Friday’s Morning Focus came live from the Igoe Inn in Doonbeg for the 14th Doonbeg International Jazz Festival that continues until Monday
Established weekend of Cool Swing, Dixie, Latin and Jazz music provided by global musicians- and all events are free
John Cooke was joined by members of the local community to talk about jazz, their Gathering event later this Summer and development in the village
He was joined by Caroline Kennedy of the Igoe Inn, a Director of the Doonbeg Development Association and member of the Jazz Festival Committee who spoke about the history of the festival and the atmosphere it brings to the town
Jackie Wade, Accommodation Services Manager at The Lodge at Doonbeg also joined John to talk about how the season is going
Tommy Commerford of the Doonbeg Fisherman’s Association, the Doonbeg Seafood Festival and the Gathering Committee
He spoke about ‘Gathering Week’ July 22-28th
The Doonbeg Seafood Festival will take place from Friday July 26th – 28th
Tommy also spoke about the need for improvement to the pier in Doonbeg
Michael Flanagan, a Director of Doonbeg Community Development, also joined John tourism and development issues such as the Doonbeg Pier development
Philippa Seigrist- the Band organiser for the Doonbeg International Jazz Festival – joined John to discuss the musicians attending and the different gigs taking place over the weekend.
Carmel Cotter joined John to urge people to attend the Coffee Morning she was holding in the Igoe Inn to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute in Galway
There are five from Doonbeg heading to Dublin to take part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon this weekend
John Reidy, Chairperson of the Miltown Malbay Gathering Committee, joined John to speak about their main event taking place this weekend when they’ll have a reunion of members of the local GAA club who were on the teams who won county championships since 1950 – they estimate over three hundred will show up from the over 40 teams
Aidan Looney, Principal of St Joseph’s National School, Miltown Malbay and Edel Lynch, Deputy Principal, also joined John
St. Joseph’s N.S. Miltown Malbay celebrates its 50th Birthday with a special event tomorrow
Part of this celebration will be a launch of the history of the school "Caoga Bliain ag Foghlaim.
Doonbeg based Photographer Alan Soutar had a word on the morning of the opening of ‘Doonbeg Gallery’
A new venture where Alan hopes to provide a shop window for local crafts people and run the premises on a co-operative basis
No products will be bought in for resale – just work from local people
It’ll feature some of his own work and that of another photographer, and home made cards and bespoke lettering produced from two local women
www.soutarimages.com
Mary Egan of the Doonbeg Drama Group joined John to discuss the Tinkers Wedding- which she is currently directing
The group are performing JM Synge’s comedy for the Doonbeg Gathering event later this Summer
John was also joined by some Doonbeg players to perform a scene from Tinkers Wedding
Margaret Dillon from Doonbeg as ‘Mary Byrne’ (Michael, the groom’s Mother)
Mark Maye from Kilkee as the Priest
Anne Marie Doyle from Doonbeg as Sarah, the bride.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
