(48)Ear To The Ground (Series 24, Programme 6)
Thursday 1st December 2016, RTÉ One, 8.30pm
FIGHT THE PIPE
Motorways, gas pipes and greenways have vexed the farmers across Ireland over the years and the latest controversial project is the Shannon to Dublin water pipe running from the West to the East.
Irish Water’s €1.2bn project is one of the largest undertakings in over 50 years but before a sod has been turned, local groups are organizing themselves to Fight the Pipe.
Ear to the Ground’s Helen Carroll travels to meet some of the people opposing the development of this 170km pipeline and asks if this is a case of holding people to ransom over a basic human need.
BRAND NEW COMBINE HARVESTER
It’s been 40 years since Irish comedian Brendan Grace penned his hit parody song “I’ve got a brand new combine harvester”. But how much have combine harvesters changed since?
Darragh McCullough visits entertainer Brendan in North County Dublin to find out what he’s doing now whilst also taking a step down memory lane remembering fondly his country audiences, and how his rural relations inspired his act.
THE VILLAGE DAIRY
You won’t find fresher milk anywhere else than this ambitious dairy based in Killeshin, Co. Carlow. Producing fresh local produce of the highest quality, The Village Dairy is up there with the big boys supplying organic, conventional and Jersey milk and cream to some of the finest hotels, shops and cafes in the provence.
Ella McSweeney visits the people behind the Village Dairy and witnesses its journey from the collection of the milk to its one of many end users, barista Stephen Mooney in Kildare, who says the taste of the milk speaks for itself.
Ear to the Ground is produced for RTÉ by Independent Pictures.
Series Producer – John Cummins
Presenters – Darragh McCullough, Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney
Directors – Paula Williams, Liam Lavelle
Executive Producer for RTÉ – Michael Hughes
TVPR
Ann Coughlan 00 353 87 6778045
Pauline Cronin 00 353 87 2629967