Today’s edition of The Afternoon Show featured the Friday panel – joining Máire in studio was Claire Gallagher from The Clare People, Claire O’Meara from the Clare Branch of Irish Cancer Society and Aidan Courtney of the Clare FM Book Review and Ennis Bookshop. They discussed the main news events of the week including Storm Darwin, The purchase of Doonbeg Golf Club and Valentines Day! They spoke about how Clare is cleaning up after Storm Darwin – the worst weather to batter many areas of the county in many years. Home and landowners will be surveying the damage after winds on Wednesday peaked at 160 kilometres per hour at Shannon Airport, one of the highest of anywhere in Ireland. It saw an Aer Arann plane to topple over there, while roofs were blown of sheds in places like Kilfenora and Ballynacally and slates to be blown off many homes and businesses in Ennis. The storm also left 8400 Clare homes without power, with Sixmilebridge, Tulla, Kilkee, Spanish Point, Ennis, Lisdoonvarna and Kilmaley the worst-affected areas. ESB crews were out in force carrying out repairs, and staff from Northern Ireland Electricity have been drafted in to help. No major routes were closed, though wintry storms have left roads in Ennis, the N85 from Ennistymon to Ennis and the M18 motorway in a very dangerous conditions. Debris is also an issue in many parts, while a number of street lights were not working. Irish Rail says its services from Ennis to Limerick and Athenry are not operational – bus transfers are in place. A number of schools were also closed.
Also up for discussion was how Donald Trump's organisation is pledging to create new jobs at the former Doonbeg Golf Club, and protect the employment of those already working there. The five-star Lodge Resort is now officially known as Trump International Golf Links Ireland, after the billionaire businessman completed a deal to buy the luxury property which was placed in receivership last month. Donald Trump's sons and other members of the organisation arrived in Doonbeg to inspect their new asset but they've already said they'll maintain employment numbers, which rose to 230 at the height of last summer.
Valentine's Day is here again and we asked the panel – What's the point of it really? Is it to boost the sale of flowers and tacky cards or is it actually a celebration of love?
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