WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
IRISH FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO WORLD WAR TWO.
On this evening’s Nationwide, two stories of two families with connections to two separate events of World War 2.
The team visits a family, with German roots but who now live in County Wicklow and who have opened up their farm to visitors from near and far and who also have a fascinating family historical connection to events during World War 2. Separately from the archives, Nationwide looks back on the story of an Irish woman whose weather forecasting helped ensure that D-Day took place on a day when the weather was good.
Munny Farm in Coolkenno is a working farm which now also caters for visitors from near and far. The Bielenberg family accommodate guests in the converted farm buildings and in the cabins and yurts on the farm where pony trekking is available and where visitors can even bring their own horse. The woman who started the trail, Belinda Bielenberg comes from a family with an incredible history associated with the plot to kill Hitler.
As a young woman growing up in County Kerry, Maureen Flavin Sweeney dreamed of a life in America and intended to move there, however love came along and instead of the West Coast of America she ended up in Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland. She met and married a lighthouse keeper, raised a family and on this day, the 4th June 1944 made a weather report that changed the course of history. Maureen and her husband died a number of years ago but back in 2005 reporter Eileen Magnier met with her to hear her story.
FRIDAY 6TH JUNE
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
HISTORIC BUILDINGS NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD
On this evening’s Nationwide, the team explores a historic area of Dublin city, located north of the River Liffey between Collins Barracks and the North Circular Road.
They delve into the rich architectural heritage of Arbour Hill and Stoneybatter, uncovering the stories behind the striking buildings that have stood for almost two centuries. As part of the programme, Nationwide marks the anniversary of Arbour Hill Prison, and takes a walking tour to discover the buildings designed by some of the top architects of the period over 200 years ago.
