Morning Focus Friday June 21

On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Clinical Director of the University Hospitals of Limerick Dr Con Cronin

He reacted to claims by three leading consultants earlier this week that impending admission changes at Dooradoyle will adversly affect patient care at Dooradoyle
From Monday such patients who arrive at Univeristy Hospital Limerick during out of hours won’t automatically be seen by a geriatrician anymore.
It’s feared this will see a drop in the standard of elderly patient care and that people from West and East Clare will be most affected given the loss of 24 hour A&E at Ennis- however Dr Cronin maintained there will be an increased number of geriatricians available to treat patients.

Fr Harry Bohan – Parish Priest of Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry parish- is celebrating his jubilee this coming Sunday
Fr. Harry was ordained in 1963- the beginning of an industrial and communications revolution – he joined John in studio to speak about his feelings on his jubilee, how Ireland has changed in those five decades and the challenges facing the church.
Fr. Harry’s memoirs are being published this Autumn- stay tuned to Morning Focus for more details on this.

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There will be a special mass in Sixmilebridge this evening at 7.30pm to honour Fr Harry
Bishop Willie will be doing the homily.  Bishop Kieran will also be concelebrating with him

The new first citizen of Kilrush has warned of higher commercial rates and increased parking charges with the abolition of the town council.
Last night Independent councillor Paul Moroney was unanimously elected as the new Mayor of the West Clare town with his term set to be last at the local authority under the Environment Ministers plans to abolish the urban councils.
The married father of three young children takes over the reigns from fellow independent Mairead O’Brien while Fine Gael Councillor Marion McMahon Jones was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.
Mayor Moroney spoke with John and described his election as a bittersweet but historic moment and despite the impending demise of the council – he has a number of goals he aims to achieve during his time in office.

It’s a weekend of lots of big events in Ennis this weekend
John was joined in studio by Tracey Crawford of Ennis Love Live Music and Sharon Meaney of the Clare Volunteer Centre to discuss what’s happening

Love Live Music Ennis presents ‘Clare Connections’ – a celebration of Folk/Trad/Roots music in its natural habitat – Clare’s Capital Town
Free Open Air Concert tonight at the Abbey Street Carpark Ennis from 6pm

If your name is Clare you’re being urged to head to Ennis this weekend to help break a world record
An attempt is being made to break the world record for having the most people in one area with the same first name
Organisers are hoping to beat the world record set by 1,096 Mohammeds in Dubai in February 2005
The previous record for a same-name gathering was created by 375 Marias in Spain in 2003.
The Clare event is to take place in Ennis Cathedral between 1 and 3 pm on Sunday. 

World reknowned Flute and whistle player Joanie Madden also joined John in studio
Joanie is the front woman of ‘Cherish the Ladies’ and the top selling whistle player in history
The New Yorker’s mother Helen, a dancer of traditional sets hails from Miltown Malbay, and her father Joe, an All-Ireland Champion on the accordion, comes from Portumna
Joanie played a few tunes and encouraged whistle players to come to Ennis this evening at 7pm where she will lead the attempt to break the world record for the most people playing the Seige of Ennis

The 10th An Post Tour de Burren takes place tomorrow in Ballyvaughan, where  2,000 cyclists will take part in this annual event
There will be a number of celebrities taking part in the sportive on the day
Sean Kelly will be there with Sean Og O’Hailpin who will also be braving the roads of North Clare on Saturday.
John Sweeney of Clare Sports Partnership had a word about what people can expect.

Doolin Heritage Weekend kicks off today until Sunday
An exciting two day seminar will be held in the Russell Cultural Centre when ten speakers will give talks on subjects of local interest, on Archaeology and conservation
Joe  McCooey of the Doolin Heritage Committee and Project Leader for the Killilagh Project joined John in studio
The archaeologist will give a talk on the restoration work at Killilagh Church and on the Graveyard Survey undertaken at Killilagh
For more information look up Save Killilagh Church Doolin Project on facebook
Email Joe – [email protected]

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