MONDAY 9TH JUNE
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
EAVAN BOLAND LIBRARY, TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
Nationwide tells the story of how Trinity College renamed the Berkeley Library after the Irish poet Eavan Boland. It is the first building on the over 400-year-old city centre campus to be named after a woman. The college libraries cater to the needs of over 22,000 students and have hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to the extraordinary collection of ancient manuscripts and artefacts including the Book of Kells and the Brian Boru Harp in the Old Library. Nationwide sees how Trinity College is preserving this historic legacy for future generations.
WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
KERRY GREENWAYS PROGRAMME
This evening’s Nationwide comes from County Kerry, where the team explores the region’s historic, abandoned railway lines, many of which are being re-opened as Greenways. The programme features visits to both the North Kerry and South Kerry Greenways to learn more about the developments currently underway.
In North Kerry, the Tralee to Fenit Greenway has transformed the abandoned railway line into a popular trail that attracts both locals and tourists. The route is not only boosting outdoor recreation but also supporting new businesses and the county’s tourism offering. Reporter Brian Hurley, who has family connections to the old railway, takes to the bike to discover more.
The South Kerry Greenway will travel on the old railway line from Farranfore to Valentia and reporter Niall Martin has been to see the work progressing.
FRIDAY 13TH JUNE
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
HEALTH AND FITNESS IN OLDER AGE
Tonight’s episode of Nationwide focuses on health and fitness, featuring two inspiring men who prove that age is no barrier to staying active. In Waterford, the team meets a dedicated runner in his 70s who is still actively participating in running competitions. Meanwhile in Limerick, reporter Marian Malone meets a man who is walking his way to health and happiness and who is breaking walking records in his 70’s.
At the age of ten, Dungarvan runner Joe Gough won his first race and so began his love for a sport that he has dedicated most of his life to. At the age of 60 he won his first world gold medal, breaking a world record. Now, at almost 73 years of age, he continues to compete, has 10 individual world gold medals and no plans for stopping any time soon.
Next, the team travel to Limerick to meet Vinod Bajaj, an Indian native who moved to Ireland 48 years ago. After a successful career as a senior manager in multinational companies, Vinod embraced retirement by taking on personal challenges including walking, but his walking is a little more challenging than a short stroll around the city. Reporter Marian Malone finds out more about his inspiring journey.
