On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Gavin Grace was joined by Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor with The Irish Times to discuss today’s news that human cloning has progressed to the next stage in the USA. 17 years after Dolly the Sheep was cloned, researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in the US have achieved a landmark breakthrough in human cloning, using the same technique. The discovery could lead to a cure for a range of illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and spinal cord injuries.
Shirley Benson is a Red Cross Instructor from Ennis and was in studio with Gavin this afternoon to help raise awareness of life saving skills. Shirley has been a volunteer with the Irish Red Cross for many years and as an experienced instructor, regularly trains members of the public in first aid. At a day out with her family Shirley found out how much of a difference that training can make. At a local fun day, Shirley was stood watching the bumper cars along with other parents who had brought their children for a day out. It was whilst she was waving to the children on one of the rides that Shirley happened to notice a little girl in a stroller who, she thought was waving at her. Initially Shirley waved back but then realised that something was wrong. Her first aid training kicked in and Shirley quickly made herself known as a first aider with the Irish Red Cross. It was only when Shirley approached her that the parent also realised that her young daughter was choking. The little girl’s face had turned purple and her lips had begun to turn blue. Shirley unstrapped the child, turned her upside down, gave five back blows and, on the last blow, the object obstructing her breathing came out. The little girl began to breathe again. May 13th – 19th is National Volunteer Week 2013 and to celebrate the Irish Red Cross is sharing real life experiences from volunteers around the country and encouraging more people to get involved with their local Red Cross. For more details please visit www.clareredcross.ie
Shirley also spoke about how the Ennis Defibrillator Committee are holding a flag day in Ennis this coming Saturday, 18th May to raise funds for the purchase of additional defibrillators for the town. 3 have been installed and many people are trained in the use of these life saving devices and the committee hope to buy 3 more. They will be collecting throughout the town on Saturday and the public are encouraged to donate!
Maura Lyons is the Programme Manager with Leave No Trace Ireland and joined the show to talk about a special event in North Clare tomorrow. A Leave No Trace Network Meeting and AGM takes place on May 17th in the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Belharbour. Members, partners and supporters of Leave No Trace Ireland are invited to come together to reflect on progress over the past year, discuss current issues impacting Leave No Trace Ireland and so on. On Friday evening, May 17th, there is an informal Leave No Trace “Gathering” where participants will be able to meet and network in Logue’s Bar, Ballyvaughan from 6.30 pm onwards. For more details please see www.leavenotraceireland.org
Jerry Griffey from Sceal Eile Bookshop in Ennis is one of the organisers of the Ennistymon Book Fair, which takes place this weekend. The 2nd annual Ennistymon Book Fair takes place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May when words, writers and books will pop-up throughout the historic town on the edge of the Burren. Ennistymon is the permanent home of the vibrant Salmon Bookshop and Literary Centre, opened last year by Irish literary press Salmon Poetry. During the 2013 Book Fair, which builds on the success of the inaugural fair last year, Salmon will be joined by 9 other prominent booksellers from Doolin to Dublin. Offering new and second-hand books of all kinds for sale – the pop-up fair will take over previously vacated shops. Like many towns across Ireland, trading in Ennistymon has been adversely affected by the downturn but the book fair offers the opportunity to forget this for 2 packed days of fun-filled free events.
Tomas Mac Chonmara of Cuimhneamh an Chlair and the Oral History Network was also a guest of the show to let listeners know about how the Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) will hold a one-day workshop on the dissemination of oral history and folklore for community groups and individuals in Connacht and surrounding regions on Saturday 18th May. The event, ‘Spreading the Word, how to make use of your oral history and folklore collections’, is one of four provincial initiatives being undertaken by the Oral History Network this year and will feature presentations from experts in the fields of oral history and folklore collection. The one day workshop, supported by Clarinbridge Heritage Group and the Heritge Office, Galway County Council, will take place in Paddy Burkes, Clarinbridge on May 18th from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. For more information visit www.oralhistorynetworkireland.ie
Stephen McDermott, our Clare FM Movie Reviewer was in studio to let us know all about the latest at the cinema. Today he looked at the latest Star Trek movie in the hit franchise – featuring Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch of “Sherlock” fame. Star Trek: Into Darkness is directed by JJ Abrams.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
