On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Mary Noonan, Principal of Dromindoora National School in Caher
Rural schools are calling on the government to Save Our Small Schools (S0SS) this means all 2, 3 and 4 teacher schools nationwide
The Dail is debating future of small schools this evening between 7-9pm
They have organised a march of solidarity arranged for 6.30pm outside DAIL Concern about the long term implications of such changes
This march is not just the survival of rural schools but the survival also of GAA clubs, and entire Rural Communities are at stake Buses to Dail Eireann departing from all over Clare
East Clare INTO has organised a bus departing from Tulla at 3pm, Scarrif at 3.20, Killaloe at 3.40pm
Joe Carey TD of Fine Gael spoke about the issue of Maternity services in the Midwest in light of concerns over maintaining the quality of service after the raft of public servant retirements in the coming month. Deputy Carey is confident of an effective contingency plan being in place to cope with any changes.
Michael McNamara TD of the Labour Party also spoke about the issue of potential cuts to small rural schools and in relation to the community meeting in Parteen on Monday night where local residents opposed the route of the Northern Distributor Road
Over 200 residents of Parteen, Ardnacrusha and Clonlara attended a public meeting in Parteen last night
The community is coming together to oppose the emerging preferred route for the Limerick Northern Distributor road
The six Councillors from the Killaloe Electoral Area attended
Deputies Michael McNamara, Willie O’Dea , Kieran O’Donnell attended
A steering group is being formed to oppose the route of the Northern Distributor Road
Local residents Miriam McCormick from the Shravokee area in Clonlara and Pat Cherry of Parteen had a word with John.
Have your say on our latest clare.modus.ie online poll
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Hundreds of people are set to descend on Liscannor for the annual pilgrimage to St. Brigid’s Well on today, her feast day
The shrine, between Liscannor and the Cliffs of Moher, dates back to pre-Christian times and is also the site for the tomb of local landlord Cornelius O’Brien
Liscannor Well was regarded as a place of healing – crutches were left there as an indication that a pilgrim had been cured through the intercession of Brigid
It attracts pilgrims from throughout Ireland to pray and leave offerings for special intentions all day. Mass is being celebrated there at noon
Marian Egan was at St Brigid’s Well in Liscannor and spoke with John from the site
East Clare based Poet and Storyteller Ruth Marshall will give a talk today in the Clare Museum at 2pm on the traditions around St. Brigid’s Day
Teresa Murphy of Murphy’s Pub near St Brigid’s Well spoke about how business surges on the feast of St Brigid.
Paul Wolfe of the Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio for his weekly slot answering listeners’ queries on social welfare entitlements, employment and consumer law.
Contact the Morning Focus team by emailing Focus@clare.fm
