This morning, Gavin spoke to Alan McMahon of Mountshannon Inis Housing Association who were seeking homes in Kilrush for 100 families
Morning Focus also looked at the future for rural towns after a Heritage Council conference on the issue. The conference, Realising the Hidden Potential of Ireland’s Towns: Policies and Proposals for the Future, coincides with the launch of the Heritage Council’s ‘Policy Proposals for Ireland’s Towns’ document.
Despite the national return to economic growth, unemployment in rural towns and villages remains disproportionately high. A lack of vision, and inadequate financial support, has led to a prolonged pattern of declining town centres and increasing regional gaps in quality of life.
Our guest was Colm Murray, Architecture Officer at the Heritage Council.
With Hallowe'en on the way, Dr Máire Finn Ennis Family Medical Centre spoke to Gavin about strange and scary cures and remedies.
To mark the 70th anniversary of transatlantic flights at Shannon Airport, we spoke to Fr Harry Bohan, PP Sixmilebridge; to Liam Scally, Former Director of Shannon Airport; and Michael Hanrahan Former Executive with Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport.
Ahead of a special event at glor, Ennis, to celebrate the career of John Kelly, the Clare Champion photographer joined Gavin in studio. John is an award-winning photographer. This year alone, he took three prizes in the Press Photographer's Association Of Ireland (PPAI) Photojournalism Awards. We were also joined for this item by Joe Queally of the RNLI.
Gavin also spoke to Cathy Locke, Local Co-Ordination team, Clare Team Hope about the annual Shoe Box Appeal.
Ballyvaughan musician Daithi O Dronai joined the show to talk about Mary Keane's Introduction – a musical tribute to his grandmother. Daithi is currently based in Galway – he was a finalist on the All Ireland Talent Show and a contestant on Must Be The Music on Sky 1. He wrote a song about his grandmother (90) and it has received a lot of attention but according to the Clare People, she said she won't be famous until she hears the song on Clare FM. The song is called 'Mary Keane Introduction' and has audio from an interview Daithi's Grandmother did two years ago, Daithi added electronic music to the interview.
