Today’s Morning Focus discussed the issue of headstones. Joining Clare FM’s John Cooke in studio was Michael McTigue, a Monumental Sculptor from Kilnamona and Independent Ennis Town Councillor Michael Guilfoyle. Calls have been made for a clampdown on oversized monuments in cemeteries like Drumcliffe. Clare County Council may look at updating by-laws there along with the introduction of public lighting and CCTV following recent thefts and violent feuding incidents. John asked – should tighter restrictions be placed on large headstones in local graveyards?
Ann Norton, one of the founding members of local charity Clare Crusaders in Barefield was also a guest of the show following her announcement to contest the local elections in Clare. The well known campaigner for people with disabilities has decided to take those issue further though local government and will stand in the Ennis area as an Independent Candidate in May. Ann is a previous recipient of the Clare Person of the Year Award. She’ll formally launch her campaign at the Old Ground in Ennis tonight.
Fiona Monaghan from Failte Ireland also talked about how the tourism body is calling for local communities across County Clare to get behind the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s new tourism initiative for 2014. The tourism authority will be holding a series of community meetings along the west coast with one taking place in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point this evening (Wednesday 5th February) from 6pm – 8pm. www.failteireland.ie/wildatlanticway
Also joining the show this morning was Brother Liam O’Meara of the Burren Chernobyl Project. He spoke to us live from Minsk where he is currently trying to help a number of projects. Some with a particularly Clare connection – including Vanya who used stay as a child in Mullagh is now grown up, got married, had a child but after some domestic problems the baby was taken into care. They have also laid the foundation of a house on behalf of Edel Smith, Doonbeg which will be an independent living house for some of the children from Cherven orphanage who have holidayed in Clare when they were younger. He is also collecting funds to put up headstones to children from Cherven and Gorodishche orphanages that have died over the last year or two. Their next big collection will leave Ennistymon in March for distribution through various orphanages and families in need.
Eileen Woodford from The IrishShop.com in the Market in Ennis was also in studio. If you’re planning to queue for tickets for the latest Garth Brooks Concert in Ennis this week – then don’t. County Clare no longer has a ticket master outlet, after the Irish Shop.com – formerly The Record Rack on Lower Market Street in Ennis ended its contract to sell tickets for major concerts and events this week. Last week up to 150 people lined the Market in Ennis to buy tickets, for three Garth Brooks concerts in July, but those scenes won’t be repeated as the last of his dates goes on sale tomorrow morning. Clare fans will have to go online or travel to Galway or Limerick to purchase the much sought after tickets.
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service was also in studio to answer your queries on rights and entitlements. For more information contact the service on 0761 07 5260.
To contact Morning Focus please email [email protected]
