Podcast appearances and mentions of ella mcsweeney

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. 

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.

Host Hugh Linehan is joined by Jennifer Bray and Harry McGee to look back on the week in politics: · The panel paid tribute to former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O'Rourke after her death this week at the age of 87. She was involved in Irish politics for almost a half-century. · The expectation is that Sinn Féin will run with 65-70 candidates in the forthcoming general election – are they being overly cautious? And there was surprise too at the news that party leader Mary Lou McDonald will run alongside Cllr Janice Boylan in Dublin Central, with Boylan having expressed her dissatisfaction with Sinn Féin in 2022, writing in a letter to party members that she didn't feel “supported, valued or even really respected”. · Also, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe had misgivings around some measures contained in Budget 2025. Plus, the panellists pick their favourite IT reads of the week:· Ella McSweeney's piece on the dire condition of nearly half of our rivers, lakes and estuaries.· Kevin Courtney on 10 of the best new shows to watch in October – Jen attests to the genius of The Diplomat.· Keith Duggan wrote of Republican JD Vance getting the better of Democrat Tim Walz in Tuesday's vice-presidential debate.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

Our rural and coastal communities are facing great environmental and economic challenges. The dominance of industrial agriculture and the threat of climate change have forced many to reflect on how we can both preserve and create sustainable ways of life. On today's episode we meet some of the inspiring people working on fascinating local projects on the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry asking, "what future is in our fields?' In front of a live audience at Ireland's Edge in Dingle, Ella McSweeney, presenter of RTE's Ear To The Ground, was joined by artist and activist Lisa Fingleton and local farmers Tommy Reidy and Dinny Galvin. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With environmental and economic pressures squeezing those who grow, process and cook our food, how can we think creatively about building a fairer and more sustainable future for food and farming in Ireland, and how do the traditional arts and folk customs play a role in this?Cúán Greene is a chef who has worked in some of the world's finest fine dining restaurants and now edits the Omós digest, a newsletter exploring food, culture and community. Ella McSweeney presents RTE's Ear To The Ground, and her reporting for the Guardian and other newspapers has exposed major scandals on meat processing and fishing here in Ireland. Edwina Guckian is an award winning sean-nós dancer and rural activist from co Leitrim where she has been active in reviving and promoting cultural traditions. In conversation with Ireland's Edge host Christopher Kissane in front of a live audience in Dingle they discuss the impact of the covid on the farming community. Featuring a special performance from Edwina and acclaimed concertina player, Cormac Begley. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ella McSweeney finds out how farming life has changed over the years by taking a trip down memory lane at the Kilmacanogue show.

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to reporters Ella McSweeney and Niall Sargent about their recent investigation, FACTORY FARM which looks at the waste and governance issues around the growth of the poultry industry.

In this extract from the 2020 Brainstorm Radio programme, we go on a journey beyond the sink and the drain to find out what happens next. With presenter Ella McSweeney and guests Jean O'Dwyer (UCC and Irish Research Council) and Tom Curran (UCD).

Ella McSweeney reports on the Citizen's Assembly's trip to Dublin Port to see how biodiversity can be restored in urban spaces.

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.

In another episode by Noteworthy, Susan Daly speaks to journalist Ella McSweeney and reporter Niall Sargent about how the EU's agri-subsidies (Common Agricultural Policy, CAP) are encouraging farmers to cut back on nature. The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at https://www.thejournal.ie/contribute/

Ella McSweeney visits the site of the old Dublin Cattle Market fondly remembered as “cowtown”. Damien is joined by Declan O'Brien author of the book "The Dublin Cattle Markets Decline, 1955-1973"

Sea swimming has been all the rage over the past few months but Ella McSweeney of the Irish Independent joins Louise to chat about Ireland's gorgeous rivers and how swimming in them may help fight pollution by getting them bathing site status.

Ella McSweeney is in Co Mayo to meet Sinead Moran and MJ McGrath, two young dairy farmers. They’re one of a handful of farmers in the country who’ve decided to build a ‘micro dairy’.

Ella McSweeney visits the farm of June Danaher in Co Limerick, Jane’s farm is one of five farms featured in a new exhibition by artist Mary Burke celebrating life on the farm.

Countrywide reporter Ella McSweeney is in Mayo to meet a farmer who has a unique way of ploughing with cows.

Countrywide reporter Ella McSweeney takes a walk in the woods with Author Richard Nairn who has just released his new book Wild Woods The Magic of Irelands Native Woodlands.

Ella McSweeney reports from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Bogs hold a special place in the Irish imagination, but these unique landscapes bursting with species that aren't found elsewhere also provide much more than just turf. In the latest Brainstorm show, Ella McSweeney and guests - Catherine Farrell and Raymond Flynn - look at why and how we should preserve our bogs

Every single day, we deal with wastewater, human waste, grease and chemicals by putting it out of sight, but it still has to be processed and dealt with. In the latest Brainstorm show, Ella McSweeney and guests - Jean O'Dwyer and Tom Curran - look at what happens to the stuff that goes down the drain in your kitchen and bathroom.

Climate change is going to have a huge impact on future weather in Ireland into the future so what's the science behind forecasting these changes? Ella McSweeney and guests - Conor Murphy, Conor Sweeney and Paul Dunlop - look at how climate modelling works and what past data about our weather can tell us about what comes next.

The recent lockdown has given us a glimpse about what the future of work might look like so are we ready for it? Ella McSweeney and guests - David Collings, Alma McCarthy and Kevin Murphy - look at how everything from working from home to technology and data will change our working lives.

Athletes and sportsmen have got scientific in their search for an edge to be best in their field. Ella McSweeney and guests - sports scientists Niamh Mallon, Brendan Egan and Tom Comyns - look at how science has transformed how we think about the limits of human performance.

Ella McSweeney reports from Co. Longford where a group of farmers have got together to save the 'Brindled Cow' breed from dying out.

Ella McSweeney meets Jane Clarke at her home in Co. Wicklow to hear about the inspirations behind her poetry.

Ella McSweeney walks with Michael Fewer, author of A Natural Year, in Hellfire Hill where the Dublin and Wicklow mountains meet. Michael's latest book 'A Natural Year: The Tranquil Rhythms and Restorative Powers of Irish Nature Through the Seasons' is published by Merrion Press

Larry Mc Carthy is the President elect of the GAA & Marty met up with Larry at Croke Park. Ella McSweeney meets farmers raising calves to help build a Midlands Hospice. Suzanne Campbell on smart farm technology & Finola Colgan of Mental Health Irel tells us how to mind our mental well being. Plus Wexford horse trainer Paul Nolan on Cheltenham.

Aoibhinn O'Brien runs Food Cloud, which continues to develop ways of reducing food waste. Ella McSweeney meets co, Mayo sheep farmer Catherine Powers Grady. suzanne Campbell on plastic in the food chain & what lies ahead in Irish Farming in 2020, Justin McCarthy of the Irish Farmers Journal & Nicola Weir, Farming Matters BBC Radio Ulster.

Where have all the bees gone? What are the invasive species we should look out for? Ella McSweeney discusses soprano bees, nightclubs for spiders and more with Dara Stanley and Michel Dugon. Brainstorm brings you ideas and insights about the world around us. From RTÉ in co-operation with Irish universities and the Irish Research Council.

From the cattle shed to the racetrack, ammonia is having a moment. In the wrong place it's a dangerous pollutant, in the right place it's a clean fuel for your car. Ella McSweeney and Peter Hadfield report on the two faces of the gas chemists know as NH3. The increasing global demand for milk means more big dairy herds. More cows means more dung and urine. Mixed together they produce ammonia gas which contributes to urban air pollution and destroys sensitive habitats. In Ireland scientists have spotted big problems in peat bogs. The mosses which help create the carbon-grabbing peat are dying off in areas down-wind of dairy, pig and chicken farms. Farmers are being asked to change the way they store and spread their slurry, but it could be too late for some of the island's most vulnerable bogs. Meanwhile, in Australia they're exploiting some interesting properties of ammonia. Environmentally-friendly hydrogen-powered cars have been around for years but they've failed to take off because hydrogen is costly and awkward to transport. By contrast, ammonia is very simple to move around from refinery to fuel station. Splitting the N from the H is straightforward, giving drivers a source of fuel that emits only water from the exhaust pipe. So can ammonia complete its journey from environmental villain to green hero? Producer: Alasdair Cross

Can Britain revive its forests and grow the wood we need for a greener economy? Tom Heap investigates as we approach the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of The Forest. Tree planting in England has hit a forty five year low which is alarming both the timber industry and environmentalists. Tom visits a new woodland in Central Scotland combining conifers with native tree species to offer wildlife habitats, flood prevention, and public access as well as timber. Foresters hope this new generation of mixed woodland will overcome resistance to tree planting, from those who fear a dark monoculture of conifers. Meanwhile, Ella McSweeney reports on a conifer planting boom in Ireland which, it's claimed, could damage the environment and price small farmers off the land. Back in the UK, Tom discusses how producing hardwood timber from broadleaved woodlands might give them a more secure future. Producer: Sarah Swadling.

Wendell Berry has been described as 'An American Hero' but his work and teaching have inspired and influenced leaders, writers and campaigners around the world. Ella McSweeney had no hesitation in choosing him as her 'Food Hero' and travels to meet him at his farm in Kentucky. She explains why his work affected her so profoundly, even thousands of miles away in Ireland. As a leading and respected farmer, writer, campaigner, philosopher and poet, he wrote that "Eating is an agricultural act" yet argues we have become disconnected from the land by the industrialisation of the food chain, that the growth of agribusiness has driven many small farms out of business with a loss of their 'moral fibre and wisdom' and is destroying rural communities. He argues we must acknowledge the impact of agriculture to society. Yet despite his widespread influence he lives at a different pace to the majority - using horses to work the land and refusing to get a computer. For those unfamiliar with his work Ella will explain just how significant he's been on politicians and game-changers and, for those who know him already, a chance to hear his thoughts on how to feed ourselves without destroying the land and plant we have. Ella also visits the city of Louisville to see how people are putting his thoughts into action in projects that provide access to fresh food and but also unite communities otherwise divided. Presented by Ella McSweeney Produced by Anne-Marie Bullock. #bbc #bbcradio4 #ellamcsweeney #wendellberry #farming #food #louisville #america #foodpolitics #foodpolicy #kentucky

Wendell Berry has been described as 'An American Hero' but his work and teaching have inspired and influenced leaders, writers and campaigners around the world. Ella McSweeney had no hesitation in choosing him as her 'Food Hero' and travels to meet him at his farm in Kentucky. She explains why his work affected her so profoundly, even thousands of miles away in Ireland. As a leading and respected farmer, writer, campaigner, philosopher and poet, he wrote that "Eating is an agricultural act" yet argues we have become disconnected from the land by the industrialisation of the food chain, that the growth of agribusiness has driven many small farms out of business with a loss of their 'moral fibre and wisdom' and is destroying rural communities. He argues we must acknowledge the impact of agriculture to society. Yet despite his widespread influence he lives at a different pace to the majority - using horses to work the land and refusing to get a computer. For those unfamiliar with his work Ella will explain just how significant he's been on politicians and game-changers and, for those who know him already, a chance to hear his thoughts on how to feed ourselves without destroying the land and plant we have. Ella also visits the city of Louisville to see how people are putting his thoughts into action in projects that provide access to fresh food and but also unite communities otherwise divided. Presented by Ella McSweeney Produced by Anne-Marie Bullock.

With rising levels of obesity in Ireland, particularly among younger people, should a fast food restaurant be allowed to be built beside a school? That's the question that residents of Navan are facing with the news that a fast food outlet has been given planning permission beside a secondary and primary school in the town, despite objections by both schools and the HSE, among others. The principal of St Joseph's school has now appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The development will bring with it 40 jobs and there are people who support it. Ella McSweeney travelled to Navan to hear from all sides… RTE Radio 1's Countrywide #rte #rteradio #radio #obesity #schools #fastfood

Kildare farmer Paul Brophy is a commercial broccoli grower. Here he shows Ella McSweeney how his broccoli is grown, harvested and packaged, and explains why the future of vegetable growing in Ireland is about scale.

On this week's Shank's Mare, they join Ella McSweeney walks along the majestic coastline of Canty's Cove, overlooking Dunmanus Bay.

Ella McSweeney goes walking around the country and introduces us to the people, flora and fauna she meets along the way. Tonight, she walks Bilberry Rock, Waterford. (Repeat)

Ella McSweeney travels to Corofin to walk with Ireland's only cave archaeologist Dr Marion Dowd, who has dug up some incredible remains. She found uncremated human bones dating back 3,500 years, buried with amber, shell jewellery and pottery shards. Ella also talks with caver Colin Bunce, and local historian Myra English.

Presented by Ella McSweeney. By 2050 the population of the world is expected to grow to over 9 billion and proponents of "vertical farming" believe growing food in cities would use less land and resources than traditional outdoor methods, reduce transport costs and fossil-fuel emissions. As vertical farms start to spring up in Sweden, Vancouver and the Netherlands, Ella McSweeney investigates whether they could provide a cost-effective solution that will increase yields or if it is just another example of head in the clouds utopian thinking. Prod: Clare Walker. #bbcradio4 #bbc #farming #food #verticalfarming #manchester #netherlands #cornell #columbia #newyork #bbcradio #ellamcsweeney

This week, Ella McSweeney visits Knocksink Wood in Enniskerry, in Co. Wicklow. (Repeat)

This week, Ella McSweeney is in Galley Head in West Cork to catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins. (Repeat)

This week, Ella McSweeney visits Derry Valley farm in Ballybay Co. Monaghan.

Ella McSweeney walks around the rugged coastline of Dungloe in Co. Donegal

Bacteria aren’t always fussy about where to settle down and multiply; the gut of a human, a pig or a cow will do nicely. But they’re not the only thing we share with farm animals. When the bacteria turn nasty, we use many of the same antibiotics to treat our infections. We know that antibiotic resistance is a problem. “One of the most serious public health challenges we face”, says the head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control, Dr Marc Sprenger. Hardly a surprise, given that it kills 25,000 Europeans each year. The European Commission wants to do something about this. They published a plan in 2011. Half of the actions address use of antibiotics on farms. But it turns out that we know little about antibiotic use on Irish farms, because the Department of Agriculture does not collect the information. Ella McSweeney has written on this issue for the Irish Times (below) and she joined RTE Radio 1's Pat Kenny to discuss... Irish Times article - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2013/0225/1224330475957.html #rte #rteradio #rteradio1 #ellamcsweeney #antibiotics #farming #food #farmers #pigs #poultry

Pig paternity tests are being used to fight meat mislabelling in Ireland. After three years of work the Irish Farmers Association has set up a pig DNA database which will be used to spot check pork and bacon. Ella McSweeney travels to Tipperary to meet pig farmer Tim Cullinan who spearheaded the project.

It's been a dreadful year for many apple varieties. The cold spring and wet summer has resulted in a decimated eating crop across most of the country. There are 40 commercial apple growers in Ireland - it’s a sector with a retail value of Euro 17 million - and their crop is set to be down by 50% on 2011. So what is going on? Ella McSweeney travelled to Tipperary to visit Cornelius Traas’ commercial apple farm just outside of Cahir to see how his eating crop has faired and to find out why this year has been such an awful one for apples...

GM crop trials have been given the go-ahead in Ireland. Ella McSweeney travels to Teagasc (Ireland's semi-state agricultural authority) where the trials will be conducted. She talks to scientist Dr John Spink http://www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/oakpark who shows her the site where the GM potatoes will be planted. She also talks to Gillian Westbrook @gillianiofga of http://iofga.org and Wicklow farmer Michael Keegan http://www.waterfallfarm.ie/ @waterfallfarm

Ella McSweeney goes deer stalking in Wicklow with Angus Lee, game keeper at Killruddery House, and Ed Hick, a master butcher from Dublin.

Elizabeth Higgins and Sheila Morgan tell Ella McSweeney about their experiences working as 'Avon Ladies' in 1970s in Dublin...

“The cold gleam of silver wasn’t just irresistible to the people of the Viking Age, but to generations of the Irish ever since”. So said the late UCD historian Francoise Henry who recognised that if there’s one metal that’s strongly associated with the Irish, it’s silver. From early Christian church chalices, to 18th century forks, to contemporary earrings and necklaces - the use of silver by craftsmen and women in Ireland has a long history. But it has been difficult to keep the craft of silversmithing alive. It’s thought there are about 12 silversmiths left in the country. Ella McSweeney has visited two of them and she joined Richard this morning.

To the uninitiated, it’s simply a floury white bun - the kind of bread you’d pick up in a bakery without a second thought. But for those in the know - and that’s all of you listening down in Waterford, for a start! - the Waterford Blaa is much more, because it’s through this saucer-shaped bap that 300 years of history of The Deise can be told... Today, three bakeries in Waterford are making 12,000 blaas each morning - Walsh’s, Hickeys and Harneys and Ella McSweeney has visited one of them to find out more about this white doughy yeast roll.

It wasn’t too long ago when you could buy a blanket, scarf or jumper that was made from wool off an Irish sheep. Not any more. Today, nearly all of the wool used in these products comes from abroad - mainly Merino wool from New Zealand. But there is a small resurgence of interest in “Made in Ireland” wool, and Ella McSweeney has been to counties Donegal and Down to meet farmers and producers who are seeing the value of Irish wool once again.

There was a time in this country - not long ago - when raw animal hides were transformed into leather. The skins of cows, sheep and even goats were sold by meat factories to local tanneries where the labour-intensive job of turning skin into leather took place. Not any more. Leather is no longer made in Ireland because all the tanneries have closed down. Like so much in manufacturing, tanning has moved eastwards to China where it can be made for less money. In her continuing look at goods that are “Made in Ireland”, Ella McSweeney joined Pat on RTE Radio 1 this morning to take a look at Ireland last tannery, and the future for leatherwork in this country.

Throw a few pieces of wood into the fire and you’ve got yourself a nice bit of heat. But do the same thing & restrict the airflow, and you’ve got yourself rocket-fuel - a substance that can heat to nearly 3,000 degrees Celsius, enough to melt iron. Many of us know charcoal as the smokeless black fuel we use for our summer BBQ’s, but from 5,000 years ago until the 18th Century, charcoal was the fuel that played a vital role in the economy - and everyday lives - of people who lived not only in Ireland, but throughout the world. Put simply, charcoal was the oil or gas of its day. Well charcoal has been made in Ireland for thousands of years and today, the practice of turning freshly cut wood into charcoal is having something of a comeback. Ella McSweeney has been to Laois & Westmeath to hear from people who are passionate about charcoal.

There's been something of a rejuvenation in hop growing in Ireland. While the last commercial hop grower, Simon Mosse in Kilkenny, tells Ella McSweeney why he stopped supplying Guinness a decade ago, Cuilan Loughnane of Tipperary explains why he started his own hop crop for his microbrewery, White Gypsy.

86 year old Eamon Madden, master blacksmith from Athenry, tells Ella McSweeney about life as a blacksmith. Ella also meets two other people who work with metal - one from Dublin, the other from Clare.

Ella McSweeney tells about some of the interesting people and traditions she's encountered on her travels around Ireland for her radio and television programs.