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NATIONWIDE

Mary Fanning RTE Nationwide ,and  Ex Members of  THE  Army Appr Image Name: Mary Fanning RTE Nationwide ,and Ex Members of THE Army Appr Description: Mary Fanning RTE Nationwide ,with EX members of the Army Apprentice School at the Unveiling and hand over Ceremony of the former Devoy Barracks Gats to Kildare County Council at ARAS Chill Dara on Wed 4th May 2022 Photo Martin Rowe .

NATIONWIDE WEEK 25

MONDAY 20TH JUNE 

PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN

MAYO GREENWAY PROGRAMME 

County Mayo has some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland and we take a journey around part of this spectacular county.  We begin in Clew Bay as we try out the latest addition to the very successful Great Western Greenway, the Clew Bay Bike trail.  The dramatic landscape, great mountain views and wild Atlantic coastline provide the perfect backdrop for this new cycling adventure.  This bike trail takes in the existing greenway before looping around Clew Bay, via Clare Island and Achill Island.  It includes two short ferry trips, from Cloughmore pier on Achill and Roonagh Pier near Louisburgh.  We begin our journey at Mulranny, where the old Train station serves as a bike hire and tourist information centre.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 

PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN

JOHN MCGAHERN/REPORT ANNE CASSIN 

We are in County Roscommon, a place forever associated with one of Ireland’s most respected writers, the late John McGahern.  Cootehall is where John McGahern spent part of his childhood – it’s river, lakes and most especially it’s Garda Station, featuring in his work.  Recently Anne Cassin paid a visit to the transformed building which has been refurbished in honour of John McGahern. 

ARMY APPRENTICE SCHOOL/REPORT MARY FANNING 

One institution, within the Defence Forces, had a unique school in Naas, Co. Kildare, to train recruits and make up the shortage of trade and craft skills within the army.  It was the Army Apprentice school and it promoted and produced excellence for 42 years.  The educational institution closed in 1998 but graduates went on to contribute to the very fabric of Irish society and beyond.  The gates of that school were recently refurbished and restored at the original site in Naas where over 500 graduates gathered to take a trip down memory lane.  Mary Fanning joined them. 

FRIDAY 24TH JUNE 

PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH

ST ANNE’S PARK, DUBLIN PROGRAMME

On this evening’s show we are at the beautiful Saint Anne’s Park in Dublin.  It’s the second largest park in the city, at 240 acres and was once owned and developed by members of the Guinness family.  Today it’s run by Dublin City council and is home to many community groups and organisations who use this park.  We have a ramble about and meet some people on the ground to find out what makes this park so popular.  We hear about the history of this Park and we pay a visit to Saint Anne’s Park city farm to meet the volunteers and animals.