In conversation with award winning publisher, documentary maker, artist Vincent Hyland on his amazing environmental work, his life and overcoming trauma

I loved interviewing Vinny.  He is one of the most generous and bravest people I know.  Vincent Hyland is a multi award winning publisher (Wild Ireland), outdoor environmental educator, wildlife documentary film maker, artist and musician. His documentary collaborations and TV appearances include working with the BBC natural history unit and RTE - Ireland's national TV station. He is a regular guest presenter discussing all things wildlife on RTE's flagship afternoon show the Today Show. His underwater wildlife films have taken him to places such as Antarctica where he led an expedition bringing the first all Irish group to the white continent in honour of the then unknown Antarctic hero Tom Crean and Galapagos to film whale sharks and its endemic wildlife. Vincent's love of technology saw him being an early adopter of digital publishing in the mid 1980s and he spent the emote  decade of the 1990s working at Microsoft. Vincent was the creator of the European Broadcasting prize winner 'Nestwatch'. This live stream followed the lives of a nesting pair of birds and was broadcast on the Internet in the years 2000 and 2001. It was the very 1st live stream of a wildlife event in Europe. As a family, Vincent, together with his partner Mo and son Neil won the national Heritage Week Award for County Kerry in 2020 for their online series 'Young Explorer'. They also appeared on RTÉ TV's Nationwide combining Mo's love of foraging and cooking with local ingredients and their coastal outdoor eco exploits. Vincent was a founder member of the original Kerry Dark Sky Group that established the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve and achieved gold tier status from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA)  for the quality of its night skies and is now a favourite amongst visitors to the area interested in astronomy. His latest collaboration was to work with the world class Irish Chamber Orchestra when he created Fiadh's Voyage - a poetic film that follwed a seabird as it journeyed around its home in the Atlantic ocean. Set to Felix Mendelson's 'Fingals Cave' and performed by the Irish Chamber Orchestra this was a huge online success. Vincent developed an outdoor ecology business at Derrynane where he takes parents and their children into the great outdoors. Together with Parknasilla resort Vincent created their hugely successful eco discovery walk. This immersive journey  takes guests on a trek through the coastal expanses of the resort giving them insights into coastal biodiversity, health and wellness and is peppered with folklore and local maritime history. Finding the creatures of the shoreline is a particular highlight. Further information www.vincenthylandartist.com, instagram; wildderrynane    .................. This podcast is for information purposes only and represents the views and opinions of the speakers. Always use your own discernment in relation to anything discussed. Any information presented relating to any aspect of health & well being is for information purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. We recommend you seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner before beginning any natural, complimentary, or conventional treatment.