On Today's Morning Focus the show came live from Lahinch as we bring Morning Focus out and about for the Summer. John began the show by taking a look back on how things are following on from the storms that played havoc with Clare's coastline earlier this year. John was joined by Antoine O'Looney of O'Looney's Bar, Cliondhna Fawl, Chairperson West Coast surf club and Lahinch Surf Shop and Randy Lewis, owner of Randaddy's café and restaurant. Front page photographs of storms battering Lahinch's shore's this winter are reported to have attracted tourists this summer. John spoke to all 3 businesses to find out how they are finding the summer season so far and how they are recovering from the storms earlier this year.
We then heard from an array of people from Lahinch both tourists and locals who we're speaking to Clare FM's Cian Kearns earlier and got their thoughts on how this summer season is going.
Lahinch beach is one of Ireland's favourite surfing beaches. People have been known to travel from all over the world just to catch some Clare waves. With the sports popularity going from strength to strength Clare FM's Cian Kearns headed to Bens surf Clinic to get involved in a lesson and find out why the past time has increased so much in popularity. We heard from people from Ireland and from overseas to hear how their surf lessons went.
Patrick Blake, Liscannor Harbour Committee and Kit Lysaght, Liscannor Resident Kit Lysaght were next to join John. John spoke to Kit and Patrick back in January. John joined Kit in her home at the time as she lives beside Liscannor Pier and she told John at the time she is in constant fear of flooding or worse since the sea wall in front of her home was shattered by high waves. Both guests gave John an update on how post storm repairs are going in Liscannor.
Michael Vaughan, Lahinch Hotelier, Dervlla Considine, Marketing Manager – Lahnich Seaworld and Donoch O'Loughlin of Sue's Lahinch and Chairperson Lahinch Community Council spoke to John as we were wondering – Has the sun shone on businesses in Lahinch this summer? All 3 businesses said things were going well. Between May and October of last year, Failte Ireland conducted over 1,000 interviews with tourists at key locations in Clare – 67% of those were first-time visitors to the county. 64% said they'd give Clare a high recommendation to others and of these – 76% cited scenery and the beautiful countryside as their main reason to do so. This is all good news for Lahinch and the surrounding areas.
Several weeks ago John told listeners about the new anti litter tannoy system that was being introduced at some of Clare's beaches. It's part of a new awareness campaign and also welcomes people to the beach and asks them not to litter. It comes as the local authority moves to remind visitors of rules for the use of beaches in Clare. Cian Kearns took to the promenade earlier to find out if the new initiative is asking an impression on those visiting the beach.
Mark Burke, Shane Coughlan and Gavin Coughlan were up next. The Lahinch trio make up Tonnta Ceoil. They are a modern Irish trad group from the heart of Co. Clare fusing old and new musical styles in an exciting mix of music and song. Lucky for Some is the debut album by a new Clare based group called Tonnta Ceoil. Young, enthusiastic and creative their lifelong interest in music has culminated in this release. It shows that they have a confident streak when it comes to playing music that reflects both their lives and their broader influences. There has been a recent trend towards the inclusion of more contemporary songs on albums and Tonnta Ceoil follows this path. The album was launched at the Willie Clancy week in Milltown Malbay as well as at the Feakle Festival on 9th August. They 3 lads had a chat and played some fantastic music.
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