On Fridays Morning Focus Marian began by speaking to Mick Murtagh PRO of The O’Brien’s Bridge Community Group. The residents of OBriensbridge are very disappointed and saddened by the closure of The OBriensbridge National Loop Walks. This heritage amenity walkway is a public right of way and has been in existence since the Limerick to Killaloe Navigation as a towpath for the horse drawn barges and has in more recent years been developed into a series of loop walks by the local Community Group indeed these are one of the first loop walks that were developed in Co Clare and indeed have influenced many more of these walks by its success. She was also joined in studio by Hugh McGrath, Area Engineer with Clare County Council. Clare County Council has to consider if and when the risk can be reduced sufficiently to open the walkway again. A number of options are being explored by the Council, the O'Briensbridge Community group and other stakeholders to ascertain best solution available within current resources.
Up next the impacts of river flooding will be most pronounced in Ireland and the UK if a business-as-usual model is adopted and global warming isn't tackled. The Joint Research Centre's (JRC) 'Climate Impacts in Europe' report says there will be positive impacts, including a rise in tourism as people flee baking summer heat, and a rise in agricultural production – but economic damage from winter storms will cause crippling bills. Marian was joined by Prof Robert Devoy of UCC, a Climate Change expert, to discuss the report.
Marian spoke to Consultant Psychiatrist and former Clare General Election Candidate Dr. John Hillery as he has described footballer Luis Suarez’s track record of biting opponents as a “very rare” and “unusual” trait amongst the general adult population. Luis Suarez has been handed a four-month ban from all football-related activities. The striker has also been suspended for the next 9 competitive internationals for Uruguay after being found guilty of biting Italy's Giorgio Chiallni at the World Cup. The ban, which extends to stadiums where matches are being held, means that the player will also have to miss the the opening two months of Liverpool's Premier League season and his first game back is likely to be the club's League Cup 4th round match on October 27th.
Julianne Mooney the infamous Travel Writer spoke to Marian next. As schools officially wrap up for the Summer holidays Julianne spoke to Marian about how to keep your children entertained for the summer. Julianne has an extensive blog on things to do, you can find it at www.juliannemooney.com. We also heard from some Clare residents about their favourite summer holiday memory.
The National Library of Ireland recently tweeted a stunning picture of 4 Clare girls which was taken in June 1887. The shot captures the O'Halloran sisters who played played a prominent defensive role during the evictions of the time. To find out more about the girls and the story of the Bodyke evictions Marian spoke to Tomas MacChonmara of Cuimhneamh an Chláir.
Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre – An annual festival of traditional Irish music song and dance taking place in the Convent buildings this weekend. Including Fiddle Feis and Young Fiddler of East Clare competitions, tribute concert and open air ceilí. Marian was joined in studio by Breda McNamara, Organiser of Feile Chnoc an Gaoithe in Tulla to find out more details and we also had fiddle players in studio to play. Laura Donnellan from Sixmilebridge, Pamela Queally from Kilmaley and Jennifer Martin from Ennis.
Hell of the West Kilkee Triathlon kicks off this weekend. Marain was joined by Ciara Murphy who is the race PRO to talk about whats in store for participants. This event is an Olympic Distance Triathlon and 2014 will mark the 30th year of the event. During the cycle portion of the race, a kids Splash and Dash takes place on the beach. Olympic distance triathlon consisting of 1500m swim in the pristine waters of Kilkees' Blue Flag beach, a 44km cycle on the infamous West Clare roads and a 10km out and back run on the spectacular cliff top coast road. Followed by the best after race party in the country.
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