Motivational
Speaker
Randal Plunkett
Randal Plunkett is a passionate rewilding advocate, environmentalist, and motivational speaker. As the owner of Dunsany Estate, Randal has become one of the country’s leading voices on nature restoration, drawing on his own radical journey to transform part of the estate into Ireland’s first large-scale private rewilding project.
Randal Plunkett
At the heart of Dunsany Estate stands not just a castle, but a mission. Randal Plunkett, the 21st Lord Dunsany, has redefined what it means to steward land in the modern world.
Turning away from traditional farming and profit-driven land use, he chose instead to let nature take the lead. Now, as a sought-after environmental speaker, Randal shares the powerful story of how 750 acres of historic land have been given back to the wild.
His talks are both inspiring and practical, drawing from real-world challenges and triumphs in the face of ecological decline.
Introduction to
Randal Plunkett
Randal Plunkett’s journey into rewilding began over a decade ago, when he made the bold decision to rewild nearly half of the 1,600-acre Dunsany Estate.
This meant halting agricultural activity, reintroducing native flora and fauna, and allowing the natural world to heal and regenerate without interference.
His work has gained international recognition, with Dunsany Nature Reserve now seen as a model for what private landowners can achieve in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change.
Rewilding at Dunsany has brought back native wildflowers, birds of prey, foxes, pine martens, and rare insects – all allowed to flourish in a truly wild and protected environment.
Randal has faced criticism, resistance, and numerous practical obstacles, yet his unwavering commitment has turned Dunsany into a living example of nature’s resilience.
In his talks, he explores these experiences with honesty and insight, offering a passionate call to action for individuals, organisations, and communities alike.
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Randal Plunkettt
Beyond Rewilding
Beyond his environmental work, Randal Plunkett is a filmmaker, public speaker, and cultural thinker.
He brings a unique perspective that blends history, art, and environmental ethics shaped by his family’s legacy, personal experiences, and philosophical approach to life and nature.
As a speaker, he is dynamic, honest, and thought-provoking. Whether addressing corporate leaders, university students, or environmental groups, Randal challenges audiences to think deeply about their relationship with the natural world and how they can be part of meaningful change.
His sessions are more than lectures – they are immersive stories that connect history, nature, and the human spirit.
Randal invites our corporate partners into a narrative where wildness is not something to fear or control, but something to protect, celebrate, and learn from.
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Listen to Randal's TED Talk
Tedx: Randal Plunkett
In his TEDxInnsbruck talk, “True Beauty is Wild”, Randal Plunkett shares the honest story behind one of Ireland’s most ambitious rewilding projects.
Speaking from the heart, he explains what led him to stop farming on large parts of the Dunsany Estate and instead let nature take over. Randal introduces his idea of “V-Wilding” – a radical, hands-off approach to land restoration and reflects on the unexpected beauty, challenges, and resistance he faced along the way.
This is more than a talk about the environment. It’s a personal journey about choosing a different path, one that reconnects us to something wild, raw, and real.
It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of nature and the role each of us can play in protecting it.
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How to
Book Randal Plunkett
If you would like to book Randal Plunkett to speak to your team during your next visit to Dunsany Estate, please contact us in advance to secure your booking.
Additionally, if you’re interested in hosting Randal to speak at your business premises, we are happy to accommodate bookings for corporate events at your location as well.
Feel free to reach out to discuss your requirements and to arrange a session that fits your needs.
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