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…
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…

NearFM Spring Round up
DAVE O’CONNOR speaks to Noel McGuinnes about what is going on in NEARFM including celebrating thirty years of Near Media Co-op and a conference on “Social Justice Media” to mark the anniversary. He also speaks of what inspired him to get involved in Community Media. They also talk of “Folklore from the Dance Floor” a…
Bordeaux Conference: Irish Claremorris Community Radio
Noel McGuinness interviews AIDAN LONG from the Irish community radio station, Claremorris Community Radio about the origin of radio and the chance of discovering the challenges of other rural radio stations all over Europe…
Barrack closures
RONNIE O’ BRIEN speaks to GERRY ROONEY who is the general secretary of PD Forra about barrack closures in Cavan, Clonmel, Monaghan, & Donegal. Ronnie asks Gerry what he thinks of the closures…
MultiCultural Week
Mark speaks to MEG OFFIAH, English & History teacher & organiser of the MultiCultural Week at Mercy College, Beaumont. Mark also speaks to Mercy College students, AMY BYRNE, PAULINA PERELIGIRIA, TUBA KHAN, AISHWARYA CHRISTOPHER and YURIKA OLANO. They talk about the background of the event coming back to 2005, the diversity of the school, why it’s…
Education fair
RONNIE O’ BRIEN speaks with CLIONA NI`LUAGHNDA, who is Education Programme manager with Ballymun /Whitehall Partnership. They talk about an education fair which is taking place on the 8/9/2011 in the Civic Centre in Ballymun. They talk about courses that are on offer, including ‘improving your spelling’ to ‘furniture restoration’ & lots more…
Life In Croatia After Joining The EU
Croatia native and Near FM volunteer, LIDIJA RADACIC joins Noel McGuinness to talk about life in Croatia after recently joining the EU. Lidija talks about her lifestyle in Dublin and the similarities between the two cultures of Ireland and Croatia, the lifestyle and location of Croatia, the importance of tourism for the country and their need to improve their industrial production…
Poisoning of White Tailed Eagles, Ireland
LORCAN O’TOOLE of the Eagle Trust speaks to Noel McGuinness about the poisoning of Eagles in Ireland. Lorcan explains that in some cases farmers leave out poison aimed at Foxes and crows to protect cattle. They speak specifically of the poisoning of a White Tailed eagle. They then talk of the Eagle trusts work throughout…

Traditional Music from the EU concerts in Dublin
Noel McGuinness is joined in studio by PAUL LOUGHRAN and a number of musicians from the EU. It begins with a performance from the Hartz Mountain Yodellers. The musicians are in Dublin to perform a series of concerts which Paul gives all of the details for including a live broadcast on Near FM and subsequent…
Worl Tour: Bike and belongings stolen
Noel interviews ROHAN FELMINGHAM who’s traveled all over the world with his bike, and when he settled in Dublin for some months he had his bike and all his belongings stolen, and NOEL FAY, Dublin biker who offered his support to Rohan. This didn’t stop him and after some months building his own bike he will…

Social Justice Media conference
PETER CUNNINGHAM, Near Co-op treasurer rounds up the planned events for the Social Justice media seminar, the day before the event occured. He outlines the various speakers lined up, tells us how Minister Pat Rabbitte will deliver the opening speech. Amongst other speakers involved on the day will be Peter McVerry, Gavin Titley and Nessa…
Intercultural Media Project Update
RONNIE O’BRIEN talks to GRACE WILENTZ, Coordinator of Near FM’s Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media initiative, and EOIN DRINAN on updates on the second round of the Intercultural Media Projects and the issue of migrants and the media. The Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund…
Opposing the Property Tax in 2013
FRANCIS KEOGH- CAWHT joins John Healy to discuss the Property Tax recently introduced in Ireland. They discuss elderly members of society being afraid of the impending tax. Francis talks of the protest marches organised and encourages people to join the cause. Francis suggests that people should also contact their local councillors to lobby on their…

