Series 33, Programme 9 – 7:00pm Thursday 15th January, 2026
RTÉ One – 1:10pm Repeated Sunday 18th January, 2026
Mercusor
Last Saturday, over 10,000 farmers and rural dwellers converged on the town of Athlone to protest against the EU’s trade deal with the South American bloc, Mercosur, which, just 24 hours earlier, had been approved by EU states, despite opposition from Ireland.
Darragh Mc Cullough travelled into Athlone as part of a 1,000 tractor and truck cavalcade that descended on the Westmeath town to hear from farmers, and farm leaders about what Ireland has to fear from Mercosur.
Men on the Move
For many farmers in rural Ireland, the landscape that defines their lives also quietly fences them off — long hours and often working alone, can leave many craving a bit of company.
In Rosnakill, Co Donegal one local man Seamus Carr has set out to provide that company while also promoting a healthier body. He runs “Men on the Move,” community-based physical activity classes for farmers.
Stephen Robb joined the group to learn more about how exercise and friendship brings these men together.
Burren Wagyu
When Wagyu embryos were first brought to Ireland in 2008, the calves that were born the following spring were a rare breed of animal and handled like pampered pets in order to ensure the fine delicacy of their valuable meat.
Now over 25 years later, Frank McCormack takes a different approach to how he raises his wagyu beef herd – he farms on the Burren and that’s where his precious animals spend their winters, even calving on the Winterage and thriving as a result.
Ella McSweeney visits the McCormack farm to see how the system works as he wraps up the late calving season for the year.
Ear to the Ground is produced by indiepics for RTÉ.