NATIONWIDE WEEK 19
MONDAY 8TH MAY
PRESENTER COLM FLYNN
SPECIAL PROGRAMME MEETING IRISH CHARITY WORKERS IN SOUTH SUDAN
As conflict continues in the country of Sudan, thousands of people have been flocking to neighbouring counties including South Sudan, a separate independent nation located to the South. The influx of people escaping the conflict is putting pressure on South Sudan a country already struggling with severe problems of its own. Before the outbreak of unrest in the North, our reporter, Colm Flynn travelled to South Sudan to hear the stories of three Irish people living and working in an area known as Rumbek. The fragile existence of the people living in this part of Africa demonstrates how vulnerable they are and how any spill-over of the conflict could have tragic consequences for the people of South Sudan.
WEDNESDAY 10TH MAY
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
MIXED COMMUNITY STORIES
Nationwide has stories of communities coming together to celebrate the talent in their local areas. In Kerry, the village, that hosted an exhibition of the work of a deceased farmer and in Limerick, bringing young people together to encourage art and creativity. Plus in Mayo, bringing busking indoors in a fresh approach to supporting local musical talent.
HELIUM ARTS / REEM EL HASSANY
Having a child with a debilitating medical condition can be very difficult for the parents. In many cases the families involved can be stretched and need as much support as they can get. In Limerick, an organisation called Helium Arts has been providing some support to families. Recently, our reporter Reem El Hassany went to meet a family who makes use of the service.
KERRY ARTIST EXPO / REPORT SEÁN MAC AN TSÍTHIGH
Pablo Picasso once said that “the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to share it.” Mickey Cavan may have been a simple farm labourer who never left his native Ardfert in Kerry but the eccentric bachelor possessed an unlikely flair for art. Seán Mac an tSíthigh has been to an exhibition in Ardfert where the locals have fond memories of the unassuming artist who died 26 years ago.
SINGER ULTAN CONLON / REPORT NIALL MARTIN
This story takes us to County Mayo where a new approach to providing performers with a platform for their music has been explored thanks to a singer and guitarist named Ultan Conlon. Our reporter, Niall Martin went to find out about his singing tour of Mayo.
FRIDAY 12TH MAY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
MUSIC AND PERFORMERS
Nationwide has music and performance on the menu as we meet people who have been in the music business for many years and who are still performing decades after they got hooked on singing and playing gigs around the country.
GINA AND THE CHAMPIONS/REPORT BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
We head to Cork to meet the members of an Irish pop group called Gina and the Champions. The group, which formed in 1973, had great success in the 80’s and 90’s and we take a trip down memory lane as they reminisce about their days on the road.
MUSICAN ANDY IRVINE / REPORT NIALL MARTIN
English musician Andy Irvine had a drink in O’Donoghue’s pub in Dublin in 1962 and he found his spiritual home in Ireland. Andy has been an adopted Irishman for the last 60 years and he’s still touring all of the country and the continent with his storytelling folk and trad music. Niall Martin has been to meet him.