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

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.

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

Countrywide Full 02/12/23

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.

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.

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.

Countrywide Full 18/11/23

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

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.

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.

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

Countrywide Full 11/11/23

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.

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.

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.

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

Countrywide Full 04/11/23

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

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.

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.

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

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

Countrywide Full 28/10/23

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Countrywide Full 21/10/23

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.

Countrywide Full 14/10/23

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Countrywide Full 30/09/23

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Countrywide Full 23/09/23

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Countrywide Full 02/09/23

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

Countrywide Full - 19/08/2023

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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

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.

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.

Lorna Siggins with Paul Walker of Newport Shepards.

Joe Kelleher from Teagasc speak to Hannah Quinn Mulligan.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Philip Boucher-Hayes visits Teagasc's Moorepark facility in Fermoy and speaks to Dairy Farmer Kevin Twomey

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

Countrywide's unofficial poet in residence Seamus O'Rourke highlights the importance of the drawer to the farmhouse.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Lorna Siggins joins tour guide Cormac McGinley in Co Clare to find some hidden gems form the banner county.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Seán O'Brien on mixing Belgian Blues and Scottish Blues

Hannah Quinn Mulligan meets Elaine Houlihan, from Athlacca in Co Limerick, who is the new president of Macra na Feirme

Della Kilroy reports

John Connell, farmer, writer and now a father on keeping newborn baby Ted is warm is a labour of love

Harold Kingston, dairy farmer from Cork, on getting out of dairy farming

Micheline Sheehy Skeffington

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.

Della Kilroy meets Ashleigh to learn about her farming life and see how the calving season is going.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 joined in studio by Dr Jack Kennedy who has just been appointed the new editor of The Irish Farmers Journal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 heads to The Robinson farm in Callan in Co Kilkenny as the busy Calving season gets underway.

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.

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.

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.

Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem "The Yellow Jumper", a reflection on gift giving.

Phillip is at the Veterinary Association – CAVI's - Sustainable Livestock Production Meeting in Tullamore to meet well known academic Prof Frank Mitloehner 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

People, events and happenings around the country, presented by Philip Boucher-Hayes.

Della Kilroy meets Robert and Caitriona Cullen of Cullen Nurseries in Carlow

Philip meets farmer Tom Morrissey in Lingaun Valley, Knockroe, Co. Kilkenny. Find out more at https://lingaunvalley.ie/

Eimer McMorrow Moriarty, and Holly Fegen tell Philip about volunteering for the RNLI

Philip travels to a pig farm and a dairy farm. Dr Kevin Hanrahan, Chief Economist for Teagasc gives his reaction.

Philip visits a farm in Shercock, Co. Cavan.

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan meets Ben Tyrrell, a well known Jesery breeder

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.

Philip speaks to Professor Jane Stout, Ecologist in Trinity College Dublin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

Lorna Siggins visits the Department of Zoology at University of Galway to find out how certain venoms from spiders here in Ireland could have major health benefits

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.

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.

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.

Junior Minister in the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Biodiversity Pippa Hackett responds to criticism of the ACRES scheme

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.

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.

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.

Students from St Louis High School.

Ray Ó Foghlú

Ned O'Brien Marina Conway Clive Bright Eoghan Daltun

Sean McGloin

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 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.

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.

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.

Poet Jane Clarke reads her poem “Laying The Hedge”, Jane is performing as part of this year’s festival.

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”

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.

People, events and happenings around the country, presented by Damien O'Reilly.

Gabe Brown tells Damien about soil health

Della Kilroy visits the Irish Community Air Ambulance base in Cork