Farm smells, an animal rescue centre and a 100-year-old cow house converted into an artists studio will all feature on this weeks Ear to the Ground.

On tonight’s episode, Darragh Mc Cullough will visit butcher Jim Flavin, who is also a cattle farmer in Co. Limerick, who was left puzzled by a smell on his farm.

Flavin’s neighbours complained about the smell, while Limerick County Council conducted a sniff test and found the odour to be persistent and offensive.

The smell led to several court appearances and major construction work before the offensive odour disappeared.

The source of the smell was a mystery to Flavin, who kept his yard clean and fed his animal’s silage and fodder beet.

Meanwhile, Ella McSweeney will meet up with Irish singer and songwriter, Cathy Davey, who co-founded My Lovely Horse Rescue.

The charity, which was founded in 2013, is run by unpaid volunteers in Co. Kildare where abandoned, starving and abused animals are rescued, rehabilitated as well as re-homed.

Ella joins Davey in her home and on My Lovely Horse Rescue’s two farms, as they follow the journey of horses, pigs and dogs from near-death to loving homes.

In particular the episode will feature the story of an abandoned piebald cob, named Gerry, who was rescued with a head collar embedded so deeply into his flesh, it reached his skull. 

Helen Carroll will see what has made a 100-year-old cow house in Co. Wexford so popular with artists from all around the world.

The O’Gorman family converted the old cow house into an artists studio, which has attracted both professional artists and art students alike.

Helen spoke with Michael and Mary O’Gorman as they reflect on how their 180ac farm has changed for the better thanks to the unusual enterprise.

Making full use of the facilities, Helen also fits in a drawing lesson with their talented daughter Rosie.

Ear to the Ground will be aired on RTE 1 at 8.30pm tonight and will also be repeated on Sunday.