MONDAY 23RD MARCH
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
COUNTRY & WESTERN – PROGRAMME 1
In the first of a week-long series of programmes on Country Music, Nationwide meets two rising stars who are making their mark – one in County Donegal and the other in West Cork. Nationwide steps onto the dance floor in Donegal town as fans gather to hear David James, and in County Cork, the team meets Effie Neill in her home village of Ardgroom.
The first story is from County Donegal, where reporter Tommy Stenson meets country music fans, dancers, performers, and a young man named David James, who is quickly becoming a well-known name on the country music circuit.
Nationwide also travels to the quiet village of Ardgroom in West Cork, where singer Effie Neill launched her career. Reporter Colm Flynn visits her, in her home place on the stunning Beara Peninsula.
WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH
PRESENTER COLM FLYNN
COUNTRY & WESTERN – PROGRAMME 2
In the second programme of Nationwide’s week-long focus on the Irish Country Music scene, presenter Colm Flynn meets a Cork man who has been promoting and supporting Irish Country singers here at home and around the world. He also meets some of the many country music fans who gathered to attend a country awards night in County Cavan.
This evening, Nationwide is in Cavan for one of the biggest events in Irish country music, the Hot Country TV Music Awards at the Kilmore Hotel. As some of the genre’s best-known performers take to the stage, Colm goes behind the scenes to meet the team bringing the show to life, including Cork based Hugh O’Brien, the founder of Hot Country TV. Colm also travels to Cork to see how Hugh produces his long-running television show, which supports emerging Irish talent by giving them a platform.
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
COUNTRY & WESTERN – PROGRAMME 3
In the third and final episode of programme’s focusing on Country Music in Ireland, this evening Nationwide meets two stalwarts of the scene including singer Brendan Shine who goes down memory lane to reflect on his long and successful career which has spanned more than fifty years.
Brendan Shine has been a familiar and much‑loved voice in Irish country music. With over 50 albums and 45 hit singles to his name, he remains as busy as ever, performing for audiences around the country. Reporter Tommy Stenson visited Brendan in Athlone.
