This started in a garden.
It’s now showing up in schools, communities, and small patches of ground across Ireland..
Nature’s Acre
A hidden Irish garden changed one man’s life. It could change yours.
During lockdown, Ciarán De Buitléar was given the key to a Victorian walled garden in the middle of an Irish village. What began as a place to grow vegetables with his sons became a story of family, nature, community and belonging. Nature’s Acre is an Irish nature memoir about what happens when one small place is allowed to come alive — and when the person caring for it begins to change too.
Now stocked in independent bookshops in Ireland.
Available via Ingram for bookshops internationally (ISBN: 9781919392813).
About the book
“A fascinating journey of renewal and growth… an inspiring memoir.” — Wings Magazine, BirdWatch Ireland (Spring 2026)
Launch & Media
A full room at the launch in Sonairte, March 2026 — the first public talk on Nature’s Acre.
Introduction by Lucy at the launch in Sonairte.
Recent publicity
Nature’s Acre has recently featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s Mooney Goes Wild, LMFM’s Late Lunch, Happy Eco News, GardenRant, Drogheda Life, Resilience.org, and Chris Gibson Wildlife.
Speaking about Nature’s Acre, wildlife gardening and the small practical changes that can help ordinary gardens become better places for wildlife and people.
The Cabra talk was one of three biodiversity events I contributed to in May 2026, alongside a pre-Biodiversity Week talk at Ashbourne Library with Ash2020 and Beyond the Plan: Biodiversity Action in Stamullen, a local community showcase hosted by the Stamullen Revival Programme in partnership with Meath County Council.
Interested in a talk for your school, library, community group, biodiversity festival or garden club?
Nature’s Acre at Cabra Biodiversity Festival
Nature doesn’t ask us to create perfection. Mostly it asks for a little space, a little patience, and a willingness to share.
Recent publicity
Nature’s Acre has recently featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s Mooney Goes Wild, LMFM’s Late Lunch, Happy Eco News, GardenRant, Resilience.org, Drogheda Life, and Chris Gibson Wildlife.
- RTÉ Radio 1 — Mooney Goes Wild: In A Walled Garden In Meath
- Full press and media coverage: View recent reviews, interviews and features
Includes radio interviews, independent reviews, launch coverage, and feature articles connected to the book.
Reviews & endorsements
“Ciaran has a gentle and sensitive approach to gardening with nature in mind, leaving wild space for our shared kin, and growing chemical-free food and native plants. It is the future of landscape design.”
— Mary Reynolds, author, designer and founder of We Are The ARK
“Ciaran has always strived to bring gardening to the people, and people to the garden. His passion for community gardens, space for nature and challenging conventional thinking is a breath of fresh air.”
— Darragh McCullough, Elmgrove Farm and Garden Centre
“I would highly recommend Nature’s Acre… It resonated with my experience of communities coming together to preserve nature and build connection.”
— Brian Gormley, Head of Sustainability Education, TU Dublin
“A family discovers the magical world of an old Victorian walled garden. Gardeners will love this book.”
— Temple Grandin, author of Visual Thinking
Reader responses
- “A lovely read written with humour and honesty.” — Bríd D., Ireland
- “A wonderfully told story… without clichés and sentimentality.” — Kathleen, United States
Where to buy
Republic of Ireland: buy the paperback here (shipping included).
Stockists
Nature’s Acre is available from selected Irish bookshops and garden-centre stockists, and online for readers further afield.
For bookshops: Nature’s Acre is available via Ingram (UK, Ireland, US & international distribution).
Ireland
- Hampton Books — Donnybrook, Dublin
- Sonairte, The National Ecology Centre — Laytown, Co. Meath
- Elm Grove Flower Farm & Garden Centre — Laytown, Co. Meath
- Kenny’s Bookshop — Galway
- Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop — Galway
- Maynooth Bookshop — Co. Kildare
- Antonia’s Bookstore — Trim, Co. Meath
- Vibes & Scribes — Cork
- Liber Bookshop — Sligo
- Sheelagh na Gig Books — Cloughjordan
- Future Forests — Cork
- TheBookshop.ie — Templemore / online
- The Gutter Bookshop — Dublin (ordered stock)
- Books at One — Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
- Manor Books — Malahide, Co. Dublin
- The Book Mark — Ashbourne, Co. Meath
- The Company of Books — Ranelagh, Dublin 6
- Bridge Street Books — Wicklow, Co. Wicklow
- Just Books — Mullingar
- The Book Stand — Ballina, Co. Mayo
- Topping & Company — Bath, England
- Bantry Bookshop — Bantry, Co. Cork
- Dingle Bookshop — Dingle, Co. Kerry
- Athlone Bookshop — Athlone, Co. Westmeath
- Irish Seed Savers — Scariff, Co. Clare
- The Bookmark — Portlaoise, Co. Laois
- Bookworm Bookshop — Thurles, Co. Tipperary
- The Nenagh Bookshop — Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Books at One — Letterfrack, Co. Galway The Kilkenny Book Centre
Online / international
More shops are ordering the book. If your local bookshop does not have it, they can usually order it in.
Are you a bookshop or garden centre? Get in touch about stocking Nature’s Acre.