First up on this mornings show Ireland's two tier cancer care system. Cancer care in Ireland has been slammed as a 'two tier' system. A new study by the organisation has found some public patients are waiting up to 480 days for an ultra sound. While they're also said to be waiting an average of 125 days for an MRI scan – with private patients waiting for just six days. Dr. Yvonne Williams, a Shannon based GP and member of ICGP, detailed the situation. Tony Cogan from Miltown Malbay is cancer survivor & fundraiser and he told Gavin his story.
Will water charges be the rock that sinks government formation talks? It's 61 days since the General Election and water charges continue to be a stumbling block in talks on forming a government. Compromise on opposing positions on Irish Water still appears to be some way off, with FF still not pledging support for an FG-lead minority government, One of those who's campaigned against water charges (and other austerity measures) is Niamh O'Brien. Niamh, from O'Callaghan's Mills, was also a General Election candidate for Fís Nua and she was on the line.
The 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989 were unlawfully killed. That's the verdict of the jury in their inquests. They also concluded the behaviour of fans wasn't to blame for the disaster. Families have had to wait 27 years to hear yesterday's verdict. Michael Considine of Quilty is a big Liverpool fan who's followed this closely down through the years. He spoke on the show this morning.
Next the show discussed the latest from the Holy Island consultation. Tourism and community representatives are being invited to a second public consultation session on a Visitor Management and Sustainable Tourism Development Plan for Holy Island tonight (Wed). The event, facilitated by Clare County Council, takes place at the Mountshannon Community Hall at 7.30pm and will provide an update on work to-date on the proposed plan. In June 2015, Clare County Council bought 41 acres on Holy Island which, together with the two acres already in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW), resulted in the entire island being brought into public ownership for the first time. Dating back to the 7th century, Holy Island is one of the most important historical and ecclesiastical sites in Ireland, and it has important links to Brian Ború. The island is on the UNESCO world heritage site tentative list for Ireland as an early medieval monastic site along with Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Glendalough, Kells and Monasterboice. Brian O'Brien, director of Solearth Architecture Ltd. Spoke to Gavin.
A comedy show about the ill-fated fundraising efforts of a fictional GAA club will be staged in Kildysart this Friday night (April 29). 'The Pull' details the efforts of Ballybore GAA Club to tackle its debts and get into the Guinness Book of Records at the same time by pulling a truck around the town. The show is written by former Irish Independent GAA correspondent Liam Horan and poet and playwright John Corless. Half Solid Productions will take to the stage at Kildysart Community Centre on Friday at 8.30pm. John Corless and Tricia Donnellan told Gavin more.
Jordan from Comhairle na nOg was on to talk about their recent Onesie run in Ennis promoting positive mental health – “be onesie with yourself!” Listeners who were in Ennis on Saturday might have noticed an eye-catching group running through the town centre. In the interests of mental health, members of the youth group Comhairle na nOg donned their onesies (from cows to sheep to fish) and took to the streets, handing out information and advice as they went.
The practice of mindfulness – which involves us being more aware of our thoughts and tackling negativity before it can get a chance to take hold – is believed to have major benefits for our mental health. This simple daily practice is now being introduced into schools and West Clare Taking Care has been involved in promoting it as a way of building resilience in the community. With this in mind, West Clare Taking Care will host a talk on 'resilience and minding your mind' (mainly aimed at parents and teens). Guest speakers include Dr Patrick Ryan, Head of the Department of Psychology at UL and Monica Coady who works with students in Ennistymon on mindfulness. Dr Billy O'Connell and Anne Rynne, both from West Clare, were in studio.
Across the county, children and their parents are making final preparations for their First Holy Communion. As well as being an exciting time for young people, however, it's also a source of stress to many families. A recent investigation by mummypages.ie found that over half (57%) of parents report feeling the strain when it comes to paying for their child’s First Holy Communion. Elaine Clifford from MABS was on the line to suggest ways parents can budget for first communions. Fr. Brendan Quinlivan was in studio to point out that it's important that commercial considerations don't drown out the day's special meaning. We also heard the view of people on the streets of Ennis.
Those browsing the outlets of the SkyCourt shopping centre in Shannon tomorrow (Thurs., April 28) will be treated to a 'flashmob' fashion show highlighting the best of the venue's fashions. Models from the Holman Lee Model Agency will walk the isles of Insomnia, Zest Restaurant at the Shannon Knights and the centre’s Food Court, with style provided by SASH Ladies Fashions, LifeStyle Sports, Gleeson Jewellers, Pulse Accessories and Marcos Footwear. Insomnia Coffee, the entire FoodCourt and Zest will become fashion theatres for the three hours event, which has been described as a 'fashion flash mob'. Louise Tsang Sash Boutique was in studio.
Next we heard about a Clare cyclist who has set himself the challenge of biking through all four provinces over two days on the Bank Holiday weekend. James O'Halloran is undertaking the 880 kilometre trek in order to raise funds for a close friend who needs vital treatment for MS. James will set out from Barefield on Saturday and arrive in Analong, County Down on Sunday, May 1st in a bid to raise funds for treatment for Niamh McNally-Doyle. Glen Monaghan will be travelling with James and he joined Gavin on the line.
Finally, this weekend marks the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Tulla Céilí Band. Running from Friday , April 29 to May 2, the event will see the town of Feakle play host to dancing workshops, history lectures, a gala concert and a celebratory céilií. There'll be plenty of tunes, with the Tulla Céilí Band to be joined by: * The Boruma Trio * Mary MacNamara, Sorcha Costelloe and Padraig Costelloe * Helen Hayes and Katie Greene * Emer & Ger Coughlan and more. Mark Donnellan and Martin Glynn were in studio to give details and play a few tunes and long-time fan Kitty Leyden from Tulla joined Gavin on the line to pay her own tribute to the Tulla Ceili Band. Kitty explained how she saw the band in the '50 in Carnegie Hall.
