Meet the Birdman of Allihies

Carina McNally visits Alex Skade’s sanctuary in West Cork where helping animals in need of care provides a form of spiritual escape

ON walking the track to Bracklune Wildlife Centre, West Cork, the first animals to greet me are two large emus.

Though apparently fond of visitors, their curiosity and sheer size result in a hasty retreat to the car, until owner, bird whisperer and sometimes philosopher Alex Skade comes to the rescue, subsequently advising ‘If you run, they run’.