MONDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER
NATIONWIDE AT THE ÁRAS
Nationwide goes behind the scenes at the last season of garden parties of the Michael D. Higgins presidency at Áras an Uachtaráin. A tradition since 1939, the annual garden parties take place over a three-week period in late June and early July.
At each one from 450 up to 600 guests experience the house and stunning grounds, and Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh meets the dedicated Áras staff who make it all happen and also the guests who include those doing valuable work in their community.
WEDNESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER
THE PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM SCREGGAN, COUNTY OFFALY
Nationwide makes its annual visit to the National Ploughing Championships. Presenters Anne Cassin and Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh soak up the atmosphere in Screggan, County Offaly where over a quarter of a million visitors are expected at the three-day event.
From brown bread baking competitions to line dancing, the latest in farm machinery and innovation to artisan food and the National Calf Finals there is an extraordinary array to experience at one of Europe’s largest outdoor events. But at the core of it all are the ploughing competitions which have taken place since 1931 and have grown from a 26 acre site to over 700 acres where the spirit of Ireland’s agricultural community is on display.
FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
CULTURE NIGHT 2025
On this Culture Night, Nationwide celebrates theatre, music, and all kinds of cultural gatherings. The team travels to the coastal town of Balbriggan in North County Dublin to explore what is one of Ireland’s finest new theatres. They hear about some of the many Culture Night events planned both locally and across the country and presenter Anne Cassin talks to Sinead O’Reilly from The Arts Council, to learn more about this annual celebration of arts, heritage and culture.
The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan County Dublin is a unique new music venue. Made possible through a generous act of philanthropy, no expense was spared in bringing this vision to life. The facility includes a concert hall, a music school and accommodation for visiting musicians. Reporter John Kilraine has the story behind this project.
Also on the show, reporter Zainab Boladale recently spent the day in Balbriggan, meeting local groups as they prepared for Culture Night.
