Monday 19th August, 7.00pm, RTÉ One
At the beginning of Heritage Week, Nationwide hears about some of the locations taking part and sees some interesting projects celebrating the very best of our heritage. Many of the events that take place during the week are free and the programme highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage.
Following research involving members of the Dalkey Tidy Towns committee, a sign dating from World War Two was uncovered and restored. The Éire sign was one of more than 80 built along the coastline to alert pilots to neutral territory. Nationwide goes along to take a look at the finished project.
The programme also visits the vibrant community of Newtown, Clarina, in County Limerick, which has come together to restore and revitalise a local crossroads, as a way of bringing the rich history and heritage of the area back to life.
Wednesday 21st August, 7.00pm, RTÉ One.
Tonight Nationwide is visiting the seaside town of Howth in North Dublin to discover the array of things to do if you take a day trip out or even spend a few days in the area. The team takes a boat trip around Ireland’s Eye to see the wildlife and learn the history, and samples fresh lobster cooked straight from the sea.
The programme also visits the national transport museum on the grounds of Howth Castle and discovers a few hidden gems, taking an electric bike ride all around the hills of the peninsula.
Friday 23rd August, 7.00pm, RTÉ One
True love conquers all – it crosses borders and countries and endures. Two decades ago, a young Zambian officer cadet came to Ireland as part of an elite squad for training with Ireland’s defence forces on the Curragh; he fell in love with an Irish girl and their eldest child is the current Rose of Tralee. Nationwide reporter Mary Fanning who interviewed Kwalo Mate on the Curragh over two decades ago, goes to Waterford to catch up with him and meet his family.
Next to a story about a photographer who chose his father as the subject for his final project in a course at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Valerie Waters goes to have a look at the photographs in the city centre and meets the father and son involved, both of whom are creative people in their own right.
Erica’s Fairy Forest is a special community project created to remember a young cancer patient who passed away at the age of five following illness. Since opening, the fairy forest has been a place of great family enjoyment. Nationwide takes a magical journey to Erica’s fairy forest near Cootehill in Co. Cavan.