On Thursdays Morning Focus, blue flags will fly at seven of Clare's bathing areas this summer, but the coveted award will be absent from two of the county's main beaches.
Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point beaches are among five nationwide which have been passed over because of repairs which follow on from the bad weather of January and February. Lahinch had their flag restored after loosing it last year. John spoke to Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Michael Vaughan. Lahinch Hotelier and Pat Conway Lahinch resident who has been swimming at Lahinch beach for decades, he's the founder of the Annual Burren Chernobyl Project Swim the first began in 1972.
Visitor attractions in North Clare and South Galway are to be given a boost with the opening of a new tourist office in Gort. The facility has been developed on the back of work by The Burren Lowlands Group, which was established in recent months after a national study revealed that Gort was amongst the hardest-hit areas during the recession. The tourist office will be based in The Square in Gort. John spoke to Brian Morrissey and Fiona O' Driscoll of The Burren Lowlands Project about the work they have done so far this year and how people can get involved this weekend.
It's a case of one down but many more still to go for the 2861 Clare students who are began state examinations yesterday. John spoke to Marian O'Callaghan English and Irish Teacher at Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna about the English Paper that students faced yesterday.
The government has confirmed a full U-turn on medical cards. James Reilly is examining ways to give back discretionary medical cards to people who had them taken away in the recent HSE review. The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said some people who had their cards taken away by the HSE will now get them back. John spoke to Catherine Pender from Cranny. Her son Rory lost his 'discretionary medical card' last September and was instead issued with a GP card. Catherine has reapplied for a medical card foe Rory. She thinks it's going to take the government a long time to give back all these cards. She hopes her new request may be successful.
There is a charity soccer match on this sat 7th June in the fair-green for the ball its the Maureen Lavery Memorial Cup, starting at 3pm, organised by John Lavery, all welcome to play. The Pink Angel Ball is being held this year on the 21st June in THE FALLS HOTEL, and St Francis Credit Union have kindly given us a framed signed Clare Jersey to help us raise funds for the Ball Charities. These events are in the memory of Ennis woman Maureen Lavery from Ennis. John was joined in studio by her Mother Mairead Lavery to chat about the events and what they mean for her and her family.
June Rodgers, Panto, Theatre and Comedy Star spoke to John ahead of her trip to Ennis on her In The Merry Month of June Tour. The show is in Gloe this Saturday. June also spoke to John about her role in the new Mrs Brown D'Movie – out later this month.
Finally John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners' livestock and pet queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
