To celebrate Traveller Pride Week Local events May 20th-24th, Near FM are delighted to broadcast the first 4 programmes in the Traveller’s Stories series between 6-8pm on Friday 24th May. Tune into Near FM 90.3 or  listen online http://nearfm.ie/listen-online/

Traveller’s Stories – North Dublin through the eyes of the Travelling Community is an insightful new radio series produced by Northside Dublin community radio station Nearfm and Northside Traveller advocacy group Travact.

Over 6 programmes, the series producer Leslie Murphy and narrator Paddy McDonagh explore the cultural identity of Travellers in 21st century Ireland with a nod to the historical aspects of Traveller life and a particular focus on Travellers of Northside Dublin.

The series is presented in a lively manner, with meaningful interviews, music and sound effects and a wide range of contributors. The programmes show the positive and negative sides of the lives of Travellers in North Dublin and how social exclusion and discrimination hasn’t stopped Travellers improving their quality of life, while at the same time keeping their culture and traditions alive and well.

The series will broadcast every Thursday at 6pm from June 21st on Near FM 90.3 or listen online www.near.ie Here is the breakdown of the programmes:

Programme 1
Extended families, language, & history

Programme 2
Skills, education, Labour Market/employment opportunities

Programme 3
Ethnicity, Culture, weddings, Bare knuckle fighting

Programme 4
Traveller accommodation, health, social aspects of Traveller life

Programme 5
Achievements by Travellers in Music, sport & the arts, Religion

Programme 6
Travellers & the Irish State, positive changes, Political participation

This series is made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound and Vision scheme.

(Programmes will be added as they are broadcast)

As part of the Communicating Europe initiative and the EU Year of the Citizen, Near FM are pleased to announce a special panel discussion on the subject of EU Citizenship to air this Wednesday May 22nd at 3.30pm.

The discussion will be facilitated by Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE) Chairperson and Near Media Co-op Coordinator Ciaran Murray and will feature:

• Ciaran Murray –Ireland (chair)
• Dorothee Meyer Holtkamp –Germany
• Cristina Santamaria – Spain
• Maurizio Pittau –Italy (Sardinian)
• Rastislav Blažek –Slovakia
• Ida Haugland –Norway (by phone)

The debate will focus on points such us

• Is there such a thing as European citizenship?
• Are we more define by what we are not… Americans, Asians, Africans… rather than for what we are?
• If we meet a Swedish or a Croatian do we really feel a greater sense of camaraderie or understanding than when we meet a New Zealander or a Philippine?

Join us on Wednesday 22nd May to find out . Listen online http://nearfm.ie/listen-online/

Nearfm is very proud to announce that its radio coordinator, Sally Galiana, has been elected President of AMARC Europe at their General Assembly in Montpelier in France. AMARC is the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters. (www.amarceurope.eu) Sally has been working with Nearfm since 1997, and has been particularly involved in developing Inter-cultural Training and programming. Her other key areas of programming and training are also in minority language programming and literature and reading initiatives. A fluent French, Spanish and English speaker Sally lives in Finglas with her family.

Nearfm has had another president of AMARC Europe, when former Chairperson, Jack Byrne, served in that role in 2002.

As part of the Northside Football series Near FM are pleased to announce live and uninterrupted coverage of St Kevin’s Boys v’s Sheriff YC in the quarter-final of the AUL Cup from Shanowen Road in Santry on Thursday May 16th. Coverage starts at 6.15pm, with Kick off at 6.30pm. As well as having the full match commentary we will be meeting many of the people associated with St Kevin’s Boys and talking to Sport Against Racism Ireland’s Ken McCue. Tune in on Thursday 16^th May @ 6.15pm for live football on Near FM.
Listen online @ http://nearfm.ie/listen-online/

Made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound & Vision scheme

Return to the Pine Trees
Return to the Pine Trees is a selection of 6 short stories about growing up in the North Dublin areas of Turnapin Lane, Clonshaugh, Coolock Lane and Santry in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Dublin born Gerry Cooley. These stories capture a happy, innocent childhood and they bring to life a time in these areas on the outskirts of Dublin City before they all changed forever.
Listen to podcast – http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/documentaries/return-to-the-pine-trees/

Not for the Money is a six part series starting consisting of in-depth profiles of Dogs Aid, Residents Against Racism, Exchange Dublin, Seomra Sproai, Summer Row Garden & Rainbow13.In each programme we speak to a member of each organisation to see what was their motivations and expectations when joining the organisation, why do they believe it is important to volunteer and what have they gained through their experience volunteering and working with other volunteers. During the programme we obtain valuable information about the organisation, such as how/when/why the organisation was created, how it works, difficulties and advantages of being volunteer run and their prospects for the future.
Listen to podcast – http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/documentaries/not-for-the-money/

This Sporting Life: The Story of Minority Sport in North Dublin
This Sporting Life is a 30 x 15 minute documentary series profiling minority sports based in North Dublin and featuring sports as diverse as Archery, Orienteering and Lawn Bowls.
Listen to podcast – http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/sports/this-sporting-life/

The Jomac Show is still going strong – 60 years since it was formed by two young altar boys in Inner City Dublin. With a strong voluntary tradition, entertainers have performed in orphanages, hospitals and nursing homes across Dublin and Ireland. In this special two part radio series, Robert McLoughlin and Joe Maguire share their memories of The Jomac Show. The series features interviews with well know entertainer Joe Cuddy, Dec Cluskey from The Bachelors, and many of the other volunteers who have entertained with The Jomac Show.
The Jomac Show will broadcast in its entirety on Saturday May 18th@ 9.30 listen live on Near Fm 90.3 and online http://nearfm.ie/listen-online/

Been there, Seen there
Join intrepid reporter Angus Beef, and his junior assistant semi-producer intern Beany Tuthail, as they show you a side of Dublin you’ve never seen before. ‘Been There, Seen There’ is a new six part series of guided tours of historic Dublin locations. The show takes you on a whirlwind tour of parks, monuments and museums, with a twist. Each episode is completely fictional.
Listen to podcast – http://nearfm.ie/podcast/category/radio-drama/been-there-seen-there/

All series were made with the assistance of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound & Vision scheme www.bai.ie

8am - The Jukebox with Andrew Reid
10am - Lifeline with Ger Leddin
12 noon - Lunchtime Miscellany with Joseph Keegan
2pm - Backtracking with Andy Flannery
4pm - Late Afternoon with John Healy
6pm - Evening with Gavin Byrne
8pm - The Ska Patrol with Joe and Gero
10pm - Global Roots with Tony Fitzsimons

Tune into Near FM on Thursday May 9^th from 11-1pm as we celebrate Europe Day live from EU House in Dublin City Centre.

We will be meeting the ambassadors from the various EU embassies based in Dublin as well as meeting the curators of food stalls from many different EU countries. There will also be live music and chat with the many invited guests on the day. So tune in on Thursday May 9^th from 11am as Near FM celebrates Europe Day. The broadcast is made possible through the Department of An Taoiseach Communicating Europe initiative.

In partnership with Coláiste Dhúlaigh, College of Further Education, Near Media Co-op are proud to present the innovative Northside Arts Series called ‘Be Inspired- Northside Arts Trail’.

May 1st marks the official launch date of this innovative pilot project celebrating the various upcoming cultural artistic activities with members form the arts and public alike. Cllr Gerry Breen officially opened this innovative Arts Trail with the anticipating of seeing ‘Be inspired’ developing into a solid yearly cornerstone for artist and art lovers alike.

During the second half of May the general public is invited to enjoy numerous cultural events running across Dublin postal districts of 3,5,9,13,17. The trail highlights key theatre, music and visual art events happening across North Dublin; produced by Northside cultural centres & institutes bringing numerous artistic events under one caption. The trail highlights the wealth of activities going on on the Northside of Dublin, clearly emphasizing the importance and need of a festivity like this. The programme will draw in our neighbouring districts with an exciting range of local small-scale to large outdoor events with a strategy to involve all of the citywide communities. ‘Be Inspired – Northside Arts Trail’ is an initiative co-ordinated by Coláiste Dhúlaigh, College of Further Education and Near Media Co-op.

The ‘Be Inspired’ team is made up of arts advisors, broadcasters, academics and culture enthusiasts to bring you a curated not to be missed artistic showcase of established exhibitions, concerts and performances.

An inclusive approach to the arts and cultural happenings is vital to our programming, with an open approach to the diversity of genres, including commercial and community based art sources.

Be Inspired- Northside Arts Trail has been come to life with the hard work of the Artistic Director Matthew Nevin from Coláiste Dhúlaigh, College of Further Education. Having had several students in various areas working along with the project was of great importance to realise this project. In turn, this also allowed this event to function as an outlet for the creative talent within in the college.

Events include:
Printmaking Workshop and Open Studios as part of Visit 2013 in the Red Stables, Exhibition: ‘A Celebration of Colour’ in the John Nolan Gallery, several plays in the Axis theatre Ballymun, the Coolock Library Art Group Bealtaine Exhibition to name a few.

See full Festival programme for all details:
http://www.beinspired.ie/

Matthew Nevin, Artistic Director, 086.1654610, info@beinspired.ie

Let’s Celebrate is a series of five programmes focusing on national/international awareness days celebrated every year in Ireland. The days/festivals vary from cultural celebrations in the form of festivals such as ‘Africa Day’, ‘Pride Festival’ and ‘International Migrants Day’, to events organised for people who share the same needs and interests such as ‘Soccerfest’ and ‘International Day for People with disabilities’.

Starting
Wen. May 8th
3.30 – 4.30 pm

Made with support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) Sound & Vision scheme.

Date and Time: Saturday May 4th from 11.00-2.00pm.

Venue: Upper 6th Lock, The Royal Canal, Shandon Gardens, Phibsborough

Tune in to part two of ‘Festivals from the Northside’ when we will be speaking to artists and performers who will be telling us what to expect during their events and shows during ‘Phizzfest’ Listen live on Near FM 90.3 or online at www.near.ie.

Made with support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) Sound & Vision scheme.