Stunning Montalto estate features in a new book by renowned writer and contributor

Stunning Montalto estate features in a new book by renowned writer and contributor

23 April 2025

THE restorative power of nature is at the heart of a new book by well-known nature writer and Irish Times contributor Paul Clements which is formally launched next month.

His latest publication – A Year In The Woods, Montalto Through The Seasons – describes in lyrical detail the year he spent living in a cottage on the grounds of the magnificent 400 acre Montalto estate in Ballynahinch in this stunning new illustrated hardback. 

Fusing history, nature writing and memoir, Paul’s captivating writing celebrates the changing seasons and the small moments of wonder that come from being surrounded by the natural world.

Recovering from surgery, Paul and his wife Felicity spent a year in a remote cottage in the woodlands of the sprawling estate.

Through the lens of a curious observer and a budding bird watcher, Paul describes in exquisite detail his discovery of the restorative power of nature. 

Beautifully written, his new book is a fusion of social and cultural history, nature writing and memoir. 

Reflecting on this magical year spent in the woods through the journal he kept, Paul describes his awakening to the wonder of the woodland and developing his deep connection to nature. 

Peppered with fascinating folklore and history, this is a lyrical and captivating testament to the joy of a life spent outdoors. 

“The knockings of autumn are making themselves heard in the rustle of the leaves and whistle of the chilly wind,” he writes.

“Spiderwebs are festooned on hedges and a spider is poised at the centre of one. In the fleeting morning sunshine the webs light up in twinkling displays.”

Paul is the author of five travel books about Ireland, with his writing reflecting the cultural landscape, heritage and natural world. 

He has also written two biographies: one on the Irish writer, actor and singer Richard Hayward (2014), and the other on the Welsh travel writer and historian Jan Morris, published in 2022. 

A former BBC assistant editor, he is a contributor to The Irish Times.

Paul lives with his wife and son in Belfast. 

The new publication will be formally launched in the Montalto cafe on Thursday, May 1, at 6pm, with doors opening 30 minutes earlier.

The new book is published by Merrion Press and costs £17.99.