With thousands of students around Clare and across the country beginning their Leaving and Junior Cert exams today, we opened the show by asking staff here at Clare FM for their memories from the busy time. They told us about cramming, missing poets and making sure the exams didn't get in the way of the Soccer World Cup!
Next, we heard how the government's been accused of 'slights of hand' with the budget for mental health. One of the country's leading psychiatric colleges says that figures released on emergency care for those with acute mental health issues are proof of this. The College of Psychiatrists has now written to Health Minister, Simon Harris, seeking an assurance that his proposed ten year plan for the health services does not further impede the implementation of A Vision for Change. Dr John Hillery, Director of Communication & Public Education for the College of Psychiatrists, spoke to Gavin.
The average age of a first-time home buyer has risen by five years over the past decade. New figures from the Real Estate Alliance show many people are unable to afford a home until they're 34. In 2006 the average first-time buyer in Ireland was approximately 29-years-old, but this figure has increased by 17 percent and is still rising. The REA index reports that the age profile has risen from average of 33 in the past 12 months, with a combination of factors barring young people into the housing market. Agents around Ireland are reporting that first-time buyers aged in their 20s and early 30s are now mainly absent from the market for properties priced over €160,000. Liam Browne, MD at REA Paddy Browne & Co., Ennis, came into studio to discuss the local situation.
Then we heard from the new Mayor of Ennis. Independent Councillor Ann Norton assumed the role last evening, taking over from Fianna Fáil's Pat Daly and will wear the Mayoral chains during this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, as well as at other events over the next 12 months. She's now Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, which also includes some surrounding areas including Quin, Clarecastle and Kilamaley. She has been based in Barefield for over a decade and Gavin began by asking Councillor Norton about her townie credentials.
As controversy continues over the delay in the rural broadband roll-out, businesses on the ground are already feeling the effect. It's gotten to the stage where some feel that if there isn't progress soon they may have to abandon rural Ireland altogether. HRLocker [H-R-locker] is an IT company based in Lahinch. The business employs 10 people but poor quality internet has forced them to consider upping-sticks for somewhere with a better connection. Adam Coleman CEO of HRLocker, Lahinch, told Gavin more.
Did you finish your school days in Ennis during the 1960s? If so, then my next guest wants to invite you to an event at the Temple Gate Hotel this Saturday. Tom Glynn is one of the organisers of a reunion for students who went to school in Ennis during the 1960s. It promises to be a night of nostalgia and memory sharing. Tom was on the line to give Gavin the details.
Over the coming months you might spot a low flying aircraft in the skies around North Clare and Galway. But don't be worried, it's all part of Tellus, a geological mapping project which collects data on rocks, soil and water across Ireland. The survey makes use of low-flying plane to build a comprehensive picture of the geology of the region. Ground teams are also set to sample soil and streams in west Galway and north Clare, visiting over 5,000 locations across the summer and autumn months. Gavin spoke to Mairead Glennon, Tellus Project Manager.
Throughout the country streets, bridges and pubs are named after Daniel O'Connell. But who was the real man behind the myth? A newly released biography aims to shed light on the “Liberator” and was written to appeal to young adults and adults alike. Daniel O’Connell: A Graphic Life, combines text and illustrations to reveal his story like never before. Author Jody Moylan was on the line to tell us more about Daniel O'Connell.
Donald Trump is among the guests who's contributed their recipes to a fundraising cook book launched by four Transition Year students from St Flannan's College in Ennis. The book, '30 Tastes of Ennis', was compiled part of an enterprise project by the four boys who will donate the proceeds to the Clare Crusaders. The boys have had contributions from luminaries in the worlds of sport, politics, music and more. Among those are Davy Fitz's Shepherd's Pie and Dep Timmy Dooley's Bread & Butter Pudding. The boys have made that dish for us here on Morning Focus. Sean Lyons, Ruairi Power, Eddie Jennings and Mark Russell are all TY students from St Flannan's College, Ennis , and they joined Gavin in studio to talk about their book.
Then we turned to National Bike Week. Running all week, Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of all that's great about bikes and cycling. Across the country local authorities, community groups and cycling clubs are organising bike themed events. Here in Clare there'll be free bike checks, fun cycles, bike buffets, school cycling events, foraging cycles and much more. I'm joined in studio now by two event organisers. Roisin Garvey Green Schools Travel Education Officer with An Taisce, Inagh) and John Maloney, Chair of Clare Cycle Safety Initiative, joined Gavin in studio.
On our regular Ask the Vet slot, John Underhill of Burren Vets discussed fleas and the best way to keep them off your animals.
Finally today we heard of one young woman's trip from Riverdance to the Doolin Folk Festival. The 4th Doolin Folk Festival is fast approaching (June 11 & 12) and artists are beginning to gather. One such person is two-time senior all Ireland Champion uillean pipe player Tara Howley. Tara Howley is a 21 year multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from Kilfenora Co. Clare. She's just returned from touring with Riverdance in Germany and she'll be playing at the Folk Festival. Tara Howley joined Gavin in studio, told him about her trip and together with guitarist Gavin Coughlin, played a tune.
