On Friday’s edition of Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with the founder of Twist Soup Kitchens – Oliver Williams. Oliver will be setting up a soup kitchen in Ennis in two weeks time. He outlined his plans to Clare FM last January and can now confirm the facility will open on Monday September 2nd. The facility will provide free food and also offer limited accommodation to those in need, including women escaping abusive relationships. The Ennis kitchen has been facilitated by the Hope Assembly, who have provided the building across from the former Francie Daly’s garage. Oliver has opened 7 such soup kitchens around the country to date. For more information or to volunteer please contact Oliver on 087 7773845.
Dr. Conor McGee of the Scariff Medical Centre and member of the National Association of General Practitioners joined the show to discuss how the NAGP has launched its nationwide awareness campaign entitled “General Practice in Crisis.” The campaign follows the Association’s stark warning, calling on the Minister of Health to reverse these cutbacks which are having a detrimental effect on the health of the Irish people. The emergency campaign will shed light on the impact of the Department of Health’s recent cutbacks and the Association predicts that this current cut will have an enormous impact on general practice, with longer waiting lists, no home visits and changes in fee structures. In order to halt the “systematic dismantling of general practice”, the Association is calling on members of the public to act now and sign a petition, to contact their public representative immediately and voice their objection to these cutbacks.
Gwen Ryan is the Secretary of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop and joined John to let us know about the ,atyest developments for the proposed service. A new ferry route from north Clare to Galway city is to be given a two week trial run next month with a one day trial this weekend. The fast ferry service trial will be launched at the New Pier in Ballyvaughan on Sunday and will make a special return sailing to the harbour in Galway city. The two week trial commences on Monday week September 2nd and the operator for the trial is Liam O’Brien of O’Brien Line. The trial will be used to measure the potential social and economic impacts of such a service on the Ballyvaughan and Burren area.
Listeners have been contacting Clare FM in relation to match tickets for the All Ireland Final on September 8th, many are concerned that, those that have followed and supported the team throughout the championship won’t get their hands on the coveted tickets as they’re not involved with local clubs. Others have made contact with ideas to hold a public screening of the final for those locally who can’t make it to Croke Park on the day. Clare FM listeners Deirdre Shannon and Dermot Hayes made contact with Morning Focus about their views on tickets and explained to John Cooke what they think should happen.
Lisa Lawlor from Clare FM Sport was also in studio ahead of tomorrow’s under 21 match when Clare take on Galway. Galway Under 21 management say their side are not without hope, as they prepare for their All Ireland Semi final against Clare on Saturday. It’s just the second championship meeting of the sides at this stage, back in 2009, Clonlara’s Darach Honan produced a man of the match performance hitting 2-4 on the day and helping the banner men to a 3-23 to 5-15 victory over the Tribesmen. The Current crop of Clare under 21’s are well lauded for their experience, with 14 players involved in the Senior run of success as they look forward to an all Ireland final against Cork in 2 weeks time. The game throws in at 6pm on Saturday.
Congella Maguire, Heritage Officer with Clare County Council also joined the show to highlight some of the remaining events taking place around the county to celebrate Heritage Week 2013. While Tracy McNulty of Obair Newmarket on Fergus let listeners know about the Mooghaun Family Heritage Day, which is being held on Sunday. It runs from 1 to 5pm with food heritage and foraging the theme of this year’s event.
John Morgan in Kilfenora was also a guest of the show. There’s a once in a lifetime experience for a Guinness World Record Attempt for Largest Irish Band taking place in the village of Kilfenora, led by the internationally renowned Kilfenora Ceili Band, at 3.30p.m. on Sunday in the square. Please visit www.largestirishband.ie and get practising the Kilfenora Jig which is the piece of music chosen for the record attempt. Registration is free between 12 and 2.30p.m. Volunteers will do a bucket collection for donations to Kilfenora Senior Citizens and Irish Cancer Society at the event.
To contact the show please email focus@clare.fm
