Best Connemara Podcasts (2024)

1
Kylemore Abbey: Connemara’s answer to Kew Gardens and Growing 1000 edible plants 56:06

6h ago56:06

56:06

Kylemore Abbey in County Galway is an iconic image of Ireland. Built originally as a private home in the 19th century, it later became a Benedictine monastery, and today it attracts half a million visitors annually. Alongside the impressive granite castle sits a six acre Victorian walled garden which was once considered the ‘Kew Gardens’ of Connema…

1
In Your Nature Ep 52 - Herons (Critter Shed Colab) 38:13

12h ago38:13

38:13

This episode of In Your Nature is another collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed and this week, we're talking all about the Grey Heron! Although amphibian expert Collie has an understandably complex relationship with the Heron, this episode has given him a newfound respect for the species! While they're known as skilled fishers, did yo…

1
20/07/2024 56:03

2d ago56:03

56:03

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.By BBC Radio Ulster

1
In Your Nature Ep 51 - Ticks, Mites and Flat Flies (Critter Shed Collab) 39:00

6d ago39:00

39:00

We know you'll be itching to listen to this episode, which is a collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed. This week, we're talking all about, you guessed it, critters, though not the cute and cuddly kind. Ticks, fleas and flat flies are the focus of this conversation and while the thought of that might make your skin crawl, we encourage …

1
Creating cover, keeping the courgettes coming, and compost with Charles Dowding 56:42

7d ago56:42

56:42

David Maxwell heads to a cottage garden on the Ards Peninsula created by a couple over the last 10 years. With their dream now a reality, they recently opened the garden for a month under the National Garden Scheme. In County Meath, David returns to Rosie Maye’s garden for the second part of a chat about her diverse collection of roses. Designer Jo…

1
Gardeners’ Corner special: Garden Inspirations 55:55

10d ago55:55

55:55

In this special programme, Gardeners’ Corner celebrates those who have passed on their passion for plants: from the parent with cuttings on the windowsill, to the high profile gardeners who have inspired through writing and broadcasting. David Maxwell hears touching listeners’ stories and heads to two gardens that have inspired millions. Firstly, t…

1
In Your Nature Ep 50 - Live from Wild Mind 48:59

13d ago48:59

48:59

In an In Your Nature first, this episode was recorded live with an audience from Wild Mind Festival in Fenit, County Kerry earlier this spring. Wild Mind is a festival that celebrates our natural environment, making it the perfect fit for a visit from In Your Nature. Picture this, Niall and Ricky sitting on hay bales on stage in a artificial barn/s…

1
The best roses for June and what to grow with them, 375 gardens to visit, and creating a garden for all life’s seasons 56:20

14d ago56:20

56:20

This week, David Maxwell visits Rosie Maye, also known as the Insomniac Gardener, and discovers her passion for roses. June sees a kaleidoscope of colour in the borders of her rural garden near Slane in County Meath. She explains how plenty of feeding and a seaweed spray keep the roses in tip top condition. A few miles down the road, at the Frances…

1
Gardeners’ Corner ‘Comes to Town’ roadshow from Enniskillen 56:10

21d ago56:10

56:10

Gardeners’ Corner heads to Enniskillen as part of the BBC ‘Comes to Town’ roadshows marking 100 years of broadcasting in Northern Ireland. David Maxwell hosts the programme from the Killyhevlin hotel on the banks of Lough Erne where he is joined by a live audience and garden expert Brendan Little. County Fermanagh gets its fair share of rain with a…

1
How to grow an orchard on your patio, Bog Meadows wildlife garden and the taste of summer 56:36

28d ago56:36

56:36

Despite unseasonably cold weather, David samples the delights of early summer at Ballyrobert Cottage Garden where Maurice Parkinson has a large collection of that reliable perennial Astrantia. In west Belfast, he visits Bog Meadows where Ulster Wildlife have created a new garden. The build has transformed the entrance to the gardens and has proved …

1
How to stop the slugs, restricting running raspberries and Women’s TEC 55:59

1M ago55:59

55:59

With the RHS saying it’s been inundated with queries about tackling slugs this year, David Maxwell and his guests discuss the best way to combat the slimy invaders. At Ballyrobert Cottage Garden, Maurice Parkinson is restricting his raspberries from running so they can be put into an ornamental border and he discovers the dreaded sawfly on his redc…

1
Gardeners’ Corner live from Bord Bia Bloom 56:00

1M ago56:00

56:00

A special programme from Ireland’s biggest garden show; Bord Bia Bloom. David Maxwell will be joined by regular contributor Brendan Little for a live programme from Phoenix Park. He’ll meet designers, plant experts and he’ll visit some of the show gardens. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk…

1
Gardeners’ Corner from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

Gardeners’ Corner visits the most talked about gardening event of the year; the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Presenter David Maxwell tours some of the main avenue show gardens including the gold medal winning National Garden Scheme’s garden by Tom Stuart-Smith and the Muscular Dystrophy UK garden by Ula Maria which took best in show. He also meets up w…

1
43: Making money from field to fork: farmers Liam and Justina Gavin, Roscommon 52:44

2M ago52:44

52:44

Liam and Justina Gavin own Drumanilra Organic Farm on the shores of Lough Key, Co. Roscommon. When they took over the farm in 2012, they had two ambitions: to feed their family with home grown food, and to generate a sustainable and independent income from the farm by supplying food directly to the public. They tell Brigid how they've done it.…

1
Plants that take you from spring to summer, Lambeth palace garden and ‘Mervyn’ the robot mower 56:41

2M ago56:41

56:41

As summer weather arrives, David visits Cherry Townsend at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee, where she has a brilliant collection of flowering plants that bridge the gap between spring and summer. Geums, Trollius, Aquilegia and Tellima are among the highlights in the borders. One of the biggest gardens in London is found across the river from Westmin…

1
Sarah Raven’s passion for pots, Horatio’s Garden Belfast and No Mow May 55:57

2M ago55:57

55:57

This week on Gardeners’ Corner, David Maxwell heads to a garden with purpose at Musgrave Park Hospital in south Belfast. Its spinal centre has been gifted an outdoor space for patients and staff by the charity Horatio’s Garden. David Maxwell meets Matthew Lee who is in charge of the garden designed by Chelsea gold medal winning designer Andy Sturge…

1
Why cactus are the ultimate house plant, the World Daffodil Convention and blue marigolds? 55:57

3M ago55:57

55:57

It may have been a wet start to the year outside, but inside our homes, it can be a desert for plants – especially if you forget to water! That’s perhaps why Cacti are the ultimate house plants and this week on Gardeners’ Corner with David Maxwell, Brendan Little reveals he’s inherited his dad’s obsession with these prickly plants. Also on the prog…

1
42: On fungi and farming, with Thomas O'Connor 18:44

3M ago18:44

18:44

Thomas O’Connor farms 25 acres in the Gleann na nGealt valley near Camp, Co. Kerry, and sells his fresh organic produce in a farm shop, Manna Organic Store, in nearby Tralee. He talks about how fungi is the basis of everything he produces on his land.By Farming for Nature

1
Gardeners’ Corner ‘Comes to Town’ roadshow from Ballymena 55:11

3M ago55:11

55:11

Gardeners’ Corner heads to Ballymena as part of the BBC ‘Comes to Town’ roadshows marking 100 years of broadcasting in Northern Ireland. In front of a live audience at Ballymena Library, David Maxwell and experts Reg Maxwell and Mary Doris take questions from novice and experienced gardeners who live near the County Antrim town. Also on the program…

1
Easy ways to transform your garden this Easter 56:44

4M ago56:44

56:44

As the Easter break begins, Gardeners’ Corner has some easy ways to transform your garden space. David Maxwell is joined in studio by expert gardener Brendan Little who has suggestions on how an uninspiring front garden can be transformed into a low maintenance garden with interest and colour through the year. Also joining David is city gardener, G…

1
Why you should pre-sprout your courgettes, what to do if you can’t beat ground elder and the best-looking classroom you can find 56:00

4M ago56:00

56:00

This week Gardeners’ Corner visits what must be one of most beautiful classrooms in the country – the walled garden at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Greenmount Campus in County Antrim. David Maxwell joins CAFRE’s Lori Hartman for a look around, as work begins to renovate some areas including the hot border and a bra…

1
Veg to sow now, celebrating Daffodils and Jekka’s 100 herbs 56:04

4M ago56:04

56:04

While damp weather is making it tricky to get in to the garden there is still plenty to keep Dave and Jules Hardy busy at Esker Farm Daffodils. Since David’s last visit the county Tyrone couple have added a large garden area which shows how the daffodils can be grown in mixed borders. Amy Kelly kicks off the Great Gardeners’ Corner Grow Along by so…

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41: Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer & dung beetle expert 20:18

4M ago20:18

20:18

Bruce Thompson is an intensive dairy farmer from Laois. He has a particular interest in reducing animal remedies through prevention, and is a strong advocate for the urgent need to protect our dung beetle populations.By Farming for Nature

1
How to reduce the mowing and increase spring colour, the wonders of wild garlic and perennial of the month 56:04

4M ago56:04

56:04

This week, David Maxwell visits Brendan Little in his garden on the shores of Mulroy Bay in county Donegal. What was once a formal lawn is now covered in naturalised spring flowering bulbs. Brendan explains how he hopes to extend this riot of colour into late spring and summer – something he hopes will mean he won’t need to get the mower out until …

1
Where to start in the garden this spring, Jimi Blake’s new borders and producing trees on an industrial scale 56:07

5M ago56:07

56:07

As Spring officially begins, David Maxwell heads to Jimi Blake’s Hunting Brook Garden in the hills of County Wicklow where he has brand new borders in mind. At the National Trust’s Mount Stewart, work begins on a tree nursery that will produce 600,000 trees a year and gardener Archie Parke retires after five decades of service in Belfast’s Botanic …

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38: The Forgotten Horse - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney 22:14

5M ago22:14

22:14

Hello, its Elaine Heney here. Please enjoy this audio book excerpt of the first few chapters of The Forgotten Horse. This book is one of 6 books in the Connemara series and is perfect for kids aged 8 plus and even their parents too! You can buy all the paperback books and the full audio books in this series at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com…

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37: Sinead & Strawberry AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW | Saddlestone Connemara Pony Listening School by Elaine Heney 32:35

5M ago32:35

32:35

Enjoy this audio book excerpt of the first few chapters of Sinead and Strawberry, The Saddlestone Connemara Pony Listening School. This book is one of 4 books in the Saddlestone series and is perfect for kids aged 6 to 10 years and even older! You can buy the 4 paperback books and the full audio books at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com…

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36: The Galway Connemara - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney - Part 5 of 5 9:17

5M ago9:17

9:17

To celebrate the launch of my new book, the Galway Connemara, please enjoy this sneak peek of the audio book edition. You can buy the paperback, hardcover, ebook & audio book on my website at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com The Galway Connemara is inspired by Black Beauty, and follows the life of an Irish Connemara pony called Lir. The story is to…

1
35: The Galway Connemara - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney - Part 4 of 5 7:57

5M ago7:57

7:57

To celebrate the launch of my new book, the Galway Connemara, please enjoy this sneak peek of the audio book edition. You can buy the paperback, hardcover, ebook & audio book on my website at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com The Galway Connemara is inspired by Black Beauty, and follows the life of an Irish Connemara pony called Lir. The story is to…

1
34: The Galway Connemara - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney - Part 3 of 5 9:52

5M ago9:52

9:52

To celebrate the launch of my new book, the Galway Connemara, please enjoy this sneak peek of the audio book edition. You can buy the paperback, hardcover, ebook & audio book on my website at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com The Galway Connemara is inspired by Black Beauty, and follows the life of an Irish Connemara pony called Lir. The story is to…

1
33: The Galway Connemara - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney - Part 2 of 5 12:36

5M ago12:36

12:36

To celebrate the launch of my new book, the Galway Connemara, please enjoy this sneak peek of the audio book edition. You can buy the paperback, hardcover, ebook & audio book on my website at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com The Galway Connemara is inspired by Black Beauty, and follows the life of an Irish Connemara pony called Lir. The story is to…

1
32: The Galway Connemara - AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW by Elaine Heney - Part 1 of 5 9:49

5M ago9:49

9:49

To celebrate the launch of my new book, the Galway Connemara, please enjoy this sneak peek of the audio book edition. You can buy the paperback, hardcover, ebook & audio book on my website at https://www.elaineheneybooks.com The Galway Connemara is inspired by Black Beauty, and follows the life of an Irish Connemara pony called Lir. The story is to…

1
Gardening in a war zone and the Great Gardeners’ Corner Grow Along 55:42

5M ago55:42

55:42

Two years to the day since the war in Ukraine began, presenter David Maxwell hears the powerful story of how a garden has helped one family close the front line survive. Alla Olkhovska has been harvesting and selling seeds of rare clematis found in her grandmother’s garden in Kharkiv. She also wrote her first book about these beautiful climbers in …

1
Last-minute rose pruning made easy, Lissadell House, and perennial of the month 55:58

5M ago55:58

55:58

In this week’s programme, David heads to the Green Spaces Community Growing Project near Warrenpoint where the volunteers are getting the garden ready for the season ahead. He finds out what attracts people to community gardening. In County Sligo, Lissadell House and gardens occupy a breath taking location. Immortalised in a poem by Yeats, work has…

1
Political consultant, DR LOUIS PERRON, has worked on dozens of campaigns globally from city mayors to presidents, offering 'proven strategies' to beat incumbents. He discusses Biden vs Trump & more. 1:02:27

5M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Dr. Louis Perron is an internationally renowned political consultant based in Switzerland. He has won dozens of competitive election campaigns in various countries – with his message of discipline, scientific analysis, polling, strategy and focus. He is the author of "How to Overcome the Power of Incumbency in Election Campaigns," as well as, "Beat…

1
How plants can help solve serious crimes, helping our hedgehogs and ‘Anya the garden fairy’ 56:06

6M ago56:06

56:06

How can plants help solve serious crimes? In this week’s Gardeners’ Corner David Maxwell meets the forensic experts that use plants to give them clues. National hedgehog day fell this week – apparently a Roman precursor to ‘Groundhog day’ and with these small mammals still on the red list, wildlife expert Debbie Nelson brings Holly the Hedgehog int…

1
Clearing up after the storms, in search of the giant lobelia, and perennial of the month 56:06

6M ago56:06

56:06

After a week of storms, David heads to the gardens at Hillsborough Castle where Claire Woods is surveying the trees for damage. Claire explains that their approach is to leave as much of the wood as possible in situ as it supports all kinds of life. In the first of a new series, Oliver Shurmann reveals his perennial of the month which is Hepatica n…

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40: How to make Biochar, with Kildare farmer Kim McCall 23:56

6M ago23:56

23:56

Brigid speaks to Kim McCall about why and how he makes biochar. Kim and his wife Mireille own a 214-acre mixed livestock stock farm in Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare with a herd of 75 pedigree suckler cows, a flock of 80 sheep, as well as a few pigs in the summertime.By Farming for Nature

1
What snow does for the garden, fixing rusty leeks and what to harvest in January 55:59

6M ago55:59

55:59

What happens to our gardens when it snows? This week David Maxwell heads to Downhill Demesne on Antrim’s north coast to see how a blanket of white transforms how we experience the garden. He also chats to Una Quinn about her plans for the Bog Garden there in 2024. Along the coast in an equally cold Ballyvoy, Conrad McCormick is protecting his tende…

1
How to prune roses, plants for winter interest and preparing the garden for 2024 56:03

6M ago56:03

56:03

With another new year stretching out ahead, David Maxwell is joined in studio by Brendan Little for the first live programme of 2024. They’ll be chatting about preparing for the year ahead and what’s looking (or smelling) good in the garden in January. Also on the programme, David heads to Rowallane Gardens in Saintfield where Claire McNally is pru…

1
Gardeners’ Corner: Season by Season 56:29

7M ago56:29

56:29

In the garden we are often thinking of the seasons to come, but it can also be useful to look back and take stock at the start of a new year. This week, David Maxwell leads us through the seasons with Gardeners’ Corner, from a huge snowdrop collection at Altamont Gardens in County Carlow to the quiet retreat for a Limavady gardener who’s been livin…

1
Gardeners’ Corner at Christmas 56:12

7M ago56:12

56:12

Join David Maxwell and the gardening gang for a festive fireside chat at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee. With home grown and handmade seasonal treats, four experts brave the winter weather for a fun filled Christmas get together. Ann Fitzsimmons and Mary Doris use fresh garden herbs and Christmas leftovers for a fuss free holiday meal, while Brenda…

1
In Your Nature Ep 49 - What's at Santa's Bird Table 38:00

7M ago38:00

38:00

In our end of year Christmas Special, Niall and Ricky consider what birds Santa might be enjoying at his bird table in an exploration of some of the hardiest species that call Finnish Lapland home. There is something in Santa’s bag for everyone in this episode, from fit finches to tough tits and canny corvids! We hope you enjoy it, thanks for liste…

1
Why to grow willow, the life in our soil and the gardening fundraiser 56:01

7M ago56:01

56:01

With the leaves gone it’s all about colourful stem colour on Gardeners’ Corner this week. David meets artist Heather McDermott who loves willow more than any other plant and works with it every day. She thinks more of us should have our own ‘Salley’ gardens so we have this useful crop which can be used to make free plant supports and fences. Also o…

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In Your Nature Ep 48 - The New Invasives 59:33

7M ago59:33

59:33

This week In Your Nature focuses on the topic of invasive species, looking specifically at two new kids on the block, the Quagga Mussel and the Alpine Newt*, two recently discovered unwelcome colonisers! Ricky speaks to alien invasive species expert Dr. Jan-Robert Baars, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Sc…

1
Winter wildlife, a garden for spinal injury patients and forcing daffodils 56:07

7M ago56:07

56:07

With daylight at a premium the work goes on in two stand-out gardens visited by Gardeners’ Corner this week. At Musgrave Park Hospital in South Belfast, the charity Horatio’s Garden is creating a garden for spinal injury patients designed by Chelsea gold medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon. Helen Mark meets the new head gardener there and chats to…

1
39: James Gilmartin, Mixed Stock Farmer, Leitrim: My land's natural carrying capacity 28:22

8M ago28:22

28:22

James Gilmartin is a 7th generation mixed farmer. He keeps a suckler herd and a small herd of Dexters, as well as a small flock of sheep. Part of his farm is commonage and a very important High Nature Value habitat for various species, including the endangered Marsh Fritillary butterfly.By Farming for Nature

1
Dublin in Flames. Ireland, Sick Political Dog of Europe. Government Embarrassed. 'The current Irish government clearly cares more about praise from woke media than their own people,' says Elon Musk 43:46

8M ago43:46

43:46

What triggered the worst riots on the streets of Dublin, Ireland, in decades? The rioting, as it should be, was condemned for its destruction and hooliganism in the wake of a shocking stabbling incident in Parnell Street by a man identified as a naturalized citizen born abroad. The motive for the stabbling, which injured three children and a woman,…

1
In Your Nature Ep 47 - Where Are They Now? 44:47

7M ago44:47

44:47

This week Niall and Ricky are feeling the chill prompting the question, where do our summer migrants to Ireland go to get some winter sun? They discuss a list of species across the bird families that up sticks in autumn and leave in pursuit of an endless summer of sorts. A story of migration but focusing on the where and why of these massive journe…

1
How to treat your tree ferns, caring for Christmas Cactus and orange Poinsettia? 56:02

8M ago56:02

56:02

With a wintry feel in the air, David Maxwell is joined in studio by experts Anna Hudson and Reg Maxwell to offer some gardening inspiration for colder days. The team will be taking questions on among other things the challenges of Christmas Cactus, and why one listener’s winter display of cyclamen is wilting. Also on the programme, David heads to a…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Connemara Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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