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...

Countrywide Full 24/02/24

On the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we visit a refugee couple in the thick of calving outside Trim.

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 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.

This spring, Hannah and grandmother Catherine are expecting dairy calves for the first time.

We speak to two farmers who are busy with calving.

With less than 100 breeding pairs left, extinction may be just 25 years away.

Countrywide went to Katherine O'Leary's family farm near Blarney.

Countrywide Full 17/02/24

Down in County Limerick, the Granagh Players have been entertaining the crowds with a play called The Hucklebuck.

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.

A poem by John Davenport from County Wicklow.

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.

Countrywide Full 10/02/24

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 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.

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.

Countrywide Full 03/02/24

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Philip visits Bruce Thompson's farm in Laois to learn how farming for nature can be a profitable progressive business.

Brenda Donohue visits St Bridget's GAA Club in Roscommon ahead of the All Ireland Hurling and Football Club Finals

An event is taking place on Pat Maher's farm in Tipperary, entitled 'Why hedgerows matter?'

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.

As of yesterday, there is a new political party in the country: the Farmers Alliance.

Countrywide Full 13/01/24

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?

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.

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.

Countrywide Full 16/12/23

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 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.

Countrywide Full 09/12/23

Folklorist Shane Lehane speaks to Countrywide about our many Christmas traditions.

Brenda Donohue travels to Shanagolden, co Limerick, where Cormac Hayes is taking Christmas lights to another level.

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.

Agricultural economist Tom Arnold speaks to Philip about the UN global climate summit now underway in Dubai.

Countrywide Full 02/12/23

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.

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.

Six weeks or so after Storm Babet hit Middleton, we visit the town’s Farmers Market.

With numerous questions over the EU's upcoming cut in the upper nitrates limit for 2,000 to 3,000 Irish farmers in January, Philip speaks to Eimear Cotter from the Environmental Protection Agency and Laurence Shalloo from Agricultural Research agency, Teagasc.

In Limerick, where she farms with her grandmother Catherine, Hannah Quinn Mulligan may be making work for herself. Their two favourite cows are in calf but are giving trouble.

Sharon Ferguson had the idea in 2019 for cafes that people can visit to support their wellbeing. They can meet for a couple of hours in a relaxed space to have a chat with others over a cup of tea or coffee in the presence of social prescribers from the HSE. Brenda Donohoe visited one in Ramelton.

Artist Ríonach Ní Neill has brought together a team of electricians, energy experts, and builders to create a pitch-side shelter with a built-in heater at Páirc Astroturf An Ceathrú Rua i gConemara. It is called Mo Thoin Theolai, or my warm bottom, and Lorna Siggins has been to see it.

Virgunujus Sinkivicius, the EU Environment Commissioner, came to Ireland on Thursday as the Taoiseach hoped to convince him to leave Ireland's nitrates derogation untouched. However, the EU are standing firm that from January 1st, Irish farmers spreading slurry will have to have fewer animals on their farm or acquire more land.

As of Monday, new regulations for the use of quads come in to force to try and prevent accidents.

Minister Eamon Ryan addressed the ICMSA at its AGM yesterday, the first ever Green Party Leader to address the organisation.

The catchment of the Shannon is so big that if it rains in Boyle, Ballinasloe, or Mullingar, the water eventually ends up on the Callows. Philip visited the Shannon Callows and later, he discusses what happens when land can no longer be defended from rising water with Dr Fiadh Tubridy.

An import ban on live cattle, sheep and other ruminants from Britain to the island of Ireland is in place to protect this island from a new strain of Blue Tongue Virus that has emerged in western Europe.

Countrywide Full 18/11/23

The Nature Restoration Law proposed by the EU has caused controversy amongst politicians, citizens and lobby groups. We hear from Oonagh Duggan of Birdwatch Ireland, and Paul O'Brien from the IDA.

Countrywide Full 11/11/23

At the end of ‘Beckham’ on Netflix, David and Victoria dance around each other to "Islands in the Stream." This has started a new social media trend, where couples recreate the Posh and Becks dance. Brenda Donohue went to a social dancing class in The Well in Moate to learn the steps they danced.

Irish farmers are currently allowed to transport calves at 14 days. If that limit became 28 days, would keeping calves on farms for the first month of their lives signal the beginning of the end of live exports of calves? We discuss with John Enright of ICMSA, Ray Doyle of ICOS, and Caroline Rowley from Ethical Farming Ireland.

Countrywide Full 04/11/23

We meet the customers and stall holders of Limerick's legendary Milk Market.

Diarmuid McIntyre from Grey Heron Media went on a walk with a difference with Anita Bennis, who has been encouraging people to whistle.

Countrywide spoke to Minister of State Pippa Hackett about the new Organics Scheme, a package of payments to encourage farmers to cut out pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

Paul McDermott, President of Veterinary Ireland, on the new on-farm regulations.

Countrywide Full 28/10/23

Jack Murmur is a professional scare actor who is currently scaring young and old in Farmaphobia in co Meath.

The weather has been a topic of conversation all through 2023, but especially amongst Ireland's four and a half thousand or so specialist tillage farmers.

Dr Nicholas Lampkin is an agri-economist, currently working with the Thunen Institute, an advisory body to the German government, examining organic farming policy. He discusses the new organic scheme with Brenda.

Brenda visited Eanna Canavan's farm just outside Doolin in County Clare, where he was hosting an organic farm walk to show other farmers interested in organics how his beef herd is getting on.

Janet Heeran just loves this time of year and she sent us this audio reflection on the Halloweens of her childhood.

Della Kilroy went on a forest bathing walk in Dublin’s Phoenix Park with Sarah Hourigan, founder of Nature Therapy Ireland.

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan visited Dwayne Sheils' farm near Ramelton in Donegal. He is the FBD Young Farmer of the Year, and he has been trying to improve the genetic merit of his pedigree sheep.

Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford, aka the Gastro Gays, are the authors of a cookbook, Hot Fat, restaurant critics and opinion makers on food. They are taking part in a food festival called Samhain, celebrating local Boyne Valley flavours with chefs, food writers and artisan producers.

Brenda speaks to Sandra Burns, a farmer in Killeagh in East Cork. Together with husband Joe, they have a thirty-six acre vegetable farm where they have been growing vegetables for the past eighteen years. Sandra tells Brenda about the impact of the recent weather on vegetable growers.

Countrywide Full 21/10/23

Alannah Thornburgh is a harpist from county Mayo, and she joined Brenda Donoghue in studio to mark Harp Day.

GAA players Ronan Kennedy and Mary Griffin reflect on what is a momentous decision in their life.

The Irish Farmers Association represents seventy thousand farmers and producers. Every four years, they elect their President, who is one of the most influential players in Irish agriculture. Brendan Donohue was at the IFA hustings in county Kilkenny.

Countrywide Full 14/10/23

Niall Hurson, rural affairs journalist with the Irish Independent tells us what Budget 2024 will mean for farmers.

Let's Match Mums is a website that matches local mums with new mums who are living in Direct Provision, and who really need clothes for their newborns. Maura McElhone is one of the mums who registered to donate some of her baby clothes.

Food on the Edge at Airfield Estate in Dublin is a gathering of chefs and foodies from around the world. The symposium is curated by Michelin-starred Galway chef JP MacMahon.

Wild harvesting of seaweed has long been a long tradition on Ireland's coastline. Lorna Siggins went to meet Noel Lee of the Connemara Seaweed Company, who harvests wild seaweed by hand, using only a knife, as is the family tradition.

Irish farmers are being encouraged to include traditional Irish breeds among the livestock on their farms, including the Dexter cow.

New Ross Rugby Club is the home of the legend Tadhg Furlong, who is playing on the Irish rugby team in the Stade de France tonight.

On a farm, a divorce leads to complications around the division of land between the original farm family and the person who marries in. This has led a number of farmers to consider a prenuptial agreement.

Countrywide Full 07/10/23

Countrywide Full 30/09/23

Brenda Donohue visited Newtown Dunleckney in Co Carlow on a quest for Ireland’s largest hen egg.

Niall O Donnchu, Director General of National Parks and Wildlife Service, talks to Ella about the purchase of Dowth Hall demesne, Co Meath and the establishment of a new National Park.

Writer, poet and actor Seamus O'Rourke on the unexpected joys of the old outside toilets.

Ella visited dairy farmer Jack Keenan on his Wicklow farm to discuss his options for reducing nitrates. She is also joined by Dr Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer Department, Teagasc.

Ella visits champion jockey Nina Carberry as she embarks on her first foray into writing books for children.

Lorna Siggins is on Lough Corrib to discover some new walking routes and the efforts locally to ensure its protection, promotion and conservation.

Ella is joined by journalist Ciaran Moran , Digital Farming Editor with The Irish Independent to discuss the issue of land ownership and the growing trend of local farmers ability to afford land.

Della visits Niamh Hegarty's farm in East Cork to see how the farm can diversify and create new ways of sustaining itself. In Niamh's case from using the land for music gigs and crating and selling a new fermented health drink grown and sold on the farm.

Ella is joined by Edwina Guckian and Tommy Early who are both involved in a new oral history project "Leitrim Amach" whose aim is to discover the vibrant history of Leitrim and tell the stories of the people and the land.

Countrywide Full 23/09/23

Three women share their experiences as business owners in rural Ireland. For more information on the businesses featured on the programme: wawets.com bonchocolatiers.ie feigherysfarm.ie

Full Programme 16.09.2023

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, chair of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, updates Ella McSweeney on the outcomes from the Assembly's final report.

Della Kilroy reports from Mooncoin, co Kilkenny on preparations for the Ploughing Championships.

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan reports on the issue of Mica on farm buildings in Donegal.

Barry Ralph, chef and owner of House of Plates in Castlebar, co Mayo, talks to Ella McSweeney about what it is like working in a professional kitchen ahead of Open Kitchen Week.

An important home for salmon is the River Liffey, which begins life in the Wicklow Mountains, and then flows through Kildare and Dublin before entering the Irish Sea out through the capital and into Dublin Bay. But all along the Liffey are defunct barriers and they’re stopping the salmon from being able to breed.

The Ploughing Championships start in two weeks and Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin will be there for one reason only: he wants to find out Ireland’s favourite saint.

Demand for rural hubs has increased over the last year as a growing number of people are working remotely two to three days a week. Della Kilroy visited a former school in Castlecomer in co Kilkenny, which has been repurposed into a remote working hub

Full programme 09.09.2023

Lorna Siggins went on board the French vessel "Tara" where a crew of scientists survey the coast of Ireland as part of their European work to take a snapshot of the health of our waters.

Teagasc has been looking at food as part of an All-Ireland research project on what the Irish public is currently eating, compared to what is recommended for both personal and planetary health.

When a publicly funded programme was set up in 2017, there were just 150 breeding pairs of curlews left. Now there are pockets of hope, and Hannah Quinn-Mulligan went to a farm in Inishowen, co Donegal where curlews are faring well.

Countrywide Full 02/09/23

Ahead of the International Sheepdog Trials in Blessington in Wicklow next weekend Mary McDonald of Grey Heron Media visits the Casey farm in Burncourt in Tipperary to learn more about the art of sheep dog training. Ella also speaks to one of next weekends competitors James McLauglin.

Countrywide's Della Kilroy visits The Boyle Family Resource Centre in Roscommon where the centre helps people out by providing food when people cannot afford it. Ella also speaks with volunteers from across the country to find out some of the big issues which are leading to food poverty.

As national hegderow week gets under way Ella is in co Westmeath to meet farmer James Ham who has alternative methods to dealing with hedgerows.

Roscommon farmer Keith Brennan reflects on the start of September and the changes it brings to the farm.

Della Kilroy reports on the issue of teen tractor safety and Ella is joined in studio by Health and Safety specialist with Teagasc John McNamara.

Ella is joined in studio by Alice Doyle IFA vice presidential candidate, the first woman in the IFA's history to run for the office.

Countrywide Full 26/08/2023

Brian Lally heads to Cork to meet singers Jimmy Crowley and Australian-born Eve Telford to discover their love of the ballads.

Hannah Quinn Mulligan heads to Tipperary, to meet suckler farmer Tony Grogan’s in the Glen of Aherlow and discovers the challenges facing suckler farmers.

Ella meets new Macra President Elaine Houlihan and Macra's Rural Youth Committee chair Niamh Farrell to discuss the issue of farm succession. Macra have recently announced a new pilot scheme to encourage farm succession.

Farmer and Writer Jon Connell reflects on his love of country music.

Countrywide's Della Kilroy heads to Co Clare to meet sheep farmer Sandra King who relocated form North Carolina to the Banner County in recent years where she took up yarn spinning.

Countrywide Full - 19/08/2023

Ella is in Co Waterford for a walk around with Dairy Famrer Shane Fitzgerald who is opening his farm to the public this weekend as part of Agri Aware's open farm campaign. You can find out more about the campaign here www.agriaware.ie

Ella is joined by Wicklow based farmer John Kelly a memeber of the Understanding Agriculture Co-op and Dr Aine Macken Walsh, a sociologist with Teagas to discuss the importance of connection between farmers and the general public.

Della Kilroy heads to Galway to meet The Sanctuary Swimmers, a solidarity-through-sport initiative which uses sport to bring together mi-grants, refugees, asylum seekers and Irish residents.

Ella is joined by Dara Stanley from UCD’s School of Agriculture and Food Science to discuss the dangers facing our bees and Countrywide's resident bee keeper Hannah Quinn Mulligan reports from her Limerick farm where she keeps bees and we hear about the blond bombshell of the bee world.

Ella is joined by Emma Laffey, healthcare assistant in Portiuncula Maternity Unity, and in her spare time, a volunteer with the Skehana and District Heritage Group in County Galway about a new project to remember the travelling midwife and we also hear archive footage on the work of one legendary midwife.

On this weeks Countrywide, the farming effects of bad weather, protecting our bees, sanctuary swimming and honoring the travelling midwife.

Ella speaks with a number of Agri workers from different sectors from around the country to find out how the adverse weather is affecting them.

Lorna Siggins reports from n Inish Oirr where a project is on going to save the last thatch roof on the island.

Senior Reporter with The Grocer Magazine joins Ella to discuss what the effect of global warning has on our food production and prices.

Ronan Kelly takes a trip underground for Countrywide and reports from Glengowla Mines in Co Galway.

Ella Sits down with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue to discuss a wide rage of issues affecting the agri sector.

Ella is in Donegal to hear from farmers at an IFA meeting McCandless dairy farm in Inishowen where Derogation was foremost on the minds of the attendees.

This year has been the most successful breeding season for barn owls in fifteen years. We hear from a number of owl enthusiasts from around the country.

Countrywide’s Hannah Quinn Mulligan's visits the Kennedys Strawberry Farm in Pallaskenry in co Limerick to find out the secret of growing the perfect strawberry.

Ella reports from "The Farmers Futures Matter" rally held in Kilkenny last night. Ella hears from a number of farmers across a range of issues affecting farmers

Della Kilroy reports from The Solas Cancer Support Centre In Waterford where she hears how the joy of gardening has had a positive effect for many battling cancer.

Ella is joined by Hazel McVeigh, secretary of the Granard Agricultural Show and Frank Mulligan who is on the way to the show hoping to win big

Ella is joined by husband Brian Thornton of the late Frances Thornton and swimmer Fergal Madden to discuss the postponement of the Frances Thornton Memorial Swim which takes place yearly across Galway Bay.

Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem 'The Key' from her new collection 'A change in the Air' which thinks of all those hoping that one day they'll get the keys to their own home

Frank O Meara, the head of Teagasc talks to Ella about the latest figures from the EPA, the dairy calf welfare revelations and more

Lorna Siggins chats to Head Cooper of DairNua cooperage in Foxford, Darren Leonard about cask making

Ella chats to senior architect from Mayo Council, Simon Wall about his first summer in his new 300 year old home and the housing issues in the area

Brian Lally visits one of Irelands most scenic recoding's studios in Clew Bay in Co Mayo.

Ella chats with Geoff Gould, Artistic Director of The West Cork Fit Up Theatre Festival about the revival of the once loved Fit Up Theatre. Find Out more about the festival here www.fit-uptheatrefestival.com

Ella is joined by Laura Burke, Director General, Environmental Protection Agency to discuss issues around water quality on the back of the agency's recent report on the issue and we hear from a range of stakeholders voices from around the country on the challenging issue of ensuring our water quality.

Ella is in Co Monaghan to see how one farmer is bringing a unique approach to crop growing.

Ella is joined by Zoe Kavanagh of the National Dairy Council to discuss their new campaign "The Grassroots Movement" which aims to increase the understanding and pride in Irish Dairy.

Ella is joined by Agri journalist Niall Hurson to discuss the EPA report this week on Irelands nitrates derogation.

The Inventing Famrer Reporter Ann Marie Kelly meets Offaly farmer Toney Bergin whohas well as being a fermer is alos an inventer and who has been enterng the National invention section of The Tullamore show for the past 30 years.

Ella is joined by Suzanne Carmpton form the Connemara National Park in Co Galway who are showcasing Rare Irish Breeds as part of a celebration of the parks twinning agreement with Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland in Co Canada.

Ella speaks with John Spink of Teagasc about the potential move away from soya beans due to its links to deforestation and potential substitutes which can be grown locally.

Diarmuid McIntyre reports from this years Spancil Hill Horse Fair.

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

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.

Lorna Siggins with Paul Walker of Newport Shepards.

Farmer Donal Sheehan in Castlelyons trying to take chemical nitrogen out of his farming methods.

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.

Joe Kelleher from Teagasc speak to Hannah Quinn Mulligan.

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.

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.

We're back on Hannah's farm in Co Limerick where its time to bring home the silage.

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.

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

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 meets gardeners who specialise in urban gardening and more music from Sive.

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

Phillip is in Co Offaly to see first hand how rewetting farm lands works.

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

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/

Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem " Butter For The Queens" an ode to the Irish spud.

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.

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.

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.

Ella is joined by farmers and Leitrim natives Edwina Guckian & Gerry Bohan to talk about their initiative “The Leitrim Hawthorn Project.

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.

Hannah Quinn Mulligan speaks to farmer PJ O'Malley and Kate McAney from with the Vincent Wildlife Trust about the lesser horseshoe bat

Caroline Lalor, Project Manager with Farmpeat; Ray O Foghlu, HomeTree charity; Brendan Dunford, formerly manager of the Burren Project

Darragh McCullough went behind the scenes to watch the animals be prepared for the show ring.

Peter Foynes, The Butter Museum; and Michael Carey, a collector of butter wrappers,

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Della is in Fermoy in Co Cork to meet members of the towns International Choir who boats members form across the globe.

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.

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 Marie Donnelly chair of The Climate Advisory Council to discuss the reality of the environmental issues facing us.

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.

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.

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

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

Regular Countrywide contributor Janet Heeran brings us her postcard from her Cork family dairy farm as Calving season comes to an end.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.