On The Afternoon Show today Gavin Grace was joined by Ronan Lyons – Economist at Daft.ie to talk about how a two-tier property market is developing in Ireland. Dublin is recording gains in asking prices while the rest of the country continues to decline. A report from Daft.ie shows that asking prices in Dublin increased on an annual basis in the last quarter for the first time since 2007. Meanwhile a second report for the website MyHome.ie found that property prices in Dublin stayed the same in the last quarter of 2012 and the first three month of this year. Both reports recorded drops in property prices outside Dublin. The average price of homes in Clare has fallen by 12% in the last year.
Gary O’Toole from Durty Nelly’s Bar in Bunratty also spoke to Gavin about how three Dolphins, caught above Bunratty bridge due to low tide on Saturday, still remain there. Valentia Coast Guard Radio had concerns that members of the public would try to enter the water in an attempt to rescue them and endanger their own safety. When Killaloe Coast Guard arrived the Dolphins were in a deep pool of water above Bunratty bridge, they had tried to pass under the bridge but the water was too shallow.
John Sweeney from Clare Sports Partnership also joined the show to let listeners and clubs know about a special seminar taking place this weekend. Clare is seen as an ideal venue for mass participation sporting and activity events and each year, approximately 10,000 people take part in the major events in the county. If you are organising a community or charity run/walk or cycle in your community, did you know that you have a responsibility for the safety of all that are involved as volunteers and participants? A special seminar will be held on April 6th to alert people to their responsibilities.
Bernard Purcell is the Editor of the Irish World Newspaper in London and spoke to Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan to discuss what’s making headlines in the UK and in particular the news stories that are having a direct impact on the Irish community in Britain. Bernard discussed how Social Justice Ireland has said that the Government is creating a fractured society, a weak economy and persistently high unemployment. He also discussed Chancellor George Osborne’s comments in relation to social welfare in the UK and also how Clare features heavily in a special feature on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Much loved Singer Frances Black was also in studio today as a guest of the show. Frances has recently released “Stronger” her first studio album in ten years. Alongside music, Frances’ other main passion in life is The Rise Foundation, a charitable organisation that she founded herself, which is dedicated to assisting families in understanding the nature of the disease of addiction, and the profound effects it has on relationships. This subject is so close to Frances’ heart that she went back to college to study to be an addiction counsellor, and now works with people who are trying to step into recovery from this disease, and their families.
To contact The Afternoon Show please email afternoon@clare.fm
