As many pupils are beginning their school year today John Cooke was joined in studio on Thursday’s Morning Focus by the Irish National teachers’ Organisation Vice President and Principal of Mullagh National School Sean McMahon
The INTO are launching a campaign this Monday aiming to combat continuing cuts to education spending
Sean discussed the union’s concerns in relation of the upcoming budget – such as the imminent threat of further education spending cuts and class sizes
INTO members voted 63 per cent in favour and 37 per cent against the Haddington Road Agreement – it took affect on 1 July this year and will last for three years
Half of all publicans have experienced a fall in turnover in the past year – particularly in rural areas
A new survey by AIB found that one in four pubs have reduced their week day opening hours in the last year – rising to one in three rural pubs
The study found that pub goers are getting older with only a third of customers under 30 years of age
The top concern facing publicans is local authority rates, followed by access to cheap alcohol in supermarkets and wage costs
John discussed this with Mathew Griffin – Chairperson of the Clare branch of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and Ennistymon Publican and Gerry Short of Short’s Bar in Feakle.
Finds people are very loyal- on Thursday nights they have the longest running trad session
The trade is getting tougher- drinking habits have changed –the casual drinker used to go out three or four nights – now they may go out for two drinks once a week- if even
People are drinking at home more because of cheaper liquor
A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) will be officially opened to the public at Tim Smythe Park in Ennis next Monday
Tim Forde, the General Manager of Active Ennis Sports & Leisure Facilities, gave the details
See the new website www.activeennis.ie – that will be officially launched on Monday.
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaker Willie Daly joined John in studio ahead of the world famous Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival that’s getting underway this weekend
It draws huge crowds of over 20,000 people to the busy pubs and hotels every year during the whole month of September. They come for love, dancing, music, racing and a good time
This year the Outing – an LGBT offshoot of the festival – plans to stick with tradition
Marcus Whyte of The Hydro Hotel said they are anticipating a fantastic turn out to the festival this year
He judges that it could be one of the best attended festivals in many years.
The Milford Hospice Harvest Fair is taking place this Sunday in UL Arena
It’s the 28th Milford Harvest Fair and will open to the public from 11am with all activities finishing at 4pm on Sunday
Admission is free with ample car parking to be had around the world-class Arena – hoping Clare neighbours will support this fundraiser
John spoke with CEO of Milford Care Centre Pat Quinlan
Contact 061 485860 / 485859 to volunteer.
The Loop the Loop Charity Cycle will take place on September 28th
The cycle has been going on for 25 years but this year it is expanding to rival the ring of Kerry cycle
Organisers feel that they have an amazing product in loop head and the cycle coincides with the Che Guevara Festival in Kilkee
The 130km cycle will fundraise for Cahercalla and Milford hospices and the Irish hospice foundation
They want people to register as early as possible as Noel Gavin in Kilkee explained
See www.looptheloop.ie for more details and to register.
Lisa Lawlor of Clare FM Sport joined John in studio to speak about the special ‘Road to Croker’ programme taking place next Friday 6th September
Tickets are free and available from Clare FM.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email [email protected]
