Seán Ronayne brings the wild sounds of Ireland to Mayo

The sounds of Ireland’s wild places will take centre stage at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, this October when acclaimed wildlife sound recordist and ornithologist Seán Ronayne brings his brand-new show, Untold Sounds, to Mayo on Friday, October 2.

Fresh from a sell-out Irish tour in 2025, Seán returns with an entirely new talk packed with fascinating stories, remarkable recordings and a unique insight into the natural world around us.

For Seán, sound is a way of experiencing nature differently. His extraordinary wildlife sound collection has now surpassed 28,000 recordings, capturing everything from birds and mammals to insects, whales, fish and even plants.

In Untold Sounds, he will delve into some of the most unusual and beautiful recordings from his archive, sharing the stories and adventures behind them.

And with autumn now arriving, the timing could not be better. September and October are particularly fascinating months for Ireland’s birdlife as migration gets underway and birds begin their journeys south. Migratory species pass through Ireland on their way to wintering grounds, while other birds arrive here to spend the colder months. Coastal areas and wetlands can become particularly busy as thousands of migratory birds make their way through Ireland.

It is a season that offers a different soundtrack to the Irish countryside – and one that Seán is uniquely placed to bring to life.

Having spent years travelling to some of Ireland’s wildest and most remote locations with his ears at the heart of his work, Seán has developed an incredible understanding of the sounds that surround us every day, many of which go unnoticed.

Untold Sounds promises audiences the chance to hear Ireland in a completely different way, combining immersive wildlife recordings with Seán’s trademark passion and storytelling.

Whether you are a keen birdwatcher, nature enthusiast, wildlife lover or simply curious about the world around you, this is an opportunity to stop, listen and discover just how much is happening beyond what we can see.

“Bring your sharpest ears,” Seán says - and audiences can expect to leave with a whole new perspective on the natural world.

The show runs for approximately two and a half hours, followed by a Q&A session, giving audiences the opportunity to hear more about Seán’s work and the remarkable journeys behind his recordings.

Seán Ronayne: Untold Sounds takes place at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, on Friday, October 2, at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at €27.65 plus booking fee, and seating is unreserved. Tickets are available now from the TF Royal Theatre and Ticketmaster.