EMMA CONNORS, the Arts Development Coordinator at Axis, Ballymun talks to Noel McGuinness about the forthcoming 7th LIFT Youth Arts Festival in Ballymun. Thousands of young people take part in projects at Axis each year. Some of these – aged 16 – 17 years – form part of the Festival’s organising committee. They present workshops,…
16 Layers Play Live In Studio
The Northside band 16 Layers come into the Near FM studios to play a few of their songs live and chat with Pat Meehan. The songs are: Exile 00.23 03.59 Golden Ratio 06.34 10.25 Nervous Tremors 15.10 19.34 No Strings 24.10 27.34…
The Voice Squad’s Phil Callery in Studio
Musician and Voice Squad member, PHIL CALLERY joins Noel McGuinness in studio. Phil talks about his love for music, his dislike of where music production has evolved to over the years, how he started with the Voice Squad, how he believes that Ireland is keeping its song writing traditions intact and his old slot in…
Sean Haughey On FF Ticket For Dublin Bay North
Fianna Fáil has now decided to add Councillor Sean Haughey to the ticket in the Dublin Bay North constituency. SEAN HAUGHEY chats here with Mark Finnegan about issues that will be important in the forthcoming 2015 election. Mr Haughey said: “I am very honoured to be nominated as FF candidate. I am deeply committed to…

North Dublin Carer of the Year 2012
Pat Meehan speaks to North Dublin Carer of the Year 2012, SHARON SALEM. This award is given by the Carers Association. Sharon’s mother nominated her for the award after she came home from Australia to look after her when she was diagnosed with cancer…
Waking The Feminist
Conor speaks to DR. SHELLY THORPE about the movement “Waking The Feminist” taking place in the Abbey Theatre. She talks about the reasons of the movement, the people leading the movement, the widespread support of the movement from famous figures, the female playwrights that she feels could have been associated for the 1916 event and the…
Costumes Parisiens Exhibition at Chester Beatty Library
Barbara Jennings interviews JILL UNKEL, curator of the exhibiton “Costumes Parisiens”, which shows fashion plates from 1912-1914…
The Extraordinary Experience of the Ballymun Lullaby
Music teacher RON COONEY has been working in the Republic of Ireland’s only high-rise housing estate for fifteen years. During this time he has seen the area undergo a dramatic transformation, including the demolition of six of its seven tower blocks. The young people of Ballymun have had an extraordinary experience, and Ron sets out…
Seeking Fair Trade and Fair Treatment in the Asian Garment Industry
KATE NOLAN, organiser of Clean Clothes Campaign Ireland, speaks to Eoin Drinan about this lobbying group and its goals. The Clean Clothes Campaign is an international organisation dedicated to informing consumers and importers all over the world about the dreadful working conditions imposed on workers in the garment industry across Asia. Kate tells Eoin that…
Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland on International Womens Day 2013
ELIZABETH of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland joins Ronnie O’Brien to discuss their involvment in International Womens day. He begins by asking what drew her to the muslim faith. They move on to speak of Educational programmes provided by the Cultural Centre before moving on to discuss the Hijab and the Burka associated with…
Crisis in Iraq
JIM ROCHE of the Irish Anti-War Movement talks to Pat Meehan about the growing threat of war in the Middle East and the part that The US an UK governments are playing in arming the potential antagonists using ISIS as a catalyst. Oil is a major motivator in this political manouevering says JIM. And the…

Guitar Festival of Ireland 2012
ALEC O’LEARY, Director of the annual Guitar Festival of Ireland 2012 talks to Noel McGuinness about why he chose to take the route of classical guitar playing rather than the rock’n’roll approach. A graduate of the DIT Conservatory of Music, Alec says he does love rock’n’roll, he just likes to play classical as well. This…
Senior Citizens Prove Art is Fun For All Ages
MICHAEL GAFFNEY of Raheny Retirement Group’s Art Class talks to Conor Daly about the forthcoming Exhibition of the Group’s work in Raheny Library. The group has been holding art classes for some time now and has produced some beautiful work and heretofore undiscovered talents. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings…
Dalymount Park, A Pictorial History
Mark speaks to COLIN WHITE, author of “Dalymount Park, A Pictorial History”. He talks about his own connection to Dalymount Park and Bohemians, the images from the 50’s & 60’s put in the book, the ironic timing of the book following announcements to refurbish of the stadium, the images he found from concerts that took place…

Irish Records Fair
Noel speaks to BRIAN O’KELLY about the Irish Records Fair taking place in Smithfield, Dublin. He talks about the resurgence of vinyl records, the accessibility of vinyl record players nowadays, how this fair will be the biggest of its kind that they will put together, the price range of different records and the different types…
