PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY
This evening’s programme takes the team to a glamping village in County Mayo, where hobbit-style houses are attracting parents and kids who come on holidays. In Sligo, Anne meets a sheep farmer who welcomes visitors who want to learn about managing sheep dogs. Plus a master craftsman in County Laois who specializes in creating and repairing traditional Irish musical instruments including the Harp.
While the Wild Atlantic Way provides a brilliant route for visitors, it’s only a guide, you can go off route and explore some of the slightly inland attractions. Last Summer, reporter Niall Martin headed to Mayo glamping near Castlebar where there is a variety of accommodation including hobbit huts.
Next to the neighbouring county of Sligo where a sheep farmer has been welcoming visitors and tourists who want to learn about managing sheep dogs. Recently Anne spent a fascinating few hours learning what’s involved.
Gerard Doheny is a project manager by day, but when he’s not co-ordinating projects, he’s building and restoring harps and it all started with one very special restoration project. Reporter Reem El-Hassany went to Laois to meet him.
WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
UPCYCLING PROGRAMME
On this evening’s show there is a focus on upcycling and craftspeople as Nationwide meets shoe repairers who are giving footwear a new lease of life and also the team in County Cork who are bringing old unwanted furniture back into use again. Plus, a Cork Crafts woman who is sharing her love of crochet with others in the county.
At IRD Duhallow Furniture Revamp Centre, what’s old is made to look brand new. Since 2016, the furniture revamp team estimates they’ve rescued over 4500 items of furniture in the Duhallow region through their various services. Reporter Zainab Boladale visited the workshop to find out how it all works.
In Midleton in County Cork, reporter Reem El-Hassany meets Connie Murray, a local crochet artist and creative who discovered her talent during a tumultuous and challenging time in her life. Now, many years on, she has cultivated her craft and has pursued new ventures so that others may share in her joy.
Every year in Ireland 10 million pairs of shoes end up in the black bin. Most of them will be incinerated but there is another way of giving your shoes an additional lifespan. Niall Martin has been to visit one of the country’s few remaining shoe repairers in Dublin.
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
Nationwide meets people who are getting a little help and support from our K9 friends. We hear all about the work of assistance dogs and the plans to expand this service. Plus, in Dublin we meet a group of people who are getting an idea of what it is like for those without sight to visit somewhere like the National Gallery in Dublin.
Dogs for the Disabled is a Cork-based organization that trains puppies to become assistance dogs, providing life-changing support to those who need it most and whose lives have been transformed by their dogs, showcasing the incredible impact these companions have.
Many of our cultural organisations have become much more inclusive, running events for people with a disability. The National Gallery have a regular programme of inclusive tours including a textural tour of the gallery, where members of the public are blindfolded for the tour.
