We opened this morning by remembering Muhammad Ali and his visit to Ennis. Tributes have flowed in from throughout the world following the death of Muhammad Ali. The 74-year-old passed away on Friday, following a short illness. A private family funeral will be held on Thursday, followed by a public memorial in his home city of Louisville. Today, a book of condolences will open in Ennis in honour of Ali, who became the town’s first Honorary Freeman when he made a memorable visit to Ennis in 2009. Frankie Neylon, Former Mayor of Ennis and Mary O’Donovan of Turnpike, Ennis and a relative of Muhammad Ali, spoke to Gavin about their memories of the boxer.
Next we turned to the Leaving Cert. It's exam time once more and as tens of thousands of students prepare to start their Leaving and Junior Certs tomorrow the rest of us shudder at the memory. Is there still enough time to cram in a few more poems and formulas? Gavin was joined by Kilrush Community School chaplain Karol Torpey.
Last week on Morning Focus, we heard the story of Sean, a young man from Ennis who's learned to live again after a battle with alcoholism and drug addiction. As Sean told us, part of his recovery involved looking honestly at the impact of his addiction on his family. Today, we'll hear from Rita. She's the wife of an alcoholic. While she says that her husband is still in denial about his problem, Rita has managed to build a new life for herself and her teenage son. She's one of those who uses the Family Support Programme at the Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis. Rita spoke to Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, and she began by explaining what she means when she describes her husband as a 'functioning alcoholic'.
We then heard that Donald Trump is to be greeted by protesters. Donald Trump’s visit to Doonbeg this month will likely bring the attention of the world’s media to the West Clare village. It’s also set to bring groups of protesters who have hit out at the controversial businessman in the wake of comments he has made on the Presidential campaign trail. In the Dáil last week, Taoiseach Enda Kenny called some of Trump’s comments “racist and dangerous” following questions from Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, who’s involved in planning some of the protests. On Friday, he told Gavin of their plans.
John Lowe, The Money Doctor, was on the line with Gavin. He discussed the cost of college, grants and eligibility. http://independentfinancialadvice.ie/blog/
Then we asked: Have you Ever Seen a Fat Fox? That’s the question being asked by my next guest, in the title of his new book which explores the truths and myths behind obesity. Prof. Mike Gibney’s research comes amid warnings of an obesity epidemic in Ireland – he’s looking to provide scientific solutions. Mike Gibney was on the line to tell Gavin more.
Earlier in the programme, we heard memories of that famous day in September 2009, when Muhammad Ali came to Ennis. Before the 11 o'clock news, we hoped to jog your memories of that amazing day by sharing some of the highlights of Clare FM’s comprehensive coverage of the event.
Derrick Lynch, Clare FM Sport and Eoin Brennan from The Clare People joined Gavin in studio for a review of all the weekend's sporting action, including Clare's defeat to Waterford and the controversy around the Meath Antrim game.
For the weekly Fleadh News Gavin was joined in studio by Supt. Brendan McDonagh, Ennis and on the line by Adrian Jackson, a consultant with the Dublin-based company Safety Solutions. They discussed the event Management Plan and safety issues during the Fleadh.
Finally today, we heard from an Ennis Music Group that picked up a Traveller Pride Award. Last week a group of young people from Ennis won a national Traveller Pride Award for their “Songstories” project. The effort saw the group pen a number of songs dealing with themes of love, friendship, loss and judgment. They went on to perform their compositions at the Ennis Street Festival in July 2015 and at the Traveller Focus Pavee Ceoil Event in November 2015. The young people, Stephanie McDonagh, Chloe Connors, Melissa Mongans, Samantha Mongans, Jessica McDonagh, John McDonagh, James McDonagh, John McDonagh and David Keenan came together as individuals – some shy, some cheeky, some confident, some quiet – but after 10 weeks worked together in harmony as real musical achievers. With the students busy preparing for exams, David McCarthy from Ennis CDP (Clare Development Programme) and Emer O'Flaherty from Music Generation joined Gavin in studio.
