The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the functioning of the Council of the European Union, the upper house of the EU legislature. It rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national…
City Neighbourhood awards winners for 2013
FIONA MOORE of Dublin City Council joins Pat Meehan to discuss the City Neighbourhood awards which took place the previous week. Fiona explains the work of the awards in encouraging people to rejuvenate green space in their areas and remove graffiti and such in their locale. They discuss how people can go about setting up…
Book ‘Exercise of Authority’ – Finnian O’Cionnaith
Conor Doyle is talkin to FINNIAN O’CIONNAITH, who is launching his new book “Exercise of Authority”. Finnian O’Cionnaith is author of two books and multiple papers specialising in eighteenth-century surveying, cartography and the use of spatial data in urban management. This book tells the story of the formative years of the Georgian Paving Board who…
Robbery at Sphere 17 Youth Facility
John Healy speaks to BRIAN KENEALLY about the work that local youth centre Sphere 17 do in the community and how budget cuts have affected the organisation. They also speak about a recent incident where someone broke into their premises and stole IT equipment and money, as well as causing extensive damage to their facilities…
Crimestoppers
John Healy speaks to CIAN CONNAUGHTON from crimestoppers about the work they do & their annual report. Their confidential line is open from 9am -9pm every day & their freephone number is 1800250025. Their confidential line was established in 1988 & they provide a free phone service where members of the public can ring up…
Temple Street’s History on Show
Pat Meehan talks to local historian and Temple Street staff member BARRY KENNARK about a new exhibition taking place at the Little Museum of Dublin ( www.littlemuseum.ie ). On show are many pictures and artifacts that are used to illustrate the famous children’s hospital’s proud history of achievement in the field of medical research. There…

U2 Stage Set Museum Proposed For North Fingal
Fianna Fail Councillor DARRAGH BUTLER has proposed that Fingal council investigate rock band U2’s desire to display the stages from their past tours at a permanent location in Dublin. He suggested that somewhere in north Fingal could be a potential location. Mr Butler told Mark Finnegan he believed it should be considered because of the…
Winning the Local Legend Award for the Dublin area
Noel McGuinness interviews ORLA CROWE, Co-founder of Blossom Ireland, who won the Local Legend Award for the Dublin area, and she explains the work they do at Blossom Ireland and about the importance of the award for her…

The Last Tinker – Tom McDonnell
DONIE TARRANT went to Finglas in north west Dublin to meet THOMAS MCDONNELL, a tin smith keeping the craft alive. Thomas invites Donie into his home to demonstrate the art of tinsmithing, an important part of Ireland’s craft past. Donie captures Thomas moulding a length of Tin into a mug, and Thomas explains how he…
Irish Country Women’s Association
BARBARA JENNINGS speaks with DYMPNA MURRAY & SHEILA GRANT from the Irish Country Women’s Association about the ICA & the events they are organising throughout the year…
Intercultural Media Project Update 14th November
PAT MEEHAN talks to GRACE WILENTZ, Coordinator of Near FM’s Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media initiative, on updates about the second round of the Intercultural Media Project and the upcoming episode of Culture Shots. The Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund and is supported by…
Terence Flanagan speaks of Abortion Laws in Ireland
Former Fine Gael TD, TERENCE FLANAGAN joins Ger Leddin. Terence talks about his feelings on the Abortion Rites Campaign press statement. He states that he were “gravely disappointed by the health committee’s decision to reject the amendment, which would allow abortions to be offered to women suffering inevitable miscarriages and those diagnosed with fatal abnormalities”. Terence…
Anime Comes to Dublin City
American cartoonist, actor, and director CHUCK HUBER is in Dublin for the Anime Society’s Croke Park event. For those who don’t know, anime is the generic name given to those Japanese cartoons, comics and cartoon films that feature big-eyed heroes and heroines and bug-eyed monsters and freaks. The ‘Manga’ comics also feature in a big…

Cluid Housing Association
SIMON BROOKE, Head of Policy with Cluid Housing Association chats with Ronnie O’Brien. Simon explains that Housing Association’s are independent, not for profit charities that provide social housing for people on housing waiting lists. Simon also discusses the ‘mortgage to rent’ scheme which targets people who are experiencing mortgage difficulties. In order to qualify for the scheme you…

Ballyfermot Folk Group’s “Home for Christmas”
Noel speaks to GERRY SIMPSON about the Ballyfermot Folk Group’s Christmas song “Home for Christmas” that is in aid of homeless charities. He talks about how the folk group reunited only recently, what they get up since they got back together, the charities that the proceeds of the song will go towards, the details of…
