A meeting in January of the West Clare MD agreed the preferred option to address ongoing traffic congestion in Ennistymon. Property owners affected were informed of this by letter on January 20 and told that the option would now be put forward for approval by TIL (Transport Infrastructure Ireland). Option A went on public consultation in June 2015 and involves westbound traffic on the N85 to N67 using a new bridge, accessed via the Ennis Road car park; and eastbound traffic continuing to use the bridge. Approval from TIL is necessary before the option can go through the planning process (either to An Bord Pleanala or as a Part 8). Property owners say they expected to receive an update on the council’s consultation with TIL, but that this hasn’t yet happened and they’re concerned about the delay. Fergal O’Connor spoke to Gavin this morning about his brother, Francis, who lives in a property on Blake’s Corner.
Two special domes are to be constructed to house the major events of this year’s Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann when it comes to Ennis later this year. The temporary structures are included in the Fleadh Committee’s formal application for a festival license, which has been submitted to Clare county Council. The Council will consider the proposal along with various agencies, including the Gardai and HSE, while members of the public are also being invited to make submissions in a process which is expected to take around 5 weeks. Four-hundred-thousand people are expected to descend on the town for the event which is set to run from the 14th to the 22nd of August. Gavin was joined by Micheal O Riabhaigh, Cathaoirleach of the Ennis Fleadh Executive Committee and Adrian Jackson, Safety Solutions, Event Controller Fleadh 2016. Adrian says the “Fleadh Domes”, to be located at Tim Smyth Park and the New Road, will be the focal point of much activity throughout the week.
Later on in the show Gavin played a clip from the Ennis Chamber pre-election hustings.
Dr Maire Finn joined Gavin this morning for the weekly Health Matters slot. This week she answered listeners’ queries regarding rashes and skin conditions.
Mari Moloney and Rhonda Murphy from the Alzheimer’s Society Clare Branch spoke to Gavin this morning about the Burren Walk for the Alzheimer’s Society. Up to 650 walkers are expected in Fanore on Sunday next (February 14th) for the annual Burren walk. The walk starts and finishes at O’Donoghue’s Pub Fanore, with registration from 11am to 1pm. Funds raised will go towards the extension of services (daycare/homecare and respite) for the Clare branch of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
Emer O’Connoll joined Gavin this morning to discuss the upcoming Ennis Book Club Festival. The annual Festival is back with its unique mix of readings, discussion, debates, comedy and chat in one of Ireland’s friendliest towns. From March 4th to 6th , the Ennis Book Club Festival will celebrate ten years of loving books with a very special weekend of literary, musical and poetic treats, all preceded, for the first time, by a special programme for younger readers. Gavin was also joined on the line by David Flynn from The Happy Pear. The Happy Pear started out as a vegetable shop in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Today, this family business includes a natural food-store, offering local, organic and seasonal produce; two wholefood cafes and evening restaurant; and a superfood sprout farm in Kilccole. The Flynn brothers, David and Stephen, now also own an own-label food production and distribution business; an online shop; have produced a bestselling cookbook (The Happy Pear- Recipes and Stories from the first ten years); have a significant social media following and are part of Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube family (the largest foodie community in Europe). They also run frequent health education courses, and provide talks on health, nutrition and lifestyle I workplaces and at events to inspire a happier, healthier world.
Later on in the show, Gavin spoke to Becca Doyle, Scarriff Foroige Club Leader, and Brid Canny, Foroige Regional Youth Officer in Limerick and North Tipperary, about Foroige in Clare. Foroige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. Its vision is an Ireland that believes in every young person and its purpose is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and in the development of society. Nationally, Foroige works with 56,000 young people aged 10-18 each year through volunteer-led clubs and staff-led youth projects. There are three Foroige clubs in Scarriff with around 40 members who come from Feakle, Tulla, Whitegate, Tuamgraney, Scarriff and Mountshannon and their hinterlands. Activities include the development of a Mental Health Programme, participation in leadership training (in association with LIT), gardening (for junior members) and a Citizenship Programme.
Owen O’Mahony spoke to Morning Focus today about the Patricia Corbett Memorial Walk. The 11th annual ‘Patricia Corbett Memorial Walk/Run’ will be held in Labasheeda on Sunday next, the 14th of February. The course is six miles/ten kilometres around Labasheeda Peninsula. Proceeds will go towards the Clare Suicide Bereavement Support. The event begins at 12.30pm, registration from 11.30am at St. Kierans Community Centre. Entry fee is 10 euro.
Children’s author, Jackie Burke spoke on the show today about her newly published, third novel, The Queen’s Quest. Her fourth is due for publication shortly. Her ‘Grindlewood’ novels are hugely popular with school children and she’s back for a second time to visit schools in Clare.
In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, Clare County Library would like to play matchmaker for you and set you up on a blind date with a book. Gavin was joined by Theresa Carmody O’Shea, Staff Officer at Clare County Library. Theresa spoke about the event and explained that the books will be wrapped in plain paper in participating libraries around Clare. The selected books will have some connection to the year 1916 and will include a range of genres and themes. Gavin was also joined by Patricia Farrell, owner and manager of Wilde Irish Chocolates. When participants check out their selected book, they will receive a sweet treat custom-made by Wilde Irish Chocolates.
