PI Week 21 May 21 - May 27, 2011

Get back to nature with BBC NI’s Wild Week Live Wild Week Live is a celebration of our rich wildlife from around Northern Programme Information New this week

Get back to nature with BBC NI’s Wild Week Live Page 3 Wild Week Live is a celebration of our rich wildlife from around

BBC NI gears up for the NW200 Page 5 BBC Sport Northern Ireland is putting bike fans on pole position with its extensive NW200 coverage across TV, radio and online

The Championship returns on BBC Northern Ireland Page 8 The Ulster Championship kicks off with Donegal v Antrim on BBC Two NI

Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais Page 11 Irish Language documentary investigating the explosion of a World War II sea mine in the Gaeltacht village of Ballymanus in 1943

BBC celebrates 70th birthday with Open House Page 13 BBC Northern Ireland hosts a week of activities to celebrate the landmark birthday of BBC Broadcasting House

2 Get back to nature with BBC NI’s Wild Week Live A celebration of wildlife on BBC NI across TV, radio & online

Wild Week Live is from Saturday, May 21 to Saturday, May 28 across BBC NI TV, radio & onlne

Wild Week Live is a celebration of our rich wildlife from around Northern Ireland. Throughout the week (Saturday May 21 to Satur- day, May 28) BBC NI will uncover the rich flora and fauna which ex- ist in this country and encourage audiences to go out and explore their great outdoors.

The week long TV and radio extravaganza will kick off on BBC Radio Ulster on Satur- day, May 21 at 8am with a special Your Place And Mine. The programme will broadcast live from Church Bay in the heart of Rathlin, as Anne Marie McAleese meets residents young and old and discovers what makes island life so special, while Darryl Grimason delves deep into Rathlin’s unique natural history. It will feature puffins, shy golden hares and rare orchids, thriving communi- ties of common and grey seals, and an enor- mous, raucous seabird colony.

Then from Monday to Friday (May 23 to 27) Darryl Grimason & Donna Traynor there will be five 15 minute special live BBC Radio Ulster programmes each morning at dio Foyle has been tasked with diving with On there are also five half hour 10.15am with presenter Etta Halliday. We basking sharks and whales off the coast daily programmes from Monday, May 23 to will go to the places which are often for- of Donegal. Etta Halliday is really excited Thursday, May 27 on BBC One NI at 7pm gotten like the Montiaghs, close to Lough about the project: She says: “I will get to see which will come live from the Wildfowl and Neagh, which is a haven for the wonderfully places that I never knew existed and also – Wetlands Trust Centre at Castle Espie near iridescent dragonfly; or the Correl Glen in just as exciting – to revisit places from my Comber and various other outside broad- Fermanagh. Mark Patterson from BBC Ra- childhood!” casts will feed into the main programme 3 from around Northern Ireland. The week will culminate in a special hour long pro- gramme at 7pm on Friday, May 27.

Presented by Donna Traynor and Darryl Grimason these programmes will celebrate our diverse wildlife by showcasing nature from all parts of Northern Ireland. We will see badgers, bats, foxes and ancient forests alongside starlings, pine martens, hares and red kites. The programme will also meet the people who have a passion for the great outdoors.

Each night Donna and Darryl will be en- couraging the audience to undertake some Radio presenters, John Toal, Etta Halliday & Anne Marie McAleese wildlife projects of their own. This will in- clude Moth Night where they will show hatchery, nest boxes and a swallow’s nest them to reflect on how the natural world people how to attract and observe moths throughout the week. Audiences will be relates to spirituality. in their own back gardens with a moth able to access this footage throughout the hunt in Londonderry with Gerry Anderson. week at .co.uk/ni In Gardeners’ Corner on Saturday, May 28 There will also be tips on how to get the at 9am Cherrie McIlwaine will be visiting best from the wildlife in your own back gar- Darryl Grimason says: “This is a golden op- gardens where wildlife and gardeners live den and advice on the best places in North- portunity to celebrate this lovely corner of in harmony. Birds, bees, butterflies and lady- ern Ireland to see wildlife at its best. the world that we share with some incred- birds are just some of the small creatures ible wildlife. I am having a ball at the mo- that add to the rich tapestry of gardening Throughout the week we shall also see a ment filming inserts for the programme. I and Cherrie will be finding out what - gar deners can do to ensure wildlife is protect- host of other familiar BBC NI presenters have been swimming in Strangford Lough ed in both urban and rural gardens. like Lynette Fay who will be spending the with the biggest conger eels ever seen here night searching for badgers and Mark Car- – 130lbs and about 7ft long - have climbed The Sounds Classical on Sunday, May 22 on ruthers who will be travelling to County 100ft up an oak tree to see eye to eye with BBC Radio Ulster will also feature music Fermanagh to find out more about the pine resting herons and we have even captured inspired by the Natural World. marten. Gerry Kelly will be at Tollymore NI’s rarest wild flower on camera.” with some, increasingly rare, red squirrels. The week will finish with a live broadcast Dan Gordon will be checking out the urban Donna Traynor says: “Often we are oblivi- from BBC Radio Ulster’s Saturday Magazine foxes in . ous to the wonderful wildlife that’s right on at 10am from Castle Espie. John Toal will be our doorsteps. This week gives us the op- taking time to feed the ducks whilst reliving The programme will also show footage portunity to explore that world up close. his adventure canoeing along the Strangford from live webcams which will be filming We want everyone to get involved to redis- to Newry trail and Saturday Magazine’s chef new life emerging at Castle Espie in the cover what’s wild where they live.” Paula McIntyre will be making an irresistible picnic if you’re out and about exploring the Throughout the week, BBC Radio Ulster Northern Ireland countryside. will also have several Wild Week specials including a special Morning Service on Sun- Wildlife fans can also follow the BBC Barn day, May 22 at 10.15am. In this programme Owl, ‘Ollie’, on twitter as well as upload Rev Willis Cordner, Rev Elizabeth Hanna your own local wildlife photos onto the and Father Martin Magill will be visiting BBC Wild Week flickr and Facebook sites. places which have special significance for

4 BBC NI gears up for the NW200 BBC NI is once again putting bike fans in pole position for this year’s NW200

Stephen Watson at the NW200

BBC Sport Northern Ireland The comprehensive coverage will ensure On TV, up to 30 cameras will capture is putting bike fans on pole that fans don’t miss any of the high-octane what’s happening on the circuit including action with previews, all the news from onboard cameras, heli-camera and kerb position with its extensive NW200 the pit lane, live race coverage, reports cams. The TV coverage starts with a preview coverage across TV, radio and from behind-the-scenes, interviews and programme on BBC One Northern Ireland online at one of the most famous features on the riders, the fans and the on Friday night (May 20) from 10.35pm and prestigious events people who make it one of the sport’s biggest with Stephen Watson and in the world. attractions. live from the Triangle with special guests,

5 Stephen Watson interviews John McGuinness for BBC Newsline at the NW 200 features and the latest news from the 7.00pm to 9.00pm, Thursday, May 19 from with a special preview programme on BBC North Coast. BBC Newsline will also come 10.00am to 2.00pm and all six races on Radio Ulster MW from the Paddock. live from the North West during the week Saturday, May 21 from 11.00am to 6.30pm. with special reports from the circuit. The first two races on Saturday (May 21) On Saturday, attention turns to live will also be live behind the red button from coverage of all the race day action Live race streaming, practice, interviews 10.30am. starting at 10.30am presented by and results through the dedicated website, Michael McNamee and Joel Taggart with bbc.co.uk/nw200 will offer fans BBC Radio Ulster starts its coverage commentary from Chris Kinley and comprehensive coverage. There will be with commentary of Thursday’s practice Adrian Coates. Richard Petrie is joined at practice sessions on Tuesday, May 17 from session, getting underway at 10.00am on Ballysally by Jeff McMullan and Dave Moore MW with Michael McNamee and Joel completes the team from his commentary Taggart presenting all the action from the position at Metropole. There will be build practice races with Chris Kinley and Adrian up and commentary of all races plus pre Coates heading up the commentary team. and post race interviews from the start / finish grid. On Friday night at 7pm, Joel and Michael are joined by Jackie Fullerton and Liam Anyone who misses the action will be able Beckett for a look ahead to the NW200 to catch up with all the highlights in two

6 Steve Parrish in the commentary box for BBC NI with Philip McCallen at the NW 200 one-hour specials on BBC One Northern Fans can also follow via dedicated site on dia messages cost 20-65p network charges Ireland with part one on Sunday, May 22 at Facebook and twitter and can send a text, may vary). 10.25pm and part two on Monday, May 23 picture or even a short video clip from at 10.35pm presented by Stephen Watson wherever they are watching the racing. Text Fans can also email the team at nw200@ bbc.co.uk with commentary from Keith Huewen, MYNW200 followed a space and then your Philip McCallen and Steve Parrish. contribution to 60011 (texts cost 10-15p). BBC Sport Northern Ireland’s (page 390) service will also provide the For 2011 there will be a dedicated Pit Cam Pictures and short videos can be sent latest news and information during the for the live action stream, lap times and race in (up to 50MB in size) via MMS. Simply NW 200 festival week and if fans miss any week video reports, and the BBC NW200 ensure that MYNW200 is the first thing of the coverage on TV and radio they can web site puts fans on the grid wherever in the text component of your multimedia listen and watch again via the BBC’s iPlayer they are watching at bbc.co.uk/nw200. message, then send it to 60011 (multime- facility, bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

7 The Championship returns on BBC Northern Ireland The Ulster Championship kicks off with Donegal v Antrim on BBC Two NI

The Championship, starts with Donegal v Antrim, Sunday, may 15, BBC Two NI, 3.15pm

The Championship is back and this year the action kicks off on Sunday, May 15 with live coverage from Ballybofey at 3.15pm on BBC Two Northern Ireland as Donegal play Antrim in the first of this year’s games in the Ulster Championship.

BBC NI will also have exclusive live television coverage of the game between Armagh and Down, on Saturday, May 28 and will have live coverage of both semi finals and Ulster Championship final.

BBC NI will provide deferred television coverage of the game between Derry v Fermanagh on Sunday, May 22, Tyrone v Monaghan on Sunday, June 5 and Cavan v Donegal or Antrim on Sunday, June 12

All matches involving Ulster counties in the All-Ireland quarter finals, semi finals and final will be live on television and BBC Radio Ulster MW will have live coverage of all games in the Ulster Championship, and and in the All-Ireland knock out stage which involve Ulster counties. Austin O’Callaghan presents The Championship Shane Glynn, Editor, BBC Sport NI said: This year, it’s looking really hard to call, with course you can never rule out Armagh and “The Ulster Championship is viewed Derry and Donegal showing improved form Tyrone. with envy and regarded as the most in the McKenna Cup and National League, “We’re delighted with the coverage we’re competitive of the provincial titles to win. Down hoping to build on last year, and of going to be offering GAA fans across the

8 Thomas Niblock presents the coverage on BBC Radio Ulster summer. BBC NI television will have five coverage of the qualifiers involving Ulster will be interesting to monitor how they live matches from the Ulster Championship teams. progress in the ultra competitive Ulster and the other three games will be shown Championship. deferred just a few hours after they finish. “It’s all set for an exciting summer of GAA “This year a slightly smaller number of BBC Radio Ulster will have live coverage of action, and BBC NI will take fans right to games will be broadcast live across all all Ulster Championship games. All games the heart of it.” television platforms in an effort to free up at the All-Ireland knock-out stages involving some time slots and assist our clubs in the Ulster counties will also be live on TV and Páraic Duffy, GAA Director General said: “It organisation of their competitions. radio, while Radio Ulster will also have live is hard to believe that championship action “Nonetheless I look forward to the is upon us again and after the excitement in-depth analysis which will accompany of last year’s competition GAA followers the games on BBC NI, BBC Radio Ulster everywhere will be looking forward to the and BBC online all of which will add to activity planned for the coming months. supporters’ enjoyment of the games.”

“Down’s run to last year’s final helped to Austin O’Callaghan will present the illuminate the 2010 competition and it action live throughout the Championship

9 and will be joined by a host of former Gaelic stars throughout the series and Mark Sidebottom will be in the commentary box with guest commentators joining him during the games.

On the sideline former GAA stars will join Thomas Kane to offer to expert analysis on the action and Thomas will present a round up of all the action from the Ulster Minor Championship.

Denise Watson will be at the grounds to reflect the colour and passion amongst the crowd for the fans watching from home.

Sportsound on BBC Radio Ulster MW will also broadcast live coverage of all the games in the Ulster Championship. Thomas Niblock introduces the action starting with Thomas O’Kane will be reporting from the sidelines Donegal v Antrim on May 15 at 3pm. Owen McConnon will be in the commentary box with analysis during the season from Adrian McGuckin, Brian Canavan, Paddy Bradley and Oisin McConville. Listeners can contact the programme by texting their views to 81771.

Fans can also keep right up to date with all the latest news, reports, analysis and reaction on The Championship’s own dedicated online site at bbc.co.uk/ni/championship which also includes details of the comment board and a picture gallery. Log onto the website for live audio streaming of all the games available on BBC Radio Ulster. Fans can also follow all the action on the dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages and can send their thoughts on the championship blog. Log onto bbc.co.uk/sportni for more details.

Mark Sidebottom will be in the commentary box BBC Sport NI, At The Heart Of Sport

10 Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais Irish Language documentary investigating the explosion of a World War II sea mine in the Gaeltacht village of Ballymanus in 1943

Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais, Sunday, May 22, BBC Two NI, 8.30pm

Dónall Mac Ruairí and Pat Gallagher

In this new Irish language Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais on BBC Two NI on One of the contributors is Pat Gallagher documentary for BBC NI Dónall Sunday, May 22 at 8.30pm meets the few who lost his father and two uncles in the Mac Ruairí investigates the events remaining eye witnesses of the event and explosion and only found out about what presenter Dónall asks the critical questions happened when he was a teenager. He surrounding the explosion of a - what exactly happened on the 10th May has since been central to attempts to World War II sea mine in the on Ballymanus Strand? Is there any truth keep the memory of the incident alive and Gaeltacht village of Ballymanus in in the local view that it could have been has written a short booklet on the affair Donegal in 1943, in which 19 young prevented and that the authorities took having found previously hidden material in men lost their lives. steps to cover up the incident afterwards? the national archives. He represented the

11 Pat Gallagher at the site where his father and two uncles were killed families of those killed when seeking an In the first part of the programme we hear were lost needlessly, and that their views official apology from representatives of the eye-witness accounts of the lead up to the on the matter were ignored or dismissed. Dublin government in December 2010. explosion, and of the horrific events that I have struggled to understand why the unfolded that night. The second part of the story was not more well known in the Presenter, Dónall Mac Ruairí is from programme questions how the incident wider Donegal community and indeed throughout the country as a whole. The nearby Rann na Feirste, and grew up hearing was allowed to occur, and queries how the Ballymanus mine disaster deserves a stories and rumours about the Ballymanus second biggest loss of life in the ‘emergency’ much wider audience, and a much clearer mine disaster. He was fully aware of the period in the Irish republic has remained understanding of what happened.” scale of what happened, but knew less hidden from view for so long. about why it happened, and why it had been Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais is a Westway Film relatively under reported afterwards. Dónall Programme presenter, Dónall Mac for BBC NI with support from Northern sets out on a journey to uncover, once and Ruairí said: “I thought it was crucial that an Ireland Screen’s Irish language Broadcast for all, the full story. He interviews the attempt be made to get the full facts of Fund. remaining eye-witnesses, most of whom are the Ballymanus mine disaster before the in their eighties and nineties, and, guided by few remaining eye-witnesses are gone. Tubáiste Bhaile Mhánais, Sunday, May 22, Pat Gallagher, he takes us through freshly It’s a terrible story of an incident that BBC Two NI, 8.30pm uncovered archive documents that relate devastated a small Gaeltacht community, a to the case. community that has always felt that 19 lives

12 BBC Broadcasting House celebrates 70th birthday with Open House BBC Northern Ireland hosts a week of activities to celebrate the landmark birthday of BBC Broadcasting House

bbc.co.uk/showsandtours

BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast celebrates its 70th birthday this year

Seventy years ago, BBC the doors of Broadcasting House Broadcasting House, which was formally Broadcasting House on Ormeau for a celebration of the building’s opened with a low-key ceremony during the Second World War on May 5, 1941. Avenue, Belfast, opened its doors past, present and future. to reflect life in Northern Ireland. For this unique event, BBC Broadcasting From Monday, May 23 through to This month, to celebrate this House’s main studio will be transformed Friday, May 26, BBC Northern Ireland will into an interactive space where visitors landmark birthday BBC host an Open House event, a week of can experience what life was like in 1941 Northern Ireland is throwing open activities to mark the 70th birthday of BBC

13 With Open House, BBC Northern Ireland is holding a week of activities and events inviting the public to experience the past, present and future of BBC Radio Ulster’s Hugo Duncan will hold a tea dance themed live broadcast Broadcasting House to celebrate the iconic building’s 70th birthday

Belfast with recreations of a radio studio an illustrated talk on the history of BBC local diversity in all its different aspects for and living room from that period. Broadcasting House, discussing its role in audiences at home and around the world. the local community and relationship with There will also be an exhibition on the the people of Northern Ireland. To coincide “We hope that people will join us as we history of radio and a showcase of some with this talk an outdoor photographic and celebrate the history of Broadcasting of the new technologies helping to develop video exhibition will be projected on to the House and look to broadcasting’s fast-ar- the BBC’s output and relationship with its walls of the building. riving digital future.” audiences. And on Thursday, May 26, BBC Radio For further information about BBC Visitors to the Open House week will Ulster’s Hugo Duncan will be holding a Northern Ireland’s Open House activi- have the opportunity to record their own special tea dance-themed live broadcast ties and events and how to join in visit war-time BBC news script and go on a from 1.30pm with guests including Foster bbc.co.uk/showsandtours behind-the-scenes tour of BBC and Allen, Muriel Day, Billy McFarland, Ann Broadcasting House to see how television and Breen and Crawford Bell. Details on how to attend Hugo Duncan’s radio programmes are made and meet BBC live broadcast will be announced on his Northern Ireland talent and staff. Peter Johnston, Director BBC BBC Radio Ulster programme, broadcast Northern Ireland, says: “Broadcasting House from 1.30pm-3pm, Mondays- Fridays. There will also be two special events taking has a long-established role at the heart of place in the studio during the course of the community and cultural life in Northern festivities. On Wednesday, May 25, acclaimed Ireland. It has been a theatre, debating local historian Dr Jonathan Bardon will give chamber and meeting place – reflecting

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