One Man and His Dog: On a Quest for Ireland’s Wild Orchids

In this wonderful new work of nature writing, naturalist Declan Murphy undertakes an unforgettable journey across Ireland in search of its rarest and most beguiling orchids, accompanied always by his steadfast Dalmatian, Lucy. Featuring illustrations by Susan Morley.

What begins with the discovery of a single withered stem in the winter‑bleak Burren becomes a summer‑long odyssey through limestone pavements, mountain bogs, ancient eskers and hidden woodlands. 

Murphy’s luminous, deeply attentive prose reveals a hidden Ireland where Arctic and Mediterranean species meet, where orchids flower briefly and mysteriously, and where nature’s beauty is inseparable from its fragility. Along the way, he encounters rare plants, devoted botanists, moments of quiet revelation, and landscapes that feel both timeless and under threat.

Both a memoir of wonder and a celebration of Ireland’s wild places, this is a moving, richly observed tribute to curiosity, resilience, and the quiet companionship of a dog who sees it all at his side.