Morning Focus began with an update on the Garda strike action. Chief Superintendent John Kerin, Clare Garda Division, joined Gavin live in studio to provide some insight.
Gavin then turned to the GAA/Sky controversy. As the dust settles on the Championship for 2016, we're hearing of a new deal in the offing between Sky Sports and the GAA. Reports suggest the GAA is on the verg of sealing a five-year deal which will see RTÉ and Sky Sports continue as the association's main championship broadcast partners. Championship games not being on terrestrial TV and instead requiring supporters to play a subscription – to a channel such as Sky Sports – caused controversy at the time and has continued to do so since. The GAA's argument was that the Sky deal brought our games to a new audience. The new arrangement is said to be worth approximately €55 million. That per-year number would be in line with the €11.2 million which the GAA earned from the sale of media rights in 2015. Shane Cunniffe from Keep Gaelic Games Free to Air joined Gavin on the line followed by Joe Conney, Clare County Board Chairman.
We then had a panel discussion about harnessing the benefits of Fleadh post-2017. While the cultural benefits of hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann are immeasurable, the event brought a tangible financial boost to the county. Some estimates suggest the Fleadh was worth up to €38 million to the local economy and it's anticipated that next year's event – also to be hosted in Ennis – will deliver the same benefits. Someone who's looking ahead at ways of capitalising on the business boost generated by the Fleadh, long after the it's moved on to another host town, is the Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton. She joined Gavin now in studio alongside Brian O'Neill, Chairperson of Promote Ennis, and Frank Whelan, Chairperson Fleadh Executive Committee.
We then had our weekly Financial Advice with Carey Corbett. This week Serious Illness cover was discussed and Gavin was joined live in studio by Tommy Corbett, owner of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.
Now once again we are delighted to announce that a community in Clare has received another award for its hard work and dedication. The Value Water Award, sponsored by Irish Water, recognises communities that have made a commitment to saving water and was awarded to three towns this year, one of them being Clare’s very own Tuamgraney. Damian Heaney, Tuamgraney development Chairman joined Gavin on the line to discuss the award.
Michael Harding is one of Ireland's most distinctive writers and storytellers and his recent memoirs Staring at Lakes and Hanging with the Elephant have touched a chord with audiences throughout the country. Now he returns to glór (on Friday, Nov. 4 at 8pm) with his latest book, Talking to Strangers, and to ruminate on his life over the past 18 months, playing the Bull McCabe on stage in Dublin, struggling with self-doubt, faith, and psychotherapy, and the chaos of building an extension to his home near Lough Allen in County Leitrim. He joined Gavin on the line to tell his tale.
Next we took a look at a competition effort. A young Corofin woman is among the amateur photographers whose work will feature in a calendar of images from around Ireland, produced by Centra. Martina Corry took a photo of her granny Josie O'Brien at Josie's home in Tulla, looking out over her half-door. Josie was waiting for Martina to collect her for a birthday party when her granddaughter spotted the photo-opportunity. Martina entered the competition and secured a place in the calendar after a public vote. She also joined Gavin on the lie to discuss her photo.
After that Gavin turned to Shannon flights, not that they’ve been cancelled but that there’s some extra flights coming this year. Santa’s busiest day in the Midwest region – short of December 25 itself – is already on the arrival and departure’s board at Shannon Airport, with confirmation that the Santa Flights are set to return next month. Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, have been announced by the airport as the day it will put on what has become one of the biggest children’s treats in the region in the build up to Christmas Day. Now in its fourth year, this year’s Santa flights will see Shannon Airport treat over 2,000 in total, comprising children and guardians, to the magical moment in the sky when they get to meet with the big man himself on board a 737 flight some 15,000ft above sea level. This year proceeds will go towards Galway’s Ábalta Special School for children with autism and complex needs and the Irish Children’s Arthritis Network (iCAN). Niall Maloney, Operations Director at Shannon Airport joined Gaivn on the line.
To finish the show we turned to the ever popular charity awareness campaign Movember which aims to raise awareness and funds for testicular and prostate cancer.
