On Tuesdays Morning Focus John was back in studio and he began by talking about all things Garth. It's been confirmed that none of the 5 concerts will go ahead this month. John spoke to Aoife Barry reporter with TheJournal.ie to get the latest. John also spoke to Michael Vaughan, Lahinch Hotelier and Former President of the IHF about how this damages the Irish reputation abroad. Michael thinks it may be good news for the west however, he is hoping that some of the people that may have been willing to spend 300/400 euro for the night in Dublin may now decide to head towards Clare!!!
John was then joined in studio by Cormac McCarthy – Member of The Heritage Group in An Sean Dun Ennis and Peter Brigdale – Member of The Heritage Group in An Sean Dun Ennis. The group received funding – 2,200 euro – under Local Agenda 21 and have developed a household sustainability pack for each of the 83 houses in the estate. It includes devices to save on water, energy and waste and comes in a reusable shopping bag. If implemented in each house there are huge savings in terms of water usage, energy consumption and waste production. John spoke to both men about where the idea came from and how they see things going forward.
Ireland's vibrant and growing software industry risks losing thousands of new jobs to other countries because of the shortage of suitable skills here. That is according to a study carried out by the Lero Software Engineering Research Centre and Kemmy Business Schools at the University of Limerick. It also found that access to venture capital is another major impediment to the growth of software companies here. John spoke to Professor Brian Fitzgerald Of Lero Software Engineering Research Centre and Kemmy Business Schools at the University of Limerick about the findings and what can be done to keep jobs in Ireland and particularly the MidWest.
John Lowe – The Money Doctor joined John on the phone to answer all your money and financial queries.
The 2014 International Junior Tour of Ireland cycling race gets underway in County Clare today and continues through Sunday, 20th July. The world's longest junior (U18) stage event will see more than 80 cyclists compete over 532 kilometres of road. The Junior Tour represents the biggest opportunity young Irish cyclists will get to compete against some of the best junior cyclists from the United Kingdom, United States and across Ireland. For many it will dictate whether they decide to pursue cycling with the aim of going professional. John spoke to Gary McIlroy of the Irish Road Club about the event and what spectators across the county can expect.
Dusty the Dolphin has relocated to Inis Oírr. The dolphin which made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in Doolin last year has left the waters off the North Clare pier for nearby Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands. Dusty, or Sandy as the dolphin is sometimes called, has taken up residence along the sandy beach at Inis Oírr. Dusty, who has frequented the beaches of North Clare since 2000, was in the news during 2013 after injuring four people in separate incidents that have since been blamed on members of the public antagonising the bottlenose dolphin. Last year';s incidents has led the Irish Whale and Dolphin Foundation to hold discussions with Galway County Council and Comhar Caomhán Teo to allay public fears about the dolphin's presence in the waters off Inis Óirr. John spoke to Dr Simon Berrow of The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group about Dusty's move.
Clare Dog Warden Frankie Coote joined John for his regular slot with advice on proper animal care and animal owners' legal responsibilties. Contact Clare Animal Shelter on 065 6820393.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
