John Cooke was live from Bunratty Folk Park on Friday’s Morning Focus
In the basking sun he was joined by John Ruddle, Chief Executive of Shannon Heritage and Mark Nolan of Dromoland Castle to speak about tourism trends this season
The Clare Tourism Forum’s message of Cead Mile Failte was discussed by Donagh Gregson, Chef and Proprietor of the Bunratty Cookery School
The school opened in 2009 and recently moved to the new location Bunratty House and are set to open a gourmet food store in September
Clare Fm’s Maire Moynahan spent an afternoon at the folk park to meet those who bring the past to life for visitors…she met with the local police man, the bean an ti and enjoyed the Irish night with its musicians and the Fear an Ti…
John was also joined by some of the characters from the Folk Park in Bunratty
Dick Wood lives in Limerick and works as RIC policeman and during the Bunratty Christmas Event he has great fun playing Scrooge
Mike Glynn from Sixmilebridge plays the local School Master and has been a feature of the folk park for nearly thirty years
He’s also a Sean a chai during Christmas at the folk park
The Bean an Ti Ann McInerney has been working in Bunratty for 10 years and is living locally in Kilmurry near Sixmilebridge
They spoke about the craic they have at work, entertaining the tourists and the great atmosphere in the park.
Maurice Walshe, Operations Manager at the iconic Durty Nelly’s spoke about how business is this season
Kevin McGillicuddy of Clare FM Sport joined us live from from London
He was at Katie Taylor’s final yesterday and say Katie fight and be presented with Olympic Gold
He said the atmosphere was fantastic and Katie was magnificent.
Flan Garvey of the Clare Tourist Council and Tomas McConmara of Cuimhneamh an Chlair are heading to the Milwaukee Irish Festival next Tuesday to represent Clare and the Midwest
It is North America’s largest, four-day celebration of Irish music and culture
Tomas was invited over by the organisers as a guest and Flan says this is a fantastic public relations opportunity to encourage tourists to visit Clare.
Clare Fm’s Maire Moynahan spent an evening at the medieval banquet here at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park – she met with a local tour guide, the castle butler, the lady of the Castle, and many of the characters that bring the banquet to life every night…
A voluntary committee of 15 recently decided to develop the existing O’Regan Park in Newmarket on Fergus village
This community initiative aims to appeal to all from the youngest to the actively retired
Named after Brendan O’Regan who was a visionary and contributed enormously to society by setting up Shannon Duty Free and the Obair in Newmarket on Fergus
O’Regan Park Development Committee member, Siobhan O’Driscoll who is Community Development Officer with Obair, Newmarket on Fergus joined John for a chat.
Frank Sadlier, Secretary of Duchas na Sionna also joined John to speak about the renovation project to conserve the remains of Hastings Farmhouse in Tullyvarraga nearing completion- they are holding an open day on Sunday August 18th
He spoke about the aims fo the group and the work they do to secure the heritage of the Shannon area
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
