News correspondent with Independent News, Ellen Coyne, joined us on Saturday morning to talk about the stories that propped up the week! As the country settles into Level 5, chat about what is deemed essential has dominated the news week. Ellen also updates us on the Mother and Baby Homes Commission and looked ahead to next week's US election.

Countrywide Full

The Common Yew tree (Taxus baccata) is a conifer that is found throughout Ireland. It is easily recognised by its pointed, flat, dark green, odourless, evergreen needles. It is a small to medium sized tree, which only grows to around 10-20 metres high.

A sting in the tail of the Northern Irish protocol: What happens on January 1 2021 when Northern Ireland falls out of some 60 EU free trade agreements? Whither whiskey? Danger for dairy? Europe Editor Tony Connelly explains all to Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin.

This week on Playback. We hark back to pandemics of yesteryear with cholera and that old classic, the plague. We explore issues of faith and falling leaves. And is sea swimming the new sourdough? All on Playback presented by Sinéad Mooney.

With Marie & Ruby.

Stephen Kelly & Alan Cawley with the Extra.ie FAI Cup Semi-Final draw and we have previews of the weekend's GAA! Game On.

Inniu: Áine Ní Chiaráin (Tráchtaire polaitiúil), Síobhra Aiken (Léachtóir in Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh OÉG), Seán Ó hArgáin (Uachtarán Ghaeloideachas & Príomhoide Ghaelscoil Osraí i gCill Channaigh), Blaiseadh ó sheoladh Fhoclóir Uí Mhianáin, Mír na meán áitiúil le hEimear McGovern, Mír na meán le hAntoin Beag Ó Colla & Spóirt le Cuán Ó Flatharta.

Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, talks to Sarah about the recall of hand sanitisers and wipes from schools in Ireland.

Plus US election final days and the Healy-Raewolf

Bookseller and author Shaun Bythell talks about The Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops. We will take a look at the role of suspense in fiction, and the Tanyard Lane Book Club, Tullamore, Co Offaly quiz Anne Griffin, the Irish Book Awards Newcomer of the Year 2019 about her novel, ‘When All Is Said’.