We opened the show with tributes to Jo Cox, MP, after her horrific death yesterday. Dermot Hayes, Chair of the Clare Labour Party, described Jo as a tireless and passionate worker for her constituency in West Yorkshire. He added that “democracy is precious and fragile and needs to be constantly supported and renewed”; this was Jo Cox's mission. John Considine, Former member of Humberside County Council and member of British Labour Party, who lives in Ennis was also on the line. He described his shock and horror at the tragedy.
We then turned to a vocations crisis and its 'demoralising' effect on priests. The fall-off in vocations is being blamed for lowering the morale of the clergy in Ireland. Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan told a major conference on vocations in Maynooth this week that some priests are losing heart and see no point in continuing 'when it becomes obvious that nobody is going to carry on the business'. Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Killaloe, Fr Iggy McCormack, was one of those who attended the conference and he joined Gavin on the line.
Are hidden marketing tactics being used to sell junk food to children? A new study (Who's Feeding the Kids Online?) by child psychologist Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden suggests so. The study reveals that sophisticated techniques are being used by food and beverage companies to tempt children toward unhealthy options. Now the Irish Heart Foundation is calling for new regulations to reduce children's exposure to junk food marketing. Cliona Loughnane, Advocacy Policy & Research Manager, Irish Heart Foundation, was on the line to tell Gavin why they're calling for this ban.
There's no doubt that we're a nation of tea-drinkers – drinking nearly 5 lbs of the stuff per person every year. Our national drink does have a rival of course and over the last few years, our coffee culture has been aiming for global standards. So much so, the World of Coffee global convention will come to Dublin next week. Among those exhibiting before an audience of thousands will be Ennis man Conor Naughton. Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, caught up with him at the Suas Coffee House which he runs on O'Connell Street to hear more about the World of Coffee and the secrets to the perfect cup.
Next up, Clare County Arts Officer Siobhan Mulcahy was in to give us the weekly Arts round-up.
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Music |
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Saturday |
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Wednesday |
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Childrens Theatre |
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Visual Arts |
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Then we had a look at some events happening this weekend around Clare. Tony Kirby was on to tell us that Burren Sonas Kindergarten, a not for profit childcare facility based in Kilfenora, is holding a family fun day in Doolin tomorrow (Saturday, June 18). The highlights of the evening are a one hour cruise, leaving from Doolin Pier at 5.15 pm, and a barbecue, disco and raffle afterwards at Hotel Doolin at 6.30 p.m.
Jim O Sullivan, Commodore at Cullaun Sailing Club, asked us to get some wind in your sails. Cullaun Sailing Club is hosting their event this Sunday (June 19) where members of the public can call down to the club and have a go out on one of the sailing boats or on the powerboat. The Try Sailing programme has hit the ground running in 2016 with 67 venues throughout the nation signed up to run events and programmes that give newcomers a chance to Try Sailing. www.cullaunsailingclub.com
After the 11 o'clock news we heard from our Friday Panel. This week Ger O'Halloran, a Quin businessman, Mary-Ellen Fean, a Shannon based poet, and Michael McNamara, former Lab TD for Clare, Scarriff, joine Gavin in studio to discuss the big events of the week. They looked at the Orlando massacre, Enda talking tough on Trump, the Brexit debate and the cost of drink in Ireland.
Finally today, we heard a report from Multicultural Day. On Tuesday, Siofra Mulqueen wandered down to Holy Family Senior School where a very special free event was taking place. Multicultural Day 2016 is part of the school's Yellow Flag programme and the place was buzzing with entertainment and information.
