The show opened with Dr Michael Harty who, this weekend, was forced to clarify media reports that he has "withdrawn" support from the Government . A report in the Sunday Independent said Dr Harty had pulled his support because he was not appointed as a junior minister by the Taoiseach. Speaking to Clare FM News, Dr Harty said he was never offered, nor did he seek a junior ministerial position. He said he never gave unqualified support to the Government so there was nothing to withdraw. He said he was then and remains an Independent TD. The Clare-based GP said his position in relation to the Government was similar to the arrangement with Fianna Fáil, and that he would take each issue as it comes. Dr Harty is due to host a public meeting tonight (Mon., May 23) in Kilmihil (8pm, the Meadow Centre).
Next we asked, will Pope Francis to visit Ireland? Speculation is mounting that Ireland will receive a Papal visit in 2018 when the Catholic Church’s next World Meeting of Families is scheduled to be hosted in Dublin. Pope Francis reportedly told Archbishop Diarmuid Martin that he or his successor will travel here for the event. If the Pope were to visit Ireland, is there a chance he'd come to the Banner County? Fr Brendan Quinlivan discussed the possibility in studio with Pat.
Brendan Howlin has become the 12th leader of the Labour Party. The Wexford TD was the only valid candidate when nominations closed at noon last Friday. Former deputy leader Alan Kelly failed to get any of the other TDs to second his nomination – and didn't turn up to the event where Mr Howlin was unveiled as leader. In a statement Mr Kelly wishes Brendan Howlin well but makes no mention if he'll support the new leader or even remain in the party. Michael McNamara, former Labour Party TD for Clare, and Dermot Hayes, Chair of the Labour Party in Clare, gave Pat their views.
Next, Sgt. Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer at Ennis Garda Station was in studio for the weekly Garda Focus item.
Then we turned to the 1st Anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum. On May 23 last year, Ireland became the first country in the world to pass same-sex marriage by popular vote. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrated and the passing of the Marriage Equality Referendum made headlines across the world. But one year on, is Ireland a better place for LGBT people? Pat was joined on the line by two campaigners who fought hard for a yes vote to find out what differences they've seen: Brian Sheehan GLEN (Gay & Lesbian Equality Network) and Orla Vaughan from Kilfenora.
Kinvara Area Music are holding a benefit concert for Road to Hope, a charity group supporting refugees in Greece. As the refugee crisis has worsened, Road to Hope volunteers have done various jobs, from pulling people from boats to distributing food, clothing and medical supplies. Sharon Murphy, Galway singer songwriter and recently of Britain's The Voice fame, will headline the evening and she joined Pat on the line. He was also joined by Maeve Kelly, coordinator of the Road to Hope organisation. Event Details – 8:30 pm, Saturday May 28th at the GiG Room, Kinvara Community Centre. Music from Sharon Murphy, The Sheds (Peter Brazier, Eileen Fleming & Frank Hall), and The Quay Singers, Kinvara's choir.
Over the month of May, Mayo man Eamonn Keavney will walk 2000km through Ireland to raise money for Pieta House. The crux? He's doing it all barefoot! It's expected his walk will break the Guinness World Record for the longest barefoot journey. He started out from Claremorris on the first of May and over the last week he passed through Clare. The fundraising page is now up at https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/baring-my-soles.
On the weekly Sports panel Derrick Lynch from Clare FM Sport and Jackie Cahill GAA journalist discussed all the weekend's sporting news.
Tomorrow morning Dr. Marty Holland, a retired university lecturer from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, is set to embark on a solo walk around the entire coastline of Ireland to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. The 65-year-old will be relying on the good will of members of the public to provide him with a place to rest as he plans to couch-surf his way around the country. Marty, who lives in Cratloe, Co Clare, will walk through Munster and Leinster until the end of September and then recommence his challenge in April 2017 when he will walk the Ulster and Connacht coasts. Marty Holland told Pat more about the walk and why he wants to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.
On this week's Fleadh News Kieran Hanrahan, Director of Scoil Éigse, was in studio to tell Pat about Scoil Éigse (the summer school within the Fleadh).
Finally today we heard from Clare FM's Fiona Cahill. With thanks to United Airlines, Clare FM traveled to Chicago recently to attend the Clare Association's 50th Anniversary. "Over the coming days we'll be speaking to people who have left the banner county for the windy city, and their descendants. But in the first of our four-part series, Clare FM's Fiona Cahill took in the sights and the sounds to see what exactly Chicago has on offer for tourists today.
