Morning Focus opened with news of a €30 million investment in a Cratloe solar farm. Plans for six new solar farms in Clare could provide enough energy to provide 5,000 homes here. The proposal has been unveiled by Terra Solar – they're planning to invest 30 million euro in six sites, the first of which will be at Ballymorris near Cratloe. A planning application is expected to be lodged with the Council in the coing weeks. Director and co-founder of Terra Solar Andre Fernon has told Gavin Grace that while their project will be the first of its kind in Ireland, it's not uncommon internationally.
It was claimed Ambulance services in Clare and across the region could be scaled back if staff vote for strike action.
SIPTU says it has no option but to ballot members for industrial action over the failure of the Health Minister to publish a review of the service. The union also claims Leo Varadkar has failed to implement measures aimed at freeing up front line paramedics from duties like hospital transfers. SIPTU organiser for the Midwest, Ted Kenny met paramedics in Clare on the issue last night (Wed.s, April 6) on the issue and he gave Pat Flynn an update.
Morning Focus then took a look at ongoing efforts to form a new government. The proposal for a 'full partnership' government between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is now on the table. Last night's face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two biggest parties came 40 days after the General Election result.
The offer was made after the two leaders both failed in their efforts to be elected Taoiseach on Wednesday. Pat Flynn spoke the Examiner's Special Correspondent Tom Brady.
Migraine affects around half a million people in Ireland and it the most common neurological condition in the world.
The World Health Organisation ranks migraine as the 6th most disabling disease worldwide and classifies severe attacks as among the most disabling illnesses, comparable to dementia, quadriplegia and active psychosis.
The Migraine Association of Ireland will hold a public Migraine Information Seminar tonight (Thursday, April 7) at 7pm in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Dr David Janes, from the Fourmilewater Health Centre, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford will present an overview of migraine. There is no cost to attend.
Doutzen Roeloss from Miltown Malbay is a long-time sufferer of migraines. She has a condition called Secondary Adison's Disease and following an operation on her pituitary gland, began to suffer frequent migraines. Doutzen has learned to manage her life so that she can minimise her migraines.
Plans to put a cycle lane on the Turnpike Road in Ennis have sparked fears over the impact of traffic and business in the area. Clare County Council is currently taking submissions on the project, which could potentially change the flow of traffic in the area. A number of traders have voiced concerns and they've been working Ennis Chamber to make their voices heard.
The issue was raised at this week's meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Mayor of Clare, Cllr James Breen and afterwards he spoke to Gavin Grace.
Traders nominated Rita McInerney, CEO Ennis Chamber of Commerce to speak on their behalf.
New reseach has looked at worrying and anxiety in children and young teenagers. The research, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, has found that ten-year-old children worry the most and that thirteen-year-old girls are the child and young adolescent group most impacted in the performance of their routine tasks by worries.
The study was contuced by researchers at NUI Galway, including Dr. Line Caes of the university's School of Psychology and Centre for Pain Research spoke to Gavin Grace earlier in the week.
Michelle Flannery from Busy Bee Garden Centre & Tea Rooms, Clondrinagh, Limerick, joined Gavin to talk about getting rid of moss on lawsn.
Lots of us have whiled away the hours at school scribbing comic book characters in the back of our copies – well away from the watchful eyes of our teachers.
One Ennis native actually decided to make a career out of it.
Declan Shalvey, originally from Cloughleigh, is now a major force in the world of comic book illustration, working for the likes of Marvel Comics and getting to draw superheroes like Batman – and super villains like Wolverine.
Morning Focus producer Fiona McGarry caught up to with Declan this week and he told her where his love affair with comic books began.
Declan Shalvey, comic book illustrator there thanked his former art teachers in Clare John Burns and Brendan Howard.
Lahinch artist and lecturer, Michael Hanrahan, has recently returned from a cruise with Cunard International where he shared his painting skills and passion aboard one of the world's most luxurious cruise liners over the spring of 2016. As art lecturer aboard the Cunard International liner, the Queen Elizabeth, Michael travelled to exotic destinations including Cape Town and Sydney, rubbing shoulders with dignatries and celebrities, and he's in studio now to share his experiences. Michael joined Pat in studio to discuss his travels.
Next week, glór welcomes Duke Special back to the stage with the Piano & Pages Tour. The gig on Thursday, April 14 (at 8pm) promises to be a magical evening of song and music from this incredibly diverse performer.
Duke Special, or Peter Wilson as he is known to friends, family and the taxman, in this show will explore forgotten old dusty manuscripts along with songs from his most recent and well-received album, Look out machines!, not to mention many of the usual live favourites. Pat was joined on the line by Duke Special, aka Peter Wilson.
