Dr. Ed Walshe – Founding President of the University of Limerick – joined John Cooke on Wednesday’s Morning Focus to discuss the points system
With the controversy over the bonus points for higher maths and CAO points rocketing – do we need to change the leaving cert?
Irish Universities have made proposals to ease the pressure faced by second level students as a result of the points system
The proposals to Minister Ruairí Quin include a simplification of the Leaving Certificate grading system
Ed Walsh thinks we have to highlight importance of maths- but we also produce scientifically illiterate student body- he thinks it’s time to get with the rest of Europe
He believes Education Minister Ruairí Quin is taking action
Three Clare swimmers have secured Gold and Bronze medals for Ireland in the European Lifesaving Championships in Sweden
Bernard Cahill and Rory Sexton won their medals in the team beach event which simulates a rescue from the water – called a Board Rescue.
They also clocked up three more medals between them- Bernard won gold in the Run Swim Run event and Silver in the individual Board Rescue event – and Rory won silver in the Run Swim Run competition.
And not to be outdone by the boys – Ennis native Lilly Barrett took bronze in the Girls- run swim event
Irish Water Safety says its the first time that Ireland has made such an achievement and are now ranked 8th overall in Europe
Bernard Cahill- a lifeguard on Seafield Beach is from near Ballyea and is 18 years old
He was awarded a Rescue Award by Minister Phil Hogan last November in Dublin Castle
Rory Sexton’s from Cork but spends his summers in Whitestrand, where his father is from
He is 18 years old and Ennis native Lily Barrett is 15 years old
They all joined John in studio to talk about their success and the training it takes.
Galway turf cutters are vowing to continue to cut turf until everyone in their area without fuel is supplied
They made a return to the bogs in South Galway yesterday, despite the new EU laws which prohibit such activity
Around 50 people cut turf on a raised bog designated for EU protection near Woodford and members of the Clonmoylan Bog Action Group said they had no interference from either the National Parks and Wildlife Service or gardaí
Turf cutters were involved in a heated stand-off with gardaí at the same bog in June, and were joined by West Clare campaigners when machinery was seized
A mechanical digger and hopper machine were back on site yesterday and a spokesperson said enough turf was cut to supply three or four families in the local area
Dermot Moran, Spokesman for Clonmoylan Bog Action Group, had a word with John.
Dominic McCarthy of London married Louise McGuane from Cooraclare in Cooraclare last weekend
They had guests from all over the US, UK, Europe – a good cross section as well as the local crowd and relatives from all over Ireland
He got in touch with us and spoke with John to say that each and everyone commented on what a great location Clare was
The 250 guests spent four to five days in Clare, visiting Kilfenora, The Burren and Mohee (to name a few locations) and most said they would return but the number one attraction was the warmth of the people and their charm.
The Newmarket on Fergus Village Carnival takes place this Friday to Sunday
It is the 2nd annual family, heritage and musical festival
Tracy McNulty, Festival officer at Obair Newmarket on Fergus, explained.
Heritage Officer with Clare County Council Congella McGuire was in studio to talk about the events coming up today and tomorrow for Heritage week
Eric Shaw of the Clare Roots Society spoke ahead of the “Genealogy for Beginners” he will be hosting.
See www.heritageweek.ie or www.clarecoco.ie
This Friday to Sunday Doolin will play host to the inaugural Doolin Irish Craft Beer Festival
The event will showcase the best of Irish Craft Beers, featuring 15 different beers from the best micro-breweries in Ireland
Also it will see the launch of ‘Dooliner Beer’ and organisers hope the Craft Beer festival will promote awareness of independent breweries around the country
Donal Minihane- Hotel Doolin General Manager – explained
Seamus O’Hara of the Carlow Brewing Company is one of the 15 micro breweries that will attend over the weekend
He had a word about the growing popularity of the craft of brewing beer.
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