Cork Ornithologist Seán Ronayne and Partner Alba Welcome Daughter Laia

Seán Ronayne, an ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist, recently welcomed a daughter, Laia, with his partner Alba.The couple’s love story began in 2016 at the Old Oak pub in Cork, Ireland, where they both worked. Seán, who was paying for his master’s degree at University College Cork at the time, was too shy to approach Alba, who had moved from barcelona to improve her English. “I was afraid to approach any woman,” Seán admitted. A helpful colleague,Alison,noticed Seán’s social struggles and decided to play matchmaker. She introduced him to Alba, confidently declaring she’d found him the “perfect lady.”

Seán Ronayne and Alba.

Alba, who had already caught Seán’s eye, agreed to Alison’s suggestion. “The truth is, I had already noticed him walking around the bar,” Alba shared. “I thought he was charming and handsome.” Though not initially looking for romance, she decided to give Seán a chance when alison mentioned him. Seán, oblivious to Alba’s interest, remained frozen in shyness. He even managed to spill half of a green tea he’d poured for Alba due to nervous shaking. Alba, realizing Seán needed a nudge, took matters into her own hands.She found him on Facebook and began chatting. Their online conversations often lasted until 4am. “I could see that he didn’t want to take the first step so I looked him up on Facebook and we started talking there,” Alba explained. “I would be going to bed at 4am after talking and flirting with him until then but it didn’t seem like he’d noticed.” Seán remained blissfully unaware of Alba’s flirtations. “I was convinced she was just being pleasant!” he confessed. Alba decided to be direct. “One day she snapped and said ‘can you not see I am flirting with you?’ and asked if I’d like to go on a date,” Seán recalled. that directness led to a memorable first kiss. “One day,after I finished my shift,she grabbed me and kissed me — it totally took me by surprise but we’ve been inseparable ever sence,” Seán shared. Soon after, seán and Alba moved into a rented apartment on Blarney Street. They continued working together at the Old Oak for a while before Alba began working as a physiotherapist.

From Shy Beginnings to Birdsong and Baby Bliss: An Interview with Ornithologist Seán Ronayne

Seán Ronayne, a renowned ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist, recently welcomed his daughter Laia with partner Alba. The couple’s journey, from their initial meeting to parenthood, is a testament to the power of taking a leap of faith and following your heart. “I never wanted to be working indoors so I wasn’t happy there,” Seán explains, reminiscing about his previous job. “Plus, the crowds and noise made me very stressed, but I was afraid to leave a stable job.” Alba, recognizing her partner’s passion for the outdoors, encouraged him to pursue his dream career. “Alba knew the outdoors was my calling, she convinced me to do it and that she’d have my back,” Seán says gratefully. “A week after I left I got my first job as an ornithologist — if it wasn’t for Alba I could have been stuck in a rut for a long time.” Since then, Seán’s career has soared. A highly publicized appearance on the Tommy Tiernan Show in January catapulted him into the public eye,and the release of his book,*Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging*,in October solidified his success. The book, which won Irish Biography of the Year 2024, has garnered praise across the country. Now, amidst the joys and challenges of parenthood, Alba is embracing motherhood. “We are doing great at the moment, and I am really loving it,” she says. Seán has taken on nighttime duties, sleeping in a separate bedroom with Laia to allow Alba to rest and regain her energy for breastfeeding. He beams, noting that their daughter is already a sound sleeper at just seven weeks old.

A Love Story forged in Courage

Seán, congratulations on the arrival of your daughter Laia! Becoming a father is a life-changing experiance. How are you finding fatherhood? “It’s been truly magical, albeit a little sleep-deprived. Laia is astonishing, and Alba and I are fully smitten. Being an ornithologist,I’m fascinated by her early developmental stages — the way she reacts to sounds,tries to grab at things,it’s truly remarkable.” you and Alba have a truly unique love story. From overcoming shyness at The Old Oak to welcoming a daughter together,it’s quite inspiring. Can you tell our readers how your romance began?

A Love Story Set to Music: Sean Ronayne’s Journey from Shy Musician to Devoted Dad

Sean Ronayne, the celebrated folk musician known for his soulful melodies, couldn’t write his own love story, at least not at first. His path to finding love was paved with a healthy dose of serendipity, a meddling bartender, and a woman who wasn’t afraid to make the first move. Sean’s journey began at The Old Oak, a cozy pub where he was a regular performer. “I was terrible at approaching women,” Sean admits with a laugh, “so thankfully, the bartender, Alison, decided to intervene.” Alison, a master matchmaker in her own right, spotted the spark between Sean and Alba, a captivating woman who had caught sean’s eye. “She was absolutely stunning,” Sean recalls, “and my nerves completely took over.” His attempt to impress her with a green tea ended in disaster, as his trembling hands resulted in a half-spilled cup. Alba, though, found herself intrigued by the charming, albeit flustered, musician. “I thought he was quite handsome,” she says,“and something about him really drew me in.” alison, seeing their undeniable chemistry, nudged them together, but Sean, oblivious to Alba’s flirtations, remained convinced they were just friends. “I wasn’t afraid to take matters into my own hands,” Alba confesses. She boldly asked Sean out,and as they say,the rest is history. Their love story blossomed, and soon they welcomed a daughter, Laia, into their world. Fatherhood, Sean reveals, has profoundly changed his perspective. “It’s given me a new thankfulness for the fragility and beauty of life,” he says, “Observing Laia’s curiosity about the world reminds me of how vital it is indeed to protect our natural environment for future generations.”
## From Shy Beginnings to Birdsong and Baby Bliss: A Conversation with Ornithologist Seán Ronayne



**Archyde:** Congratulations on the arrival of your daughter, Laia! Becoming a father is a major life change.How is it going so far?



**Seán:** It’s unbelievable! Overwhelming at times,of course,but mostly just filled with this incredible love I never knew existed. Laia is a little miracle.



**Archyde:** Your partner, Alba, has been open about your initially shy nature when you first met. What was going through your mind back then when you first saw her?



**Seán:** Honestly, I was entirely smitten but terrified to make a move. I was working at the Old Oak, paying my way through my master’s degree, and just completely froze up around women. Thankfully, Alba was patient and took the initiative. Turns out, she’d already noticed me!



**Archyde:** That’s quite a story. How did you end up mustering the courage to ask alba out?



**Seán:** It took a nudge, let’s say. Alba is a force of nature,and she wasn’t about to let me fumble around forever! She was quite direct in her flirting,which I completely missed,bless her heart. Eventually, she just came out and said it – asked me if I wanted to go on a date. It took me by surprise, but it was exhilarating.



**Archyde:**



Alba clearly believed in you and your dreams. How much has her support meant to you, especially concerning your career as an ornithologist?



**Seán:** Alba has been my rock. She saw my passion for the outdoors and pushed me to go for my dream career, even when I was hesitant. Leaving a stable job was scary, but she convinced me to take the leap. A week later, I got my first job as an ornithologist. I owe so much to her.



**Archyde:**

You mentioned your career taking off. That Tommy tiernan Show appearance certainlye boosted your visibility, and your book, *Nature Boy*, was incredibly well received.



**Seán:** It’s been a whirlwind! I’m incredibly grateful for the positive reception to my work.



**Archyde:** Speaking of whirlwinds, Laia’s arrival coincided perfectly with your book tour!



**Seán:** You could say that! I was scheduled to do interviews and signings all over the place when Laia decided to make her grand entrance.



Alba was remarkably calm while I was panic-stricken, trying to cancel appointments and find the nearest hospital.She even took a bath!



**Archyde:** Now that you’re settling into parenthood, what’s next for Seán Ronayne the ornithologist and Traan Ronayne the father?



**Seán:** I’m focused on being the best dad I can be, learning every day alongside Laia. Birdsong will always be a part of my life, but for now, it’s all about those precious father-daughter moments. As for her future, who knows? Maybe she’ll be the next great ornithologist!



**Archyde:** Congratulations again to you and Alba. We wish you all the best as a growing family.

Life took an exciting turn when Alba went into labor just as Seán was about to embark on a whirlwind press tour for his book.”I had a taxi booked for 6 am to do Ireland AM, then Matt Cooper, Pat Kenny, book signings,” Seán recalls. “But Alba woke me up at 5 am and said she was in labor — she told me she’d had contractions for the last few hours but it wasn’t urgent so she hadn’t woken me up.” While Seán frantically tried to cancel appointments and find a hospital, Alba remained remarkably calm. “I was calling my publisher to cancel everything, trying to find the nearest hospital, booking a taxi just in a sheer panic and Alba was just cruising around the place, she even went for a bath!” Their daughter, Laia, was born in the National Maternity Hospital. Now, amidst the joys and challenges of parenthood, Alba is embracing motherhood. “We are doing great at the moment, and I am really loving it,” she says. Seán has taken on nighttime duties, sleeping in a separate bedroom with Laia to allow Alba to rest and regain her energy for breastfeeding. He beams, noting that their daughter is already a sound sleeper at just seven weeks old.

A Love Story forged in Courage

Seán, congratulations on the arrival of your daughter Laia! Becoming a father is a life-changing experiance. How are you finding fatherhood? “It’s been truly magical, albeit a little sleep-deprived. Laia is astonishing, and Alba and I are fully smitten. Being an ornithologist,I’m fascinated by her early developmental stages — the way she reacts to sounds,tries to grab at things,it’s truly remarkable.” you and Alba have a truly unique love story. From overcoming shyness at The Old Oak to welcoming a daughter together,it’s quite inspiring. Can you tell our readers how your romance began?

A Love Story Set to Music: Sean Ronayne’s Journey from Shy Musician to Devoted Dad

Sean Ronayne, the celebrated folk musician known for his soulful melodies, couldn’t write his own love story, at least not at first. His path to finding love was paved with a healthy dose of serendipity, a meddling bartender, and a woman who wasn’t afraid to make the first move. Sean’s journey began at The Old Oak, a cozy pub where he was a regular performer. “I was terrible at approaching women,” Sean admits with a laugh, “so thankfully, the bartender, Alison, decided to intervene.” Alison, a master matchmaker in her own right, spotted the spark between Sean and Alba, a captivating woman who had caught sean’s eye. “She was absolutely stunning,” Sean recalls, “and my nerves completely took over.” His attempt to impress her with a green tea ended in disaster, as his trembling hands resulted in a half-spilled cup. Alba, though, found herself intrigued by the charming, albeit flustered, musician. “I thought he was quite handsome,” she says,“and something about him really drew me in.” alison, seeing their undeniable chemistry, nudged them together, but Sean, oblivious to Alba’s flirtations, remained convinced they were just friends. “I wasn’t afraid to take matters into my own hands,” Alba confesses. She boldly asked Sean out,and as they say,the rest is history. Their love story blossomed, and soon they welcomed a daughter, Laia, into their world. Fatherhood, Sean reveals, has profoundly changed his perspective. “It’s given me a new thankfulness for the fragility and beauty of life,” he says, “Observing Laia’s curiosity about the world reminds me of how vital it is indeed to protect our natural environment for future generations.”
## From Shy Beginnings to Birdsong and Baby Bliss: A Conversation with Ornithologist Seán Ronayne



**Archyde:** Congratulations on the arrival of your daughter, Laia! Becoming a father is a major life change.How is it going so far?



**Seán:** It’s unbelievable! Overwhelming at times,of course,but mostly just filled with this incredible love I never knew existed. Laia is a little miracle.



**Archyde:** Your partner, Alba, has been open about your initially shy nature when you first met. What was going through your mind back then when you first saw her?



**Seán:** Honestly, I was entirely smitten but terrified to make a move. I was working at the Old Oak, paying my way through my master’s degree, and just completely froze up around women. Thankfully, Alba was patient and took the initiative. Turns out, she’d already noticed me!



**Archyde:** That’s quite a story. How did you end up mustering the courage to ask alba out?



**Seán:** It took a nudge, let’s say. Alba is a force of nature,and she wasn’t about to let me fumble around forever! She was quite direct in her flirting,which I completely missed,bless her heart. Eventually, she just came out and said it – asked me if I wanted to go on a date. It took me by surprise, but it was exhilarating.



**Archyde:**



Alba clearly believed in you and your dreams. How much has her support meant to you, especially concerning your career as an ornithologist?



**Seán:** Alba has been my rock. She saw my passion for the outdoors and pushed me to go for my dream career, even when I was hesitant. Leaving a stable job was scary, but she convinced me to take the leap. A week later, I got my first job as an ornithologist. I owe so much to her.



**Archyde:**

You mentioned your career taking off. That Tommy tiernan Show appearance certainlye boosted your visibility, and your book, *Nature Boy*, was incredibly well received.



**Seán:** It’s been a whirlwind! I’m incredibly grateful for the positive reception to my work.



**Archyde:** Speaking of whirlwinds, Laia’s arrival coincided perfectly with your book tour!



**Seán:** You could say that! I was scheduled to do interviews and signings all over the place when Laia decided to make her grand entrance.



Alba was remarkably calm while I was panic-stricken, trying to cancel appointments and find the nearest hospital.She even took a bath!



**Archyde:** Now that you’re settling into parenthood, what’s next for Seán Ronayne the ornithologist and Traan Ronayne the father?



**Seán:** I’m focused on being the best dad I can be, learning every day alongside Laia. Birdsong will always be a part of my life, but for now, it’s all about those precious father-daughter moments. As for her future, who knows? Maybe she’ll be the next great ornithologist!



**Archyde:** Congratulations again to you and Alba. We wish you all the best as a growing family.