Friday’s Morning Focus came live from Scariff to mark the Scariff Harbour Festival and focus on what’s happening in the East of the county.
Gavin Grace was joined by Scariff Harbour Festival Committee member Harry O’Meara who spoke about the multi-disciplinary street festival combining music, entertainment, arts, children’s activities and outdoor pursuits, celebrating Lough Derg and the East Clare countryside
The festival seeks in particular to highlight Scariff’s role as the “southern gateway” to the inland navigable waterways by forging a special relationship with Northern Ireland and by promoting cross-border exchanges at the political, cultural and community levels
See www.scariff.ie
Andrew St Ledger of CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) in Tuamgraney and spokesperson for The Woodland League also joined Gavin to speak about events taking place throughout the weekend
There is a Raheen Ancient Oakwood talk and a traditional skills workshop
Andrew also highlighted the importance of nurturing our natural environment and sustaining our woodlands
For more information see www.celtnet.org
Flagmount Author Nicki Griffin spoke about her book- The Skipper and her Mate – being launched by Theo Dorgan on Saturday
She began the chronicle in 2009 – it is non fiction and her personal experience on Irish waterways with her husband Joe.
She says there’s a completely different perspective seeing Lough Derg from the river and a great camaraderie on the river amongst boating people.
Gavin also spoke with the new CEO of Waterways Ireland Dawn Livingstone
She who took up the role this week, and speaking ahead of her trip to East Clare this evening when she, and Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan will officially open the 11th Annual Scariff Harbour Festival, she said says there is great potential here in Clare to develop aqua-tourism initiatives
Ms. Livingstone has said the event forms an important part of their efforts to highlight facilities on offer to visitors and residents in Clare and hopes it will encourage people to sample the county’s waterways for themselves
East Clare Community Coop Chairperson Trevor Morrissey joined Gavin to speak about all of the fantastic services and amenities they provide in their base on Main Street in Scariff – call in or see www.eastclarecoop.com
Two White-tailed Eagles have successfully fledged in Ireland for the first time in over 110 years. In recent weeks both chicks were seen flying near the nest on Bushy Island, in Lough Derg, just off Mountshannon Harbour
It’s another significant milestone in the arduous effort of restoring these majestic birds to Ireland
Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan travelled to Mountshannon Harbour to meet Dr. Allan Mee from the Golden Eagle Trust to find out about the birds journey so far and what’s in store for the bird watching community
She also met with Denis MInogue of the local Mountshannon Eagle Group and local business people Vera O’Rourke of Sunrise B&B, Mountshannon and Molly Lynch O’Meara of The Snug Café & Restaurant, Mountshannonto to find out the impact the birds have had on tourism and the local economy in the East Clare village….
The 26th International Feakle Traditional Music Festival gets underway next Wednesday 7th
It attracts genuine music lovers from all corners of the globe and provides a platform for local musicians to demonstrate their musical heritage
Over the years the Festival has been instrumental not only in the promotion of the distinctive East Clare music style, which has become internationally recognised and acclaimed but also the development of tourism in the region
Gary Pepper – Feakle publican and Chairperson Feakle Tradition Music Festival – joined Gavin for a chat.
Michael Waterstone of the Scarriff Mountshannon Whitegate Angling Club has been angling all his life
He popped in to speak about the club and Sunday’s Cross Border Young Anglers Competition on Lough Derg competing for the David Ervine Memorial Trophy.
Bridget Devane from Feakle and Niamh Toomey from Bodyke are members of Fishbowl Youth Club in Tuamgraney
They had a chat with Gavin about things for young people to do in East Clare.
Singer songwriter Damien Dempsey will perform in Scariff on Saturday – he joined Gavin on the line for a word ahead of the gig.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
