On today's Edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
Laura Haugh is the "Mummy in Residence" with Mummy Pages.ie. Laura headed the survey of over 1200 mothers on what they spend on Communion and Confirmation celebrations. The survey concluded that €703 is the average amount that families are spending on the Communion Day. Laura spoke to John about the survey findings.
Check out MummyPages.ie for cost cutting advice, entertainment ideas and special recipes.
Fr. Tom Ryan PP Shannon re-enforced that the Communion Day is and should be about the child and the sacrament of Communion first. The parents of children due to make their Communion meet with the Parish Priest in September and from there a development programme is in place with advice and information for parents. Fr. Ryan feels this has been very successful.
Michelle Davitt is a Co Founder of Mykidstime.ie. Michelle has a daughter making her communion in the coming months – she gave away their plans as well as advising parents to have a budget in place for the Day. Mykidstime is an information website for parents and their children with ideas for things to do, family-friendly places to stay.
Tomorrow is D-Day for the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann as local musicians, businesses and others in Ennis wait for news of whether the prestigious traditional music festival will bring a 30 million euro boom to the Banner County in 2016. We heard from Clare FM's Cian Kearns who has been weighing up Clare's chances this time round.
A Tree of Hope will be planted on Sunday March 8th 2015 @ 3.00pm in the Fairgreen Ennis. The Tree of Hope is to remember our loved ones who have died through suicide and also to show solidarity and support for those struggling with mental ill health and depression. Spokesperson for the event Councillor Mary Howard outlined why this event is very important.
For our Morning Focus Friday Panel John was joined by Paul Madden of the TempleGate Hotel, Eleanor Feely, Ennis Artist and Theatre Director and Sharon Cahir of Cahir and Company Solicitors Ennis. The panel took a look back at this week biggest news stories – Including the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes and how much they think should be spent on a child's Communion Day.
Weekend Events
To mark International Women’s Day this Sunday, we heard from Elaine Dalton, Project Coordinator Clare Women’s Network ahead of the 5th annual Join Me On The Bridge – Gathering on Bank Place Bridge Sat March 7th @11.30am; Followed by a lunch hosted by CWN with Clare Immigrant Support Centre – music, poetry and discussion on Saturday 1-4pm Ennis Comm Development Project, Clonroad Bus. Park.
Lorcan Hassett of the 3rd Annual Hurly Hoey 10KM Doora Barfield, spoke to us ahead of their event this Saturday starting in GAA Pitch in Gurteen. The event is in memory of Ger Hoey and Eilish Hurley. Proceeds to TLC for CF / Rays of Hope Hospice Jinga Sister events are also taking place in London and Sydney this weekend. Registration online at hurleyhoey10km.com or on the day up to start time of 11am. €20 / €10 for Students / kids are free.
Alia Moloney PR officer for Chapel Lane Market told us about a New Craft and Artisan Market launching this Saturday in Chapel Lane Ennis with over 25 local craft businesses. Taking place 1st and 3rd Sat of March, April and May then weekly throughout Summer. 10am -4pm.
If you have a comment or query to share with Morning Focus please email: focus@clare.fm
