Three Shades of Green

"Ireland is perhaps most famous for its raw nature – pounding waves, sea spray, cliffs, rain and storms. But even here, under harsh conditions, people and animals have learned to thrive. Hardy sheep stay out on the bare mountains of Donegal all winter; Arctic birds build nests on the steep cliffs; even in the bleak karst landscape of The Burren grass and flowers grow in abundance. There are some culinary surprises in store too. Prannie Rhatigan is a doctor who has also made a name for herself by writing a seaweed cookbook. It is a bestseller in Ireland, and seaweed cuisine is gaining in popularity. It is healthy and cheap. Old or abused donkeys find refuge at the Donkey Sanctuary. And Tory Island, out in the Atlantic, is home to many rare species of bird. "

"Lots of sun and rain, good soil and the warm Gulf Stream have made Ireland a botanical paradise. For the English, who ruled Ireland for centuries, it was a place to experiment with exotic plants from the colonies. There are still many gardens with flowers and trees that usually grow in tropical or sub-tropical regions. Thanks to the mildness of the climate, Ireland's famous cows spend almost the entire year out on the meadows. Tom and Giana Ferguson use the wonderful aromatic milk to make soft cheese the traditional way. Their products have won many prizes. Kevin Brain is a sea angler who enjoys the diversity of fish thronging the Irish Sea -- about eighty species, including a number of Mediterranean warm-water fish. The English Market in Cork is a showcase for Ireland's culinary delights and a fine example of Victorian architecture. A biologist shows us the amazing creatures that inhabit the shore. We meet the greenkeeper at a spectacular golf course on a promontory above the Atlantic exposed to the wind and the salt spray. "

"Meandering rivers, romantic lakes, ruined monasteries and gently rolling countryside – the Midlands have their own distinctive charm. Barges laden with freight used to ply the many waterways, nowadays it is cruisers bearing holidaymakers. Among the many sights along the Shannon are rare birds and the ruins of abandoned monasteries. The Midlands used to be the intellectual and cultural centre of Ireland. Bats have taken up residence in many of the ruins. Bat expert Conor Kelleher goes hunting for them in an old abbey. The Midlands are rich in mystical sites and holy springs that testify to ancient Celtic polytheism.The rolling countryside is also home to plenty of horses. Ireland has more horses per person than any other European country. The annual Ballinasloe horse fair is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Miley Cash is a horse dealer and the grand old man of the fair. He often buys more than eighty horses each year and sells most of them to customers in England and France.Nature is reclaiming the land at the Lough Boora Parklands, where peat had been cut for many years. The diverse habitats are home to lapwing, Irish hares and insect-eating plants. "