The future potential of Shannon Airport was discussed on Thursday’s Morning Focus
Fine Gael’s Deputy Joe Carey has made a submission to Booz and Company that endorsing the vision of a re-born Shannon Airport, once again pioneering and vibrant, to the benefit of the whole of the Mid-West region
Central to this is a new governance model at Shannon, which would see a new entity controlling affairs at the airport, with State support
He believes that state ownership is critical to the well being of Shannon Airport, but that the centralised form of ownership emanating from Dublin is not in the best interest of Shannon
He also endorses a possible way forward for giving greater ownership to local authorities
This could result in a strong and meaningful input from the local community in this ownership model, which would give back direction for the airport to those who depend most on a revitalised airport
Timmy Dooley TD is Fianna Fail’s Transport Spokesperson, as a party they made a submission to Booz and Company
In a nutshell they advocated for the non – privatisation and non –lease of the asset
They wish for the State to retain ownership of Shannon Airport but for the Airport to be granted greater autonomy – under the umbrella of the DAA
Shannon Independent County Councillor Patricia McCarthy represented the council calling on the government to retain control of Shannon Airport under revised plans for the running of the facility
Councillors have also suggested that local public sector authorities be involved in the future running of the Midwest Airport
We heard what Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said on the matter when he spoke to John Cooke in Bunratty recently
Clare FM’s latest online poll:
Now that the New 7 Wonders have been chosen- What’s County Clare’s best natural wonder?
• The Burren 49%
• Loop Head Peninsula 11%
• The Cliffs of Moher 25%
• Lough Derg 10%
• The Ailwee and Doolin Caves 4%
The second Open Fair takes place in the West County Hotel, Ennis this weekend
There will be over 115 stands and orgainsers are inviting musicians and dancers to come along and perform and families are also welcome
Jim Connolly, Rural Resettlement Ireland Founder and Open Fair Organiser encouraged people to come along for a look
Breda Collins is exhibiting at the Ennis Open Fair this weekend – she makes handmade greeting cards and postcards as she is a keen photographer – calls it ‘Future MemoriesCaptured’
She is also organising the first Feakle Open Fair the following weekend
Breda is President of the Feakle Guild of the ICA – it was their ethos of community level involvement that encouraged her to bring the Open Fair there
East Clare is full of very skilled people- wants to get them an arena
Unemployed people in Clare who are looking to nurture their business acumen are being urged to apply for a new FETAC Level 6 course in Entrepreneurship targeted at the unemployed
Launched in October the courses will being later this month with other commencement dates in December, January and February
Up to 88% funding is available and people can apply to Saint Vincent de Paul for top-up funding
Sean Keane, Director of Learning at Midwest Management Training with the Clare Education Centre explained
Enquiries to Clare Education Centre on 065 679 7709 or see www.mwmt.ie
Hailed by the New York Times as "a radiant mezzo-soprano", Naomi O’Connell from Clare was recently named the 2011 First Prize winner of the Concert Artists Guild competition and the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition in the states
A native of Ballyvaughan, Naomi holds a Masters Degree in Music from world famous Juilliard School in New York and is currently pursuing the Artist Diploma in Opera Studies program there while also taking part in various prestigious competitions and auditioning for major opera productions
And Naomi has just turned 26 years old this week and attributes much of her success to her teenage beginnings with the Lismorahaun Choir in the Burren and voice teacher Archie Simpson
John spoke with Naomi O’Connell to congratulate her on her birthday and her recent awards success, and started by asking how the celebrations have gone
On October 30th she was announced as the 2011 First Prize winner of the Concert Artists Guild competition and the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition
The songs were heard Naomi sing were:
1. Dirty Work – Havelock Nelson
Lyrics: John o’ the North
Naomi O’Connell – Mezzo-soprano
Brent Funderburk – Pianist
Recorded live at the Juilliard Honors Recital at Alice Tully Hall, March 18th 2010
(Lincoln Center Debut)
2. Ich hab’ in Penna einen Liebsten wohnen – Hugo Wolf
Lyrics: Paul Heyse
Naomi O’Connell – Mezzo-soprano
Brent Funderburk – Pianist
Recorded live at the Steans Musical Institute Ravinia, August 2011.
The Kilfenora Hall committee are having a community fashion show this Friday night in aid of the hall roof repair fund
Local people will be taking part and there will be a wine and cheese reception
The Kilfenora Community Centre is used for concerts, exercise classes and other sports and activities- the roof has been in need of repair for sometime and has been leaking
Margaret Keane of the Kilfenora Hall Committee encouraged people to come along and support and John Morgan spoke about the repair works that need to be undertaken.
John Underhill of Burren Vets answered listeners’ livestock and pet health queries.
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