EAR TO THE GROUND

ETTG (New series 26).Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough Image Name: ETTG (New series 26).Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough
Ear to the Ground(New series 26). Presenter Helen Carroll Image Name: Ear to the Ground(New series 26). Presenter Helen Carroll
Ear to the Ground(New seies 26). Presenter Darragh McCullough Image Name: Ear to the Ground(New seies 26). Presenter Darragh McCullough
Ear to the Ground (New series 26). Presenter Ella McSweeney Image Name: Ear to the Ground (New series 26). Presenter Ella McSweeney
Ear to the Ground (new series 26) Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough) Image Name: Ear to the Ground (new series 26) Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough)
Ear to the Ground programme two Thursday November 1st. Jim O The Mills pub(Upperchurch story) Image Name: Ear to the Ground programme two Thursday November 1st. Jim O The Mills pub(Upperchurch story)
Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll with Peggy Ryan in programme two, Thursday November 1st.(Upperchurch story) (1) Image Name: Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll with Peggy Ryan in programme two, Thursday November 1st.(Upperchurch story) (1)

Broadcast Details: Thursday 1st November, 8.30pm

Helen Carroll is in Upperchurch, Co Tipperary to look at issues facing rural areas such as isolation, services being taken away and rural crime. Ella McSweeney is in Ballyhogan, Co Tipperary where dairy farmer, John Robinson, takes stock of what was a difficult year due to varying climate conditions.

Series 26, Episode 2

UPPERCHURCH – A COMMUNITY STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE

Upperchurch in Co Tipperary is a small rural village like many others around the country. On January 31st 2019 they will lose their post office and, with it, their local newsagent. When this happens, it will be a big blow to the community who rely on these amenities. Helen Carroll travelled to the area to look at the issues facing the locals and how they are battling those issues.

Peggy Ryan lives just outside the village and uses the Local Link bus service every week to go into Thurles. She believes this is an incredibly important service for the elderly who would otherwise struggle to get around. Travelling on the bus also allows passengers a chance to socialise and catch up with neighbours and friends.

On Thursday evenings the locals of Upperchurch convene at a very unique venue. Jim O’The Mills opens its doors just once a week to bring the community together for music and craic. Jim Ryan inherited the building from his uncle in 1982 and decided that to keep the 7-day license they would open every Thursday to the public. Helen called in to catch a bit of the atmosphere.

DAIRY REVIEW

Looking back on the past year there is no denying that the weather has been front and centre in the headlines. We went from having some of the worst snow we’ve experienced in years, to suffering from a drought within mere weeks.

These conditions made life hard on many people around the country, but our farmers were severely affected. Everything from growing crops to simply feeding their cattle, has been a struggle these past few months.

Ella McSweeney visited dairy farmer John Robinson in Graigue, Co Kilkenny where he takes stock of where he is at the end of what has been a very hard year for farmers.

Ear to the Ground is produced for RTÉ by indiepics.

Series Producer – Liam Lavelle
Presenters – Darragh McCullough, Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney
Director – Paula Williams
Executive Producer for RTÉ – Colm O Callaghan

Press enquiries:
TVPR Ann Coughlan 00 353 87 6778045
Pauline Cronin 00 353 87 2629967