Della Kilroy

Over the past few months, three professional artists have been developing new work inspired by the public forests of the Dublin Mountains.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council sent the artists to the woods in Ticknock, Tibbradon, Barnaslingan, Carrickgolligan and Kilmashogue.

And along the way, they spoke with the people who know these places best – walkers, cyclists and families – about what these forests mean to them.

The result is Forest Songs, a collection of three love songs to the forests written in collaboration with composer Tom Lane.

Della Kilroy met the creators from Cracking Light Productions to find out more.

Maeve Stone and Alex Gill with Della Kilroy.

More details, crackinglightproductions.com forward slash Forest Songs.

Harry Buckless, Mary Elizabeth Bruton and Rachel Breslin on the Countrywide team will all be going for a walk in the woods today.

Playback is on the way after the news.

Have a good weekend.

Let's just temporarily take a little detour off this road to fossil fuel free farming and stick with what Keith Meredith was talking there about mental health.

Last month, a farming support initiative received a national recognition for its impact on rural well-being.

On Ferrym Ground 2 won at the ANTA Star Awards 2026, highlighting emerging adult learning programmes making a real difference.

The initiative works with ag professionals, advisors, vets, veterinary nurses, inspectors and so on, giving them the skills and the confidence to engage with and support farmers who may be in distress and don't know how to ask for help.

Our reporter, Della Kilroy, this week visited a sheep farmer and mental health advocate in Wexford.

George Graham there.

Do you know, there's never a wiser word.

Most meaningful conversations on farms are had side by side, leaning over a five bar gate and not face to face.

That's how 90% of countrywide interviews are conducted, leaning on a five bar gate.

More information at mensnetwork.ie.