On The Afternoon Show today John Leech from Irish Water Safety spoke to Clare FM’s Gavin Grace as the organisation reveal 147 people drowned last year compared to 162 people who were killed on our roads in crashes. What was most alarming is that 33 people drowned accidentally in 2010 whilst last year 66 people drowned accidentally. These figures are alarming and IWS are pleading with the public to ensure that they always wear a lifejacket when they are on or near water. Most accidental drownings are preventable so long as people wear lifejackets as our Coast Guard can deploy rescue assets such as lifeboats and helicopters to a casualty, very often in minutes from when they are alerted. It comes as a small Waterford community mourns the deaths of three brothers in a fishing accident. While last weekend there were 2 drownings in Co. Cork.For water safety information and details of life saving training and courses please visit www.iws.ie
Chris Macey is the Head of Advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation and joined Gavin to discuss stroke outcomes in Clare. 56 people died from the disease according to the latest annual figures (2011), a number which could be significantly improved if more people were willing to heed the Irish Heart Foundation’s (IHF) Act FAST call to action. A survey carried for National FAST Awareness Week, which takes place this week, showed that although public awareness of stroke warning signs has increased by 190% since the IHF launched its campaign three years ago – just half of the population would call an ambulance immediately in the event of an attack.
Peter O’Reilly from the National Standards Authority of Ireland also spoke to the show ahead of the summer holiday season. As thousands of Irish people make plans for their summer the NSAI are urging people to look for standards when buying popular summer items such as sunglasses, arm bands and tents. These standards ensure that products are safe and fit for the purpose.
Dr. Eamon Doyle is a Geologist at the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark. He joined Gavin on the show to highlight the annual Burren Rocks Festival. A recreation of Bronze age cooking methods and a rocks and fossils road show are among the events lined up for ‘The Burren Rocks 2013’ in Clare from June 15th to 23rd. The annual festival, which is organised by Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark and forms part of European Geoparks Network Week 2013, will feature guided walks, lectures and tours focusing on the geology and landscape of the Burren.
Emer O’Flaherty is a Singer Songwriter and Ennis native. She spoke with Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan about her upcoming gigs in Clare and further afield and what music means to her. Emer, who studied voice and piano before going on to the Royal Irish Academy of Music will air her more sultry tones to sing about life, loss, love and lust, in her Friday performance in Ennistymon. Life in 3 Words is a collection of songs written by Emer, which will premier at the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery on Friday 14th June at 8 pm. The title of the show ‘Life in 3 words’ originates in the fact that almost all of the songs have three word titles, and interestingly each are written in a different key. The show will go on to be performed as part of the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 2nd to 10th.
Stephen McDermott, Clare FM presenter and Movie Reviewer joined us for a look ahead to Man of Steel – the first in the new Superman franchise.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
