About
Part of Shorelife Celebration | Tickets available on Fri 19 Sep 2025 at 12:00PM
Join award-winning nature advocate, writer, and conservation biologist Ruby Free for an inspiring talk about her life, work, and passion for the natural world. Based in County Antrim, Ruby has dedicated herself to restoring biodiversity and reconnecting people with nature since the age of 16. Her impact has been widely recognised, earning her a place on the ENDS Power List of the UK’s 100 most influential environmental professionals.
Ruby’s policy work has taken her onto the global stage, including the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, where she helped expose corporate polluters undermining environmental progress. She is also the author of the bestselling memoir Rathlin, A Wild Life (Blackstaff Press, 2024), which chronicles her extraordinary time living and working on Rathlin Island. In addition, she writes a regular nature and climate column for The Irish News and co-manages Ballyconnelly Farm with her partner, Craig.
When not writing, campaigning, or speaking, Ruby can often be found exploring the outdoors with her dog Isla, surfing, growing food, or illustrating.
This event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from Ruby as she shares her journey, insights, and hopes for the future of our environment.
Book signing will follow.
Talk will take place in the Main Hall of the Estate House and will last approximately 45 mins + Q&A.
More about Ruby
Ruby Free is a passionate and award-winning campaigner, writer, and conservation biologist from Poole, UK. Her work centres around reconnecting people with nature and advocating for environmental protection.
Here’s a snapshot of her journey and impact:
Career & Advocacy
- She’s been active in environmental conservation since age 16, working with organisations like Surfers Against Sewage, where she’s helped organise beach cleans and protests to improve water quality.
- Ruby is deeply involved in marine conservation, having worked on seabird reserves and served as a wildlife medic, often rescuing animals affected by plastic pollution.
Author & Storyteller
- Her debut book, Rathlin: A Wild Life, is a heartfelt tribute to Rathlin Island, a Special Area of Conservation off the coast of County Antrim. The book blends ecological insight with poetic storytelling, capturing the island’s wildlife and the urgency of protecting it.
- She describes it as a “love letter to the island and the wildlife,” but also a call to action—a reminder of what we risk losing if we don’t change our relationship with nature.
Personal Philosophy
- Ruby’s approach is both scientific and soulful—she knows the ecological function of species but also connects emotionally with the natural world.
- She’s been recognised as one of the 100 most influential Environmental Professionals in the UK.
She’s one of those rare voices who blends activism, science, and storytelling to inspire
Curated by Northern Ireland Science Festival
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | £10.00 per ticket |
Tickets available on Fri 19 Sep 2025 at 12:00PM
Online booking fees apply. Avoid the booking fee and buy direct through our Visitor Information Centres, by phone or in person.
