MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
RNLI 200 YEARS PROGRAMME
This evening’s special programme focuses on the RNLI as it celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea. The Nationwide team heads to Arklow in County Wicklow and Hook Head in County Wexford to meet with dedicated lifeboat crew volunteers who share stories of their commitment and recount some of the courageous rescues they have taken part in down through the years.
The programme highlights the importance of this vital organisation, taking a look at its funding structure and also the rich 200-year history of this invaluable lifeboat service.
WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
TOY SHOW APPEAL PROGRAMME
Ahead of the Late Late Toy Show this week, Nationwide has stories of people and projects which have benefited from funds raised by viewers of the Late Late Toy Show Appeal in recent years. The team visit some of these and see how the money has helped to provide vital services in different parts of Ireland. The Late Late Toy Show appeal was set up in 2020 in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland. Its aim is to provide additional funding to Irish Children’s charities through the Late Late Toy Show. Last year, The Toy Show Appeal raised over €3.6 million in viewer donations. In total, 122 organisations received funding to provide a range of supports in areas like health, mental wellbeing and therapy.
Reporter Brian Hurley visits The Torc Family Resource Centre in Killarney, one of the many organisations that received funding through the appeal. He learns how the donations have made it possible for the centre to improve its services, helping more families access the support they need.
Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh speaks to Denise Charlton, the CEO of Community Foundation Ireland, the partner organisation for the Toy Show appeal, to hear how monies raised can make a real difference to the charities.
Another organisation that was helped by the 2023 appeal is Cian’s Kennels, a charity that was set up in memory of Cian Neary who sadly lost his life to cancer in 2019. Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh meets the family behind the charity.
FRIDAY 6TH DECEMBER
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
GIFTED CRAFT FAIR FROM THE RDS
Presenter Anne Cassin heads to the Gifted Craft Fair at the RDS in Dublin, where hundreds of talented craft makers from across Ireland have gathered to showcase their handmade creations. These craft makers hope to attract shoppers seeking unique, locally made Christmas gifts. Also, Reem El-Hassany meets a jewellery maker in Limerick and Zainab Boladale visits a ceramic artist in the West of Ireland.
Clare Butler is a jewellery maker based in Limerick and although she has worked with clay for many years, she only launched her jewellery business in 2022. This is her second time attending the Gifted Craft Fair and reporter Reem El-Hassany visited Clare’s studio as she was in preparation for the fair.
In the heart of Galway, where the land meets the sea, a humble studio houses the work of Tatiana Dobos, a ceramic artist whose journey from Moldova to Ireland has helped her reconnect with nature and art. Reporter Zainab Boladale has her story.
