On today's Morning Focus, Marian spoke to Professor Cathal O'Donoghue, Teagasc head of rural economy and development and Brian Morrissey from The Burren Lowlands Group, about a recent study which found that, Gort, has been the hardest hit town by the recession. It fell from the top 10 per cent in 2002 to the bottom 10 per cent in 2011. The Burren Lowlands Group was formed in Jan 2014. The local group are trying to turn this trend around.
Up next Shirley Busteed, Property Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal and Editor of the Land Report. Marian ans Shirley discussed this report which shows, the average price for land in Clare plummeted by 25.9% compared to 2012, from €8,660 in 2012 to €6,411 in 2013. In contrast, the supply of land in Clare in 2013 was up by 21.7% from 2012, from 2,059 acres in 2012 to 2,507 acres in 2013. Prices ranged from €2,837/acre for a 20-acre parcel of average quality to a top of €16,000/acre for a super 10-acre parcel situated at Ennistymon, which sold under the hammer for €160,000.
Alan Foudy from Funerals Live spoke to Marian about his new business. Alan's new company is offering families the chance to stream funerals – so expats can witness the event online. Funerals Live is targeted at emigrants who can't travel to attend family funerals. Those hoping to see a funeral from abroad will be given a password in order to watch the livestream.
Michael Guilfoyle, Ennis Independent Councillor spoke to Marian as he has already put up his election posters for the elections that will be held on the 23rd of May. The Council say posters can only go up 30 days before the election otherwise they are deemed as pollution. Councillor Guilfoyle says as he is an Independent candidate with no big party behind him he has to begin work on his campaign early. The areas have also increased in size so Councillor Guilfoyle says this is making things harder so he needs to start early. He went on to say if he had his way no candidate would put up posters but unfortunately this is the nature of the election process.
Zoe O Donoghue and her Mum Jerry came into studio to have a chat to Marian. Zoe is 11 and a 5th class student in Broadford, National School. She has extremely long hair which she has been growing for almost 5 years to donate to the Rapunzel Foundation to help make wigs for people who have lost their hair. She is also fundraising for a local charity, Milford Care Centre, Limerick. On the 28th March 2014, in Genevieve's Hair Salon, Market Square, Scarriff, she will cut 14" of hair to donate to the Rapunzel Foundation and Zoe hopes to make a few Euros to support Milford in the process.
Vanessa Fagan Vanhorn from the group Dolphin Day Ireland spoke to Marian about the latest on Dusty the Doolin dolphin. She has become "jumpy" and wary of human contact in the wake of a number of high-profile incidents involving members of the public last year. Members of conservation group, Dolphin Day Ireland, spent the Bank Holiday weekend in Doolin, warning the public not to get into the water with the bottlenose dolphin.
Finally John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners' livestock and pet queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
