Tonight’s episode of Ear to the Ground features pigs, a men’s shed and a playschool on a dairy farm.

Ella McSweeney visits the 2015 Irish Pig Society Show at Stradbally Hall, Co.Laois.

Ear to the Ground went to this year’s event which displayed a remarkable variety of breeds.

Large Blacks, Middle Whites, Tamworths and even a Hungarian Mangalitsa called Sophie were all on show at Stradbally Hall.

Nine-year-old Niamh Duffey from Co. Kildare was there with her pet Kune Kune in the hope of winning a prize.

Helen Carroll visits Little Moo-Moos; a purpose-built playschool on Skephubble Farm – a family-run dairy farm found just outside St. Margaret’s village, Co. Dublin.

Little Moo-Moos provides a unique approach to learning, with a strong focus on developing the individuality of each child, Ear to the Ground finds out.

A highly-commended curriculum involves teaching through nature and the environment, with the help of the cows, chickens and ducks that graze on the farm.

Helen visited the playschool and spent a day with the kids who were excitedly preparing for Christmas.

Darragh McCullough heads for the Cooley Peninsula of Co. Louth to help the local Men’s Shed prepare for their Christmas feast.

Professional chef, Tommy Cowan, insists on serving restaurant-quality food to the group, and Ear to the Ground meets Vintage Tractor enthusiast Owen Mulligan who is just about to start on his latest restoration project.

The Shed has been running for four years and has become one of the most successful local groups in the area and Darragh is there to find out why for Ear to the Ground.