MONDAY 12TH MAY
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The Nationwide team visits a community in Southwest Mayo who are tackling climate change at a local level. Residents of Louisburgh in County Mayo, along with those in the surrounding areas, have made great strides towards a more sustainable way of life and the team hears about some of the many projects that are up and running and meet some of the people behind its success.
The Men’s Shed group in Louisburgh have turned a disused patch of land into a vegetable garden where the conversations are as plentiful as the crops. The plot belongs to the local secondary school, and in exchange for its use, the group share their knowledge with students, on the importance of growing your own produce.
On the outskirts of Louisburgh in Co. Mayo is a unique community project called the ‘Callacoon Woodland Project’. It was set up five years ago, with the aim of creating greater biodiversity in the area. They achieved this, by purchasing 17 acres of farmland and planting it with thousands of native Irish trees.
WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
FORESTRY AND TREES
On this evening’s Nationwide there is a focus on Ireland’s woodlands and the remarkable lifespans of trees, some of which can live for hundreds of years. The team meets scientists studying these majestic giants and they also hear from volunteers who are working to restore ancient Irish forests, joining forces with fellow enthusiasts to help increase our nation’s tree cover.
One such group, the ‘Gaelic Woodlands Project’, organises volunteer teams to carry out conservation work in some of Ireland’s remaining native woodlands. Recently the team spent a day with the founder and a group of these volunteers who gave their time to clear invasive plant species from a woodland in County Wicklow.
Also explored on the programme is an innovative technology project called the ‘Talking Tree’. There has been ongoing scientific research into the impacts of climate change and other environmental changes on our tree life. Recently this work was demonstrated in Dublin and reporter Sinead Brennan went along to see how this project is giving a 200 year old tree ‘a voice’.
FRIDAY 16TH MAY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
On this evening’s Nationwide programme the team are in County Wexford to meet two inspiring young people making the most of life with the support of those around them.
At Ramsgrange Community School, an entire Transition Year class came together to support their classmate Jack Wickham, building the award-winning ‘Jack It Up’ ramp to help him overcome daily challenges. Reporter Colm Flynn tells their uplifting story.
Also featured on the programme is a remarkable young woman with Down Syndrome. Anna Adamovicka is full of life, energy and a love for adventure. In Ireland, adventure therapy is one of the ways young people are being supported, and Active Connections is among the programs offering this approach. It’s here that Anna has found a place to explore her passions. Reporter Reem El-Hassany went to Wexford to meet Anna and learn more about the impact of adventure therapy.
