MONDAY 7TH APRIL
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
STONE WORK IN IRELAND
On this evening’s Nationwide the craft of stonemasonry is explored. The team visits a college where the skill is being taught and reporter Valerie Waters travels to Monaghan to see the stone restoration at St. Macartan’s Cathedral.
Though fewer people practice stonemasonry today, it remains a valuable skill for preserving historic buildings. In Tralee, County Kerry, a stonemasonry course is in high demand and reporter Brian Hurley meets those taking part.
Also, reporter Valerie Waters takes a closer look at the major renovation of St. Macartan’s Cathedral in County Monaghan, where expert stonemasons are giving the landmark building a new lease of life.
WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
PROGRAMME FROM SLIEVE GULLION IN SOUTH ARMAGH
This evening’s episode of Nationwide takes viewers to Slieve Gullion, an area of outstanding natural beauty just north of the border in South Armagh. Anyone travelling North on the Dublin Belfast motorway, beyond Dundalk and near the border will pass through the valley between Counties Armagh and Down. To the left is Slieve Gullion, a rugged mountainous area steeped in history and legend. Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh explores the mountain, which is in fact, the remains of an ancient volcano and is celebrated not only for its geological significance but also for its stunning forest park, popular walking trails and rich biodiversity. The team meet some of the many crafts people and artists who live and work in this part of the country and we hear of the history of great warriors and the folklore of this part of rural Ireland.
Each hill and townland around Slieve Gullion holds its own heritage and lore and often it’s our artists and writers who bring these stories to light. Reporter Niall Martin went on a walk with a forager and an artist who both live on Slieve Gullion to hear some of those stories.
FRIDAY 11TH APRIL
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
This evening’s show features uplifting community stories from across the country including the story of a woman who, while recovering from surgery, was drawn to the story of an Irish volunteer after watching a segment on the Kanturk courthouse cells on Nationwide last year. Plus, reporter Marian Malone visits a County Westmeath village, where nearly every resident plays a role in keeping their community spotless for the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition.
A report broadcast on Nationwide last year was the inspiration behind a Cancer survivor researching and publishing her first ever book on a forgotten war hero nicknamed ‘The One-Eyed Gunner’. Kerry woman, Mary O’Donoghue researched the fascinating life story of Fred Healy, one of the Irish Volunteers who had written their names on the wall of a jail house in Kanturk, County Cork during the Irish War of Independence. Reporter Tomás O Mainnín meets this Nationwide inspired author.
It took the little village of Ballinahown in County Westmeath over 30 years to win Tidiest Village in Ireland in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition last year. It’s been County Winner in Tidy Towns for over twenty years, won its first gold medal in 2023, as well as gold at Entente Florale last September. Marian Malone has been to meet the inspirational community volunteers behind its many successes.
