Tony Killeen, former Clare TD, FF, and Minister for Defence, spoke on the show this morning about the first meeting of the 32nd Dail. The 32nd Dail meets for the first time this morning (March 10th) with no prospect of a government being formed. The first item on the agenda will be to elect a Ceann Comhairle- this vote will take place by secret ballot for the first time in history. Once that’s done the nominations for Taoiseach will be voted on, however as yet there is no sign of a viable coalition partnership being formed. Five candidates will contest the post of Ceann Comhairle. Fianna Fail has nominated the Kildare South TD, Sean O’Fhearghail who is an early favourite, the other favourite is the Dublin Central Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan who would make history as the first woman to hold the post. Sinn Fein’s Cavan Monaghan TD Caoimhghin O’Caolain and two Fine Gael candidates, Wicklow’s Andrew Doyle and Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan, have also secured the seven signature required to be nominated. The post will be filled by secret ballot at 10.30am this morning.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark has emerged victorious at the National Geographic World Legacy Awards. The Geopark ‘Life’ program was nominated as one of three finalists in the Destination Leadership category alongside projects in the USA and Norway. The award was accepted by Manager of the Geopark Carole Gleeson at a ceremony in Berlin this afternoon. Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill spoke to Carole, as well as Christopher Sinclair, Chair of Burren Eco-tourism. Deputy Mayor of Clare, Councillor Mary Howard was also among those who travelled to Berlin for the ceremony and she also spoke to Fiona about the prestigious award.
Next on the show, Shirley Busteed, the Property Editor for The Farmers’ Journal, spoke about farm land prices in Clare. The average price of agricultural land was 5,391 euro per acre in 2015, representing a 33.1% drop when compared against the 2014 average of 8,054 euro per acre. Supply took a tumble, going from 5,649 acres in 2014 to 3,882 acres in 2015, down 31.3%. Prices ranged from 1,231 euro per acre for land in the Burren to 11,700 euro per acre for an attractive parcel close to Ennis.
Donogh O’Loughlin, Lahinch Community Council, contacted the show over concerns about the safety of the cliff walk in Lahinch. He says the land along the edge of the cliff has worn away and that the walks could be hazardous.
Clare cancer survivor, Rose Keane, spoke to Morning Focus about joining a delegation on patient rights in Europe. Rose, from Carigaholt, was among a delegation to travel to the European Parliament with MEP Martina Anderson last week. The purpose of the visit was to focus on patients’ rights, concerns and needs and to secure commitment to tackling the cancer epidemic in a coordinated way across Europe. Rose has been battling breast cancer over the last year and has just finished her chemotherapy and radiation therapy following a lumpectomy. She says the support of West Clare Cancer Support has been invaluable. She attended a meeting in Kilrush organised by MEP Liadh Ni Riada to find out how to access European funding for cancer support. That led to the invitation to travel to the EP with 35 other survivors and members of cancer support groups. Rose says she met members of the European Cancer Patient Coalition and aims to keep in touch with and learn more about how policy on cancer services are delivered in member states.
Later on the show we heard from Pat Fitzgerald form Ballycasey. Pat was discussing the cable ties left behind from the election posters.
On Friday, March 11th, Obair Community Development will launch their brand new website. This also coincides with their newly expanded South Clare Community Catering Service. Obair has been in existence in Newmarket-on-Fergus for 23 years. The Meals on Wheels service was implemented 20 years ago by Canon Reuben Butler and has been operating from Café Fergus since 2010. The project began with supplying 10 meals a day to the people in the Newmarket area. Due to high demand they have extended production facilities to cater for other areas in South Clare. Areas now include Clarecastle, Quin, Doora, Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Bunratty, and Cratloe. The benefits of the service include not only a hot meal delivered to anyone who may be unable to cook themselves, but also a chat or a check in. Obair aims to create a place in which enterprise, environment, employment, arts, heritage and community development combine to deliver a cohesive approach to enhancing the community as a whole. Siobhan O’Driscoll, Community Development Officer, joined Gavin on the line to talk about the service.
Sue Collins (aka Nuala) spoke on the show this morning about The Nualas’ ‘Glitterbomb’ tour. Three irreverent comediennes are jointly celebrating their 21st birthday this year with a tour that hits Glor, Ennis on Saturday night (March 12th). The Nualas’ Glitterbomb tour take in everything from spanx to a possible global apocalypse has already wowed audiences from Singapore to Moate. Over the last 21 years, the Nualas have played extended seasons in London, Dublin and New York, written and recorded several shows for BBC Radio 4, appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, released a video with Sony, split up and got back together again, clocked up innumerable TV appearances, were nominated by The Scotsman as one of the top 5 comedy shows at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They’re also particularly proud of one career highlight – meeting Chris de Burgh in the flesh.
Later on the show, Gavin was joined by Michelle Flannery, from the Busy Bee Garden Centre & Tea Rooms, Clondrinagh, to discuss gardening.
Next Gavin spoke to the three chefs behind ‘food philosophy’ event at the Burren Storehouse. Gavin was joined on the line by Enda McEvoy, a Michelin star chef from Loam Galway; Jamie Simpson, a chef at the Culinary Vegetable Institute, Ohio; and Jody Eddy, Travel Writer and culinary tour organiser. The philosophy behind real food will be explored at the unique event in Lisdoonvara tomorrow (Friday, March 11) night. Both emerging and Michelin-star chefs will cook and converse at the Burren Storehouse, the newly-launched focal point for the region’s many gourmet food producers. Chefs Jamie Simpson and Enda McEvoy will also design and cook the meal that will be eaten by the 60 attendees afterwards. Towards the end of the meal, Kevin Thornton will be holding a Question & Answer session, chaired by John McKenna. Some of the produce and products will be provided by the Burren Smokehouse and the Burren Brewary, and the vegetables will be shipped over from the Culinary Vegetable Institute in Ohio. John McKenna from John and Sally McKenna’s Guides and well-known fighter for real food will be the presenter and MC of the evening which is co-organised by Birguitta Hedin Curtin and Joey Eddy.
Ennis-based Caring for Carers recently merged (January 2016) with the Carers Association to create Family Carers Ireland. The new organisation is extending its free phone careline to seven days a week and will also provide nursing and social care advice. Theresa Hogan and Susan Hogan, Area Manager for Family Carers Ireland, spoke on the show this morning about the organisation.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Fairtrade, and organisers of Fairtrade fortnight in Ennis have arranged a number of events to commemorate the occasion. Ennis was named a Fairtrade town eight years ago. Mairead Sheedy, Chairperson of Ennis Fairtrade spoke on the show about the events being held for Fairtrade fortnight. CBS Primary School in Ennis has also been named a Fairtrade school; the Principal of CBS, Dara Glynn also spoke on the show about the school’s involvement with Fairtrade.
Finally on the show, Gavin was joined by Lorraine Toner, who spoke about Daffodil Day in Clare.
