ÁINE KAVANAGH joins John Healy to talk about the upcoming event, Riverdance – The Gathering. Áine talks about how the event is a part of a tourism initiative in Ireland, the details of the event itself, the other events that will take place as part of the Gathering festival, their hope to break the world record…
National College of Ireland
Ronnie O’ Brien speaks to DR MICHAEL GOLDRICH, who is a learning & development officer with the National College of Ireland, about a programme being set up to teach sign language. NCI have developed a new course in sign language & deaf culture, and the first graduation will take place on June 16th 2011…

The Big Bang Festival 2013
BRIAN FLEMING, co-director of The Big Bang Festival of Rhythm joins Noel McGuinness on the phone to discuss the 2013 festival. Having started in 1994 they have ran it continuously since 2007. Brian tells all about what is in store for this years festival including group drumming and a workshop with world famous Djembe drummer:…
Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) Smithfield Horse Clampdown
Pat Meehan talks to MIRIAM KERINS of Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) about the clampdown on the horse markets in Smithfield. The problem as Miriam elaborates is that people are bringing unlicensed animals into the country and then selling them to children as markets like Smithfield. The DSPCA is clamping down…
National Family Dog Walk Funds Guide Dog Training
Noel McGuinness talks to Dog Breeder for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, MARGUERITE O’BRIEN about Irish Guide Dogs’ Annual Family Dog Walk. The event is a nationwide fundraiser for the charity. Margueritte says she has just bred the first litter of six puppies that will all be undergoing training here in Ireland. Guide dogs…
Poor Creche Care Concerns Working Parents
EMMA NOLAN, Organiser of the Maternity and Infant Awards joins Yvette Reid in studio to discuss recently released statistics that suggest some 80% of parents are concerned about the quality of care in creches. Emma says parents paying up to €1200 per month for creche care and many of them feel that too much time…
Law & Mediation Center Coolock
John Healy speaks to ROSS PALMER from community law & mediation in the civic center here in Coolock. They have been in Coolock for the past forty years ,originally known as Coolock law center & then renamed a couple of years later as North side community law center . They have widened their services over…
Barbara Jennings’ Exhibition
Artist and NearFM roving reporter BARBARA JENNINGS talks about a forthcoming exhibition in Gallery 27, South Frederick Street and her art and influences. She was shown how to cast bronzes by Joe Moran, who gave her the equipment and know-how before telling her to go and practice. You can see the results of her hard…
Anti-Austerity Alliance petition against water charges
MICHAEL O’BRIEN and PRIONSIAS O’CONARAIN talk to Mark Finnegan about the on-going campaign against payment of water charges in Ireland…
St Michael’s House Arts Week – Fun For All
ANNE HIGGINS, Principal at St Michael’s House, Baldoyle introduces the 2015 Arts Week. Arts Week gives the opportunity for students to showcase their talents. There is no art form – dance, music, etc – that cannot be adapted to people with every and all need. This Week gives the children of Baldoyle an opportunity to…

Launch of 1916 Cufflinks to Barack Obama for St. Patrick’s Day
John Healy is chatting with DECLAN KILLEN, Goldsmith and Jewellery designer makes his own collections of contemporary and Celtic jewellery. The 1916 themed Cufflinks were presented to Barack Obama for St. Patrick’s day. The design is available from the National Museum of Ireland…
Declaring Bankruptcy
Sabrina Ryan interviews JILLIAN GODSIL who recently declared herself bankrupt, and tells how does she face this situation. She explains how she got into a project of creating a Guest House when her husband and her were quite successful with their works, making a huge invest that made sense at the moment. But suddenly she…
Trade Unionism in an Era of Economic Austerity – 2013
PADRAIG YEATES, historian, speaks to Ger Leddin on the occasion of a conference to commemorate the 1913 lockout. Padraig and Ger talk about the importance of the history of the State during Ireland’s current economic hardship. Padraig highlights employee rights and their importance and also trade union rights in modern times. They discuss collective bargaining…
Two meerkats born at Dublin Zoo in 2012
EDDIE O’BRIEN from Dublin Zoo joins Paula Wiseman on the phone to discuss the arrival of two meerkats pups at the zoo in recent days. Eddie begins by sharing some history of the Zoo itself and paints a picture of his job as team leader at the zoo. We hear that there are 58 full…
Chernobyl Children international: A Volunteers perspective
RYAN CLEARY joins Noel McGuinness to speak about his involvement with the Chernobyl Childrens cause. Ryan shares stories of the work that the cause has carried out in Belarus, including improving sanitation and cleanliness for abandoned children. Ryan tells that they have moved from working with orphanages primarily to creating day care centres and community…