MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER
Nationwide comes from Tattersalls, the world’s largest auction of National Hunt foals and yearlings. The auction will generate over ten million euro in sales with horses bred by farmers from all over Ireland. Recently, champion jockey Anthony McCoy recorded his 4,000th winner and was the toast of National Hunt racing but Tattersall’s is where it all starts with young horses of four to six months who will become the stars of the future.
The core business at Tattersalls Ireland is horses and the biggest National Hunt sale of foals in the world generates employment throughout the farming sector. Events like this are the culmination of very long days and nights right from when the mare goes in foal to the preparation for an auction. Reporter Maria Mullarkey visited some farmers in Cork last month as they got ready for the big day.
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
The music scene in Ireland is filled with extremely talented and hard-working singers, songwriters and performers. Among them is Sligo man Tommy Fleming. Seven years ago, Nationwide visited Tommy at his home outside Enniscrone. When Mary Kennedy revisits his home in this week’s programme, she discovers there’s been quite a bit of change both in the house and in Tommy’s life.
The programme also reports on the Anchorage Project – a community centre in operation since 1996 in Ringsend. Activities at the project focus on supporting young people, families, the elderly and children with additional needs. Valerie Waters visits the Anchorage Project in Ringsend near Dublin’s River Liffey to meet Joe Donnelly, who is a true visionary. He works to improve the lives of others, both here at home and around the globe.
FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
Nationwide features stories from Ballycroy, Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland. The village of Ballycroy was the location for the award-winning 1982 film The Ballroom of Romance. Thirty years after the film’s BAFTA win, Nationwide revisits the actual Ballroom of Romance and screens the film in the community hall in Ballycroy where it was made. Anne Cassin talks to actors Brenda Fricker and John Kavanagh who starred in the film.
The programme also features stories with local farmers Pat Gallagher, Shane Ginty and Eddie Conway who work the land in Ballycroy. Anne Cassin walks the Bangor Way and takes in the scenic views with local man Michael Gallagher.
Nationwide airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on RTÉ One at 7.00pm.