PAT GUERIN talks to BRIAN GREEN (Socialist Party) on the forthcoming launch of the Anti Household and Water Tax Campaign and the public forum organised on the issue…
Junior Entrepreneur Programme for Junior Dragons
John Healy and Fiona Nolan talk to AIDEEN TROY of the Junior Entrepreneur Programme who are calling on all North County Dublin Schools and Parents to get involved in the free Entrepreneurship Programme on Near FM’s Northside Today…
Near FM Celebrates Its Twentieth Anniversary
JACK BYRNE, one of the founders of NearFM chats to John Healy about the station’s beginnings. North Dublin community radio station Near FM, which marks its 20th anniversary next week, had very humble beginnings. Its first studio was an empty car crate, wallpapered with egg boxes, located in a vacant school dormitory in Coolock. From…
New Monasticism in Ireland
BERNADETTE FLANAGAN speaks to Ronnie O’Brien about “New Monasticism”, a global movement developing a network of people who are interested in having practices like mindfulness built into their daily lives. They speak of the idea of possible links to Celtic Monasticism. They speak of a “soul friend” or “An Ainm Chara” and they finally discuss…
What is the Offbeat Ensemble?
CIARA CAVANAGH joins Noel McGuiness to discuss the Offbeat Ensemble, a new community string orchestra. Ciara explains the genesis of the group. She tells how the main aim of the group is to encourage people who have never played an instrument before can join up and “give it a go”. Ciara explains that there will…
Liffey Swim Is A Unique Event In Dublin’s Life
EOIN GAFFNEY of Leinster Open Sea Committee talks to Pat Meehan about the next Liffey Swim. The Dublin City Liffey Swim (Irish: Snámh na Life, Bhaile Átha Cliath) is one of the most famous open sea races throughout the world. It was first run in 1920 when it was devised by Bernard Fagan an engineer…
Killester British Legion Hall Campaign
John Healy interviews KEVIN MADDEN PR Manager for the Killester War Memorial Campaign. They’re catting about the campaign for the Killester British Legion Hall. He mentions how many residents of the area are linked to the soldiers that used to live there, as it is the case of teenager Aaron Crampton, whose great-grandfather fought in WW1, and he is…
Sight Loss
RONNIE O’BRIEN speaks with Des Kenny, who is CEO of the National Agency of Working for People with Sight Loss. Des speaks about making a case to the government for the investment of eye care in the form of treatment & how in the long run we can save money by doing this…
Art Pieces in Grogan’s Bar
Barbara speaks to TOMMY SMITH from Grogan’s Bar in South William Street. He talks about the development of the pub, the art pieces of displays from artists such as Brian McMahon and Tom Matthews, the idea behind the art being displayed in the pub, how a new art piece is put up in the pub…
BIT’s Springboard Initiative Helps Unemployed to Re-Skill
Ronnie O’Brien talks to DR. MARY MEANEY, President of the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. BIT has 350 free places to offer to people who are currently unemployed, enabling them to up-skill or re-skill…
Could an Icelandic Approach Work in Ireland’s Economy?
Professor TOTI MATTIESSEN joins Ger Leddin to discuss the recovery of the Icelandic economy. Professor Mattiessen also publicises his forthcoming coming talk in Dublin. We hear how the Icelanders dealt with their economic recovery by sending their banks into receivership. They contrast the Irish economic situation with the Icelandic response. Professor Mattiessen makes some observations…
Graffiti in Dublin
BARBARA JENNINGS speaks to an ex graffiti artist in Dublin about why he does graffiti & does it have a meaning…
North Dublin Bay Housing Crisis
As we head into 2016 North Dublin Bay Housing Crisis Committee member DIANA ROBERTS recaps on the past year with a lot of highs and lows from having a housing crisis meeting with the previous Lord Mayor in the Mansion House to the occupation of the Bolt hostel which highlighted how vacant properties can be…
Religion in schools creating faith formation
Ronnie O’Brien speaks to MICHAEL MORIARTY, the General secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Authority. They discuss an article which reports that 67% of parents want religious instruction for their children during the school day. Michael spoke of the pilot programme being run by the organisation, which involves faith formation…
Near Media co-ops Social Justice Media conference – preview
JACK BYRNE speaks to John Healy about an upcoming seminar on Social Justice being held by Near Media Co- op and outlines both the purpose of the event as well as the numerous activities that will take part on the day. …