On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by guests who have concerned that hedges and verges on rural roads getting out of control and that this is creating hostile driving conditions, particularly in East Clare.
Bodyke Councillor Joe Cooney says it is excessively dangerous for motorists, particularly hauliers and bas drivers, as visibility is affected greatly by these
He said he would like some clarification on who has responsibility for the maintainance of roadside hedges
Bunratty based President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association Eoin Gavin agreeded that this is a huge issue for hauliers and extremely dangerous for them and other road users
Graham Lightfoot, transport coordinator at Clare Accessible Transport, Feakle also spoke about his experience when he has driven the bus on occasion
He’s in constant contact with the drivers and gave an overview of their experience on the roads.
Health Minister James Reilly said he wants Ireland to become completely tobacco free by 2025.
James Reilly says ministers are determined to eliminate smoking in Ireland for good.
He is planning to extend the existing workplace smoking ban, to include the outlawing of lighting up in public areas like parks and beaches.
John had a word with Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society, to get her views on the chances of success and benefits of this.
An Sean Dun Housing estate in Roslevan, Ennis were the first of three Clare entrants judged for the Pride of Place awards this week
They were judged on Tuesday in the Housing Estate Category
Cormac McCarthy of An Sean Dún Residents Association, Roslevan, spoke with John about how it went and their new Heritage Trail
See www.anseandun.com
Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns was entered into Category 3 of the Pride of Place awards for population centres of between 500 and 1,000 people
The national awards aim to recognise those communities that contribute most to society
This year’s judges Blaise Tracey and Declan Nelson arrived on Wednesday as Sean Lenihan of Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns Committee explained
The 2013 Pride of Place competition awards ceremony takes place in November.
On Morning Focus’ Health Matters slot Dr Maire Finn of Ennis Family Medical Centre spoke about varicose veins and answered listeners’ queries
Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Friday for more medical advice. You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP
We’ve been speaking a lot about bicycle bells in the last week – Clare FM’s Tommy Mescall headed on to the streets to ask people if bikes should have bells or not!
The Clans of Clare series
This is final in our ‘Tribe of Dal gCais’ series which examines 15 Clans whose origins are based in Co. Clare
Each Clan name descends from the The Tribe of Dal gCais who were a powerful network of Families from the 10th Century that ruled the Kingdom of Thomond
The series was produced by Denise Woods.
Today we looked at the McInerney Clan
There’s an opportunity to hear Clare FM’s Clans of Clare again – it will be repeated in the West Wind in August
Bealaha Sports and Fun Day is being held on Sunday as part of the Doonbeg Gathering Celebrations. It starts at 1pm in Downes Sports Field. There’ll be sheaf throwing, shot putt, a fun fair and a full programme of juvenile events with entertainment later in Downes Bar.
Andrew Killeen, Bealaha Sports & Fun Day Committee Member, had a word with John.
A documentary spanning 25 years of the International Feakle Festival is to be screened on television this weekend ahead of this year’s annual festival
‘In Time, In Tune’ celebrates a quarter of a century of the festival and the music and musicians of East Clare, will be broadcast on TG4 this Saturday at 9.15pm and again on Sunday at 6.05pm
The documentary premiered locally at last year’s festival after the committee decided to mark the 25th year milestone by charting the development and unique character of the music event over that period
Director Hilary Dully joined John in studio for a chat
We also heard some audio from the film, first was from the very first festival 26 years ago, then Martin Hayes speaking about why the festival is so special and finally Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing in St. Mary’s church in Feakle at the annual Gala concert.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
