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

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food historian, Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire discusses whether enough has changed since the Great Famine to guarantee access to food for all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began with two pet goats has grown into an expanding goat’s milk soap business for Louise Bennett in County Westmeath.  Now managing a growing herd of Anglo-Nubian goats, reporter Della Kilroy has 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countrywide Full Episode 16/05/2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The fly is up!” a cry that means everything among anglers and one that is soon to be heard 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 reveal the science behind the Mayfly's dance in newly published research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 in Co Wicklow and Daniel Buckley, a sheep farmer in Co Kerry, and Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet Pat Boran joined Philip to recite a delightful poem dedicated to birds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.