Monday 29th May, 7.00pm on RTÉ One.
Tonight’s Nationwide is a special programme from the Kennedy homestead in County Wexford for the centenary of the birth of John F. Kennedy. Joining in on the commemorations are JFK enthusiast Ryan Tubridy and the programme hears the stories of his direct descendants and locals as they share their memories.
Wednesday 31st May, 7.00pm on RTÉ One.
Following in the footsteps of Royalty, Anne Cassin and Mary Kennedy visit the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. With summer in the air, Nationwide takes a look at what’s in bloom, the programme meet a master bee-keeper and sees the work of garden sculptor in Co. Wicklow.
Many designers use sculpture in their gardens to add another layer of interest to their horticultural creation. Reporter Valerie Waters goes to County Wicklow to meet Emma Jane Rushworth, a maker of delightful garden sculptures and whose work is very much in demand.
Friday 2nd June, 7.00pm on RTÉ One.
On this evening’s Nationwide are some interesting stories of Irish women in music, the arts and fashion.
Viewers meet a woman who in her youth spent many weeks at a time away from home, as she worked as a live sound engineer on the road with high profile traditional music bands. Mairead O’Reilly has now set up her own business in her home, trading life on the road for a base which is conducive to creativity both in audio and in visuals. Reporter Valerie Waters has the story.
We usually think of the large cities like Milan, Paris or New York, as centres for fashion and design and when it comes to Ireland, Dublin has always been a creative hub. So it’s nice to see Portlaoise bucking the trend as it is home to one of Ireland’s most successful designers and as presenter Anne Cassin finds out when she meets Heidi Higgins, she remains steadfastly loyal to her home place.
The National Gallery of Ireland is all abuzz at the moment as it’s on the threshold of a new era in its history. This month the main part of the gallery will re-open after years of a major refurbishment project. A Vermeer exhibition is also coming to the country. Most importantly the work of an Irish artist is being celebrated at this key moment in the National Gallery’s life. Reporter Valerie Waters has the story about Margaret Clarke, a woman of superb artistic talent.