CountryWide

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.

Duration:00:04:45

Is Ireland more food secure than ever or are we still very vulnerable to external shocks?

Food historian, Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire discusses whether enough has changed since the Great Famine to guarantee access to food for all.

Duration:00:12:51

Could more adventurous fish choices make us more food secure?

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.

Duration:00:07:47

What does food security look like?

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.

Duration:00:19:38

Goat Soap

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.

Duration:00:06:58

The Mayfly

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.

Duration:00:10:21

CAP Reform

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.

Duration:00:26:53

Countrywide Full Episode 16/05/2026

Countrywide Full Episode 16/05/2026

Duration:00:46:56

Hedge school

Poet Pat Boran joined Philip to recite a delightful poem dedicated to birds.

Duration:00:02:37

Restoring swans in Bray harbour

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.

Duration:00:06:37

An avian treat

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.

Duration:00:15:34

Swallows and bees

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.

Duration:00:07:58

Crunchy bog

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.

Duration:00:12:28

The Field

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.

Duration:00:07:09

More from the Geopark Festival

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.

Duration:00:07:31

The Whileaways

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’.

Duration:00:05:44

Colm Gavin, Sheep Farmer

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.

Duration:00:06:28

Benjamin Thébaudeau, Geologist

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.

Duration:00:06:59

Geopark Launch