MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER
On Monday, Nationwide meets large and small companies in both the Republic and the North, whose goods are being sold on both sides of the border. The team visits some of these businesses and finds out how to establish a foothold in both jurisdictions with support from the all Ireland body, Inter Trade Ireland.
Reporter Colm Flynn takes a trip to Donegal to take visit Atlantic Composites, a company who design, manufacture and repair boats specialising in ribs using Vacuum Infusion, the only boat manufacturing company in Ireland using this process. From their base in Gweedore they are selling boats all over the world. Colm also visits Co. Sligo where Voya Seaweed products are produced from hand harvested seaweed and certified organic. The company’s products are sold all over the Island of Ireland and beyond.
Nationwide also looks at Inter Trade Ireland’s ‘Elevate’ programme which helps small companies in the export market. The team visit two such companies in Cork and Kerry, Dee’s Vegan Foods & Leah’s Gourmet Foods, to see how they have benefited from the programme and assistance.
WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER
Nationwide visits Limerick, Ireland’s capital city of Culture 2014 for a programme full of nostalgia and memories.
In the 1950s and 1960s, long before D’Unbelievables were ever heard of, a comic duo emerged from Limerick who were to achieve international acclaim. Tom & Paschal went on to appear on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as in theatres the length and breadth of Ireland. Reporter Marian Malone takes a look back at their career, including a never-before-seen interview she conducted with Tom O’Donnell, who sadly died in February 2013.
The programme also features a look back at the recent momentous visit by “Granny” to the city, in one of the centrepieces of this year’s city of culture events.
FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER
Nationwide meets some of Ireland’s up and coming female entrepreneurs to find out about getting started and making a success of a small business.
While many women in Ireland have started their own businesses some may be reluctant to expand and take on more staff. Reporter Helen McInerney meets some business women with small companies who have had the opportunity to meet with other business women who are successfully growing their companies, sharing experiences and receiving support.
Every year more and more women start up successful ventures throughout the country. Reporter Maria Mullarkey meets two such Athlone women, sisters Ethel Kelly and Katie McCay who run their own creative businesses in Athlone, Co. Westmeath and Knockcroghery in Co. Roscommon.
Finally, a story about an enterprising woman who has come up with a business idea inspired by her own wedding dress. Valerie Waters visits illustrator Audrey Vance in Co. Wicklow whose business is set to grow as the orders come in from home and abroad.