CountryWide: Recent Episodes
RTÉ Radio 1
Damien O'Reilly and the CountryWide team feature the events, people and happenings that bring colour and life to communities, towns and villages across Ireland. Listen live Saturdays at 8am on RTÉ Radio 1.
It's been one hundred years since Irish Army officers first jumped for their country, and now we are looking at how they’re marking the centenary at this week's Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. Suzanne Campbell reports.
In 2018, a summer drought hit Ireland hard, and farmers were counting the cost of it for months afterwards. This year, it's happening all over again. July was the driest on record, so what does this mean for dairy farmers? Ella visits Malcolm Kidd, a young dairy farmer outside Bagenalstown to see how he's dealing with the drought.
Five new wind farms are waiting on planning approval in the Irish Sea and it appears the sites line up with some of the best fishing grounds on the east coast. It's no great surprise that fishermen are worried, both about losing space to work, and about what all those structures under the water might do to the marine environment they depend on.
It's not only Malcolm's farm affected, it's playing out on other farms, mainly in the south and southeast. So what does this actually mean for farmers, and how do you make a farm more resilient to to extremes - droughts in summers, and deluges of rain in winter? Cathal Somers from Teagasc, and Conor Murphy of NUI Maynooth discuss further.
The season is nearly at an end for Ireland's smallest and rarest seabirds, Little Terns, and they'll soon be off on their journey south back to Africa. As they nest on the ground, they're extremely vulnerable to disturbance from all of us. Della Kilroy went to Kilcoole beach to meet the conservationists working to protect the seabird species.
Today's show is a River Shannon special. We hear the sound of the Curlew on Lough Ree, Colin Stafford Johnson, nature and wildlife cinematographer, on why he keeps coming back to the river, the mystery of where the River Shannon begins with Professor John Gunn and generational suckler farmer, Frank Whitney, in Leitrim, whose farm hugs the river.
We continue our River Shannon special. Ardnacrusha devastated salmon numbers; Castleconnell River Association works to bring them back. DCU's Fiona Regan calls for entire Shannon survey; Regan Hutchins chats to Donal Boland about boat life; the estuary's Bottlenose dolphins; Irish-Yorkshire collaboration brings hope for the Curlew population here.
The loy is a long, narrow spade that broke hard ground for generations. A new exhibition at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon, The Green Loy is curated to make a quiet case that the everyday things of rural life - tools, dressers, haycocks, quilts are works of art in their own right, and a link between people and the land they worked.
Louise McHugh is a professor of psychology and the deputy head in the school of psychology at UCD, and she’s been involved in researching mental health and suicide in the farming community in Ireland. If you've been affected by anything we've discussed, please go to rte.ie/helplines for helplines and services.
Tomorrow is Reek Sunday - when thousands of people will make their way up Croagh Patrick. Over ten years ago, Martin Keating decided to do something about the increasing number of feet taking its toll on the mountain. He started ringing around - farmers, landowners and conversations grew the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group, which he chairs today.
ECO-UNESCO, Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation has built a whole programme around the idea that time outdoors is good for us. It's called ECO-Choices, and it uses nature-based activities and outdoor learning to help young people. Della Kilroy joined one group on one of their weekly summer outings.
The Sheep Show podcast is a weekly podcast both presenters are sheep farmers, but the twist is they are brother and sister, and the double twist is he - Andrew - is farming in Longford and she – Jill - is farming 150 miles outside Melbourne in Australia. Comparing and contrasting farming here and there each week throws up lots of food for thought.
Charles Hughes, sheep farmer in Co Mayo tells Philip all about the process of shearing sheep in the current hot climate we're experiencing. However, imagine being the farmer who has to pay for this knowing that in the current market the wool is to all intents and purposes worth nothing.
Today at Athenry Mart, President Connolly will be at the 6th national harvest of wool. It’s a meitheal organised by the Galway Wool Co-op. There will be shearing and spinning demonstrations and examples of soft wool garments made from wool of Galway Sheep. Suzanne Campbell traveled to the farm of Blathnaid Gallagher, Co founder to find out more.
It costs farmers more to shear sheep than they get for wool, as we haven’t scaled up uses for wool in Ireland. Now, in order to re-wet bogs and block drains, farmers have been making water repellent Irish sheep wool into logs and burying them in the drains. Sinead Grimes of the Dulra Project explains more.
The Conroy family have been growing raspberries for 75 years pretty close to the foot of the Sugarloaf, and unlike most soft fruit producers in Ireland, they have been making it work outdoors all that time and not under glass or polytunnel, and the sunny weather has been a welcomed addition.
Ahead of Comhaltas Ceolteori Eireann’s 75th anniversary, we had some of Ireland's best musicians in studio: Robert Harvey on Whistling and flute, Aoife Vaughan on Flute, Cathal O Duibhir Baoil on Concertina, and Daragh O Duibhir Baoil on guitar. The performed ‘Beautiful Fresh Morning’ followed by two jigs (‘Grainne’s Jig’ and ‘Scatter the Mud).
We looked at challenges farmers are facing , dairy farmers in particular as they try to look after animals that were not designed for these temperatures and adapt to climate shifts. Vet Ryan Duffy works with Animal Health Ireland. He is a specialist in Heat Stress in Dairy Cows.
What does being well adapted to occasional blasts of this kind of heat look like? While simultaneously being adapted to increasing blasts of heavy rainfall? Philip spoke to farmer Michael Guinan in Rahan in Offaly to discuss the impact of ever changing weather.
Denis Drennan, president of the ICMSA discusses the impact that the ever changing climate is having on Ireland's agricultural sector.
For generations, the Farrell family has farmed Inis Cloithreann Island on Lough Ree, a tradition that stretches back more than 900 years. Today, Longford farmer and school principal Herbert Farrell carries on that legacy, making the one mile journey by boat several times a week to tend to his cattle on the 143-acre island farm. Della Kilroy reports
The long-awaited Land Use Review said in clear words that the way we are using land does not safeguard water. And a few weeks ago, 43% of farms inspected for water quality compliance failed the test. Dairy farmers Gail and Bryan Daniels discuss their ways to try find a solution to the problem.
A Dáil Committee heard this week that the things farmers whose land is free draining are being advised to do will catch phosphate but won’t stop nitrate from polluting rivers. Pat Dillon from the agricultural research agency Teagasc is an expert in nitrate leaching spoke to Philip on this morning's show.
The Blackwater River Fish Kill last August was the largest fish kill ever in Ireland, and the person or people were never found. This week, Timmy Dooley, Minister with responsibility for fisheries published a new set of protocols to address which investigative agency should do what from now on when there is a fish kill.
Professor Fiona Regan, Director of of DCU's Water Institute reacts to and discusses the protocols being outlined by Minister Dooley.
The amount of water we are taking out of our underground aquifers and rivers is increasingly an issue, but what happens when a well suddenly runs dry for 6 months, and then reappears? Betty O’Shea has devoted a considerable chunk of her life to tending to Father Moore’s Well, and she tells us more.
On Countrywide we feature farmers who are trying to bypass the middlemen and sell their product directly to consumers. The big problem they all have in common is they either find themselves tied to a single farmer’s market stall or strapped into a van doing deliveries. Step forward Cavan farmer Ben Tierney who runs ten egg vending machines.
David Keohan, is a man on an archaeological quest to discover Ireland’s ancient lifting stones and revive a sport and culture – Stone Lifting – that has almost been erased from the landscape entirely.
Lorna Siggins visits an all woman aerial circus production of the story of Grace O’Malley or Granuaile with the truly spectacular backdrop of the old pirate queen’s stomping ground of Clew Bay.
A complicated problem we are facing in Farming is how to get younger people taking over the reins. Generational Renewal is the short hand. Our reporter Suzanne Campbell went in the company of some Nuffield Scholars to Cork to look at a shared farm.
National Parks and Wildlife Service has taken the precaution of appointing a warden to make sure visitors know how to tread softly on the Inishkea Islands. And Ella McSweeney took a rib out to Inishkea south and was joined by the person behind the idea, Irene O’Brien.
This morning we looked at what farming is like in countries affected by war and climate change; Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine. Given what the agronomists, the supply chain experts, the supermarket buyers are now saying about the global food system being tested to breaking point, Philip asked former President of Ireland Mary Robinson was she concerned.
Keith Brennan, on Hawthorn Hill Farm in Roscommon, reflects on the power of Meitheal, and therefore found putting his back in to a shared job of work on a neighbour’s land helpful.
'Making Farms Work for Women' is a pilot project that's looking at the reality of farming for women and at the challenges they face. Over the three year life of the project they'll be working with 60 women farmers in North Mayo. Treasa Breathnach reports.
Grass growth has been rampant in the last few weeks, with quite a few farms pushing into surplus. It’s a time of year where that kind of growth means booleying can come into its own. A livestock management tradition where the cattle and the farmer’s children headed for the hills away from parental supervision. Della Kilroy reports.
Swarming season is in full swing across the country. Queen bees are leaving their nests, allowing developing queens to inherit their thrones. There has been a long running campaign and draft legislation to ensure special protection for the wild Irish honeybee. Lorna Siggins reports.
Looking at the bogs a bit more closely, where are we at in developing completely peat free alternative composts so that we can stop cutting up bogs to grow food? Teagasc, the agricultural research agency is in the middle of a lot of work in this area. Philip met with Dr Michael Gaffney to discuss further.
The European Commission is not happy about what we haven’t done to protect our bogs. They say we have failed to stop large scale commercial peat extraction. So Ireland is getting sued, again. While we have done a bad job protecting our raised bog networks, taking take peat away in the morning would mean we end a large part of Irish horticulture.
Ornithologist, Sean Ronayne, on how important Marine Protection Areas are for Seabirds and his passion for capturing bird sounds
Della Kilroy goes beachcombing in Bray with Marine Biologist, Mona McCrae and a group of school children as part of ‘Seashore Kids’, which provides marine environmental education to children.
Speakers at the Fair Seas Conference 2026 on MPAs: Minna Epps - IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Belinda Bramley - UK marine protection expert, Grace Carr - Marine policy officer at the Irish Wildlife Trust).
There isn't enough land in the country to do all the things we have set targets for. 17 months ago government received a report setting out what land uses needed to be prioritised. Where is it?
Jesmond Harding, author of the The Irish Butterfly Book, makes the case for conserving habitat for creatures like the Marsh Fritillary butterfly within a Land Use Plan.
Ella McSweeney talks to locals in Roscommon who feel there is better environmental and cultural value to be had on their bog than the climate benefits that would come from a proposed wind farm.
Stakeholders from farmers to renewable energy call for the publication of the Land Use Review. Pat O'Toole, Political Editor, Irish Farmers Journal. Prof Mary Bourke, Geographer, TCD. Ronan Power, CEO Solar Ireland. Oonagh Duggan, Head of Policy, Birdwatch Ireland.
With a wind farm going up in the next field Michael Miley's farm outside Monasterevin is just one of thousands that would benefit from clear direction on Land Use.
Philip speaks with farmers Seamus Bradley in Ardclough, Co Kildare and John Keogh in Co Carlow to gauge their understanding. Later, food analyst Sinead Mowlds joined him in studio.
There’s enough hedgerow in Ireland to go around the equator 17 times and there’s a Whitethorn at the heart of every hedge. So lets pause for a moment in awe of the Whitethorn, with its dazzling display across our landscape right now, with Janet Heeran from her family farm in Co Cork.
Food historian, Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire discusses whether enough has changed since the Great Famine to guarantee access to food for all. Máirtín is co-editor of Irish Food History: A Companion, published by Royal Irish Academy.
Lorna Siggins jumped on board this conundrum and met Sean Doran, whose family runs a fish shop and restaurant in Howth, Co Dublin and master fishmonger Stefan Griesbach in Co Galway.
What began with two pet goats has grown into an expanding goat’s milk soap business for Louise Bennett in County Westmeath. Reporter Della Kilroy discovered how Louise has been balancing the demands of a busy kidding season with the day-to-day running of her small business, turning fresh goat’s milk into handcrafted skincare products.
As the Mayfly season gets underway. Fisheries scientist, Ken Whelan, joined Sheila O'Callaghan along the banks of the Blackwater River near Virginia in Co Cavan, and Dr Samuel Fabian from the University of Oxford and his colleagues from Imperial College London reveals the science behind the Mayfly's dance in newly published research.
The prospect of cuts in the Common Agriculture Policy budget has ignited a debate about what constitutes an active farmer and whether supports should be removed or reduced from those deemed inactive. Chris Fox, a medium sized Irish dairy farmer and Daniel Buckley, a sheep farmer , and Francie Gorman, President of the IFA discuss.
Author of The Book Of Birds, Robert McFarlane and Cork-based ornithologist and field recordist, Seán Ronayne collaborate to bring you the exquisite sounds of birds and some interesting anecdotes and insights.
Suzanne Campbell reports on how a farmer in the midlands with a thriving organic oats business has made a determined effort to allow space for nature on his farm which has actually added to his bottom line.
Lorna Siggins reports on recent removal of a beach area in Bray Harbour in County Wicklow which has had a significant impact on local swans.
You know what walking on a bog should sound like but that's not what could be heard underfoot at Slieve Beagh following a wildfire last week. Ella McSweeney joined Philip Boucher Hayes to talk more.
Treasa Bhreathnach attends the celebrations at the launch of the newly UNESCO endorsed Geopark in Connemara, the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark. Featuring Trish Walsh, Chair of the JCWL GeoEnterprise and Sinead Seoighe, Tourism Officer for the Geopark.
Philip meets uplands farmer Colm Gavin for a walk on his sheep farm on the banks of the Killary Fjord. They discuss what really makes a geopark special, as well as the challenges of mountainside farming, in the company of attention-seeking cuckoo.
Philip meets the Geopark’s official geologist Benjamin Thébaudeau for a walk at the Pigeon Hole, the cave in Cong. They talk about the formation of the landscape and how its people are connected to it.
Philip meets Susan Denny, owner of the field from the 1990 film ‘The Field’, only to find that a portion of iconic landscape has been washed away, due to climate change.
Lorna Siggins meets local people attending the Geopark launch celebrations near the Owenriff River in Oughterard, including An Taisce Climate Ambassador Pat O’Brien, local ecologist Greg Forde and some music by harpist Nathalie Surina.
Musical trio The Whileaways talk to Philip about making music in the landscape of the Geopark, and their hometown of Headford. Noriana Kennedy, Nicola Joyce and Noelie McDonnell play their song ‘You’ll Find Me There’.
A book promoting the Sitka Spruce tree caused some controversy this week after it was distributed to primary schools. Philip visits St Patrick’s National School Curtlestown, which is surrounded by both commercial and native woodland high up in the Wicklow Hills, to see how the book was received by teachers there.
Regan Hutchens visits a forest school Easter Camp near Donadea forest in Kildare to meet Forest School Leader Lucy Bell of Growing Wild, and an enthusiastic team of forest scholars.
Della Kilroy meets artists from a project called ‘Forest Songs’ — a collection of three love songs to the Dublin forests, written in collaboration with composer Tom Lane. The project creators are Cracking Light Productions, and the singer is Maeve Stone
Philip visits members of the Boyne Rivers Trust who are planting trees on their river banks to provide shade and help keep temperatures down, thus protecting the fish inside. Featuring Muireann Kerrane, Rosaleen Finnegan Gibbons and zoologist Sarah Austin.
Treasa Bhreathnach visits the farm of Gary Patterson in Granlahan in County Roscommon, where he has introduced trees into a little over half of the pasture, for animal health, soil health and farmer health.
Philip visits a farm with contractor Irvin Rothwell, who is spreading slurry near Ferrycarrig in Co Wexford to find out what impact the government's recently announced relief package will mean for him.
Philip talks to Rob McNaughton, from Zoomlion, about hybrid and electric tractors that will be coming on the market from China.
Fendt Salesman Philip Mattey in Northampton gives our Philip a virtual demonstration of a Fendt battery-powered tractor, which will be in showrooms in Ireland next month.
An Feirm Ground is a farming initiative that received a national recognition for its impact on rural wellbeing. The initiative works with agriculture professionals, giving them the skills and confidence to engage with farmers who may be in distress.
Suzanne Campbell meets Brian Meredith and his father Keith, organic beef and tillage farmers in Co Laois, who have eliminated fossil fuel based, synthetic fertiliser from their farm.
Last weekend, Lorna Siggins visited Carraroe Community Garden, where residents of the nearby IPAS centre joined locals, including members of the Men's Shed and the arts group Gliogar, to plant vegetables in raised beds.
James Nix is an expert in the economics of heavy vehicles, working with the think tank Transport and Environment in Brussels.
Philip is joined by Barry Larkin, CEO of the Acorn group of feed suppliers to discuss the impact the protests are having on their supply lines, including impacts on animal welfare.
Philip is joined by Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent Ralph Riegel for the latest update from the Whitegate Refinery under blockade in Cork, including analysis of the difficulties presented by the geography and infrastructure of the area.
Philip is joined by Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Denis Drennan, President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) to discuss the ongoing negotiations with government as to address the fuel hardship being felt by farmers and how to bring an end to the protests.
Minister O’Sullivan offers some follow-up information on the issue of tangle netting, highlighted on the programme back in February, as well as analysis on the current national situation with fuel protests and government negotiations.
Fermanagh farmer Roger Corrigan takes Philip around his farm in the middle of lambing season, explaining that clay in some of his soil that is unsuitable for farming gets used by a local potter in her ceramics work. The poem ‘There will come Soft Rains’ by Sarah Teasdale echoes the sentiments of Roger's farm. Read here by Susannah De Wrixon.
Philip meets geographer and author Liam Campbell at Derry’s Peace Bridge to talk about the history of the River Foyle and what it means to the city of Derry. For a farmer’s perspective, he travels to the farm of Richard and Leona Kane, producers of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil.
Philip meets Dr Sarah McLean from The Loughs Agency, the body tasked with managing and protecting Lough Foyle, to talk about the significant wild native oyster population of the Lough.
Della Kilroy meets angler Damien Devine on the River Deele, a tributary of the Foyle, where he is teaching a group of young people how to fish as well as about the importance of preserving biodiversity around the river.
Kathy Donaghy visits Moville Pier to find out about the history of emigration from that very point throughout the ages. With historian Seán Beattie and retired local GP Don McGinley. This segment also includes Don McGinley's live rendition of 'Moville along the Foyle'.
Writer Neil Hegarty reads an excerpt from his essay ‘Klondike’ which explores the watery geographies of the River Foyle. The essay appeared in a collection entitled ‘Impermanence’, published by the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, to reflect on one hundred years of partition in Ireland.
There are two thousand retained fire fighters across the country, working from more than 200 local fire stations serving local communities in rural Ireland. They are looking for more members to join their ranks to provide this vital community service.
Two weeks ago the latest set of results showed that if business continues as usual that not only would the climate change target not be met, but that emissions could increase.
Mike Consolini loves the sea, and he also creates music reflecting on the way he connects with the sea.
Kevin Wallace of New Leaf Urban Farmers explains how he grew award-winning vegetabes with this unconventional method.
Ella McSweeney travels to Boyne Valley to find out how biodiversity of grasslands is being improved by wildflowers for the soon-to-open national park.
Ahead of World ocean day, Micheál Ó Cinnéide, founder of the Blasket Island Foundation, shares his thoughts on water bodies of Ireland and increasing threat of climate change.
Bloom opened to the public on Thursday, but the show gardeners hoping to win prizes have been here days in advance. And on Tuesday the judges saw the gardens for the first time. Then they saw them again on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning, Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates were awarded.
Countrywide Bloom Special (For copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this programme cannot be made available in the podcast)
Killadoon Milk use the milk from their cross bred jersey cows to supply a network of vending machines in the east of the country. Ella McSweeney visited Martin Donovan at Killadoon Estate near Celbridge in County Kildare in his rotary milk parlour.
Under the surface there is a lot of business being done at Bloom. On the Friday morning of every Bloom, before the gates open to the public, buyers from all the major retailers have breakfast with food producers looking for shelf space for their wares.
From next Saturday, Tidy Town judges will start visiting the 900 or so communities who have entered the competition. They will know not the day nor the hour when an incognito judge will turn up. Dr Christy Boylan is a long standing judge and trainer of judges of the Tidy Towns, at Bloom to share some inside knowledge.
Farming would grind to a halt were it not for a skilled, mobile and flexible relief workforce. But who are these men and women? What motivates them if their reward is not going to be a share in, or ownership of the farm they are working on?
Keith Brennan, who regularly shares his observations of life and nature on his family farm, has put the ups and downs of farming life to music.
It is nesting time for curlews in areas like that bog in Laois and the ones devastated in Roscommon. Clodagh Helen was conducting a survey of curlew nesting sites on Monday night as one of those fires took hold.
We visit the scene of a recent fire bog fire, started by fly tippers, but exaggerated by the dry weather.
Petrichor is the name of the unmistakable earthy, musty scent with a hint of moss, that always comes with freshly fallen rain after a long dry spell.
We meet members of the Bó Riabhach Cattle Society, who are passionate about native Irish breeds. Picture from https://boriabhachsociety.ie/
Dunmore Country School in Durrow, County Laois has created a French 'potager' garden. Picture from https://www.dunmorecountryschool.ie/
Connecting Cabra Biodiversity Festival starts at 1pm today, to mark National Biodiversity Week.
Beef and dairy farmers in Northern Ireland are enjoying the same kind of price boon their colleagues south of the border are getting. And this week just outside Belfast, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society is running Balmoral Show.
Countrywide visited a 60-acre beef farm in Tullow Co Carlow, which is also a one-stop-shop for everything from Wagyu beef boxes to yoga, and their own country fashion clothing brand. Visit https://coppenaghfarm.ie/ for more information.
Ireland has an official scent, nominated by the government, for inclusion in a project to create a global archive of smells. A quarter century ago, the government decided that our official smell would be 'Burning Turf'. But we are now looking to update our signature scent. Cast your vote on https://worldsensorium.com/
Experts gathered this week in Ennistymon, Co Clare for the Hometree Changing Landscapes conference, exploring new ideas about nature conservation, including Junior Minister Healy-Rae’s proposal to plant trees on bogs.
British writer talks about what inspired him to write his latest book 'Is A River Alive'.
A teacher by profession, Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, took a sabbatical last year to focus on farm flowers. She speaks with Treasa Bhreathnach on what inspired her to make the move.
Janet Heeran, who lives in a farm on the side of a mountain in North Cork, was reminded of her own childhood after an encounter with a group of eager six-year-olds.
A team vaccinating healthy badgers and culling diseased ones to try and stem the spread of the disease speak to Philip Boucher-Hayes and Minister for agriculture Martin Heydon shares details of TB eradication programme and its cost.
Countrywide's bank holiday weekend special, on the banks of the river Maigue in Limerick.
On Easter weekend five years ago, at the start of the pandemic we played a recording made by Ella McSweeney at the farmhouse kitchen table of the Kentucky farmer and poet Wendell Berry. It was of his poem about finding comfort in nature in uncertain times.
Bean and Goose is a bean-to-bar chocolate company in County Wexford, founded by Natalie and Karen Keane.
For the past 25 years the Irish Raptor Research Centre in Sligo put on daily displays of eagles, hawks, falcons and vultures. But now the centre is set to close.
When power arrived into farm kitchens, they were transformed, and that is a subject that caught Rosemary Hartigan Hayes' imagination some years ago. She is giving a talk next week in the Agricultural Museum in Johnstown Castle in County Wexford.
Thirty people have already signed up to participate in FarmBioNet, a new knowledge network focusing on nature on the farm, including dairy farmers’ James and Rachel Creighton. Brenda Donohue visited them on their farm on the Wicklow-Kildare border.
With 73,000 kilometres of rivers, measuring water quality is a large exercise for the EPA and the Local Authorities. UCD decided to enlist the help of citizen scientists, supported by LAWPRO, the local authorities water programme.
Farmer Leo Lyden, talks about a millennia-old dolmen he found on his farm on the Maugherow peninsula in Sligo that lines up with the rising sun on both the spring and autumn equinoxes.
How has GAA fostered a strong sense of Irish-American community in the United States that goes beyond the sport.
Brenda Donohue captures how the results for the Macra elections unfolded at the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell.
Small business-owner, who harvests seasweed, talks about how the tariffs might affect her and Farmers Journal Agri-Business Editor Lorcan Roche Kelly estimates what we might be the consequences.
At the Museum of Time in Waterford City, every single one of the 600 clocks must be manually put forward an hour for daylight savings.
In any normal year there will be 2,500 wildfires in Ireland. About 500 of them will be big. This week in the Wicklow Hills there was a massive exercise as fire services, coast guard, National Parks and all the other first responders were assessed by the European Commission.
The first of the Nature Restoration forums began this week, we hosted a panel hearing about some of the concerns of those involved. On the panel was Dr Aoibhinn Ni Suilleabhain, Vincent Roddy is President of the INHFA, Niamh Garvey is from NESC,Caroline Bocquel CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Dr Jimmy O’Keeffe from Natural Capital Ireland.
Ten year old Jonathan Padden was walking on Blacksod Beach in Mayo when he spotted a Turtle in need of care. Jonathan was quick to the rescue!
Celebrating 90 years since families moved to Contae na Mi from the Gaeltacht. (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)
Countrywide spent a few hours in the company of Tipperary organic farmer Maurice Leamy in the middle of lambing his 200 ewes.
Aoife Rankin contracted Lyme's disease more than ten years ago, and she is currently raising funds to get additional treatment abroad.
The EPA published water quality figures during the week, with signs that the efforts being taken on some farms to avoid nitrate run off were beginning to show results. Is it enough of an improvement to persuade the 26 other members of the EU that Ireland should continue getting a derogation from pollution controls?
Beef and dairy farmers react to the news that four of the companies that sell them frozen semen straws intend to assert their intellectual property rights over the calves born from these straws.
50 days since Storm Éowyn, we get a progress report from the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture.
Prices being paid for beef here have hit record levels. A large part of that price shift is because of a sharp fall in supply in the UK.
Nuala Moore's book Limitless tells her story of swimming around Ireland and abroad, including swimming across the Bering Straits between Alaska and Siberia, and being the first person to navigate Cape Horn by swimming across the meridian from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Four tonnes of greenhouse gases are seeping out of drained farmland and turf-cut bog, a figure we are legally obliged to make significant cuts to. The government has now embarked on trying to persuade farmers to voluntarily rewet their land to achieve those cuts.
Tonight, the red carpet will be rolled out in North Cork for the Kildorrery GAA Film Awards. Local enthusiasts have created versions of seven popular movies for tonight's Gala screening and awards ceremony. In doing this, they have raised more than 80,000 euro for their local GAA astro-turf pitch.
Looking for a roadmap through the polycrisis for food producers and farmers with Professor Alan Matthews, Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy in the Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin.
How the Heritage Council has helped some of the farmyards in the country to restore tumbledown farm buildings.
Last year Brenda visited Katherine O'Leary on the farm in Cork as she was recuperating from cancer treatment. Unfortunately, since then she's had bad news, but as you will hear Brenda dropped in again this week and Katherine is resilient, surrounded by a loving family.
Philip Boucher-Hayes asks Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural development Martin Kenny TD, how his party's agriculture policy differs from the government's.
While the threat of Avian flu persists, will vaccinating provide a solution? Professor Gerald Barry from University College Dublin explains.
Farmers on financial stress of delays in Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme cheques.
Founder and director of Silent Cinema Adam Scheffler on taking silent classics out to summer festivals in rural areas.
Professor Frank O'Mara explains how the life of a calf born in 2005 differs from one born in 2025.
After a deer population increase in the last few years, the government appointed a strategy group in 2022. And just this week it awarded a management contract to a co-op to set up 15 local deer management units around the country.
Alice Ward is a surfer and film maker based in Sligo. Together with João Tudella, she has made a film which has already won several awards. Entitled Salt and part-funded by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, it aims to spread awareness about living life with her own CF condition, and the positive benefits she derives from spending time in the Atlantic.
Since the first of the month, land owners have been allowed to spread slurry. Since the first of the year, the number of farms that have to do this in a way that reduces emissions has increased hugely.
Returning to our winter nights theme, and ahead of National Singing Week, Countrywide went to a rehearsal with the Claregalway Community Choir. www.singireland.ie
Elaine Houlihan is the 39th president of Macra Na Feirme, the Irish voluntary rural youth organisation.
John Daly is an economist, working with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, which was established about ten years ago to foster regional development.
In our series about what to get up to during these winter nights, we heard about the Blackrock Howlers, who gather once a month, under the full moon to chat, to swim, and as the name suggests, to howl.
Storm Éowyn struck Roscommon just as Keith Brennan and his family were picking up the pieces from the last storm, as Keith explains in his letter from Hawthorn Hill Farm.
Countrywide went to visit Farming for Nature Ambassador Bridget Murphy in Sligo. She speaks about the importance of neighbours as she wrestled with repairs to stone walls toppled by falling trees.
Passing through east Galway, Countrywide called into Mill House Farm, a business which until last Friday operated almost entirely under polytunnels.
Countrywide met women from the Kerry Traveller Health and Community Development Project, which provides practical services, advocacy and support in areas like health, education and accommodation, and also helps build a sense of community.
We check in with Keith Leonard of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group and with ESB Network Regional Manager Siobhan Wynne. We also hear from farmer Dinny Galvin and from Ray Ó Foghlú of the nature restoration charity Hometree.
This winter, across Europe, poultry flocks have become infected with avian flu. So far, Ireland is disease-free. Superintending Veterinary Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Audrey Jenkinson assesses the risk.
With only half of farms having a succession plan in place, and a cohort of young men and women dying for the chance to get farming but with no access to land, we explore farming partnerships in Westmeath.
We are in the middle of January and often the long dark winter nights can be challenging. Brenda Donohue wants to hear from people around the country with interesting ideas to have fun at this time of year.
Sailing clubs are supporting a unique project to restore native oysters in Dublin Bay, which is spearheaded by coffee distributor David Lawlor of the not-for-profit Green Ocean Foundation.
Spring is coming to the fertile lands of the Jordan Valley. Ollie Moore, a member of Talamh Beo, has just returned from visiting Palestinian farmers there.
With Pat O’Toole, political editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Dr Cara Augustenborg, a member of the Climate Change Advisory Council.
We hear advice from a couple who “out-winter” their cattle in a part of Scotland where temperatures can drop as low as -15C.
Our regular reporter Diarmuid McIntyre lives near the Ballyhoura Mountains in Limerick. He bumped into John Hughes and Michael Nolan of Activo, working on behalf of the ESB, getting power back to some of his neighbours under very difficult conditions.
Hill sheep farmer Mary-Catherine Murphy lives in the hills above the highest village in Ireland, Roundwood in Co Wicklow. We find out how she fared during the cold snap.
We hear from three entrepreneurs who wanted to work and live in rural Ireland and have developed businesses that allow them to do that. Next weekend, they will be attending Showcase, an annual trade fair held at the RDS.
With so many without power or water this week, one of our most valuable services is the Meals on Wheels network under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link, delivering 15,000 meals a week. Brenda Donohue visited Sona Sasta, Meals on Wheels in Summerhill in County Meath where she joined John and Carmel Swan knocking on doors with dinners in hand.
Down on her family farm near Banteer, Janet Heeran was snow-bound this week, the children were off school and her husband busy around the yard, as she recounts in her postcard from North Cork.
Patrick O’Neill milks 120 cows on 150 acres just outside Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. Last year he won Teagasc’s Grassland Sustainability Award.
Dairy farmer Thomas Duffy; Maura Walsh CEO of IRD Duhallow; Professor Yvonne Buckley, who manages the co-centre for Climate and Biodiversity; Jack Kennedy, editor of the Irish Farmers Journal
Some of our favourite stories from 2024: selling up and shipping out at Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow, learning to look at Roscommon in a whole new way, and a lifetime of training leads to a win after retirement age in Cork.
On this week's Countrywide, we meet storytellers, wren enthusiasts and convivial shop keepers, all wrapped up with music from Lyric FM's Choirs for Christmas. For copyright reasons, some of the music has been shortened in this podcast version.
Down on his 60 acre farm near Cahir, Con Traas produces nearly five million apples every year. To make a living, he has to diversify - apple juices, ciders, vinegars, and now he has a new apple brandy.
David James is a 26 year old musician from Donegal. He is also a world champion Irish dancer, and a presenter on Highland Radio.
This week, farmers took to the streets in Brussels to protest against the Mercosur deal, a new trade agreement finalised last weekend between the EU and a group of South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Professor Alan Matthews is an expert in European Agricultural Policy.
This year, a brand new Bia Innovator Campus opened in Athenry, providing support to businesses, such as Nibbed Cacao.
Palestinian agronomist and ecologist Mazin Qumsiyeh tells Countrywide about what it is like to farm in Gaza now. See palestinenature.org for more details.
The native bee is uniquely adapted to the conditions on this island. Lorna Siggins went to visit David Geoghan, a bee keeper in Oughterard in Galway who has been giving samples of his bees to a researcher from the University of Galway.
We chat to a few of those involved in tractor runs, live cribs and other fundraisers around the country.
Ella McSweeney reports from David McEvoy's turkey farm in County Louth. This year, he has decided to donate part of the proceeds from the sales of his turkeys to the local women's refuge in Drogheda.
Farmers Joe and Michael Dempsey in County Galway have lost a third of their herd to TB since summer, and won't know until January if they can come out of lockdown.
Dr Damien Barrett, Chief Superintending Veterinary Officer of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine, on the TB Eradication Scheme.
Alison Arngrim, who played mean girl Nellie Oleson in The Little House on the Prairie, tracks down her Irish ancestors in county Kilkenny.
We visit Joe Nolan in Carlow where he runs both organic sheep and tillage operations. In this virtuous circle, the sheep fertilise the cereals and the cereals feed the sheep. We also hear from Padraig Brennan, Chair of the National Organic Strategy Forum.
We hear from farmers around the country as Storm Bert makes its way through the West and South West.
There were 83 watch stations on cliff and mountain tops around the country, each with its own numbered Éire sign, made with white stones and visible from the sky. Lorna Siggins hiked up to Éire 63 in County Mayo with a community group who have restored the coast watch station.
Mayo farmer Sinéad Moran, one of the earlier ambassadors of the Farming For Nature scheme, speaks about what she has learned and how the scheme helped her business. And we look at the new handbook by farmers for farmers: "A Practical Guide To Protecting And Restoring Nature On Your Farm"
Kerry Group is asking its shareholders if it can sell off most of its dairy business, a big change with a potentially big impact on farming. With Lorcan Roche Kelly, agri-business editor with the Irish Farmers Journal.
Poet Jane Clarke grew up on a farm in County Roscommon, and farming and nature are woven through her work.
A Town Scientist is a pilot programme developed and delivered by Dundalk native Dr Niamh Shaw, scientist, engineer, communicator, and performer. It aims to work with people from local communities to make science more accessible and to break down barriers that often keep people from engaging with scientific topics.
We got news on Countrywide this week of a very large fish kill in a Salmon Farm in Donegal – that was caused by an inundation of Jellyfish. Then separately we got more jellyfish related news at completely the other end of the country from Donegal. Philip Boucher Hayes went to investigate
Well, we have all heard of the phrase, it takes a village, that is certainly the case in Ballinahown, Co Westmeath, which has been named as Ireland’s Tidiest Village at this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition.
At the end of last winter, as a pilot project, Galway city's Biodiversity Officer asked Lackagh farmer Keith Fahy if he would allow five of this Dexter cattle to graze the meadows beside Ballyloughane Beach. Would conservation grazing improve plant life?
Naturalist and author Declan Murphy took us on a tour to see plants and animals that are under threat.
Tami Joy is an Irish American farmer transplanted from Washington State to Co Galway. She now runs an agri tourism enterprise, where you can tour their farm, dine on their produce, stay the night and take part in workshops.
Journalist Orla Dwyer updates us on the latest UN global biodiversity summit in Colombia.
We are at a very interesting threshold in forest ownership in Ireland. The past century was mainly about the state investing in publicly owned forestry. But we are now at a tipping point where just fifty percent of forests in Ireland are now owned privately, and that number continues to grow.
There are hugely ambitious projects going on within our National Parks. For example, the largest conversion of commercial spruce forestry to native woodland in the history of the state in Nephin National Park. And the largest attempted restoration of a native woodland in the history of the state in Glenveagh National Park in Donegal.
Catherine Cleary's endeavours to restore Ireland’s natural woodlands and protect biodiversity in her farm in County Roscommon are the subject of a new documentary by artist Beta Bajgart called Forest Midwife.
If you were a householder in 2000 the government sent you a certificate with a number telling you where in the country they had planted an oak tree on your behalf. Countrywide went to see if those trees are still standing.
A project in the Burren has identified an ancient stand of Irish pine and the Burrenbeo Trust is now conserving this unique variety for future generations.
On Thursday, seven awards were presented to organic growers and food producers at the National Organic Awards. Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms from Offaly received the 'New & Innovative Award'.
Nothing shapes the Irish landscape more than the hedgerow. We meet two farmers in Tipperary who are invested in preserving and expanding the hedges on their farms, and hear from Teagasc adviser Catherine Keena.
Singer songwriter Padraig Jack, who grew up on Inis Mor, is touring with his new album These Shores. (For copyright reasons the full tracks performed in this interview cannot be made available in the postcast)
The largest ever sheep sale for a single breed was held recently at Maam Cross Mart in County Galway, with over 3000 entered by members of the Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group.
Tonight on RTÉ 2, you can see the first matches being showcased with a plethora of new rules.
Lough Ree, the Shannon's second largest lake, has many islands which provide sanctuary for breeding waders. The unwelcome threat to these birds is the mink, which has decimated populations since it escaped from fur farms in the 1950s. Enter Lorg, a three-year old golden retriever who has been trained to sniff out mink areas.
The male bull calf is a bad fit for the dairy industry, that only needs heifers, and a bad fit for the beef industry where it compares poorly to their beef bred counterparts.
We look at a way to make a better fit for horses that are too slow to race or those who have ended their racing career.
Countrywide is live from dancer Edwina Guckian's house in Drumsna, Co Leitrim to launch the "Just Rambling Project". (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this programme cannot be made available in the podcast)
Nine year-old Leo Early is the winner of the Feis Ceoil All Ireland Story Telling competition.
Brenda visited a very special farm on the shores of Lough Allen, which offers disadvantaged people the opportunity to spend time on a family farm in a healthy, supportive and inclusive environment.
Nearly all babies are born in hospital today, but that wasn’t always the case. Many were delivered at home by community midwives, whose role is remembered in a new exhibition in The National Museum of Ireland and Country Life in Mayo.
EU officials have been hearing the arguments for retaining the derogation that allows some farmers to spread larger amounts of manure than everyone else. As water quality in many rivers, lakes and estuaries has not improved as much as we promised it would, we find out what way the Commission might be leaning and the impact if the derogation goes.
Joe Ribbon is a master craftsman who has spent his life preserving the tradition of the old Irish dresser.
One project being mentioned for the Apple tax windfall is the Shannon pipeline project to pump water from our longest river to Dublin and the eastern counties. Uisce Éireann has already spent nearly 70 million euro on preparing its planning application. However the plan has once again aroused concerns in the Tipperary and Lough Derg areas.
Countrywide explores the challenge, history and music flowing through the rivers of Donegal. With music by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. (for copyright reasons, full tracks cannot be made available in the podcast)
'Leaning on Gates' is the latest book by Seamus O'Rourke. It's a sequel to his first popular memoir 'Standing in Gaps', and covers the tender years after Seamus turned 18.
A big issue for GAA clubs is the changing demographic of this country. According to the latest CSO figures, 63% of the population now live in urban areas. For rural clubs, it means fewer players, and for urban clubs, it means not enough facilities. New demographics committees have now been set up to attempt to match facilities with population.
Many farmers and landowners say they want to do more for nature. But how do farmers get paid for hedgerows that eat into their fields or for putting in a pond? How do they get paid for using less pesticides when doing that reduces their yields? These are some of the questions we try to answer with the help of Dr Brendan Dunford.
In the noughties, farmers were prompted to grow the elephant grass miscanthus as bio-fuel. But when government plans were changed, they were left with fields full of an unwanted high energy crop. Some stuck with Miscanthus and have carved out a new and very important role for it.
Producing cereals is only becoming more and more challenging thanks to climate change and a poor international price.
For the last three days there has been a conference in Dublin examining zoonotic diseases, those like Avian Flu, Swine Flu, Covid-19 which can cross from animals to humans. Professor Alison Van Eenennaam speaks about the state of research which genetically alters livestock to remove or reduce their susceptibility to all manner of disease.
Over time the number of people producing vegetables in Ireland has grown smaller and smaller. So it is not often you hear of a young person getting into commercial vegetable growing, like Brian McCarthy, who started with just a small roof top garden before moving to a much larger space.
All summer long, Galway Hookers and their smaller counterparts, Gleoiteogaí, can be seen out on Galway Bay competing in the yearly regatta and sailing league.
Once upon a time, Irish wool was very valuable, used for clothing and carpets. But times, tastes and breeds of sheep have changed, and wool is sometimes seen as an unwanted by-product of the sheep industry. But there are moves afoot to change this...
It has been a tough year for farming, but how has the summer of 2024 been for small tourism businesses focused on farms in rural Ireland?
Near Clane in County Kildare, Pat Pender and his volunteers have created a garden that grows plants, flowers, vegetables, and cultivates a warm and thriving community.
Countrywide visits Gill Smith's farm in Carrigaline, County Cork. She is now retired and having to make tough decisions about the future of the herd.
In years past, cousins from England, Scotland and further afield used to make the pilgrimage to the home place in the summer, just like Noel Gallagher. Does that still happen today?
We discuss anaerobic digestors and their future with Irish farms. With Stephen Robb, renewable editor with the Irish Farmers Journal; and James Delahunt, Corporate Finance Partner at KPMG.
With Stephen Robb, renewable editor with the Irish Farmers Journal; and Niall Sargent, current affairs correspondent with the Currency.
We speak to Kerrie Leonard live from Paris ahead of the 2024 Summer Paralympics. Kerrie is from county Meath and representing Ireland in archery.
Lough Neagh is the largest lake on the island of Ireland. Last year, the Copernicus satellite captured images from space of the green algae that spread across the lake, revealing the scale of the water quality problem. With new plans for the future of the lake being announced, how are stakeholders reacting?
David Moore chats to Hannah about his company which creates Electric Tractors to use in Ethiopia
Treasa Bhreatnach visited the farm of John and Kate O'Sullivan. Their sheep farm has also been growing blueberries for years but recently they've started experimenting with a new type of superfood berry- The Aronia Berry.
Darragh McCullough, Ear to the Ground Presenter, and Teresa Roche join Hannah in the studio to talk about how important it is to have diversification in farming. Teresa Roche is from a farm beside Kylemore Abbey near Loughrea in Galway. She came from a dairy farming background and has now started Kylemore Cheeses.
Hannah is joined by Darragh McCullough, Ear to the Ground Presenter and Mairead Lavery, former editor of Irish Country Living, to look at some of the agricultural news in the papers.
Lorna Siggins goes to Cheekpoint Waterford to catch up with Andrew Doherty of the local Tides and Tales Project which aims to share the maritime history of coastal villages of east Waterford.
The story of little Curlew Chicks released back in to the wild on Mark and Clare Craven's farm in Roscommon. Lorna Siggins went to visit the farm to see the Curlews for herself.
Escalating costs and planning delays can be a frustrating experience for many hoping to build a home on their family farm. We visit Eoin O' Brien a younger farmer building on a a site in Limerick and Darragh Molloy. Derek Whyte a planning consultant and Breandan O'Keefe join Hannah in the studio.
The Horse Show is on in the RDS this week, across the country competitors are putting the final touches to their preparations. Suzanne Campbell meets a family preparing with their special rescue pony Da Vinci
Aisling O'Brien, senior news journalist with Agriland and Margaret Donnelly, editor of the farming independent, join Hannah in the studio for a look at the main farming stories in the papers this week.
Ronan Kelly visits Fran and Fergal in their shop Lili Mae's ending in Daingean Ui Chuis.
Rachel Martin, farming editor with the Irish Examiner and Pat O'Toole of the Irish Farmers Journal join Hannah to discuss some of the major farming newspaper stories.
Eoghan, a farmer from New Ross, delights us with some of his Banjo playing beore he heads to the fleadh
Hannah visits Johnny Gleeson and Gillian Richardson in Carlow as they attempt to renovate a grainstore from 1880's into their very first home. We get feedback from Deirdre Sword, Vacant Property Officer with Mayo County Council and Dominic Keogh StoneMason.
During the week, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, told farmers they should prepare for a 7 month winter from now on - which will mean they’ll need to have more feed banked up and more slurry storage because animals will be housed for longer. Farmers are responding.
John Connell recounts a road trip that he and his wife Viv took recently, a journey that in one way began in Longford and ended in Dublin, but in another way began in Vietnam in the twentieth century and ended in Ireland in the twenty first
Next week curlew chicks hand-reared by scientists will be released into the wild as part of a project to save this species from extinction. With just 100 breeding pairs left, their future here isn’t looking good. But a new publicly funded €25 million project, hopes to secure a better future for curlew and other breeding waders
Paused in 1963, revived in 2001, the Omey Races were again suspended again in 2020. But this year, they are back on August 4th, thanks in no small part to the determination of the main organiser, Fechin Mulkerrin. Connemara breeder Joe McNamara and his daughter Emer are looking forward to the races.
We have a wide range of publicly-funded schemes that have opened up walking trails across the country, and it seems there’s an insatiable appetite amongst the public for them. But how do we make sure our presence doesn’t ruin the land and nature, or the farming life in the fields?
There is hundreds of millions of euro of public money spent every year by the government on food for nursing homes, prisons, hospitals and educational facilities, including the new school meals scheme. Across the EU, this market is worth an estimated 82 billion. So what’s the potential for Irish farmers to get involved?
With their feathered antennae and shiny black armour, dung beetles move through pasture, recycling dung, building soils, cleansing parasites and providing prey for birds, bats, foxes and badgers. There are more than 40 species in Ireland. And their value as "eco systems engineers" is now being explored by farmers
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced a proposal to suspend the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) for this year. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has demanded that tillage farmers must receive a payment for baling straw this year.
Three years ago Mayo Beef farmer, Barry O'Shea put up a barn owl box and now after waiting all this time, he has a breeding pair. We are joined by him and John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer.
With the Labour Party interested in revisiting the Phyto Sanitary Rules and veterinary rules around inspections of goods for exports, is there cause for optimism for Irish food producers?
Most Irish farms are family farms, with the farm often handed down from one generation to the next, traditionally to boys. We hear how that is changing and when a family should begin the conversation about succession.
Teams are travelling from all over the country to take part in the Tug of War championships. These are highly athletic teams, training at an elite level.
Janet Heeran has written an essay in tribute to all the agricultural shows she has enjoyed over the years.
Thousands of farmers, animal lovers and families are flocking into Charleville for one of the biggest agricultural spectacles in Ireland, the 41st Charleville Agricultural Show.
In the last few weeks, a new greenway has opened up. This latest one is a 32km route along a disused railway line between Navan in Meath and Kingscourt on the Cavan border.
Countrywide visited Teagasc's Beef Open Day in Grange during the week. One topic of conversation on everyone's lips was the lack of grass growth. Members of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee are arranging next steps for monitoring this situation.
Opportunity or burden? We look at the Nature Restoration Law and speak to some of those who may be affected.
Bankers have unique insights into how farmers are really getting on in the face of recent challenges, from Brexit to Covid to the weather. With Eoin Lowry, Head of Agri Sector, Bank of Ireland; Donal Whelton, Head of Agri, Food and Fisheries at AIB; Therese Conway, CEO of Cavan Credit Union.
Countrywide visited the plantation of organic tillage farmer John McDonald in Laois, to see what best practice around commercial forestry looks like.
Water quality has been getting attention as the EPA published its annual report on the quality of water in our rivers, lakes, and estuaries, revealing no improvement in water quality. We speak to Eddie Burgess, Agricultural Catchments Specialist with Teagasc.
Last week, a chemical used in the treatment of drinking water entered the Allow River, and an estimated five thousand salmon, trout and lamprey were killed. Ella McSweeney went to assess the damage done.
The park brings together various nature habitats, from limestone reefs to sand dunes, protecting them and the diverse species who live there, including birds, whales, dolphins and puffins. We explore how the park came about, what a national park is for, and the relationship it may have with local farmers and fishermen.
Farmers from the Rathcroghan area of County Roscommon have created a silver medal garden at Bloom, which reflects an archaeologically rich landscape near the village of Tulsk.
Philip Boucher Hayes walked around Bloom chatting to exhibitors, from a salvia grower to a blacksmith.
Lessons in how to run a National Park from the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park.
The Horse's Mouth is a mentorship programme run by Farming for Nature, where one of their farmer ambassadors will visit your farm to have a one-to-one chat about how you'd like to shape it to help improve biodiversity.
Scientists at World Weather Attribution have just completed a study into what role climate change did or didn't play in the unusually large number of storms between last autumn and this spring.
The High Seas: Ambition, Power and Greed on the Unclaimed Ocean by Dr Olive Heffernan, is published next week.
The Teagasc FBD Student of the Year awards take place next Tuesday night in the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise, with 15 finalists.
Meath farmer Helen Hughes is sadly no stranger to the potential hazards of the farmyard having lost her father fifteen years ago to a farm accident.
Musicians Sadhbh O’Sullivan and Sharon Murphy met in 2015 when they began working together a dementia-friendly choir based in Naas, Co. Kildare. Since then they have collaborated with organisations like the Irish Hospice Foundation and the HSE. Brenda Donohue went to see them at work in Celbridge at one of their their Sip & Serenade sessions.
We speak to Dinny Galvin in West Kerry, and Dr Margaret Kelleher, Genetics Operations Manager with ICBF, the independent genetics advisory service for farmers.
Sheep farmer Gerard Coyne is giving rescue dogs a second chance at life on his farm in County Galway.
There is a trend of wealthy individuals buying agricultural land as a way of passing on their wealth to their children. With Denis Drennan, President of the ICMSA.
Hannah Quinn Mulligan and grandmother Catherine have moved to milking on a small scale, which has brought new breeds of cows into the yard.
Donal Sheehan rents half of his farm. When that half was put on the market recently, he could not afford to buy it. Also with Michael Brady, Agricultural Consultant, MD Brady Group; Daniel Long, Tipperary farmer; Dr Brian Leonard, Sligo farmer and Assistant Professor at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD.
When they pull the door behind them at the close of business today, Ger and Anne Ó’Máille will mark the end of a family business that first opened in 1938.
The Big River Watch is a citizen science project being run this weekend all over Ireland and Britain to record and identify what kind of condition our rivers are in.
In ten days time, more than eighty young entrepreneurs from around the country will gather in Mullingar for the Student Enterprise Awards organised by the Local Enterprise Offices.
Many Polish people chose to come to live and work in Ireland in the years since the European Union expansion. In Limerick, St Michael's Church on Denmark Street is known locally as the Polish Church.
As they went about the morning's work feeding the calves on the farm, Hannah Quinn Mulligan and her Granny discuss 'That They May Face The Rising Sun', a new film based on the novel by John McGahern.
There has been record hospitality growth in The Netherlands, and there's a new vegan cafe, run by an Irishwoman, enjoying the boom. Colette Kinsella visited Kitty's Kitchen in The Hague.
Recently, Alanagh Ní Chongaile Ní Ghríofa has been spending a lot of time drinking tea and recording conversations with two ninety-something gentlemen in East Galway. Lorna Siggins took a lift with Alanagh to Sean O'Murchada's home, where she met the man himself, his daughter Breeda, and his dog Tess.
Philips speaks to the outgoing Tirlán chief executive about the co-op's response to the possible loss of the derogation under the EU Nitrates Directive.
Tirlán, the largest Dairy Co-Op in the country, has been working on its response to the possible loss of a derogation from the EU Nitrates Directive. Countrywide speaks to Alan and Cheryl Poole, dairy farmers with a very light footprint.
Returning to the issue of Ireland's pursuit of a derogation from the EU Nitrates Directive, we hear from Alan Matthews, Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy in the Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Trinity College.
Down in Vicarstown in County Laois, the Scully family are busy on Merry Mill Farm where they grow and mill their own certified, gluten-free organic oats.
West Wicklow farmers Mervyn and Dorothy Fairbrother built up a herd of dairy cows over the past thirty years. But the past few years have been so challenging, that they have decided to see the house, farm and beloved herd.
Five years ago, the EU asked member states to each establish an office to ensure fair practices in food supply chains and transparency in how they operate. Four month since the creation of that body, we speak to the first Irish Agri-Food regulator Niamh Lenehan.
Philip was joined in studio by Waseem Saeed of the award-winning Daata restaurants, who continues to be inspired by his late grandmother's cooking and how she might prepare lamb for Eid.
As the demand for lamb rises, partly fueled by the end of Ramadan falling so close to Easter Sunday, sheep farmers have been enjoying a price spike.
In the not too distant past, eggs were stored through Lent for an egg feast on Easter Sunday morning. Down on their 100 acre organic farm in Tipperary, Ollie and Esther O'Brien produce and sell their own eggs directly into shops.
Smokey and Sally are two adorable dogs, one a little black terrier, the other a wheaten terrier mix. In the past week, they have put their owner through the wringer when they went missing.
As the combination of climate change and El Nino is making farming more and more difficult, we go to Kilkenny Mart to speak to farmers. Also joining us is Mike Magan, chairperson of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, who met yesterday as a response to the pressures that the weather is placing on farmers.
We speak to farmers who are trying to get better prices for their products by selling directly to the public through their own farm shops.
Some weather stations have measured the rainfall since last August as the wettest eight months since Irish meteorological records began. The water table is right below, and in many cases above the surface, which has been disruptive to farming.
The Hare's Corner is an old farming expression for an awkward corner of a field or an area of rough ground that was hard to farm, and so left to nature. Participants in the Burrenbeo Trust's Hare's Corner project have dug ponds, planted native trees or traditional orchards, or taken advice on how to manage their land for nature.
The European Commission has proposed making farms across Europe smaller than ten hectares exempt from CAP inspections and payment penalties. This could impact up to 28,000 mostly beef and sheep farmers in the west of the country.
In county Limerick, the Bank Holiday Kilmallock Mart was buzzing this week. As well as the buying and selling in the mart ring, there is a market outside and plenty of people out to meet and greet each other at the end of winter.
The Countrywide team takes us on a riverside journey along the Boyne, navigating its catchment from river head to coast.
In many farms, administrative or form filling tasks end up falling to women. In Cooraclevin Co Offaly, we speak to a husband and wife farming partnership, Joe and Karen Smyth, and Karen shows us the paperwork that dominates her life.
We speak to Professor of Veterinary Immunology at UCD, Eamonn Gormley about TB vaccines.
The snow has melted, Spring has taken hold, and John's young son Ted has just turned one.
Carmel McKenna has made it her mission to ensure that céilí dancing is for everybody. She has adapted some of the most popular céilí dances, so that people using wheelchairs or with limited mobility can join in.
The Cheltenham Racing Festival starts on Tuesday with horses travelling from Ireland as hopefuls. Some, like Istabraq in 2000, will come home as legends. But what happens when a legend's last race is run? We speak to Lara Hegarty, who works at JP McManus' Martinstown Stud, where Istabraq lives.
Next Wednesday night, Kilronan Castle in County Roscommon will host a Night with the Miners to raise funds for the local North West Stop Mental Health Charity.
Hannah Quinn Mulligan loves the Irish words that describe life on the farm, and the way some of those words have become woven into everyday life beyond the farm gate.
TB is at a ten year high, with a nearly 25% jump in the number of animals testing positive between 2022 and 2023. New research identified four sources of the spread of TB, and how much of a contribution each of them makes.
We hear from a vegetable farmer in Kerry whose vegetables are being fed to cattle because of cheaper imports from Spain.
We pay a visit to north Cork to look at the Duhallow Farming For Blue Dot Catchments Project. We are also joined in studio by Eddie Burgess, River Catchment specialist in Teagasc.
The RNLI marks 200 years of the lifeboat service shortly, and Lorna Siggins visits one of the oldest west coast stations on the Aran islands all-weather lifeboat.
We are joined by former international rugby referee Nigel Owens, nowadays a Hereford farmer, to tell us what is at the heart of the issue impacting Welsh farmers. And of course, we ask him what his predictions are for the game in Lansdowne Road later...
On the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we visit a refugee couple in the thick of calving outside Trim.
This spring, Hannah and grandmother Catherine are expecting dairy calves for the first time.
In Turlough Park, the National Museum of Country Life outside Castlebar in County Mayo, there is a new exhibition called The Murmur of Bees which opened to the public this week. Meanwhile down i mBaile Bhuirne i gContae Corcaigh, they are celebrating St Gobnait, patron saint of beekeepers with a festival.
Down in County Limerick, the Granagh Players have been entertaining the crowds with a play called The Hucklebuck.
With Patrick Hegarty, a farmer near Limoges in central France and President of his local farmers' organisation, who was arrested during the protests and spent a night in jail in Paris.
The Organic Growers of Ireland are currently offering a work placement programme, which is one of the ways to become an organic grower, as Countrywide discovered when we visited Liam Ryan's farm in county Kildare.
The Joyce Country and Western Lake Geopark, with its many walking trails, is an applicant for UNESCO recognition. Countrywide joined the first ever Geopark trail hike.
With Aline Braunsteffer from the French farmers organisation 'Coordination Rurale', and Thomas Duffy, former Macra Na Feirme President.
Lighthouse tourism attracted over six hundred thousand people last year, according to figures by the Great Lighthouses of Ireland partnership. The partnership involves leasing out properties at automated lighthouses, where former keepers' dwellings have been restored by the Irish Landmark Trust.
A call went out to the residents of Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County, to bring in their personal and historic records and share the stories behind them. We went along to hear some of the stories behind the items.
Yesterday was International Wetlands Day and volunteers joined members of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council on Lodge Bog in Lullymore, co Kildare for a morning of work cutting back the trees and shrubs invading the raised bog.
2024 marks the second year of St. Brigid's Day. Regular contributor Janet Heeran has this reflection on the celebration featuring music from Sive O'Sullivan, Clara Rose and Sharon Murphy.
Schools and workplaces are encouraged to wear their wellies next Wednesday January 31st to support Irish farm families who have suffered injury or loss. Brenda Donohue reports.
Whether it was down to the weather, political controversy or environmental concerns, farming spent a lot of time in the headlines last year. Will 2024 be a quieter year? Philip speaks to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.
During the week, the Government launched the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan to help arrest our losses in semi-natural grasslands, river quality, plant species and much more. We hear from Geraldine O'Sullivan of the IFA; Oonagh Duggan of Birdwatch Ireland; Dr. James Moran of the ATU and Beara Peninsula farmer Eoghan Daltun.
Hannah Quinn Mulligan joins the show to investigate revenue putting a stop to farmers claiming VAT back on calf feeders and bulk tanks.
Philip visits Bruce Thompson's farm in Laois to learn how farming for nature can be a profitable progressive business.
IFAC have published its annual Irish Farm Report for 2024 and Philip is joined by Philip O'Connor, Head of Farm Support for IFAC, Dr Mary Curtin, Beef Farmer and Assistant Professor in UL's Kemmy Business School, Jack Kennedy, Editor of The Irish Farmers Journal and Mick Magan, Dairy Farmer and former Chairman, Animal Health Ireland.
Brenda Donohue visits St Bridget's GAA Club in Roscommon ahead of the All Ireland Hurling and Football Club Finals
Showcase 2024 is Ireland’s design and craft fair. The creative expo has been running for nearly five decades, and they are introducing a new competitive element this year with Business of Craft Awards.
In Germany, farmers have been protesting against the removal of the subsidy on agricultural diesel.
Around the world, fossil fuels receive $7 trillion in subsidies every year. Governments are now committed to ending that. What impact will this have on farmers?
Lorna Siggins spent the morning with Irene O'Brien, district conservation officer for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. They visited Shane Loftus' farm on the upper Moy estuary to check on the progress of some nesting peregrine falcons.
An event is taking place on Pat Maher's farm in Tipperary, entitled 'Why hedgerows matter?'
Brenda Donohoe goes to Midleton to meet Helena Walsh and Gillian Galvin O'Shea who are celebrating Nollaig na mBan to the beat of their own drums.
Alice Doyle, Vice President elect of the IFA, Hazel Mullins, President Veterinary Ireland, Prof Yvonne Buckley, Trinity College Dublin and Caitriona Morrisey of The Farmers Journal, joins Philip to discuss all projects and concerns for the year ahead.
This month, the IFA has elected Francie Gorman as its new president, while Denis Drennan was elected head of the dairy organisation the ICMSA.
Why is it that supermarkets are able to sell Irish Christmas trees at such low prices? Countrywide wanted to find out what is involved in producing a Christmas tree, and what it should cost.
The extraordinary efforts made by management and staff at Wexford General Hospital in the wake of a devastating fire which ripped through the building back in March have been recognised in national awards.
The Deer Management Strategy Group report was launched this week, which recommends targeting a cull of the population in five counties. This new management strategy for the rapidly expanding population of sika stags and hinds, has been welcomed by the Irish Deer Commission.
Brenda Donohue travels to Shanagolden, co Limerick, where Cormac Hayes is taking Christmas lights to another level.
The ACRES scheme, which pays farmers for improved environmental results, has experienced delays. Hannah Quinn Mulligan visited Michael Collins who farms on the Burren.
Philip Boucher-Hayes reports from Dungarvan, co Waterford, where two scientists run a dairy farm on the side of a very steep hill.
Agricultural economist Tom Arnold speaks to Philip about the UN global climate summit now underway in Dubai.
Ann Marie Kelly visited Brendan Guinan’s Fiorbhia Farm in County Laois, focusing on the heritage turkeys he is rearing for this year’s Christmas dinner table.
John Connell’s wife gave birth to their son earlier this year. As he walks the frosty fields of County Longford at morning time, John looks forward to their first Christmas with their young son.
On a recent trip to England, Hannah Quinn Mulligan met farmers from the UK, Australia and Canada to find out how they deal with the issues of dairy bull calves.
Ella is in Co Roscommom to meet Keith Brennan on his family farm and finds out what inspired Keith to give up city slicking for the farming life.
Ella is joined by Glen Nolan of The Marine Institute to discuss the problem of increased sea surface temperatures and the effect it has the oceans eco systems
Farmer Donal Sheehan in Castlelyons trying to take chemical nitrogen out of his farming methods.
Common Knowledge is a non-profit social enterprise based in The Burren in Co. Clare. Della Kilroy went to find out more about this programme.
Under the governments Climate Action Plan, Agriculture must reduce chemical nitrogen use by 25% within next 7 years. Dr. Karl Richards, Acting Head of Climate Change in Teagasc.
Ella is in Co Leitrim to find out more about a new pop up museum highlighting the history of rural women in Ireland. You can find out more here: www.facebook.com/leitrimwomenthroughtime
Ella talks to ecologist Dr Karina Dingerkus part of the team undertaking a new national otter survey. To take part in the survey see www.biodiversityIreland.ie.
Countrywide's Della Kilroy visits Blackbird Cultur-Lab in co weford, one of the faciities taking part in thi syears Cruinniú na nÓg
Environment Correspondent with The Irish Independent Caroline O'Doherty explains the new EU Restoration Laws which have caused controversy this week.
Phillip meets OPW Head Gardner at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Brian Quinn and finds out how perfection is the aim when it comes to maintaining the national park with music from Sive.
Phillip meets some of the many food producers who will be exhibiting their aware at this year's Bloom
Phillip is joined by the CEO of Bord Bia Jim O’Toole and Della Kilroy reports on one of the country's most interesting garden and garden
Hannah Quinn Mulligan is in Co Clare to find out why we are seeing less and less of native Irish Apple Tree's and what s been done to save the Irish Apple.
Phillip is joined by teenage chicken farmer Michael Gilmore ahead of the Athenry Showcase this weekend where Michael and his chickens will be competing. Michael had a number of his chickens stolen back in December and this weekend marks a first return to competing for Michel since the theft.
Countrywide's Della Kilroy meets walkers on the new Wexford to Pembrokeshire pilgrim route. Its hoped The new route could become one of Europe's great pilgrims. for more information see : https://wexfordpembrokeshirepilgrimway.org/
Phillip is joined by guests who have been involved in this years Biodiversity week which runs until this Sunday, 28th May. for more info see : www.biodiversityweek.ie
Ella is joined by farmers and Leitrim natives Edwina Guckian & Gerry Bohan to talk about their initiative “The Leitrim Hawthorn Project.
Ella is in Co Kerry to meet soon to be former vegetable farmer Aidan O'Connor to find out out why, like an increasing amount of vegetable farmers, he is leaving the industries. Ella is also joined by Paul Brophy one of the countries biggest cauliflower farmers to discuss the issue.
Ella is joined in studio by Tara McElligott, Sean Smith and Daniel Izquierd of Micron Agritech who have developed new AI software to develop a rapid test kit to enhance cattle gut medication.
Countrywide's Della Kilroy is Co Carlow to meet members of The Riding for the Disabled Association of Ireland who give free weekly lessons to over 300 people and who are looking for new volunteers to help out.
Caroline Lalor, Project Manager with Farmpeat; Ray O Foghlu, HomeTree charity; Brendan Dunford, formerly manager of the Burren Project
Hannah Quinn Mulligan speaks to farmer PJ O'Malley and Kate McAney from with the Vincent Wildlife Trust about the lesser horseshoe bat
Darragh McCullough went behind the scenes to watch the animals be prepared for the show ring.
Philip Boucher-Hayes visits Teagasc's Moorepark facility in Fermoy and speaks to Dairy Farmer Kevin Twomey
Darragh is on the Deasy farm in Co Tipperary to meet Maurice and his father Ruairi to find out how the family farm has changed and adopted over the years. Maurice is an ambassadors for the Farming for Nature initiative
Darragh is joined by Dr Klara Finkele, Head of the Agricultural Meteorological Unit in the Research Division at Met Eireann to discuss the new improved blight alarm system from Met Eireann ahead of blight season.
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan meets contractor Bertie Cahill in his Limerick yard to find out more about about the issues facing contractors and the challenges they face.
Countrywide's Lorna Siggins visits St Brigit's Gardens in Rosscahill, Co Galway and meets its owner Jenny Beale and finds out how the cowslips there are helping with biodiversity.
Hannah Quinn Mulligan meets her neighbor and dairy farmer, Limerick based Pat McNamara to talk milk prices , Hannah also speaks with Trevor Donnellan of Teagasc to find out the issues facing pricing for dairy farms. Darragh is joined by David Kennedy, Bord Bia’s Head of Dairy to get the bigger picture in dairy.
We rejoin Phillip and the Countrywide team as they continue their river walk of the Avonmore river in Co Wicklow, one of the countries most beautiful and diverse waterways.
In a bank holiday special Philip and a team of Countrywide reporters follow the river Avonmore from where it rises in Co Wicklow to where it flows through the Garden County and discover some of the hidden gems the beautiful waterway has to offer.The perfect accompaniment if you are going for a walk.
Della is in Fermoy in Co Cork to meet members of the towns International Choir who boats members form across the globe.
On Earth Day Phillip heads to Co Laois to investigate just how farm waste is effecting river pollution levels and meets the authorities charged with protecting our waterways.
As today marks the 52 Earth Day Phillip meets Marry Donnelly chair of The Climate Advisory Council to discuss the reality of the environmental issues facing us.
Countrywide's Della Kilroy meets Galway based farmer Peter Gohery who outlines his story of how an accident on the family farm changed his life forever.
Kilkenny based artist Shem Caulfied talks to Phillip about his love and interest in the evolution of the farm gate.
Countrywide's unofficial poet in residence Seamus O'Rourke highlights the importance of the drawer to the farmhouse.
Della Kilroy visits Co Kilkenny and Co Meath to find out about the growing of Wasabi , a kind of horseradish that is a popular flavor in Japanese and the move from Dairy to horticultor for those involved
Phillip speaks with John Carey from The Corncrake Life Project about alerting farmers in the West particularly in counties Mayo, Donegal and Sligo to keep an ear out for the Corncrake to try and protect it.
Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council. Joins Phillip to talk about a new initiative from The heritage council and The Department of Agriculture aimed at preserving old farmyard buildings. You can out more about the d=scheme here : https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/traditional-farm-buildings-grant-scheme
Phillip meets Wicklow sheep farmer Catherine Murphy and finds out first hand just how dedicated sheep farmers have to be during lambing season particularly during stormy weather.
Regular Countrywide contributor Janet Heeran brings us her postcard from her Cork family dairy farm as Calving season comes to an end.
Ahead of the All Ireland Amateur Dramatics finals in Athlone later this month Brenda is joined by a number of cast and crew of various productions who will be taking part in the finals.
Brenda is at the yard of trainer Dermot McLoughlin in County Meath ahead of the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday as the excitement is building.
Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhan, Chair of the Citizen’s Assembly joins Brenda to discuss the findings of the assembly's report which was published this week.
Countrywide's Della Kilroy meets members of Traveler Community based in and around St Margaret’s in Fingal, county Dublin who have been collated stories of superstitions and customs for a showcased later this month in Ballymun’s Axis Centre.
Phillip is joined in studio by Joe Burke, Senior Manager for Beef and Livestock at Bord Bia to discuss the issue of what to do with male calves on dairy farms and hears from one farmer who is using sexed semen to help address the issue.
Phillip is in Wicklow to meet Seamus Scallon of the Wicklow Calf company to see first hand how live exports work in the week where there issues raised about the treatment of cattle being exported.
Lorna Siggins joins tour guide Cormac McGinley in Co Clare to find some hidden gems form the banner county.
On Wednesday, the 12th of April, some of the authentic Irish farmhouse furniture that was used in the staging of The Banshee's Of Inisherin is up for sale as part of a Vernacular Irish sale at Adam’s Auctioneers. Stuart Cole from Adams Auctioneers joins Phillip ahead of the auction.
Phillip speaks with Sean Kelly M.E.P and former President of the GAA about a new bio diversity initiative by the GAA that he is sponsoring at European level.
Comedian Colm O'Regan is Countrywide's go-to everyman - he grew up on a farm and lives in a town. Author of 'The Climate Worrier - A Hypocrite's Guide to Saving the Planet', how has he coped with this week?
The iconic Dun Mhuire Theatre, or parish hall, was once the hive of community activity in Wexford town, hosting showbands, pantos and drama festivals. It's set to be demolished so Della Kilroy got the thoughts of those who cherish its memory.
Wealthy nations need to achieve Net Zero by 2040, but what would this look like on an Irish farm? Sean Condon asked Cian and Alejandro from farm sustainability company Carbon Harvesters to audit his farm. Hannah Quinn Mulligan reports and then we hear from Professor Gerry Boyle, formerly head of Teagasc and now a board member at Arrabawn.
The Dutch farmer movement BBB has come from nowhere to secure a major upset in its country's politics. Philip speaks to the party's leader, Caroline van der Plas, who is the daughter of Irishwoman Nuala Fitzpatrick. Then, we wonder if the same thing could happen here with Pat O'Toole of the Farmer's Journal and dairy farmer Thomas Duffy.
Philip meets Patrick Dexter at his home near Clew Bay to hear music and all about connection with St Patrick
Philip Boucher Hayes walks the farm of Philip Maguire, with his son Daniel and archaeologist Prof Aidan O'Sullivan, UCD, exploring a landscape farmed for the past 4,000 years - or thereabouts
Della Kilroy pops in to Clarke's Bar in Ballaghderreen near closing time to talk to the regulars and publican Angela about her decision to retire and what the pub has meant to publican and customers alike.
Ella McSweeney meets Lisa Gifford who runs Cnoc Liatroma dairy with her daughter Gypsy. Lisa's ancestors travelled from Leitrim to the U.S. in the 1860s, she returned to Leitrim to raise goats in 2016.
Hannah Quinn Mulligan meets Elaine Houlihan, from Athlacca in Co Limerick, who is the new president of Macra na Feirme
John Connell, farmer, writer and now a father on keeping newborn baby Ted is warm is a labour of love
Della Kilroy meets Ashleigh to learn about her farming life and see how the calving season is going.
Seamus O'Rourke is a regular contributor to the show and this week has a love letter to home with musical accompaniment from his good friend, John Devine.
Philip is joined by Dr. Fiona Cawkwell of UCC, who has researched the impact of wildfires; Dr. Klara Finkele of Met Eireann; and Ciaran Nugent, regional forestry inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
You would not think it, but sheep and solar panels may just be made for each other. Philip visits a sheep farm in Wicklow that recently became the first Irish solar farm to connect to the grid.
A produce we have long taken for granted, the shortage of tomatoes over the past 10 days has highlighted the fragility of food supply chains. Spanish farmer Emilio Castello; Irish tomato grower Martin Flynn; and Úna Ní Bhroinn of Beechlawn Organics tell Philip what's happening.
Countryside's Ella McSwenney reports on a proposed plan by Dawn Meats that would see 400,000 liters of treated wastewater being discharged into the river Boyne every day, just south of Slane village as part of an upgrade plan by the companies Beauparc abattoir to reduce emissions.
Phillip is off to meet the stars, not the red carpet variety but in the skies above. Phillip travels to the Nephin Mountain Range in Co Mayo home to one of the three dark sky parks in Ireland to find out more about the importance and beauty of our celestial ceilings.
Phillip is joined in studio by Dr Jack Kennedy who has just been appointed the new editor of The Irish Farmers Journal.
Phillip is in Co Mayo to find out more about a new scheme in the North West involving some 800 sheep farmers to help create additional sources of income for farmers as well as protecting and promoting bio diversity at a time when the sheep market is in flux.
We’re back on the Mulligan farm where Catherine and Hannah are welcoming new life onto the family farm. Following the loss of a number of ducks to an animal attack recently, Hannah reports on some good news from her and Catherine’s Limerick farm.
There has been furious debate over the EPA's report on future land use in Ireland. John Keane, President of Macra na Feirme, and Oisín Coughlan of Friends of the Earth Ireland join Philip to discuss.
Some 2.5 million calves will be born this year, most of them in February and March. For dairy calves, the majority are taken away from their dams at birth and bottle-fed. In this edition of her farm diary, Hannah Quinn-Mulligan explores whether things could be done differently.
In a workshop in the west of Ireland, Tom Cussen and his son, Finton, make banjos for players all over the world. Della Kilroy went to see Clareen Banjos in Galway.
Philip spoke with Edouard Hermann, who maintains his farm in Ukraine through the Russian invasion.
If has been suggested that if Ireland quadruples afforestation, there simply wont be enough land for all those trees. The Irish Agro-Forestry Forum disagrees and Philip went to Deerpark Farm in Armagh to learn more.
The burning of hedge cutting's is to cease this year under new regulations but will the new laws aimed at improving air quality bring other problems. Phillip goes hedge cutting in Counties Wicklow and Offaly to find out.
Countrywide's Della Killroy visits the Galway City Museum where the oldest known Claddagh Ring in the world has just gone on display and finds out how many still wear this most celebrated piece of jewelry.
Phillip marks St Gobnaits day and meets a number of Gobnaits to find out more about this very interesting Irish Saint and some of the traditions associated with St Gobnait.
Reporter Mary McDonnell of Grey Heron Media dons the helmet and torch and heads for some underground exploring with the Cork Speleological Group at the Old Desmond Cave in Co. Tipperary.
Joanna Byrne , Chairperson of Drogheda Utd FC tells Phillip about the historical ties between Drogheda and Turkey and how the towns football club is coming together to help provide aid for those effected by this weeks devastating earthquake in Turkey.
Phillip is joined by Martin Cormican, Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Galway to discuss the issue of Avian Flu and the danger it posses to animals and humans.
Lorna Siggins returned to Inis Mor for Countrywide to meet back up with the The Conneely family who have taken part in a new European Initiative to stop fishing , Lorna finds out if the plan is working.
Phillip is joined by author Lia Hynes’ whose recent book “Courting – Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland” tackles the issue of dating in rural areas and also by Vicky watts and Edeain O'Conell who both feature in Lia's book.
Della Killroy takes a trip to Lough Boora Discovery Park in County Offaly. It covers 2,000 hectares of old cutaway bog, now rehabilitated for wildlife. it is particularly nice in the Spring when you can spot some of the first signs of the changing seasons as Della discovered.
Phillip is in North Wicklow to learn more about Deer Culling , an issue that has got a lot of attention in recent weeks.
Phillip is joined by Ger Shorthall of Teagasc to outline the aims of the new Nitrates Action Programme and the banding of livestock and other aspects of the pogramme which have come into effect.
Calving season is one of the busiest times of the year for farmers and safety is a priority. Phillip talks to Pat Griffin, a senior inspector with the Health and Safety Authority and Colin Donnery CEO of Farm Relief Services on the safety aspects around calving season.
Phillip speaks with academic researcher Dr Sinead Mellett and Dr Gordon Bromley, lecturer in Physical Geography at the University of Galway to hear about climate challenges facing farmers on the ground and their day to day concerns and the real challenges facing farmers amidst the climate crisis.
Phillip meets some farmers from across Europe at the CEJA conference to find out more about the climate challenges facing farmers across the continent. CEJA is The European wide parent organisation to Macra Na Feirme who held their sustainability workshop in Ireland this week.
Phillip heads to The Robinson farm in Callan in Co Kilkenny as the busy Calving season gets underway.
Countrywides Della Kilroy meets some vacant property up stylers as part of The Irish Architectural Foundation’s “Hard Hat” tours developed to help inspire renovators to re develop vacant properties
Phillip is on the move on farms across the South East to see firsthand how busy lambing season is for the scanning of Ewes which can involve scanning over 1000 lambs a day.
Phillip is at the Veterinary Association – CAVI's - Sustainable Livestock Production Meeting in Tullamore to meet well known academic Prof Frank Mitloehmer who has courted controversy over his views on climate change , Phillip finds out what Prof Mitloehner’s actual views are on the climate challenges facing us.
Lorna Siggins takes a trip to Inis Mór where Avril Ní Shearcaigh, the energy co-op manager for The Aran Islands outlines just how successful the co op has been in helping to power the Islands including a century old house which has been converted to geothermal energy.
Ahead of the first, National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture which is taking place in Port Laoise, County Laois on February 1st , Phillip talks to Agricultural solicitor Aisling Meehan one of the speakers at the upcoming event.
Countrywides Della Kilroy is in Wexford to find out more about the social prescribing initiative. Social prescribing is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other health care professionals to refer people to a range of community, local, non-clinical programme's and services to help people reconnect.
We’re back on the Quinn Mulligan farming Co Limerick where Hannah and Granny Catherine are dealing with an unwelcome visitor to the Duck House.
Phillip is joined by Joe O’Carroll, Forestry Investment Director with Gresham House in Ireland who have purchased land from Coillte to discuss purchasing of forestry land by investment companies.
Professor Thia Hennessy speaks to Phillip about her reaction to the news this week announced by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue that there would not be a compensated cull scheme in order to meet our binding climate action targets despite Thia’s work in the area.
Phiilip is in Nurney in Kildare to find out more about the role of Anaerobic Digestion Plants following controversy over plans to develop a facility in Gort in Co Galway .Phillip is also joined in studio Dr Ciara Beausang, and by Barry Caslin, Energy and Rural Development specialist with Teagasc to debate the issue.
In this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition, there is a group project by students of Loreto Secondary School in Kilkenny which is looking at using wetland vegetation for anaerobic digestion. One of those students is Millie Gilsenan spoke to Phillip about their exhibition.
Della Gilroy is in Ennis in Co Clae to mee the womens shed group in the town to find out more about how the group support projects in the the and indeed themselves.
Countrywide's unofficial resident poet Seamus O' Rourke remembers a story of siblings from his Leitrim youth.
Phillip is joined live in studio by Thomas Duffy is a former head of the Macra , Pat O’Toole tillage farmer in Wexford and Irish Farmer’s Journal journalist and Dr Cara Augustenborg, assistant professor of environmental policy in UCD and a member of the government’s Climate Advisory Council.
Countrywide reporter Mary McDonald is on the river Lee to meet the Naomhoga Corcai club in Cork as they take their fleet of traditional currachs for their weekly trip up the river .
Philip meets farmer Tom Morrissey in Lingaun Valley, Knockroe, Co. Kilkenny. Find out more at https://lingaunvalley.ie/
Philip travels to a pig farm and a dairy farm. Dr Kevin Hanrahan, Chief Economist for Teagasc gives his reaction.
Della Kilroy travelled to Ballina in County Mayo where District Cathaoirleach Mark Duffy guided her through the streets of his native town. Orla Murphy, Architect and Co-Director of the UCD Centre for Irish Towns, gives her analysis.
Prof Thia Hennessy Chair of the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group on the Food Vision high level implementation committee speaks to Phillip about the obstacles and challenges in implementing the recommendations from the Food Vision 2030 strategy.
Phillip is on the Roe farm in Tipperary to find out how one of the country's leading suckler farms are implementing changes under the 2030 food vison plan to reduce carbon emissions and the practical challenges that face farmers trying to achieve them.
In her latest report from the family farm Hannagh Quinne Mulligan and her Granny reports on her plans to go into a dairying partnership with another farmer.
Phillip speaks with Mayo based Falconer Daniel Gibbons who is treating the recently found and rescued rare Peregrine falcon Fia at Mount Falcon Hotel based between Foxford and Ballina in North Mayo.
Countrywide's Dellla Gilroy visits a repair shop in Mullingar in Co Westmeath aimed at helping farmers repair machinery to help save money and get broken machinery back in action.
Della Killroy visits a community garden in Cork and Phillip is joined by Donal McCormack, Chairperson Community Gardens Ireland and Caroline Stanley of Merlin Wood Community Garden project in Co Galway .
Phillip visits the Joyce farm in Co Galway and meets Pat who is a member of the Citizens assembly to find out more about biodiversity farming form the farmer’s point of view.
As the assembly meets for the final time ahead of making recommendations to the government Phillip is joined by Assembly chair Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.
Lorna Siggins visits the Department of Zoology in UCG to find out how certain venoms from spiders here in Ireland could have major health benefits
Farmers and environmentalists in Co Clare are united in their concern about the government’s new environmental payment scheme – ACRES. This week the two leading figures behind that scheme – Dr. Brendan Dunford and Dr. Sharon Parr resigned in protest at what they felt was the hollowing out of the scheme by the department of agriculture.
Brian Lally meets with Edward Maguire to discuss avian flu and more specifically - exclusion zones. A bio security curtain has descended over poultry farms near Clones.
Junior Minister in the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Biodiversity Pippa Hackett responds to criticism of the ACRES scheme
To the great outdoors and a group of women who preferred not to hike alone. ‘Galz Gone Wild,’ set up by Melissa McDermott, reconnects women with nature and the outdoors through group adventures all across Ireland.
The climate action agenda means that tens of thousands of acres of bog that was turned in to farmland will have to be rewet to stop it emitting greenhouse gasses. For a bit of an insight into the kind of anxiety that talk of rewetting promotes during the week we visited the farm of Joe Gaffey on the edge of Clara bog in Offaly.
Dr David Wilson is an ecologist and one of the leading experts in the country on bogs and gives us some insight on the Rewetting plans.
A clip from one of Damiens' favorites reports for Countrywide , his fire-side chat with farming bachelor's The Staunton brothers, an interview that garnered huge reaction when it initially aired.
As Ireland approaches its 50th year as part of the EU, Damien is joined by EU Commissioner Mairead McGuiness and former head of Concern Worldwide Tom Arnold to reflect on Ireland's history in the EU. Both Tom and Mairead have been regular guests during Damien's tenure as countrywide host.
As Damien presents his final Countrywide he takes a look back at one the first stories he reported on for RTE Radio at the height of the foot and mouth crisis.
Suzanne Campbell reports on a new agro-forestry and syntropic agriculture plot in Wicklow. Syntropic Farming grows high quality crops in any climate, in a way that increases soil carbon, increases habitat, increases water holding capacity of the land attempting to mimic nature.
Damien signs off his last show as host of Countrywide with some poetry and music on the themes of saying goodbye.
Music from Doolin native Kathy Daly, Journalist Michele Browne reflects on her love of nature and Damien is joined by a panel of Burren locals to find out more about the importance of The Winterage Festival. Additional bird sound recordings by Irish Wildlife Sounds and Paul Kelly”
Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem “Laying The Hedge”, Jane is performing as part of this year’s festival.
Damien is live from the Burren Winterage Festival celebrating the Burren’s farming tradition of Winterage. Local Reporter Fiona McGarry of the Clare Champion joins Damien to get the latest new from The Banner County.
The latest EPA report on Ireland's water quality highlights a further decline over the past five years. Thomas Duffy, dairy farmer and former Macra na Feirme President, spoke to Damien.
A report published this week found that 55% of farmers experience moderate to severe depression. Damien spoke with Tomás Russell, Assistant Professor at UCD's School of Agriculture, and Harold Kingston, dairy farmer and friend of the show.
Dairy co-op Glanbia Ireland is now known as Tirlan. Its CEO, Jim Bergin, joined Damien in studio.
Damien visited Killarney National Park to learn about the rutting season with the help of Damian Hannigan of the Irish Deer Commission and local park ranger Peter O'Toole.
Our reporter Della Kilroy caught up with Melissa Jeuken a year after she started as a goat herder with the Old Irish Goat Society on Dublin's Hill of Howth.
As record shops begin to experience something of a renaissance with a new generation of record buyers, Marty speaks with two record shop owners to find out more.
Suzanne Campbell is in Wicklow to experience the simple joys of spending some time trailing through the forest with Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Ireland based in the Garden County. You can find out more here www.gallivanting.ie
Marty chats with Carl Walsh live from Melbourne on the weekend of the Australian Asian state Games finals, the big weekend for the GAA in Australia. Carl is a former player in Australia and is a leading figure in spreading the GAA Gospel down under.
Countrywide’s Della Kilroy is in Roscommon to learn more about a new harvesting project aimed to help Ukraine refugees feel more at home in Ireland. You can find out more about this and similar projects here : www.socialfarmingireland.ie
Dr Liam Lysaght is the Director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and he will be addressing the Aseembly later this morning and he has popped in on his way there.
We are all concerned about the electricity bills coming our way this Winter. And farmers are worried too. Hannah Quinn Mulligan visited a dairy farmer on the Wicklow Wexford border where she met neighbouring farmers Howard Porter and his father in law Albert Evans.
September 14th marked 75 years since Cavans famous defeat of Kerry in The Polo Grounds in New York. And on September 30th 1928 Bill Squires Gannon, captain of the Kildare team was the first man to lift the Sam Maguire Cup. Eoghan Corry in Kildare, author of a history of Kildare GAA and George Carthwright in Cavan tell us more.
Teagasc are hosting an open day with walks and talks on John Purcells farm just outside Golden in Tipperary on Wednesday next from 10am to 3pm. More details are available at teagasc.ie if you would like to register.
This year, the winners are the Connelly family in County Galway. Given they only changed to dairy just four years ago, this award is a great achievement - as Suzanne Campbell discovered when she travelled to meet them.
Mary McDonnell from Grey Herron Media sets off to face her fear of heights and give rock climbing a try at Cork Climbing Club with Richard Cussen showing her the ropes.
Kerry man, Professor John Roche who grew up on a dairy, beef and sheep farm in Castleisland. He is now Chief Scientific Advisor, Department of Primary Industries, New Zealand.
Local Enterprise Office will be setting up in Raheneska, Co. Laois for the National Ploughing Championships. Each county in Ireland has a Local Enterprise Office and many businesses have started with the help of a LEO.
Lorna Siggins speaks to John and Mary Conneely, a fishing family unsure of their future in the industry from their home at Gort na gCapall, Inis Mór. Lorna also spoke to Stevie Joyce who hopes to continue in spite of the challenges ahead.
Damien speaks to Dusty Flanagan about the Boyne Valley Trails that began during the covid lockdowns. They are guided walks Monday to Saturday.
Countrywide's Hannagh Quinn Mulligan reports on a very distressing story of the discovery of hundreds of calf remains in Limerick
Damien is in Leitrim to find out more about a community initiative Leitrim Health and Wealth aimed at minding peoples well being and promoting positive living, Damien is joined by Dr Donnla O Hagan from DCU who is working on finding out more about mental health specifically in relation to Irish farmers
Damien speaks with David Maher of the Solas Eco Gardening in Portarlinton in Co Laois who have developed a very unique eating and shopping experience.
Suzanne Campbell reports on the process of Cider making in Waterford and visits the farm of David Dennison who produces ciders and other drinks under the brand Viking Irish Drinks in the Deise County
On the anniversary of Cromwell’s attack on Drogheda Countrywide's Brian Lally is in the County Louth town to meet local historian Tom Reilly who has a different view of the English generals time in Ireland.
Countywide Hannah Quinn-Mulligan visits Ethical Dairy in Scotland one of a handful of farms to trial a "cow with calf at foot" system where dairy cows and their calves are left together, and bull calves are fattened for rosé veal
Mary McDonnell from Grey Heron Media joins a group of locals in Mayo to try out a new E-bike scheme on the Great Western Greenway which is helping to encourage cyclist to get back on their bikes.
Asst. Managing Director of The National Ploughing Association Ann Marie McHugh chats to Damien about the return of The Ploughing Championships which return this month to Co Laois.
Damien reports from Johnstown Castle in County Wexford, the home of agricultural research in Ireland, from an open air meeting where researcher's and scientists shared their latest findings with farmers and others who attended
Damien is joined by Alan Heeney ultra cyclist , part time farmer and agri entrepreneur, who is completing a four day, 1,100 kilometer charity fund raising cycle today, one of many charity cycles Alan has taken part in. For more see www. ultracyclingforcharity.ie
Damien is on the Brickley farm in Coolrain in County Laois to find out more about the Fleckveigh cows and how dual-purpose cattle could help in emissions control.
Damien is joined by Fergal Monaghan of the Hen Harrier Project and Noel Feeney, President of the Agricultural Consultants Association to discuss the importance of grant scheme projects for farmers.
Lorna Siggins meets the team who are on a mission to repair and make a proper pathway to the top of one of Irelands most popular mountain walks.
Hannagh Quinn Mulligan reports on a a new grant scheme for farmers aimed at promoting the barn owl population on farms and how it could prove financially rewarding for farmers.
Countrywide Listener Janet Herrin reflects on childhood summers and sunny days on the bog.
Damien meets Sligo Farmer Clive Bright on his farm in Ballymote to discuss the new Enhanced Organic Scheme.
Six months since the war in Ukraine began, Farmer Francie Gorman and Feed Merchant Jimmy Brett speak to Damien about Feed, Fertilizer and Fuel prices and supply on farms
Damien speaks to Kees Huizinga, originally from The Netherlands and who is a farmer in Ukraine.
Next Weekend, Airfield Estate in Dundrum is hosting the Totally Terrific Tomato Festival which will feature growers from all Ireland. Susanne Campbell checked out how commercial tomato farmers are getting on this season.
Lorna Siggin’s reports on the return of The Gaelteachs across the country and the joy the summer trips to Irish college's around the country brings to those who go.
Dr John Carey speaks with Ella about a new project which is help improve the numbers of The Corncrakes in Ireland which has already produced positive results.
Ella heads West to Mayo to meet farmer Patsy Carrucan to learn more about suckler farming , Ella is joined in studio by Dr Aine Macken Walshe and Dr Shane Conway to discuss the future of Suckler farming.
Countrywide’s Suzanne Campbell goes behind the scenes to find out more about the preparations for this year’s Horse Show.
Nick McGinley brings us a postcard from his trip on the river as part of this years heritage week. You can find out more about heritage week at www.heritageweek.ie
Ella is on the farm with farmer John Kelly in Co Wicklow to find out what the new emissions reduction means for farmers on the ground and the uncertainty in the farm sector at present.
Ella chats to Clare, Gerry and Bernie who all have visual impairments about a new project Seen – Unseen, an art project exploring the access to art for the visually impaired person in the gallery space and elsewhere. Gerry , Bernie and Gerry are attending the races at the Curragh today as part of the project.
Ella is in Eat Clare to meet legendary musician Martin Hayes of the Gloaming to celebrate the life and work of Martin's musical colleague and friend Dennis Cahill.
Professor Gary Lanigan of Teagasc joins Ella to outline just how Ireland can meet new climate targets and what innovations will help us get there.
Countrywide's Lorna Siggins meets the organisation who are aiming to get more women elected to political office. For more info see www.seeherelected.ie
Damien is on the UCD Lyons research farm in Newcastle County Dublin. It's farms like this which will help in delivering a roadmap for Ireland to meet its climate targets. Damien meets some of the team at the research facility.
Damien is joined in studio by Oisin Coghlan Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Ireland and Pat O’Toole news reporter with the Irish Farmers Journal to discuss the milestone announcement by Ministers Eamon Ryan and Charlie Mc Conalogue of a 25% reduction in carbon emissions for agriculture between now and 2030
Damien is joined by Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO of the Food Safety Authority to discuss the FSAI's new campaign “See something , Say Something “ to ensure that food safety standards are adhered to across the food production sector.
Countrywide's Suzanne Campbell talks to farmers and food producers to find out about the realities of changing to organic farming in the week that Minister Pippa Hackett announced new increased rates for farmers wanting to convert to organics with horticulture being incentivised with the highest per acre rate.
We explore the potential for organic dairy expansion as the worlds biggest trade fair for organics takes place this week in Germany.
On This week’s Countrywide, Professor John Gilliland on getting farms to Net Zero emissions. We get our skates on in Cork. We take a tour of the Irish agricultural museum in Wexford and what is the potential for organic dairy expansion
We get our skates on in Cork and join the East Cork Roller Group for a skate along the coastline.
Ella McSweeney finds out how farming life has changed over the years by taking a trip down memory lane at the Kilmacanogue show.
On This week’s Countrywide, what agriculture needs to do to meet climate targets, the importance of protecting butterflies, a trip down memory lane at the Kilmacanogue show and Seamus O’Rourke on local GAA rivalries
Noel Dunne, of the Irish Farmers Monthly magazine, reports from the FTMTA farm machinery show which took place at Punchestown this week.
Damien speaks to freelance journalist and founder of pocket forests, Catherine Cleary and the President of Macra, John Keane, about what direction livestock famers need to take in order to meet with climate action targets.
Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan reports on the level of water pollution on her own farm in Co Limerick and the importance of reversing pollution in our waters.
On this weeks Countrywide How art is bringing empty buildings back to life in Clonmel, Dealing with water pollution, Managing invasive species on Irish farms and beyond, Forrestry farming and the law… And where have all the salmon gone? We head west to Mayo, to find out…
Lawyer Alice Whitaker of Philip Lee solicitors was asked to write a report which lays out the legal landscape when it comes to all things forestry by the Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett. Alice joins Ella to outline to main laws around forestry farming.
As part of the Clonmel Junction arts festival the old Super Quinn building in Market Place, which has been empty, gathering dust since 2016, has been transformed into a community theatre experience called “Everything Must Go "Countrywide reporter Mary O Donnell visited the Tipperary town to find out more.
Dr William Earle of Invas Biosecurity joins Ella in studio to discuss the problems caused by the the curly waterweed and othe rinvaisive species and the damage it can cause to bio diversity.
Ella joins Declan Cook of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s habitat conservation manager, at the side of the River Errif in Mayo, to visit a counting station - a small lab that’s on the rivers’ edge which notes every fish that flows through the river, to hear about the pressures on the Atlantic salmon today.
In her latest report from the family farm Countrywide's Hannah Quinn Mulligan is back on her Granny's farm in Limerick and its calving time.
Local Resident of Old Town in Fingal in Co Dublin Dave Sammon speaks to Damien about an event today to mark 75 years of rural electrification .Old Town was the first village in the country to benefit from Rural electrification.
Our panel of experts, Aisling Meehan of Aisling Meehan Agricultural Solicitors , Eimear Kelly Donnelly – counsellor with Embrace and Declan McEvoy – tax expert with IFAC talk about about a new support programme from "Embrace Farm" the farm accident support network.
A report on the EU’s Green Deal and Europe’s efforts to deal with food security whilst ensuring it meets its climate change targets in the midst of global unrest and supply challenges.
On this weeks Countrywide; Dealing with emotional and financial challenges after a farm fatality, global food supply threats, The EU’s Green Deal, Its calving time on Hannah and Granny's farm and celebrating rural electrification.
Countrywide’s Ellen Leonard reports on the Irish love of the Woolen blankets and we hear from Foxford Mills in Co Mayo home of the famous Foxford blanket.
Mick McGinley is a writer, actor, casting director and voice over artist. Like many others, the pandemic experience prompted him to try a new way of life. In his case, this involved moving to the Countryside where Mick has become pals with a peacock.
Damien reports on the importance of the live export trade to Ireland and the issues surrounding the trading of live animals.
Economists Jim Power and Emma Dillon discuss the state of play of the Irish Agri Economy and outline just what we can expect from the economy this year.
On This week’s Countrywide, Behind the scenes at The Curragh, Live Exports, An ode to the peacock, The joy of the woolen blanket and The state of play in the agri economy.
Suzanne Cambell goes behind the scenes at the Curragh Racecourse to meet the people who help put big Raceday's together.
Damien speaks to Donal and Frederique Keane, organic farmers in Summerhill, who will be hosting an open walk on their farm next Wednesday 15th June at 2pm. Registration to attend can be made on teagasc.ie.
On this week’s Countrywide, helping Wicklow farmers manage the uplands the Citizen's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss take a field trip to Dublin Port and Anna Jones tells Damien why she wrote her new book on the relationship between town and country.
Suzanne Campbell visited Glenmalure in Wicklow to learn about the SUAS project which aims to restore biodiversity in mountain areas.
Ella McSweeney reports on the Citizen's Assembly's trip to Dublin Port to see how biodiversity can be restored in urban spaces.
Broadcaster Anna Jones speaks to Damien about her new book Divide - the relationship crisis between town and country.
Damien speaks with artisan food producers who are showcasing their products at this years Bloom and hears from a panel of food producers along with more music from the RTE Lyric Quartet.
Damien broadcasts live from Bord Bia Bloom hearing from a panel of garden designers with top tips for you summer garden with music from the RTE Lyric Quartet.
May is arguably the best month of the year to see and hear nature - and this is particularly so on Nicholas Redmond’s 50-acre farm in Ballygarrett, Wexford, where Ella takes a walk. Nicholas is a Farming for Nature Ambassador; he’ll be hosting a farm walk this summer. Open to the public - for more information, go to www.farmingfornature.ie.
Ella is joined by Tom Pollard, Professional Stonemason, and skills trainer in Traditional Stonewall construction skills and Virginia Teehan , CEO of The Heritage Council to talk about the importance of building restoration.
Countrywide's Hannah Quinn-Mulligan is in Galway to find out more about efforts to save the Curlew which has seen a 98% drop in population in just 30 years.
Ella is joined in studio by Jonathan Deane from Westmeath County Council to find out more about how efforts by locals in the area have managed to reverse water pollution in one of the country's most beautiful lakes.
On this week’s Countrywide, The joy of building restoration. Following the curlew, Reversing water pollution and On the farm in Wexford.
Seamus O’Rourke reads his poem Lea Ground; reminiscing about past times of planting potatoes on his family farm in Leitrim .
On This weeks Countrywide, Challenges for the potato industry, Ireland and Agritech, The Burren In bloom, The Business Of Food and planting memories.
Damien finds out more about the humble potatoe and its place in the Irish agric sector ahead of the Wolrd Potatoe Congress taking place in Ireland for the first time this year. For more details see https://wpc2022ireland.com/
Damien is joined by James Maloney of Enterprise Ireland and guest from the world of Irish Agritech. Enterprise Ireland are looking for new Agric tech business to showcase at this year’s Ploughing For more information on how to enter see https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/events/ourevents/innovationarena/about.html
Damien is joined by Prof Thia Hennessy, Dean of Cork University Business School & Professor of Agri-Food Economics who addressed these weeks inaugural Food and Beverage Finance 2022 conference in UCC. The conference covered a range of agri business issues.
Lorna Siggins reports from a hare’s corner in Co Clare as part of this year’s Burren in Bloom festival. You can fin doubt more about Burren in Bloom here: https://www.burreninbloom.com/
Pat Smith of the Micro Renewable Energy Federation tells Damien about the issue of solar power in farming. Hannah Quinn Mulligan visits St Tola's goat's cheese near Inagh in County Clare to find out their solar panel ambitions.
Damien meets a number of contractors gearing up for the silage season and finds the important role the weather forecast plays in the job of the contractor.
We hear a reading of Handiwork: a poem by Michael Durack reminiscing about his younger days working on his family’s Tipperary farm from the new collection Voices From The Land, a new anthology of Irish writing inspired by farming life.
On this week’s Countrywide, The importance of the weather forecast, Citizens Assembly on biodiversity loss, Prospects for solar panel renewable energy And we hear about Voices from the land, a new collection of writing rooted in farming life
Academic and Broadcaster Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain joins Damien in studio to talk about her role as Chair of the Citizen's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss.
Broadcaster Ann Marie Kelly visits Stradbally in County Laois which is celebrating ten years of the Laois Art House, founded by Laois County Council in the town. The exhibition In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope, runs until May 27 at the Laois Art House in Stradbally.
Fiona Duggan and Fionnula Taylor join Damien to discuss Newmarket on Fergus Show and Thomastown Show.
Darragh McCullough heads to Cork to learn about the practicality of using IVF in dairy cows.
On this week’s Countrywide, Ukrainian Easter Traditions, The Return of Amature Drama, IVF for Cows, Equine Therapy.
Suzanne Campbell reports on how Equine Therapy is being used more and more to help those cope with physical and mental disabilities.
This weekend is the traditional weekend for Easter in Ukraine. Brenda speaks with Vlas and Arina two Ukrainian national who have recently arrived in Ireland following the Russian invasion to find out more about some of Ukraine’s Easter traditions.
After a two year absence due to Covid The all Ireland Drama festival is returning to its spiritual home in Athlone. Brenda speaks with a number of the festivals organisers ahead of the return of this year’s festival.
Countrywide listener Janet Heeran from North Cork brings her radio letter “Paddington Bear” and how the story of Paddington is very relevant for our present world events.
Damien is joined by Dinny Galvin from the Dingle Sustainable Energy Community and Barry Caslin, Energy Specialist with Teagasc to discuss renewable energy in agriculture and how it can work in practicality.
Damien heads to the Royal County to meet acclaimed jockey Barry Geraghty who is looking forward to the 150th running of the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. The 3 day festival gets underway today.
At The Races, The Renewable Energy Road, UK Farming Issues, Rare Cattle Breeds, Paddington Bear and Celebrating Easter Eggs.
Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem “Eggs” detailing her memories of happy Easter’s spent visiting her grandparents.
Damien is joined by NFU President, the organisation representing English and Welsh farmers about a range of farming issues.
Countrywide Reporter Hannah Quinn Mulligan is on James Ryan's farm in County Limerick to find out more about the relatively new French breed of cow to Ireland The Aubrac.
On This week’s Countrywide, The Future of Food, Michael O Leary, Making and Finding Chocolate In Carlow,The Problem of Trespassing and Music From The West.
Damien is joined in studio by Food Futurist Jack Bobo to discuss the very prevalent topic of the future of food from both a production and consumption viewpoint.
As we look forward to having some Easter eggs next weekend Damien is in Carlow to find out more about chocolate production and also gets some great ideas on how to stage the perfect Easter hunt.
Damien sits down with Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary to discuss a range of issues from flying to farming. After a two year absence the Ryanair boss will once again open the gates of his farm in Westmeath to the public for the annual sale of Pedigree Angus bulls and heifer next Saturday.
Countrywide reporter Hannah Quinn Mulligan finds out more about the scourge of trespassing on Irish farms.
As sheep farmers are busy at work Damien speaks with Seamus McMenamin, sheep meat sector manager with Bord Bi, Edward Hayden of the Edward Hayden Cookery School in Graiguenamanagh and Selena McKenzie who is in the lambing shed on her farm in Redcross, County Wicklow to talk all things lambing.
On This week’s Countrywide, with feed and fertiliser costs rising, farmers look for home grown solutions. Lambing time winding down, Is there a viable veal industry in Ireland? And we visit an award-winning cheese maker in Galway
Damien meets Tersesa Roche of Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese on her family farm making cheese for the first time this year.
Suzanne Campbell is in Kilkenny to find out if there is a market for slightly older veal in Ireland.
Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan meets with Limerick dairy farmer Jerome O'Connor who is attempting to grow crops for the first time with some help from friends. Radio Essay: Lambing Longford based writer and farmer, John Connell describes his first lambing season
Damien speaks with a panel of farmers from Ukraine to get their first hand experience of what farmers and food producers are facing in Ukraine.
As the clocks go forward and the dawn chorus gets louder Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan investigates the connection between the Irish language and our birds.
John Spillane performs his much loved song The Dance Of The Cherry Tree’s, a live performance recorded especially for Countrywide.
Damien speaks with farmers and agricultural experts on the issue of rising cost s of dairy farming and how producers are planning ahead in such uncertain times and the real day to day issues the Ukrainian war is having on Irish farmers.
On this week’s Countrywide, Ukrainian farmers talk about the impact of the war, The Irish language and its bird connections. Paying the War Price and John Spillane with a musical treat.
Damien speaks with Cork native Jim McCarty who is currently farming in Romania close to the Ukraine border. Damien also speaks with Frank O’Meara, Director of Teagasc.
Damien speaks with Shamrock grower Grainne Thorne, a third generation shamrock grower based in Rush in Co Dublin ahead of their busiest week of the year.
Ahead of Cheltenham next week Damien speaks to three members of an Irish syndicate who have a horse running at this week’s festival.
An Irish farmer in Romania on the fuel, feed and fertilizer crises, How the Ukraine crisis is affecting Irish farms; We also talk to Frank O Mara of Teagasc, Winner alright we look forward to Cheltenham And looking ahead to Shamrock and St Patrick’s Day
Damien is on The White brothers farm The Naul in co Dublin to see firsthand how the war in Ukraine is affecting Irish farmers.
On this week’s Countrywide ; Suzanne Campbell visits Derry’s food producers, We hear about the hidden scourge of domestic violence in rural Ireland, President of the Irish Veterinary Council Dr Vivienne Duggan and We meet the friendliest, fluffiest sheep in the world.
Ella meets with new president of the Irish Veterinary Council Dr Vivienne Duggan to discuss the hugely important job of the vet.
Ella chats with Mona O Donohue Concannon, member of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders group and Mary Curtin is a beef farmer and a PhD student at the Kemmy School of Business in the University of Limerick studying females and farm ownership about ways to encourage women into agriculture.
Tara Farrell, CEO of Longford Women’s Link discusses the issue of domestic violence against women in rural Ireland.
Poet Mary O’Donnell reads us her poem which reflects on the arrival of those seeking international protection in Ireland. The poem is included in Mary’s most recent collection called Massacre of the Birds and is called Ghosts of the Old Agricultural College.
Mary McDonnell from Grey Heron Media meets April Higgins on her farm in Limerick to find out more about the wonderfully wooly and friendly Valais Blacknose sheep.
On this week’s Countrywide; The reality of life in Ukraine following the Russian Invasion, The impact of Ukrainian incursion of food process and supplies, Selling off the dairy stock, The Relationships between farmers and agricultural advisors and the importance of the local newspaper.
Damien is in Co Waterford to meet a farmer who’s selling off the herd as he has no successor.
Damien discusses the importance of the local newspaper to rural life and how the local notes section of the paper is a key section of the paper with local note writers from around the country John Reidy , Rosemary Gaynor and Joe O’Brien.
Damien is joined by author Micheal O Fathartaigh who has written a new book detailing the tradiotnal relationship between farmers and agricultural advisors. Damien is also joined by two well known farm advisers Larry O Loughlin and Anne O Malley.
On this week’s Countrywide; The reality of life in Ukraine following Russian Invasion, The impact of Ukrainian incursion of food process and supplies, Selling off the dairy stock, The Relationships between Farmers and agricultural advisors and the importance of the local newspaper.
Damien is joined in studio by his name sake Damian O’Reilly, expert in Retail Management at TU Dublin to discuss Ireland’s current shopping trends .
Damien is joined by Economist John Daly author of a new report called The Regional Vacancy and Dereliction Analysis produced for the Northern and Western Regional Assembly highlighting the issue of vacancy and property dereliction in the North West.
Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan visits Kildalton Agricultural College in County Kilkenny to meet some of the young women undertaking agricultural education.
It used to be said that wheat good enough for flour cannot be grown in Ireland, but Suzanne Campbell has been finding out more about flour and about wheat being farmed and milled up in Monaghan.
On This Week’s Countrywide; The revival of a local flour mill in Monaghan, Good news for beef prices, Tackling the problem of derelict and vacant buildings in rural towns, We meet young women farmers of the future in Kilkenny And we get an insight into our supermarket shopping trends.
Damien is in Mayo to find out more about what’s driving beef prices with IFA beef chairman Brendan Golden.
Ahead of the busiest day of the year for flowers sales, Countrywide reporter Ellen Leonard visits a busy florists in Cork in the lead up to St Valentine’s Day.
The crises in the Irish vegetable sector, Selling Ireland in Dubai, Damien visits a busy and diverse farm on the Dublin/Meath border, Valentine’s Day for florists, And Frank Monahan, the new dean of Agriculture at UCD joins Damien in studio for a chat on a range of agricultural issues.
Suzanne Campbell reports on the crisis facing many vegetable producers in the food sector which has heightened in recent times.
Damien speaks with Greg Devlin of Silver Hill Duck from Dubai where Greg along with a number of large and artisan food producers are in the Middle East for Gulfood 2022 the place where the world of food and beverage comes to connect.
Frank Monahan, the newly appointed Dean of Agriculture at the UCD School of agriculture and food science joins Damien in studio for a wide raging discussion on issue facing Irish agricultural Diverse farming in Meath
Damien is on the Dublin Meath border to visit one of Ireland's most Diverse farms, Cornstown Farm, where you will find everything from alpacas to forestry and much more.
: On this week’s Countrywide , Walking the organic farm, a touch of Brazil in Galway, farm inspections, virtual farming class and farmers and rugby legends Nigel Owens and John “The Bull “Hayes preview this weekend’s opening six nations clash between Ireland and Wales.
Damien is joined by Rugby legends and fellow farmers Nigel Owens and John “The Bull” Hayes to preview Irelands opening clash today against Wales.
Countrywide reporter Lorna Singings is in Gort in co Galway to meet members of the Brazilian community who have made Galway their home. This week the Department of Justice announced a new scheme to allow undocumented migrants to find a pathway to becoming documented and ultimately qualifying to apply for Irish citizenship.
Jack Nolan, Senior Inspector in the Organics Division at the Department of Agriculture joins Damien in studio to go through some the nuts and bolts of the new organic scheme which opens next Wednesday aiming to encourage more farms to changer to organic.
Damien is in Co Wicklow to find out more about the Farmer Time programme that links farmers with the consumers of tomorrow through virtual visits to the classroom throughout the school year. The programme is run by the Airfield Estate in Dundrum in Dublin.
As farm walk resumes around Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan is in Wexford to take a ramble on a farm recently moving towards organic dairy production.
As marts are getting back to normal after nearly two years of disruptions, Damien O'Reilly reports from the livestock mart in Tullow, co. Carlow.
As increases in the price of fertilisers, grain and energy coincide with a fall in the price of pig meat, the industry has reached crisis point. With Suzanne Campbell.
With Bovine TB such a potential issue on farms, farmers look to manage risk factors, including the risk of wildlife spreading the disease. Rather than culling the animals, Ireland has become a global leader in badger vaccination, as Hannah Quinn Mulligan reports.
After two years of disruptions, GAA clubs abroad are hoping to be back in full swing again, and we hear from GAA clubs in Finland, Oman and Australia.
Given the sense of joy at the removal of many restrictions this morning Countrywide unofficial resident poet Seamus O’Rourke helps us smile.
On This week’s countrywide, the Limerick lady playing GAA into her 60’s,, celebrating new farming talent, Marking 50 years of Ireland in Europe, Jim Woufle recently retired CEO of Dairygold joins Damien to look back on his career and Countrywide's unofficial resident poet Seamus O’Rourke helps us smile.
As he heads to pastures new, recently retired CEO of Dairygold Jim Woulfe joins Damien in studio to reflect on his 40 year career with Dairygold .
Damien is in Co Cork to meet Owen Ashton the new FBD Macra Na Feirme young farmer of the year and a young man with a bright outlook for the future.
Damien speaks with Limerick GAA player Pauline McCarthy who is still playing football and camoige 50 years on form her first matchs. Pauline recently was part of the Junior B football team that won the Limerick County Championship with her club St Ailbe’s, just a week after her 62nd Birthday!
As today marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of accession to the then EC, we reflect on that momentous day when Ireland began its European journey.
In a week full of sadness we went to our archives to see if we could find something that would offer comfort. Wendell Berry is a Kentucky farmer and poet and reads his poem The Peace of Wild Things reminding us how in times of trouble, the natural world can provide us with some consolation.
Land Commission records are to be digitised in the coming years given access to a treasure of information. Marty Chats to historian Professor Paul Rouse about the place the land commission has in our farming history.
Marty chats with three dairy farmers to find out what preparations are underway for the busy months ahead for dairy farming.
Land Commission records are to be digitised in the coming years giving access to a treasure throve of information. Marty chats to historian, Professor Paul Rouse about the place the land commission has in our farming history.
On this weeks Countrywide, Uncovering the land commission, Old farm remedies, Preparing the farm for milking and an emigrants story.
Marty is joined by Fiona Murphy whose recent social media posts about her father’s unique story of emigrating from the West has struck a chord with so many Irish at home and abroad. Fiona tells Marty about her father’s story and the importance of one pub in Co Mayo.
Marty Morrissey is in Kerry to chat with now former rugby international captain Ciara Griffin to find out more about about her rugby career and her farming background in the Kingdom.
On this week’s Countrywide : Meeting the students of the climate cafe, a poem for our neighbours, a look at the agricultural year ahead and moving from the rugby pitch to the farming fields.
Elle McSweeney is in Tramore in Co Waterford to meet a group of students who have come together in their Climate Cafe to discuss and learn about environmental issues and what they can practically do to help tackle the climate crisis.
Damien chats with Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise in Co Clare to find out more about the importance of micro businesses in rural Ireland.
Damien is joined by Phelim O’Neil, markets intelligence specialist with The Farmers Journal , Catherine Cleary, environmental journalist with The Irish Times and and Diana Lenzi president of the European Council of Young Farmers for a panel discussion on the coming year in agricultural.
Damien is in Co Limerick to find out how one village is moving from a steel to a real tree for their Christmas centre piece.
Brenda Donohue is in Wexford to meet author Aileen Lambert who has compiled a book of classic children's folk songs.
Countrywide reporter Hannah Quinn Mulligan brings us on a trip to her Limerick farm at Christmas.
On This weeks Countrywide, To help get us in the mood for Christmas we have festive music and stories from around the country.
New changes to farm animal medication are coming in 2022. Countrywide reporter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan welcomes superintending veterinary officer with the Department of Agriculture, Dr Caroline Garvan to her family farm to discuss the new guidelines.
Brenda speaks with author and poet Alice Taylor on the release of her new book “Tea For One”. Alice has been writing about rural life for over three decades.
Suzanne Campbell finds out more about what happens to some race horses when their career on the track comes to an end and how for some a new life and career beckons.
Brenda speaks with Donal Denvir, General Manager Bord Bia UK about new rules on food production and trade coming into force in January and what help is available for Irish producers to prepare for the upcoming changes as a result of Brexit.
Ballyfin Domain in Co Laois is now a world class hotel but was formerly a renowned secondary school run by the Patrican Brothers . Countrywide reporter Brian Moss along with his former teacher Nina Horan take a trip back to Ballyfin where Brian was a student and Nina a teacher to see just how much things have changed in Ballyfin.
On this week’s Countrywide: medicating farm animals, author and poet Alice Taylor on the joy of a cup of tea, Bord Bia and Brexit, new careers for retired race horses and the life of luxury in Laois.
Damien meets three women involved in the Going For Growth programme, now in its 14th year. Going For Growth is a programme designed to promote the growth of women in business through training and mentorship.
Damien is in West Clare to meet Ray Ó Foghlú , Land Owner Engagemnet Co-Ordinator with Hometree to find out more about forestry farming and why farmers should embrace planting more trees.
Growing women in business, what’s on the mind of mart goers in these turbulent times, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue joins Damien in studio to discusses a range of agricultural issues and the benefits of forestry farming.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue joins Damien in studio to talk about a range of issues affecting the agricultural and environmental sector.
Journalist and author PJ Cunningham joins Marty in studio to talk about his new book “Grassroots- Stories from the Heart of the GAA” detailing great GAA tales and yarns from across the country.
Farmer, author and regular Countrywide contributor John Connell give us his thoughts on Advent from his Longford farm yard.
Countrywide reporter Hannah Quinn Mulligan meets two of this year’s winners from the Irish Cheese Awards.
Suzanne Campbell reports on how the rising price of fertilisers could make Christmas more expensive.
Marty heads to Nenagh in Co Tipperary to meet Peter and Mary Ward at their Country Choice Shop to find out how to make the perfect Christmas pudding.
On this week’s Countrywide, Award winning cheese makers, the perfect Christmas pudding, stories from the GAA grassroots, the price of fertiliser and Advent thoughts from the farmyard.
Damien debates Ireland's methane targets with Myles Allen Professor of Geosystem at the University of Oxford , Dr Fionnuala Murphy, co-lead investigator on Farm Zero C and Assistant Professor at the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering in UCD and John Keane, President of Macra na Feirme.
Ella McSweeney is in Co Leitrim to find out if mining for minerals could play a big role in meeting our climate targets and how the prospect of mining is a contentious issue for some local communities.
Roscommon born Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem “That I Could" from her collection “When the Tree Falls” published by Bloodaxe Books. As the number of deaths from Covid 19 surpassed 5 million this week, Jane's poem, written following her father’s death before the pandemic will resonate with many who have lost loved ones during Covid.
This week on Countrywide, How Irish agri tech, research and innovation is having a global impact, Leitrim says no to gold digging And as methane comes under the spotlight at COP26, we find out more about its effects on global warming and how it can be reduce.
Damien meets Jack and Nick Cotter, Limerick farming brothers and entrepreneurs tell Damien about their latest venture, the Cotter Crate which facilities an easy and accurate administration of vaccines and doses for lambs from 3 weeks of age.
As science week begins James Maloney, Regional Development Manager with Enterprise Ireland outlines examples of how new technology is helping farming.
Damien is in Kildare to meet sheep farmer Thomas O’Connor to find out how environmental regulations effect young farmers.
On Halloween weekend Countrywide reporter Ellen Leonard takes a spooky trip to Co Meath.
On This Weeks Countrywide, The work of the Climate Change Advisory Council, climate action proposals, what it means for young farmers , Damien is joined by a panel of experts to assess the impact on food production and a spooky Halloween visit to County Meath.
Kevin O Sullivan, environment and science editor with the Irish Times outlines the work of the The Climate Change Advisory Council and its role in tackling climate change.
Damien is joined by a panel of experts to discuss a range of environmental and climate change issues. Joining Damien on the panel are Prof. Peter Thorne, Trevor Donnellan Head of Economics and Farm Surveys, Teagasc, Dr Cara Augustenborg Environmental Policy Fellow at UCD, And Dr Anne Finnegan, policy analyst with the Irish Farmer's Journal.
Jack Nolan, Senior Inspector, Nitrates and Biodiversity Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine briefs Damien O'Reilly on some of the farm level issues relating to water quality.
On This week’s Countrywide, A new way of reducing food waste , We visit a Wicklow halloumi cheese maker, The connection between marine life and medical devices replacing natural gas with biomethane and improving farms water quality.
Damien is on the Banville farm in Wexford to find out more about how new Nitrate directives are affecting farmers and the importance of improving water quality.
On World Food day Victor Murphy of Savour food.i.e. talks to Damien about his initiative to help prevent food waste in business. Find out more at www.savourfood.ie
Countrywide reporter Lorna Siggins visits an exhibition in Galway that highlights the strong links between marine properties and medical devices including how slime from sponges around the Irish coastline is being studied for its anti-cancer properties.
Damien speaks with Donal Dennehy of Nutricia about a new project called Project Clover which sees a number of Irish dairy processors clubbing together with a plan to harvest biogas from farm waste including silage and slurry with the use of anaerobic digesters.
Autumn is the traditional season for food festivals in Ireland.This week Suzanne Campbell visited Ballyhubbock Farm in West Wicklow part of the Wicklow Naturally food producers group.
Brenda heads to the Bingo in Co Limerick as the much-loved past time returns to halls around the country.
On this week’s Countrywide, Highlighting mental health amongst the farming community, going back to Bingo, social farming and new director of Teagasc Prof Frank O'Mara joins Damien for an in studio chat.
Countrywide is on Joe Kelly’s organic farm in Co Mayo to find out more about social farming. Social farming provides people who use services with the opportunity for inclusion, to increase self-esteem and to improve health and well-being by taking part in day to day farm activities on a family farm, find out more at www.socialfarmingireland.ie
Ahead of Ag mental health week next week Damien meets Cork based farmer Tom McCarthy whose father Paddy died by suicide last year.
Academic and farmer mental health advocate Conor Hamersley joins Damien to discuss his research into mental health amongst the farming community and Connor's involvement in the “On Feirm Ground'” initiative aimed at improving physical and mental health amongst farmers.
Damien speaks with Laois based dairy farmer Tom Phelan, supplier to Glenisk and Emma Walls Commercial director of Glenisk following this week’s devastating fire at the Offaly plant.
On This Week’s Countrywide; The fallout from The Glenisk fire, safe horse riding on our roads, protecting Leitrim’s sweathouses, family farms succession planning , The EU fisheries commissioners Irish visit and remembering pioneering agri journalist Larry Sheedy.
On a visit to Ireland earlier this week, Commissioner Sinkevicius spoke to Lorna Siggins for Countrywide on issues relating to his brief including the Irish fishing industry; the protection of the marine environment and the water quality of inland waterways.
Sweathouses are among the smallest and most mysterious of buildings scattered across the Irish countryside. Curiously, County Leitrim has the highest concentration of Sweathouses on the island. Countrywide’s Francis Kelly is in Leitrim to find out more about a project to protect Leitrims sweathouses.
Next week Teagasc is holding the first of two online clinics on transferring the family farm which can be a sensitive issue. Damien is joined by two of the clinics speakers’ mediator Claire O Keeffe of Succession Ireland and Siun Kearney who is an advanced mediator with the Mediators Institute of Ireland ahead of the upcoming clinics.
Countrywide speaks with Virginijus Sinkevicius, The EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries who visited Ireland this week.
Suzanne Campbell reports on a new road safety initiative to help highlight safe horse riding on our roads.
The NDC and Kerrygold Mil Awards are the All-Ireland Finals of milk production. The competition encourages dairy farmers to strive for excellence. Marty visited this years winners, the Mc Carthy Farm in Feenagh, County Limerick.
Reporter Lorna Siggins, went to investigate Loveen, the 96 year-old gleoiteog or small Galway hooker boat at the Galway Hooker Sailing Association. Ava Lesh-Jinska told us about the history of this interesting boat.
Eamonn McLoughlin is putting the finishing touches for the All-Ireland Hedge Laying Championship, which is taking place next weekend on his farm. He joined Marty this morning to tell us all.