Minister RUAIRI QUINN T.D. is interviewed here about the survey for parents in Whitehall. Surveys undertaken in five pilot areas on primary school patronage show that there is parental demand for a greater choice of patron in each town. The surveys were conducted in Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall as part of the Minister…
Sports with Fergus Carroll
Noel Mc Guinness speaks with Near Fm’s head of sports department FERGUS CARROLL about what’s happening in the sports world at home & abroad…
Swords 1014 commemoration
Noel McGuinness interviews PAUL BARNES, events officer at Fingal County Council about the Swords 1014 commemoration, which mark the connection of Swords with the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Boru as well as Fingal’s strong links to the Vikings. He explains the different events that will take place as well as…
Grooming All Dogs – Great and Small
Three years ago, JOANNE COLLINS was made redundant from her job as a sales manager. She didn’t let this get her down and decided to go into business for herself. She did a three-month small business course and then, in conjunction with another pal who’d been made redundant, she opened All Dogs Great And Small…
Asgard Howth gun running
MICHAEL SHARP talks to P Meehan about the Howth Gun Running centenary celebrations…
National Biodiversity Data Centre
Noel Mc Guinness speaks to DR. LIAM LYSAGHT who is director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre. He speaks about where wild life occurs in Ireland & how people can learn more about Wildlife by attending the workshops which are starting tomorrow in Bull Island in Clontarf. The first one up is an “introduction to Waders”…
A Complete Guide to Statues & Sculptures of Dublin
John Healy chats to NEAL DOHERTY about his new book: A Complete Guide to Statues & Sculptures of Dublin. Neal is a true–blue Dubliner and Fáilte Ireland qualified tour guide who has been introducing tourists to the history and culture of Dublin for many years. He spent his career as a divisional manager in Nestlé,…
iReport: How each individual can help by reporting racist incidents
SHANE O’CURRY joins Eoin Drinan beginning to explain how the iReport, available online, acts as a national system to report incidents of a racist nature. Shane says the information is not necessarily being reported to the Gardai but helps to paint a picture of demographic trends and rate of occurrence around the city. Monthly reports…
UNESCOs Eco Friendly summer courses in Dublin
ECO UNESCO’s ELAINE NEVIN joins Noel McGuinness to talk about their sustainable development course and their other summer courses for young people. Elaine talks about the nature and activities of their children’s course, their FETAC accredited sustainable development course for adults, how younger people understand the idea of sustainable energy, the theme of their summer camps,…
Social Justice Irelands views on how to invest in Irelands Future
MICHELLE MURPHY of Social Justice Ireland talks to Ger Leddin about a press release from the group Ireland has the lowest investment level of all 28 European countries. Michelle explains the findings of their research, finding that over the previous six years government investment has fallen over 40%. Michelle speaks of a lack on investment…

Marathon swimmer is at it again in Inis Mean
Marathon swimmer FERGAL SOMERVILLE talks to Noel McGuinness about his long distance swims in aid of the RNLI (lifeboats). In the past, FERGAL has swum Dublin Bay, the English Channel, and the Scottish Channel, amongst others. Later in 2014 he plans to swim from the Bailey to Bray. He talks about his preparations, the good work of…
“The Importance of Being Earnest” As Contemporary Opera
FERGUS SHIEL, founder and artistic director of Wide Open Opera, joins Eoin Drinan to discuss their upcoming opera style production of “The Importance of being Ernest”. The Crash Ensemble are providing the music for this production. With a running time of 90 minutes, the play is quick, witty and very well paced. Director Ger Barry…
Lir Free To Make Music Again
Noel McGuinness talks to RO BYRNE, lead guitarist with Lir, the band which is only now celebrating release from an onerous contract obligation that has dragged on for years. Ro says it is hard for young bands who only think about rock and roll to keep an eye on the business end of things. However,…
Birdwatch Ireland
Ronnie O’Brian speaks to NIALL HATCH from Bird watch Ireland about the ” Roseate Tern” a sea bird that come to Ireland in the summer months…
“The Locker Room” Updated at The Sean O Casey Theatre 2013
Playwright HENRY HUDSON joins Pat Meehan to discuss the production of his play “The Locker Room” being presented at the Sean O’Casey Theatre in East Wall. Henry tells Pat that he worked for a long time for the Electricity Supply Board before moving to teaching and getting started in writing drama with Kay Farrell at…