John interviews PAUL MURPHY, Socialist Party MEP who speaks against the Jobsbridge and gateway schemes; he denounces the explotation this schemes are used for, using this people to replace actual workers. He also explains how even the scheme is supposed to be voluntary many young people feel pressured to accept this offers even if their…
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…
UNESCOs Eco Friendly summer courses in Dublin
ECO UNESCO’s ELAINE NEVIN joins Noel McGuinness to talk about their sustainable development course and their other summer courses for young people. Elaine talks about the nature and activities of their children’s course, their FETAC accredited sustainable development course for adults, how younger people understand the idea of sustainable energy, the theme of their summer camps,…
World Premiere of “Cleaners”.
Noel interviews COLM MAHER, writer of “Cleaners”, premiered at Axis Ballymun. It follows the relationship of two woman working in a hotel, where the older woman takes the younger woman under her wing, teaching her all the tricks of the job…
Near FM & MediaCorp Intercultural Project
GRACE WILENTZ pops in to update Noel McGuinness on the progress of the Near FM & MediaCorp Intercultural Project. With her she has two members of the latest group to come together: Celine, from Donaghmede, and Sylvia from Balina. At this point there are 17 participants in the project. They are learning a wide range…

Bealtaine Fest’s 20th Birthday Celebrations
MICHAEL FOLEY, Head of Evaluation & Public Affairs, Age & Opportunity talks to Noel McGuinness about this year’s Bealtaine Festival events on Dublin’s north side. An estimated 120,000 people now take part in the Bealtaine festival, making it one of Ireland’s biggest arts festivals. From dance to cinema, painting to theatre, Bealtaine showcases the talents…
Five Lamps Arts Festival 2013 Live from Marino College, Dublin
Northside Today’s Noel McGuinness speaks to ROISIN LONERGAN, festival director for the the Five Lamps Arts Festival in Dublin’s North Strand. Roisin talks about the story behind the festival, the details and performers for this year’s festival, the choice of venues in the area, how the local community can get involved with the festival and…
Promoting local bands in Phizz Fest 2011
Noel interviews DAVE FRUH, musician that helps organize the musical part of the Phizz Fest in Phibsboro, where they try mainly to help promote local bands…
All Hallows Offers Adult BA Course for Personal & Personal Professional Development
COLM KILGALLON Assistant Director of Adult Learning at All Hallows College is live in the Near FM studios with Noel McGuinness. All Hallows held an Open Day recently to attract potential students to the Adult Learning BA course at All Hallows. This course is unique in Ireland. It is based on a US programme that…
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. …
Enda Kenny: Budget 2013 and the Central Statistics Office
Taoiseach ENDA KENNY speaks to Ger Leddin about the CSO figures released the week before and whether the figures will have a bearing on the 2013 budget. The Taoiseach says that, while the figures are encouraging, they will have very little bearing on the budget. Mr Kenny also says that the country is “in the…
Novels, Plays and Schooldays Plays on Near FM
Producer and presenter DEBBIE HUTCHINSON talks to John Healy about ‘Novels, Plays, and Schooldays’. Novels, Plays and Schooldays is a new nine-part radio series produced by Near fm with financial support from The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The series looks at the novels and plays that form part of the Junior and Leaving Certificate English…

What is Digiwomen Ireland?
Eoin Drinan is joined by PAULINE SARGENT who explains her work as part of DigiWomen Ireland. She speaks of the gender imbalance in the area. Pauline speaks of her own experience in the sector and claims that there is evidence of a large number of jobs being created in that area in the near future…
What is the Washington Ireland Programme?
RAY MORAN, Student and member of the Washington Ireland Programme speaks to Eoin Drinan and explains the purpose of the programme. Having applied for it in his final year in college, he shares with listeners that his interest was sparked by “having a passion for something and doing something about proactively changing things” – a…

