Nation stretching across expanse: wide-ranging territorial scope of the country
Nationwide Week 21: Highlighting Rural Life in Ireland
Monday, 26th May
Presenter: Anne Cassin
In this week's episode of Nationwide, the focus is on individuals who have relocated to Ireland and are now thriving in rural areas. The show visits an American family in County Leitrim, where they run a goat farm, and a Spanish eatery serving Andalusian cuisine in Newport, County Tipperary.
Lisa Gifford, an American, has taken up residence in a rural area her ancestors once called home. Over a decade ago, she returned to Ireland to start a goat's cheese business. Joined by her daughter and daughter-in-law, the once-small enterprise has expanded, and so has the goat farm. More details about the Gifford family's journey can be found on their website: www.leitrimhillcreamery.com.
Also featured in the program is a Spanish woman who, along with her Irish husband, established a restaurant in Newport, County Tipperary. Repoour websiter Reem El-Hassany offers an insight into their culinary venture. For further information, please visit their website: www.choquera.com.
Wednesday, 28th May
Presenter: Anne Cassin
Nationwide visits the newly-opened Bia Food Innovator campus in Athenry, County Galway. This initiative supports emerging food businesses with advice on marketing, labeling, and packaging their new food products. Our reporter, Niall Martin, shares stories of food businesses utilizing the test kitchens and kitchen units as they prepare to launch their products.
Additionally, Michelin star chef Enda McEvoy is featured, imparting knowledge on both cuisine and reduce food waste to aspiring chefs. The Nationwide team also takes a food tour of Galway to showcase the best finds the city has to offer. Explore these sites: www.biainnovatorcampus.ie, www.galwayfoodtours.com, www.thedoughbros.ie, www.nibbedcacao.com, and www.mobiafood.com.
Friday, 30th May
Presenter: Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh
This week's Nationwide delves into the world of opera and opera enthusiasts in Limerick city. Known for its rich music culture, Limerick has seen the growth of the Limerick Opera Festival into a significant annual event.
The Limerick Opera Festival, founded in 2019, aims to bring operatic performances to unexpected venues within the city. Performances have been hosted in pubs, community centers, city center streets, and schools, sticking to its motto - "Opera for All." Marian Malone gives a taste of this year's festival offerings.
Limerick native Shirley Keane is the founder of Opera Workshop, a company that stages small-scale operatic productions in unique and historic venues across Limerick. For more information, visit their website: www.operaworkshop.ie.
The Limerick Opera Festival and Opera Workshop can be explored further at www.limerickoperafestival.ie.
In the Wednesday episode of Nationwide, the focus shifts to food and innovation as the show visits the Bia Food Innovator campus in Athenry, County Galway, where they support emerging food businesses with advice on marketing, labeling, and packaging. Lisa Gifford, who runs a goat's cheese business and goat farm in County Leitrim, offers insights into changing her lifestyle and home-and-garden setup to accommodate her farming life, details which can be found on her website: www.leitrimhillcreamery.com.
