Morning Focus Thursday October 11

A Kilrush woman has become the first person from County Clare to swim the English Channel.
38 year old Fionnuala Walsh arrived in France late yesterday, having completed the Cross Channel Swim from Dover in a time of 15 hours and 26 minutes.
In fulfilling her lifetime ambition to swim the channel, the Kilrush woman has become the 15th Irish woman to achieve a feat that’s often described as the Everest of Open Water Swimming, and also raised funds for Pieta House and Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Fionnuala about her amazing achievement.
 
Should homeowners in Negative Equity be exempt from Property Tax Payments? A motion before Clare County Council called for greater supports or allowances for those who bought their houses at the height of the boom but are now coping with dramatically reduced values on their investments – however some councillors disagreed – saying many people are comfortable financially, despite being in negative equity.
Pat Keane, Fianna Fail Councillor from Kilkee and Pat Burke, Fine Gael Councillor from Whitegate discussed
Paddy in Ennis also spoke with John to give his opinion on this issue.

Eoin Keane of the Orchard and Fruit Tree Nursery at Irish Seed Savers Association, Scarriff and Carmen Cronin, GIY Munster Co-Ordinator, joined John to speak about Apple Trees and Heritage Varieties and details of upcoming GIY meetings and events in ClareCarmen Cronin
GIY Munster Co-Ordinator

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The Autumn gathering known as ‘Looking Forward’ is on in Bohan’s Bar in Feakle this Friday night.
John was joined in studio by organiser Don Purcell of Feakle, Jackie Vaughan from Tulla – Organises outing from Tulla to the Looking Forward Group Outings in Feakle
and Cyril Hogan from Feakle- they encouraged people to come along for the craic in Bohan’s Bar tomorrow night
Today is Don’s 90th birthday and his daughter- well known singer Kate- sang him happy birthday

The annual Dromineer Literary Festival takes place over the weekend. Founded in 2004 the 2012 event is the ninth Dromineer Literary Festival. The Festival has become known for its warm and intimate atmosphere, as well as a beautiful lakeside location on Lough Derg in North Tipperary
Eleanor Hooker, Vice-Chairperson & PRO of the Dromineer Literary Festival spoke about what’s on offer this weekend
See  http://www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie
 
John Underhill of Burren Vets joined John in studio to answer listener’s queries on animal health.

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