On The Afternoon Show today Máire was joined by Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy and Communications with the Irish Cancer Society, who have said it is ‘hugely disappointing’ that the Government has failed to use the opportunity to cut the high rate of smoking by introducing a “tokenistic” 10 cent increase on the price of cigarettes. The increase announced today is not the sharp spike in price that is proven to discourage people from smoking. The Irish Cancer Society called for a 60 cent increase in the price of tobacco in its joint pre-budget submission with the Irish Heart Foundation. Meanwhile Mathew Griffin, Ennistymon Publican and Clare Chairman of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland spoke about the impact the budget will have on pubs in Clare. From midnight a 10 cent increase was added on a pint of cider and beer and a standard measure of spirits, while 50 cent has been added on a 75cl bottle of wine. The VFI have said this could mean the final straw for many publicans.
Aidan Courtney from The Ennis Book Shop reviewed Brendan O’Carroll’s Mrs Browne’s Family Handbook and Difficult Men by Brett Martin – based on some of the most renowned male TV characters and their creators.
Also on today’s show we heard about – Hear Me, See Me – a project set up by Radio Presenter Ann Marie Kelly after she made a film documentary about Wally, a rapper from Portlaoise who survived suicide. She set up the project to give young people the tools to express themselves and to understand or cope with mental health Issues through the Media of Radio, Film, Music and Theatre. Clare FM’s Denise Woods travelled to Ennistymon Vocational School where the project is running at the moment. She spoke to the project organiser and also to some of the participating students and to other people involved.
Finnish Folk group Lystiä were also special guests of the show this afternoon. Noora Karjalainen (vocals, clarinet and harmonica), Maija Koskenalusta (piano, flute, kantele, jews harp and vocals) and Antti Havia (fiddle, guitar and vocals) joined Máire in studio to talk about their music and it’s connections to Irish folk and trad. Lystiä is a vibrant Finnish folk music group who plays old and new Finnish folk music. Their variety of instruments gives the audience a whole hearted hearing experience. The Lystiä members have a long history of playing music together and this is the first time that they are bringing their music to Ireland. They’ll perform at the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon tonight from 8pm.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
