On today's Morning Focus, Marian spoke to Hillary Gough from Ballycar where flooding is still effecting people. Hillary's house is dry however she can't make it to her home in a car. The family currently have to cross fields and climb ditches to reach their home. Hillary has 5 children in primary and 4 in secondary. They have to bring all their shopping in by foot. They have been in this situation since the first week in February.
Grace O'Sullivan, Green Party MEP candidate for Ireland South and Kevin Heapes, Green Party local election candidate for West Clare called into studio on their campaign trail of the county. They discussed fracking among other topics and shared their thoughts on what they feel they can do for the people of Clare.
John O'Malley Executive Engineer in the Environmental Waste Enforcement Section of Clare County Council was next to join Marian in studio. Following on from yesterday's debate on election posters John came in to discuss the rules and regulations surrounding the issue of election posters that go up too early.
Mark Mellett Head of Fundraising at the Irish Cancer Society spoke to Marian about the latest craze that is raising money for their organisation. The Irish Cancer Society says it wants to thank the person started the "no make-up selfie" craze – which has seen 200-thousand euro raised in just 24 hours. The trend has caught on with Facebook and Twitter users around the world. People taking part post their bare-faced picture online, donate cash to a cancer charity, and nominate others to do likewise. The ICS says it's never happened before and they'd love to see it become an annual event.
The 2nd annual Doolin Writers Weekend is swiftly approaching. The Clare village once frequented by eminent writers such as George Bernard Shaw, J.M. Synge and Dylan Thomas will host a celebration of Irish literature from 28-30th March. One of the participants of the festival is Sonya Kelly. Sonya's best known work is The Wheelchair On My Face, which she will perform in Doolin. Marian spoke to Sonya about her work and the Doolin writer's weekend.
Up next Tom Hanley PRO Clare Drama Festival in Scariff spoke to Marian about The 67th annual Clare Drama Festival in Scariff which kicked off last night.
Patrick Neville, 12o'clock hills project chairman also spoke to Marian about the project and fundraising to purchase equipment such as mapboards, waymarkers and information's boards. Table Quiz on this Friday evening in the Greyhound Bar in Sixmilebirdge at 9pm to raise funds for the project.
Pat Murphy from Seeking Vision and Clare Talking Social Club joined Marian on the line. The group are holding an event today at 12 o'clock as they have decided to rename their organisation to Seeking Vision – Combating Loneliness. The group was set up in 2005. They asked people that used their service if they should rename and over 75%said yes. The event is at 12 at the junction in Cloughleigh. Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins and Mayor of Ennis Mary Coote Ryan will both be attending. All are welcome.
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