On Mondays Morning Focus; John began by speaking to Brian Rohan Co – Founder of EMBRACE FARM (Farming Accidents – Remembered & Missed) as a support group for all those affected by farming accidents. Farm families countrywide have been asked to set time aside today to think about health and safety.
The plea by the Irish Farmers' Association follows the loss of 14 lives in farming related accidents so far in 2014. That's a 70% increase on this time last year. Today is 'Think Farm Safety Day' it's an opportunity for farm families to identify potential danger areas and consider ways to reduce risks. Anyone who wishes to get in touch with EMBRACE can call 085 7709966 or visit http://www.embracefarm.com/
Up next plans for a new crematorium near Clarecastle has gone up in smoke after Clare County Councillors gave it the thumbs down on Friday. The decision came after a tight vote, but has been supported by local undertakers. Fenloe Property Development Limited had sought permission to construct a Crematorium, a large cemetery amongst other works at at Ballaghfadda on the Kildysart Road. John was joined in studio by Imelda Kennedy – Of Kennedy's Undertakers in Ennis, James Breen – Independent Ennis Cllr and Clare Colleran Molloy – Fianna Fail Ennis Cllr to discuss the vote with John Cooke.
Clare boss Colm Collins has described the loss to Kildare in the Qualifiers as one of the most crushing in his sporting career. The Lilywhites reeled off seven points in a row in the final 25 minutes to steal victory by a single point, 13 points to 12. Clare had led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half time, and extended that lead to 0-12 to 0-6 after 45 minutes. Failure to add to that tally proved costly, and Clare bowed out of their longest championship run since 1917. We heard from Colm who spoke to Clare FM's Syl O'Connor just after the game.
Garda Brendan Keane of Ennis Garda Station appealed for the public's assistance with information on crimes committed in the county over the past seven days
Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
The World's first interactive Children's Ambulance Service looking after the children of Co. Clare. Last week, Jordan Perez from Sixmilebridge was the first child from Clare to use BUMBLEance, the World's 1st interactive children's ambulance. BUMBLEance is transporting sick children from all over Ireland to their treatment centres in an attempt to make like a little easier for the child and their parents. John spoke to Tony Heffernan – Founder of the Saoirse Foundation and the BUMBLEance service – in memory of his late daughter about the new service. Please visit http://www.bumbleance.com/ for more. Or to donate text buzz to 50300 to make a 4 euro donation.
A Derry-based academic has uncovered evidence suggesting that the world-famous karst landscape of the Burren Region and Celtic legends of the West of Irelandinspired J.R.R. Tolkien in his masterworks: The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion. Following a recent trip to examine the original J.R.R. Tolkien manuscripts and papers at Marquette University in Wisconsin, USA, Tolkien scholar Dr. Liam Campbell will discuss his research findings and their outreach in terms of how the English writer's acclaimed work has profound and traceable interconnections with Ireland. Dr Campbell's talk will feature at the Burren Tolkien Society Festival on August 15-24th. John spoke to Dr. Liam Campbell about his findings.
John Murphy, wildlife expert and Chairperson of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined John in studio to answer listeners' bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
