A Sheepdog Named Oscar: Love and Companionship in Rural Ireland
The New York Times bestseller
Following the sudden death of his father in 2016, Dara Waldron found himself disoriented in a world that had once filled him with wonder. A year later, a chance encounter altered the course of his life. After welcoming an abandoned border collie into his family home, an unexpected companionship began.
When Dara discovers Oscar hiding on a derelict farm in County Clare, he believes he is committing an act of rescue. Oscar’s submissive behaviour hints at a troubled past and, determined to earn his trust, Dara cares for him, walks with him and learns all he can about one of Ireland’s most beloved working breeds. But as the months pass and their bond deepens, Dara begins to see that Oscar – bred to herd, guard and guide – might be the one doing the rescuing.
A Sheepdog Named Oscar is an ode to the Irish countryside and its deep mythic heritage. It is a tender exploration of grief and a meditation on the restorative pull of the rural world. Beautifully written and rich with the wisdom of experience, it traces a shared journey of understanding between man and dog, revealing how small acts of loyalty can gently lead us back into life, with all its mystery and joy.
‘This book will do great good, and bring light to many lives’ Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart
Dara Waldron, New York Times bestseller, September 2025
Description
The New York Times bestseller
Following the sudden death of his father in 2016, Dara Waldron found himself disoriented in a world that had once filled him with wonder. A year later, a chance encounter altered the course of his life. After welcoming an abandoned border collie into his family home, an unexpected companionship began.
When Dara discovers Oscar hiding on a derelict farm in County Clare, he believes he is committing an act of rescue. Oscar’s submissive behaviour hints at a troubled past and, determined to earn his trust, Dara cares for him, walks with him and learns all he can about one of Ireland’s most beloved working breeds. But as the months pass and their bond deepens, Dara begins to see that Oscar – bred to herd, guard and guide – might be the one doing the rescuing.
A Sheepdog Named Oscar is an ode to the Irish countryside and its deep mythic heritage. It is a tender exploration of grief and a meditation on the restorative pull of the rural world. Beautifully written and rich with the wisdom of experience, it traces a shared journey of understanding between man and dog, revealing how small acts of loyalty can gently lead us back into life, with all its mystery and joy.
‘This book will do great good, and bring light to many lives’ Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart
Dara Waldron, New York Times bestseller, September 2025
