MONDAY 24TH MARCH
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
This evening’s Nationwide programme explores the tradition of drystone walling in Ireland, focusing on a monument to the craft in County Offaly. Also highlighted on the show is the collaborative efforts in Cappoquin, Co Waterford to address dereliction and revitalise the town.
Dry Stone walls have been built in Ireland for centuries with construction in every part of the country but especially in the Western counties of Clare, Galway and Mayo. Recently UNESCO officially inscribed Ireland’s practice of Dry Stone Construction on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This accolade followed a campaign by the Government supported by the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland. Reporter Brian Hurley visited Bord na Mona’s Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly to see a monument built by volunteers with stone from each province and using the methods of construction used in each of the four provinces of Ireland.
The Super Valu Tidy Towns competition has brought a great focus on the work of the volunteers right around Ireland and as the 2025 competition has now been officially launched Nationwide visits Cappoquin in County Waterford to find out about the work there, where the tidy towns committee are collaborating with the local development company and a local artist, to work on the enhancement of the town for the benefit of all.
WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
On this evening’s show the team focus on stories of health and wellbeing.
Nationwide meets an ensemble of musicians who since COVID have been performing in nursing homes to residents who thoroughly enjoy uplifting cultural experiences. Reporter, Valerie Waters went to a nursing home in Citywest, Co. Dublin to meet the musicians and audience members who were in great voice too.
Ahead of this Friday’s Irish Cancer Society National Daffodil Day, Nationwide visits the team behind a small support group in County Meath to find out about their work and how the essential help they provide is part funded by money from Daffodil day.
FRIDAY 28TH MARCH
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
SUSTAINABILITY AND BIODIVERSITY
On this evening’s programme there is a focus on new approaches to farming the land and to planting shrubs and trees in our gardens. The team meets a Kildare farmer who has stopped ploughing his land and who is having success with a different approach. Plus, reporter Valerie Waters gets advice and tips from Gardens in the OPW who are gardening sustainably.
Amateur gardeners are familiar with the idea of the “no dig” philosophy. Not digging the soil means less work but it’s also better for the soil. Reporter Niall Martin has been to meet a farmer who has more time on his hands since he stopped ploughing and has adopted the no dig method.
The sites of the Office of Public Works throughout Ireland have seen a move towards sustainable practices. Reporter, Valerie Waters paid a visit to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin to meet some of the staff there who are implementing this remit and the result is a success story.
