MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
HOLYCROSS ABBEY RESTORATION – 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Only a handful of abbeys in Ireland have undergone extensive restoration and continue to serve as places of prayer for both locals and visitors. This evening, Nationwide visits one such site, the beautifully restored 12th-century Cistercian abbey in the village of Holycross, County Tipperary.
Founded in 1182 AD by Dónal Mór Ó Briain, King of Thomond, the abbey flourished for centuries before falling into ruin following the ‘Dissolution of the Monasteries’ under Henry VIII in the mid-16th century. Between 1970 and 1975, it underwent a major restoration, thanks in large part to the dedication of the local community, who contributed skilled craftsmanship, labour, and vital funding.
As the people of Holycross mark the 50th anniversary of its restoration, the Nationwide team visits this remarkable abbey, a place of worship for over 800 years, to celebrate its enduring legacy and the commitment of those who ensured its survival for future generations.
WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
PROGRAMME FROM ADARE
Nationwide looks ahead to 2027 when Adare, County Limerick will host the 100th Ryder Cup and 24 of the world’s best golfers will gather at Adare Manor Golf Course to represent the US and Europe in this biennial contest. The 2025 Ryder Cup concludes at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York on the 28th of September, when the official handover from New York to Adare will take place.
Presenter Anne Cassin speaks with some of the key stakeholders about preparations in the region for this huge event. Also, Ray O’Driscoll, Acting CEO of the Shannon Group, shares how Shannon Airport, gateway to the event, is putting plans in place for 2027. Meanwhile, Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, discusses the value of golf tourism and the lasting economic impact the Ryder Cup is expected to bring.
Nationwide also meets proud local members of the community in Adare, as the village comes alive with a number of events to celebrate the day on which Adare officially becomes the host of the next Ryder Cup.
FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
MIXED ART STORIES
This evening’s Nationwide celebrates art and creativity, from sculpture to compelling storytelling on stage.
Reporter Valerie Waters meets a sculptor whose work is part of the Sculpture in Context exhibition currently taking place at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin, which is now in it’s 40th year.
The programme also features a powerful theatre production from the Dublin Theatre Festival which is an annual celebration of Irish and international theatre. This year, the company Dead Centre presents Deaf Republic – a powerful production exploring deafness and resilience, told through Irish Sign Language, British Sign Language, and spoken English. Reporter Zainab Boladale meets the creative team to discover how deaf and hearing artists are bringing it to life.
