Morning Focus Thursday March 7

The long awaited development of Doolin Pier has finally been given the all clear
An Bord Pleanala has upheld Clare County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the new 5 million euro pier in North Clare
The project was beset by delays over the years due to objections from local surfing groups and then the local authority had to carry out Environmental Impact Statement which found the project would not have a significant impact on famous surfing waves in the area.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke got some local reaction to the news
Hotelier John Burke of Hotel Doolin and the Armada, Spanish Point said the announcement that construction work on the proposed Doolin Pier development will be completed by early 2015 is very positive news for the hospitality and tourism sector in North Clare and across the wider County
Bill O’Brien of O’Brien-Line – Doolin Ferries also welcomed the news
Paddy Crowe, Manager of Island co-op Comhar Caomhán Inis Oírr, said before that the pier not going that their island would be under threat
They are delighted with this news – Paddy said it was a long time coming, he spent thirty years skippering in and out of Doolin.

Fianna Fail will hold a public meeting tonight in the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis starting at 8pm
It will be addressed by the Fianna Fail Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins TD and chaired by Clare TD Timmy Dooley
Representatives of the local Crime Prevention and Community Policing Office will also be in attendance to answer questions about enhancing the security of homes and businesses
John spoke with Deputy Niall Collins, Fianna Fail’s Justice Spokesperson.

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Brendain MecFhionnghaile of Clar as Gaeilge has the latest result from Feile na hInse 2013.

The Irish Farmers Journal’s annual land price magazine is out today and it is the first time that we’ve recorded a land price increase in six years
Clare land prices up a massive 33%
The average price of agricultural land was €8,660/acre in 2012, representing an increase of 33% compared to the 2011 average of €6,528/acre.
2,059 acres were offered for sale in the county last year – up from 1,826 acres in 2011.
62 acres of good quality grazing land in Kilkee sold at auction for €375,000 or €6,048/acre
Joanne Fox, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal’s Annual Land Price Magazine, had a word with John to elaborate on the findings.

The Ennis Redemptorist Mission will run from Sunday to next Friday 15th, with the main event in the Cathedral commencing at 7.30pm daily
The theme of the mission is ‘Come as you Are’ – and is breaking new ground with the level of lay involvement in both the planning and delivery of the various elements
Fr Seamus Enright of the Redemptorist Mission Team explained.

Mattie Horan of the organising committee joined John in studio
Sunday night is ‘Community night’ and they have invited and organised representatives from  voluntary, community, charity, sports, parish groups and immigrant communities to attend. 

Kilrush Town Council Marketing Officer Siobhan Garvey spoke about the outcome of their public meeting in February when they appealed to each and every community group and parish in the  West Clare area to participate in the Irish Famine Commemoration in the town
The official programme of events will be announced next week. 

When Kilrush was selected as the host location for the main 2013 National Famine Commemoration local songster PJ Murrihy decided to pen a song to mark the event – PJ had a word with John and we heard some of this song.

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