On this week's Countrywide, we meet storytellers, wren enthusiasts and convivial shop keepers, all wrapped up with music from Lyric FM's Choirs for Christmas. For copyright reasons, some of the music has been shortened in this podcast version.

After the storm, an essay by Keith Brennan

Down on his 60 acre farm near Cahir, Con Traas produces nearly five million apples every year. To make a living, he has to diversify - apple juices, ciders, vinegars, and now he has a new apple brandy.

David James is a 26 year old musician from Donegal. He is also a world champion Irish dancer, and a presenter on Highland Radio.

This week, farmers took to the streets in Brussels to protest against the Mercosur deal, a new trade agreement finalised last weekend between the EU and a group of South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Professor Alan Matthews is an expert in European Agricultural Policy.

Ellen Leonard reporting from the DSPCA.

This year, a brand new Bia Innovator Campus opened in Athenry, providing support to businesses, such as Nibbed Cacao.

Countrywide Full Episode 14/12/2024

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.

Palestinian agronomist and ecologist Mazin Qumsiyeh tells Countrywide about what it is like to farm in Gaza now. See palestinenature.org for more details.