Today on the show, Gavin spoke to Senator Toney Mulcahy, Fine Gael, about Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport has a deal in place to launch a new transatlantic service, if the airline is granted a license. Norwegian Airlines is seeking permission from the US authorities to fly services between Ireland and America, including a Shannon-Boston route. The arrival of the budget airline would mark a new carrier at Shannon, and the Airport says this would allow it to grow passenger numbers and services as a result. Clare FM understands that the new service could begin shortly after the license secured, if this occurs.
Up to 150 people took to the streets of Kilrush yesterday (24th February) to voice their frustration at the ongoing closure of five community childcare across West Clare. The crèches run by West Clare Early Years closed over the weekend of February 13th, giving parents only one day’s notice and leaving hundreds of families facing a childcare crisis. A public meeting was held within days (February 15th) and assurances given by the funder, Pobal, that an alternative provider would be found, but the process has stalled and families rallied yesterday to express their anger. Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, spoke to some of those protesting in Kilrush.
Today (February 25th) marks one of the last chances for parties and candidates to sway your thinking ahead of tomorrow’s General Election. From this afternoon, at 2pm, a broadcast moratorium comes into effect, bringing an end to campaigning on the airwaves until after polls close. As part of our final election coverage on this programme, we wanted to take a look at the issues that have framed peoples’ thinking ahead of the election. Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill compiled a special report on the closing days of the campaign.
Later on the show, Gavin spoke to several people about Aldi getting the go-ahead in Ennistymon. Planning permission has been granted by Bord Pleanala for the construction of a discount foodstore on the site of Ennistymon Mart. Supermarket Giant Aldi was given the go-ahead by Clare County Council in July last year to construct a single storey development following which was an appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala by members of the Save Ennistymon Mart Committee. Councillor Bill Slattery, West Clare MD; Pat Donoghue, Secretary of Save the Mart Committee; and Tom Clare, Secretary of the Save the Mart Committee spoke on the show about the project. The project has now been given approval, subject to 17 conditions, including one which states that a proported children’s burial ground on the site is preserved if evidence of this is discovered. Tom says farmers are devastated by the decision and that it’s the worst news to hit North Clare in five decades. We also heard from Publican, Morty McMahon who shared his memories of the Ennistymon Mart.
Lollipop Day is Ireland’s only fundraising and awareness campaign for oesophageal cancer. Organised by the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF), Lollipop Day will run across the country and in a number of places in Clare tomorrow (February 26th) and Saturday. A pink lollipop, the emblem for the OCF, highlights the most common symptom of suspicion of oesophageal cancer- difficulty swallowing. Noelle Ryan, the Chairperson of the OCF, spoke to Gavin today about the fundraising, as well as Michelle Glynn from Ennis, who is one of the lead volunteers in Clare for Lollipop Day. Michelle’s father, Paul, is a survivor of oesophageal cancer.
Gavin was also joined today by Michelle Flannery to talk about gardening.
Elaine Clifford from Clare MABS spoke on Morning Focus today about MABS mortgage arrears support. MABS has been offering service in Clare for over 20 years, with its main office in Ennis and advice services weekly in Shannon, Scarriff, Killaloe, Miltown Malbay, and Kilrush. The insolvency service offered by MABS has seen over 100k in debts written off for local people since June of lat year. In addition MABS is attending Ennis court at the mortgage possession case hearings to provide support and advice for customers who attend without any legal representation.
A special planning meeting on the organization of this year’s Ennis Polska Eire Festival will take place today (February 25th) at 12 midday in The Local (formerly May Kearneys) 1 Newbridge Road, Ennis. Gavin spoke to Piotr Rakowski, First Councillor Deputy Head of Mission at the Polish Embassy and Anna Scanlan from the Polish Irish Association about the event. The main aim of the festival is to present Irish traditional culture to Poles and show Polish culture to Irish people in order to support better integration between Poles and the Irish community. Last year the festival included around 200 different events all across the country. The events in Ennis were one of the most successful thanks to their local partners FAI, Active Ennis, Clare Sport Partnership, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, Avenue United, OLM and Clare County Council. This year might be even better, since Clare was nominated a Culture County for 2016, as well as Ennis hosting one of the most important cultural events in Ireland – Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Festival.
Clare may have a new millionaire after a winning Euromillions ticket was sold in Ennis on Tuesday, February 23rd. The 6 euro quickpick was purchased in Top Spar Express on the Limerick Road and is worth 1.25 million to the lucky winner. The numbers drawn were 23, 25, 32, 37 and 42 and the Lucky Stars were 1 and 11. Clare FM’s Ronan Moyles visited Top Spar Express on the Limerick Road and spoke to David Hogan.
The Russell Memorial Weekend is a traditional festival held in Doolin on the last weekend in February each year. The festival first began in 1995 as a remembrance ceremony to Micho Russel, the world-famous traditional musician, who died in 1994. The festival will run from tonight (February 25th) to Monday (February 29th). Events throughout the weekend take place in the Russell Cultural Centre. Gavin was joined in studio by a group of musicians including David Crowe on flute, Mark Burke on the accordion, and Darragh O’Donnell on the snare drum. The group spoke about the festival and played some music.
