Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú

The Abbey Singers came together in 1970, formed from a group of people from County Antrim who liked singing. They are still going strong today and getting ready to perform on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April at the Theatre at The Mill with Jonathan Veira as the lead singer. Anne Marie is joined in studio with Anne Finlay who has been singing with the group for almost 15 years. 

Up to the tranquil village of Castlerock where Anne Marie met Dot Blakeley at the RSPB Barmouth Hide and Bann Estuary. The estuary is an important site for over-wintering waders, wildfowl, lapwing, oystercatchers, redshank, curlew and more. And there was no shortage that morning for Anne Marie to see for herself. 

This is only the second time in 62 years that Northern Ireland has been host to the Irish Open. The Royal County Down last hosted the event in 1939 but It’s a welcome return. Anne Marie talks live to Mark Mohan, Tourism Initiatives Manager with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. 

Based in County Antrim, Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing all kinds of animals but mainly horses and ponies. With charitable status since 1996 they have worked hard to promote animal welfare, education and awareness but this might all be at risk as Anne Marie finds out when she meets the manager, Lynn Friel. Anne Marie gets a tour of the grounds and meets some of the horses. For more information go to: crosskennanlane.org.uk

Far and Wild have just had their inaugural cycle Road Trip… ‘Cycle Sperrins’ is a breath-taking way to draw in all the natural beauty in the wild back-roads of the ark of the Sperrins Mountains, ranging from Faughan valley and Derry in the west.  And they’ll be lots of craic along the way with guided tours. To find out more Anne Marie will be talking live to Lawrence McBride, Director of Far and Wild.  

We start the programme this week, live from the Mourne Mountains and Murlough National Nature Reserve. It is getting a spring clean and the sand dunes there are 6000 years old… Anne Marie talks to Patrick Lynch, Warden at Murlough and David Thompson who used to be but is still passionate about the place.