Census 2011 results from the Central Statistics Office found Sixmilebridge to be the fastest growing town in Clare
On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Gwen Bowen of the Sixmilebridge Development Association, local independent councillor PJ Ryan and Kevin Phelan, proprietor of The Mill Bar and a member of the Sixmilebridge Trade and Marketing Association who discussed how the village and community has grown and how infrastructure and businesses are coping
The number of people who moved into the area between the 2006 census and the one taken last year increased by 51.1 percent.
Founder and CEO of Pieta House Joan Freeman is in Ennis today to launch the Ennis ‘Darkness Into Light’ 5km walk in the Temple Gate Hotel at 1.30pm
She had a word with John ahead of the launch and talked about the work of Pieta House and their aim to eventually have a Pieta House crisis centre no more than 100 hundred miles from everyone in Ireland
Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre. It is the only organisation in the country providing a professional, face to face, free of charge therapeutic service for people in the acute stages of suicidal distress
The primary aim of Pieta House is to reduce suicide by helping people get through that critical phase when suicide becomes a plan rather than just an idea.
The aim of ‘Darkness into Light’ is two-fold – to raise funds and to increase awareness about suicide and self-harm intervention
On Saturday, 12th May thousands of people across the country will gather at 4am and walk, run or jog from the darkness into the dawn light
Contact 061 48 44 44 or see www.pieta.ie
Fr Brendan Quinlivan – Parish Priest of Feakle and Killanena Flagmount – explained how no priest will break the seal of the confessional- whatever the new laws on child protection state.
Farmers have accused the Minister for Agriculture of letting low-income farmers down by failing to announce a new Agri Environment Options Scheme for 2012 ahead of the mid-May application date
Minister Simon Coveney has said that he is "examining the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year, with a possible closing date for applications of end September, and a commencement date of January 2013”
His comments are seen by many as the death-knell to hopes for an AEOS scheme for this year particularly those leaving REPs schemes
Irish Farmers’ Association President John Bryan explained their concerns.
There are 1,400 people with Alzheimer’s disease in Clare
The Clare branch of the Alzheimer’s Society Ireland are holding a fundraising tea party tomorrow between 10-1pm at the Friary Hall in Ennis
They are looking for people to host their own tea parties on for their annual fundraiser on 3rd May – National Tea Day
Secretary of the Clare branch Nollaig McNamara urged people to support the cause and spoke about the services they provide in their Ennis office
Contact 065 6845835 for Clare services or the National Helpline on 1800 341 341.
The West Clare Family Resource Centre are holding a Community Market on Saturday from 11am – 3pm, in the Community Centre, Toler St., Kilrush
There will be quality second-hand clothing, plant stall, cake stall and bric-a-brac stall together with a wheel of fortune, kiddies corner and mini café
Proceeds will go to the running costs of West Clare Family Resource Centre
Mary O’Donoghue encouraged people to support.
The Burren Chernobyl Project are hosting their annual 10k walk on Sunday in Liscannor
Cormac McCarthy of the group had a word to highlight the walk and the work that has been done since this time last year – all down to the generous donations from predominately Clare people.
The Corofin Dramatic Society have qualified for the Open All Ireland Finals in Athlone in early May
Only the top 9 open groups in the country qualify
For this reason they are running the show "The Subject Was Roses" again in Glór, Ennis this Sunday – this is the last chance to see the show locally
John Clancy, Producer of the play and actors Martin O’Donoghue and James Raleigh joined John in studio with a scene from the play.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
