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Michaela McAreavey Murder Trial

Tommie Gorman reported form Mauritius on the latest developments in the trial.

Mortgage Arrears Figures

This morning the central bank will publish the statistics for residential mortgage arrears, restructures and re-possessions for the first three months of the year.

Pat was joined by David Hall of New Beginning and Valerie Cox has been meeting some people who have fallen into arrears with their mortgages.

Frozen Conflicts in the former USSR

As many European eyes focus on tomorrow’s Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan, the political situation in that region is far from that straightforward. The world map as we look at it is deceptively complete, with all territories neatly assigned to respective governments. There are, however, regions which disrupt this outward picture of stability.

When the USSR imploded fifteen new republics secured immediate international recognition, but the process was not seamless. Four states - Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Transnistria, fought and won their wars of independence twenty years ago but are still not recognised by the countries from which they have separated, - Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova - and, by extension, the international community.

This weekend, DCU’s School of Law & Government will host a conference on frozen conflicts in the former Soviet Union.

Pat was joined by Dr Donnacha Ó Beacháin, of the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, where he lectures on post-Soviet politics and Irish foreign policy.

Ireland’s Favourite Painting

The votes are in and counted, and last night on the works president Michael D Higgins announced Fredric William Burton’s Meeting on the Turret Stairs as Ireland’s favourite painting. So fragile is this 19th century watercolour it has to be kept under protection in its own cabinet. Sharon Corr got a sneak viewing of the Meeting on the Turret Stairs for the campaign and Pat was joined by Burton’s fellow Clare man and painter Mick O’Dea.

Financial Literacy

Sharon Lechter believes that financial literacy begins at an early age, starting with the choices a child makes about how to spend his or her pocket money. An American philanthropist and author, whose titles include Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Sharon Lechter runs courses for children, teenagers, and also for women on how to think about personal finance and how to manage it. Her philosophy is all about ‘Paying Your Family First’.

Irish Food Festival

Kevin Sheridan of Sheridan’s Cheesemongers has just joined me in studio, with an array of food, all based on producers who will be at the third Irish Food Festival in Meath this weekend.

See here for Kevin's recipes on the show today

Friday Gathering

Joining Pat for this morning’s Gathering were Jill Kerby, Harry McGee and Tony Foley