MONDAY 19TH MAY
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
2024 TIDY TOWNS WINNER
On this evening’s show, the team visits Ballincollig in County Cork, the national winner in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition 2024. Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh explores how Ballincollig has evolved from its 14th century village origins to become a thriving large suburban town just 9 km from Cork City.
WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
DUBLIN LITERARY AWARDS
As the announcement of this year’s Dublin Literary Award winner approaches, Nationwide celebrates writers and books. Marking its 30th anniversary, the prestigious award offers €100,000 to the winning novel, making it one of the most significant literary prizes in the world. Presenter Anne Cassin meets up with some of the award’s previous winners to reflect on their journeys and the impact of the prize.
Also on the show there is a focus on mobile libraries. The Roscommon Mobile Library has been serving rural communities for 50 years, bringing books to even the most remote areas. Reporter Zainab Boladale hops aboard to learn more about this unique service that connects people through stories and reading.
FRIDAY 23RD MAY
PRESENTER ZAINAB BOLADALE
PRE-AFRICA DAY PROGRAMME
Nationwide visits the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, where over 10,000 people gathered to celebrate African-Irish culture as part of the Africa Day Dublin festivities. Africa Day is a global celebration of African unity and heritage. In Ireland, all 31 Local Authorities will mark the occasion throughout May with family-friendly events nationwide. Presenter Zainab Boladale visited the Royal Hospital Kilmainham where she met members of the African community who now call Ireland home. The programme also highlights the vibrant music, food and cultural traditions on display at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
This episode also features Kildare native Aishah Akorede, who won the Miss Universe Ireland title in 2023. Since then, she’s launched a pageantry academy for young girls and most recently competed on Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2025, where she captivated Irish audiences. Zainab visited her in Leixlip to learn more about her journey and of her African heritage.
