fantasy book (maybe children's?) set in ireland (i think), there was a talking Natterjack toad, the main character had a catapult/slingshot

[Úna]

Read it maybe 2005-2007? the sort of climax of the book is when the boy who is the main character uses his slingshot to hit the villain of the book (who might be some kind of evil bird?) with a green stone which was given to him by the Natterjack toad. The stone was kind of part of the toad like it was on his head or maybe his throat? before he gave it to the kid. the kid lived in a big old farmhouse I think. There was at least one other side character who might have been some kind of mythological creature or imp. There is a part when they have to journey through a swamp I'm pretty sure.

[Rosa]

The Time Garden?
The Witches' Kitchen?

[Genesistrine]

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Audrey]

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O’Shea?

[Úna]

Genesistrine wrote: "The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."

I own the Hounds of the Morrigan and have read it more recently so no, it isn't that but thanks!

[Úna]

I don't think it's the Time Garden, some details make it seem close but the plot is completely different

[Rainbowheart]

The Tree from the Land Beyond

‘A frog!’ The creature seemed mortally offended. He swelled to twice his size, looming unpleasantly — if more visibly — closer. He had been right when he said he wasn’t beautiful. ‘I am a toad,’ he announced huffily. ‘A Natterjack Toad, to be precise. I am, as a matter of fact’ — he swelled until Bridget was fearful he was going to burst — ‘the Last of the Natterjack Toads.’