MONDAY 31ST MARCH
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
Nationwide meets two young men who are champions in their sport of Downhill biking. Plus, the team meet a Wexford man whose travel blogs draw attention to the challenges he faces on travelling around Ireland.
Ireland isn’t exactly known for its downhill mountain biking scene, but two young riders are changing all of that that. Ronan Dunne and Oisín O’Callaghan have taken the international racing circuit by storm, competing at the highest levels of the sport and proving that Irish riders can go head-to-head with the best in the world. But beyond the podium finishes and high-speed descents, theirs is a story of friendship, competition and the sacrifices it takes to chase a dream. Reporter Reem El-Hassany met them to hear about their journey so far and what’s next for Ireland’s fastest bike riders.
When a love for the outdoors and a strong sense of adventure drives you, not even a spinal injury can hold you back. That’s exactly the case for Leona and Michael Hennessy Cullen. This adventurous couple seek out accessible activities while advocating for inclusion and highlighting ableism across Ireland. Nationwide met up with them on one of their hikes to hear their story.
WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
On this World Autism Awareness Day, Nationwide explores a town in West Cork where many of the shops and businesses have adapted their spaces to better support and accommodate those who are neurodivergent. Additionally, the team visits Trinity College Dublin to learn about a new map designed to inform the college community about different sensory environments across the campus.
Those on the autism spectrum face additional challenges while navigating their way through life. To demonstrate some of the challenges faced, reporter Brian Hurley travelled to Clonakilty in County Cork, a town which has made great strides in its efforts to become an Autism Friendly town.
Meanwhile, Trinity College Dublin has recruited two neurodiverse students to develop interactive digital maps that guide the college community through various sensory environments on campus. Reporter Valerie Waters visited Trinity’s Botany Department to meet the team behind this innovative online sensory mapping project.
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
CREATIVE CRAFT PROGRAMME
This evening’s Nationwide programme focuses on artistry and craft as we meet some creatives who draw their inspiration from nature.
Will Fogarty, a former construction worker based in Hospital County Limerick, took a leap of faith during the economic downturn and found his true passion in chainsaw carving. Now known as ‘Fear na Coillte,’ he travels around the country creating eye-catching sculptures for individuals and groups such as the Tidy Towns or local authorities. Will has also built up a following on social media as he documents his work of bringing new life to old wood.
The Lafcadio Hearne Japanese Garden in Tramore Co. Waterford is a place of peace and tranquility. It is here that a collaboration began between local photographer and print artist, Margaret O’Brian Moran and poet, Mark Roper. With a passion for the environment and nature these gardens were a perfect inspiration for them both and Nationwide went along to meet them there.
