26

8M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

The calendar year is coming to an end. Since the episode's scheduled date falls on the last day of the year, I feel it's fitting to publish a 2024 recap episode featuring the most interesting clips from all the episodes published this year - or rather, last year (2024). Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the …

1
Christmas Wishes and a Peek into 2025 15:40

9M ago15:40

15:40

Unlike many podcasters who take a break over Christmas, I'm not taking breaks. Instead, as I do every year, I'm publishing a special episode with seasonal wishes and, most importantly, with a big thank you to all of you for being here with me, subscribing to the podcast whether on a podcast app or YouTube and particularly for signing up to my newsl…

1
Expert Talk: Bowhunting Ethics and Practice 1:00:49

9M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

This episode is a real treat for all those who are interested in bowhunting, bowhunting culture and the ethics of bowhunting compared to rifle hunting. Everything sprinkled with a healthy dose of hunting stories. It feels like I’m one of the only very few who talks about bowhunting with European listeners in mind. Indeed, I would like to see huntin…

1
192: EU Green Policy - The Science-Politics Divide with Faustine Bas-Defossez 1:03:58

9M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

How much influence do personal experiences of high-ranking officials have on EU environmental policies? What happens when science-based conservation collides with political interests? Can farmers and environmentalists find common ground in nature restoration? In this episode, I talk to Faustine Bas-Defossez, Director for Nature, Health and Environm…

1
The Return of the Irish Sturgeon 52:34

10M ago52:34

52:34

In this episode I'm joined by Declan Quigley to explore the history of sturgeon in Irish waters. We talk about the recent campaign by the Irish Wildlife Trust to reintroduce this ancient fish. The conversation dives into the history of sturgeon in Ireland, discussing their critical endangerment and the factors that led to their decline, including o…

1
191: Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons 1:12:43

10M ago1:12:43

1:12:43

What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstanding…

1
Ireland on the Fly with Daire and Tom 14:54

10M ago14:54

14:54

What drives two friends to create a weekly podcast about fly fishing? How do they manage to keep it fresh and engaging week after week? Ireland on the Fly started as Daire's passion project about four years ago, combining his media background with his newfound love for fly fishing. The podcast took on new life when Tom, an experienced angling guide…

1
190: The Geopolitics of Whale Conservation with Peter Corkeron 56:17

10M ago56:17

56:17

Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national …

1
Salmon Farming Exposed: Environmental Catastrophe and Community Impact 1:17:42

11M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

Listen to my conversation with John Aitchison from the Coastal Communities Network Scotland to learn about the devastating effects of salmon farming on the marine environment and coastal communities. Toxic waste, pesticides, diseases and parasites are just the tip of the iceberg. I knew that salmon farming was bad but I didn’t realise quite how bad…

1
189: Climate Anxiety and Presence Activism with Lynne Sedgmore 56:39

11M ago56:39

56:39

Do you feel climate anxiety? Is it overwhelming you? How do we find peace while being bombarded with dire environmental predictions? In an attempt to answer these questions, I talk with Lynne Sedgmore, a well-known educator, leadership coach, activist and the author of the book "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety". To set the…

1
Polar Bears in a Warming World with Andrew Derocher 1:04:39

11M ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Last week I published a blog post where I set out to answer the question of whether polar bears are facing impending extinction due to climate change or are they, in fact, doing better than ever. Around the time when I was investigating this question, I got in touch with Professor Andrew Derocher from the Department of Biological Sciences at the Un…

1
188: Peer Review Reimagined - How Stacks Journal is Transforming Scientific Publishing 1:03:38

11M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Is scientific publishing broken? How can we make it more accessible and inclusive? And what if peer review could be collaborative and efficient instead of opaque and burdensome? In this episode, we dive into the world of academic publishing with Dr David Green, founder of Stacks Journal. We talk about how the current system is failing researchers a…

1
The EU Review of Wolf Protection Status 1:23:31

11M ago1:23:31

1:23:31

The European Commission is deliberating on lowering the protection status of wolves in the EU. It seems like this decision has been taken after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen’s pony was killed by wolves. Is this really the reason for what many have dubbed “a new European wolf hunt”? To unpack this issue I talked to environm…

1
187: Soil, Dung Beetles, and Longhorn Beef with Elise Sutton 52:51

12M ago52:51

52:51

Can farming and conservation coexist harmoniously? How can farmers produce high-quality food while protecting biodiversity? Elise Sutton, a passionate conservationist and livestock manager at Cherry Lodge Farm, shares her experience in balancing food production with nature conservation. Elise talks about conservation grazing using English Longhorn …

1
186: Climate-Resilient Crops - Gene Editing with BetterSeeds and Ido Margalit 54:07

12M ago54:07

54:07

What are the latest advancements in gene editing for crops? How can genetic engineering help plants withstand climate change? Is genetically modified food safe for consumption? To answer these questions, I talk with Ido Margalit, a co-founder and the CEO of BetterSeeds, a plant genetics company focused exclusively on using genome editing/CRISPR tec…

1
185: Farmers' Perspective on Carnivore Reintroductions with Jonny Hanson 1:08:39

12M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

Can large carnivore conservation coexist with livestock farming? In this episode, environmental social scientist Jonny Hanson and I discuss the complex issue of large carnivore reintroductions in Britain and Ireland. What are farmers' perspectives on sharing landscapes with predators like wolves and lynx? How can we balance conservation goals with …

1
Wildlife In The Balance with Simon Mustoe 1:05:35

1y ago1:05:35

1:05:35

This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read. Although I don’t agree with everything in the book, I can overlook my disagreements because of how brilliant some parts that I do agree with are. So I couldn’t wait to sit down with the author, expert ecologist, Simon Mustoe for a chat about his views and, of course, about the book. In hi…

1
184: Novel Ecosystems and Nature-Based Solutions with Marcus Collier 59:49

1y ago59:49

59:49

Are humans part of nature or separate from it? How do we define native species, and should we always strive to eradicate invasive ones? Can urban green spaces play a role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss? And what is the Anthropocene anyway? These are only some of the questions I discussed with Dr. Marcus Collier, an Associate Pro…

1
183: Nature Restoration Law - an Irish Farmer’s Perspective with Bill O’Keeffe 1:20:51

1y ago1:20:51

1:20:51

Why was the farming community so opposed to the EU’s Nature Restoration Law? Doesn’t a healthy ecosystem benefit agriculture? Isn’t the availability of additional payments for alternative use of unproductive land a good thing? Aren’t the measures built into the law sufficient to protect the actively used agricultural land? To find answers to those …

1
182: Lead Ammunition and Health with Fredrik Widemo 1:04:36

1y ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Should we worry about consuming venison from an animal harvested with lead ammunition? Will cutting out and discarding meat around the impact area solve the problem? And what are the best practices to keep us safe? Most of us have heard about the negative effects of lead on health. Not only on our health but also on the health of the ecosystems. In…

1
181: Farming and Soil Biodiversity with Stuart Meikle 1:10:07

1y ago1:10:07

1:10:07

What is sustainable agriculture? Does regenerative farming mean focusing primarily on the soil biome? Is farming a leading cause of biodiversity loss? …and do we really have only 60 harvests left? To get the answers to those and other questions about farming and biodiversity, join me for a conversation with an agricultural management and policy spe…

1
180: Hunters Just Are 32:33

1y ago32:33

32:33

Not long ago I posted a tweet: “Hunters are not good or bad, they just are. Therefore, they must be managed just like, and as a part of, the wildlife they hunt.” It was an attempt to condense my thoughts about our relationship with wildlife and nature. I purposefully used the word “our” because I believe that we are all hunters; it's just that this…

1
179: Sika Deer: Pest or Precious? 1:28:35

1y ago1:28:35

1:28:35

Sika (cervus nippon) is a mid-sized deer that was introduced to Ireland in the 1860s to the Powerscourt Estate. Soon after that, it started spreading across Ireland. Today, the main concentrations of sika are in Kerry, Wicklow, Tyrone and Fermanagh. More recently, it has also been found in Waterford, Galway, Limerick, and Wexford. The National Biod…

1
178: Why Biodiversity Matters with Nigel Dudley 56:55

1+ y ago56:55

56:55

“Why Biodiversity Matters” is fundamentally a philosophy book. However, the author and our guest, Nigel Dudley, is not a philosopher but an accomplished conservation biologist who has accumulated an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience working on conservation projects across the world. He has worked as a consultant ecologist with internati…

1
177: Nature, Farming and Politics with Saoirse McHugh 1:02:17

1+ y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Join me for a conversation with Saoirse McHugh who is running as an independent candidate for the European Parliament to represent the Midlands-North-West constituency. During our discussion, we delve into a wide array of topics such as the connection between agriculture and environmentalism, sustainable land management practices and agricultural s…

1
176: Invasive Ants Impact Lion Predation on Zebras, with Adam T. Ford 51:59

1+ y ago51:59

51:59

The paper that we discuss in this episode describes how an invasive species of ants disrupts lion hunting behaviour. There are also acacia trees, elephants, zebras and buffalos involved in the whole chain of interactions between species. To talk about this incredibly interesting research I invited an Associate Professor, Adam Ford, Canada Research …

1
175: SOTKA Wetlands with Veli-Matti Pekkarinen and Heikki Helle 58:54

1+ y ago58:54

58:54

Finnish SOTKA is a large-scale habitat restoration project and a part of a larger Helmi Habitats Programme aimed at restoring Finland’s biodiversity. It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment. SOTKA’s objective is large-scale habitat restoration through wetlands rehabilitation, restoration of mires an…

1
174: Not A Conservationist 11:01

1+ y ago11:01

11:01

Many people claim they are conservationists. But are they really? Inspired by your comments and some discussions that I had in the past, I decided to talk about this subject. This episode was recorded outdoors, on the beautiful Irish coast of county Kerry. So, don’t be surprised to hear chough calling in the background or some occasional gusts of w…

1
173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre 1:23:06

1+ y ago1:23:06

1:23:06

I have been waiting for Tom Opre’s new film “The Last Keeper” since I learned in July 2022 that he and his team are working on it. Well, the wait was over for me at the beginning of February 2024, as I was the only person in Ireland to screen the film. The wait will soon be over for you as well since the film premieres in mid-April in Edinburgh. Wh…

1
172: Antidote to Screen Addiction with Emanuel Rose 46:35

1+ y ago46:35

46:35

This episode is slightly different than usual when it comes to its subject. However, working with technology by day and creating digital content by night, I spend substantial time thinking about and grappling with this subject. So when I learned that a long-term supporter and a friend of the podcast, Emanuel Rose, wrote a book about it, I decided t…

1
171: Rewilding with Steve Carver 51:51

1+ y ago51:51

51:51

It has been a considerable time since the last time we spoke about rewilding on the podcast. I feel that the discussion around the practice as well as understanding of the term has moved on in the last three to four years. So, I decided to get an update on the state of rewilding. To do so, I invited the Director of the Wildland Research Institute a…

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