Nathan’s neighbours were a group of mostly, grey-haired, older women; a ladies’ club, from Riverchapel in Co. Wexford. They were going on a week-long Golden Years holiday to Westport, Co. Mayo.
Nathan is a twenty-something with dreadlocks who was studying radio production. He decided to join the women on holidays to record a radio documentary about them and their trip.
In Westport, the Riverchapel Ladies went shopping around the town for that year’s must-have toy for their grandchildren; they bet on horses and watched the races in the pub and they danced to the hotel band – but only if the music was suitable for line-dancing.
The women also went on daytrips. Once to Knock where they talked about religion and took hay from the crib for good luck. Then to Achill where they talked about childhood games and held starfish in the local aquarium.
Throughout the week, Nathan got an insight into the lives of these women 50 years his senior – the harsh times their mothers had; how the widows leave the radio on so the house isn’t so quiet and how the spirited ones defy old age by staying in touch with their grandchildren.
What emerges from Nathan’s recordings is a picture of a group of women full of charm and vim who throw themselves into the week’s activities with gusto and who really revel in each other’s company.
Produced by Nathan Walsh and Ronan Kelly.
RTÉ Radio 1 Saturday 21st July 2018 @1pm
RTÉ Radio 1 Sunday 22nd July 2018 @7pm
Available for podcast/online from Friday 20th July