GRACE WILENTZ, Near FM’s Intercultural Coordinator talks to Noel McGuinness about the latest series of ‘Culture Shots’. The aim of Culture Shots is to take a panel of eight people: Four Irish and four non-EU immigrants. The eight undertake a seven-week training course in community radio and intercultural media literacy that promotes equality and diversity…
Celebrating award of Green Flag in St David’s Boys’ School
Barbara Jennings reports live from St David’s Boys’ School in Artane, where she talks to HELEN CAHILL to find out what being awarded the Green Flag means and what they have to do to become a Green School…
Learning about the NEARFM series “Travellers Stories North Dublin through the eyes of the Travelling Community”
PAUL LOUGHRAN of NEARfm joins Paula Wiseman to discuss the upcoming Series which will broadcast on the station called ” Travellers Stories: North Dublin through the eyes of the Travelling community”. Paul tells the background to the series, how it came about and how training the poeple involved in the series was a large part…
Preserving Steam Technology In An Electric Age
FERGUS McDONNELL and MARTINA HAND of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) chat to Mark Finnegan. The RPSI was formed in 1964 (they celebrated our 50th Anniversary in 2014) to preserve in working order steam locomotives and other rolling stock built for the Irish railway system from 1850 to the present day. The RPSI…
Problems With New Driving Licence Issue System
PETER NOLAN from IMPACT speaks to Noel McGuinness about failures in the newly introduced driving licence system. Peter outlines the problems that have arisen around delivery times for the new licenses and explains how they have arisen. Peter says the turn around time for receipt of new licences has increased by up to six weeks…
Multicultural Week at Mercy College
Mark speaks to several people live from Multicultural Week at Mercy College, Coolock. Mark firstly speaks to ROSEMARY LYNCH, principal of Mercy College. She talks about the details and history of the event in the school, how important the event is and why it’s important for everyone to appreciate each other’s culture. Mark then speaks…
Mitch, A Recovering Heroin Addict
BARBARA JENNINGS speaks with MITCH who is a recovering heroin addict. He talks about his life today now that he is clean of drugs but tells us how he first got involved & how he lived his life when he was an addict…
What is the “One Percent Difference” philanthropic campaign?
SEAMUS MULCONRY, Executive Director of Philanthropy Ireland speaks with Pat about the “One Percent Difference” campaign, where you are asked to give one percent of your time or money to a cause which you can believe in. Seamus talks about the pros of volunteering time for sports and other organisations in Ireland, the generosity of Irish people as…
Artist in Residence, Axis Ballymun
Noel Mc Guinness speaks to ANNE EBELING, artist in residence in the Axis in Ballymun. She speaks about her paintings & how she came to live in Ireland & how painting has had a big influence on her life. ANNE speaks about her children & how they play a big part in her paintings…
Ossia Youth Choir
CARMEL WHELAN joins Noel McGuinness to talk about the Ossia Youth Choir. They begin by discussing the beginnings of the choir, which Carmel set up. With participants aged between 9 and 16 years of age there are on average thirty members of the choir at any one time. With no previous experience needed the choir…

Hands Up for Children Campaign
Mark speaks to ROSEMARY GAFFNEY, Principal of St. Joseph’s National School; LOUISE MCGUIRK from Doras Bui and NOEL KELLY from the Northside Partnership about the Hands Up for Children campaign. They talk about the influence they’re trying to put to ministers about the need for funding children, the delight of the parents over the campaign, how…
The Integration Centre on the “Putting people First” document
Ronnie O’Brien speaks to KILLIAN FORDE of the Integration Centre. They begin by discussing a document released by Minister Phil Hogan called “Putting people first” and what the results of this set of policies will be. They discuss any difference in integration throughout this period. They discuss some of the differences in modern day immigration…
Men’s Shed Movement Has A Welcome For Everyone
FRANK SCALZO & ROB WALSH talk to Mark Finnegan about the Men’s Shed movement in Ballymun and Ireland as a whole. What is a Men’s Shed? A Men’s Shed is a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place where men come together and undertake a variety of mutually agreed activities. Men’s Sheds are open to all…
Randolph O’Toole On The Writing Life
Northside author Randolph O’Toole, the writer of ‘Bankrupted’ tells Pat Meehan about his route into getting published. Randolph’s book is available on Amazon and he explains why the eBook way seemed to him to be a good way to get his work out to a wider readership. Randolph also talks about the way he managed…
Debra Ireland operates Charity shop on Camden Street, Dublin
Barbara Jennings joins Carmel to discuss Debra Ireland in their charity shop on Camden street and the work that it does. Carmel explains the skin condition and the hardships associated with it. They talk of the slogan “Imagine a world without hugs” and tell how it is inspired by the fact that many people dealing…
