On Wednesdays Morning Focus John began by speaking to Olivia O’Connor Guidance Counsellor St Joseph's Tulla as the leaving and junior cert starts today. Olivia spoke about the exams, how people should remain positive, she also wants to let people know that once the exam is over don’t dwell!
Up next Michael McNamara Clare Labour TD as two people have put themselves forward to be the new leader of the Labour Party. Nominations closed at midday yesterday with the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton and Junior Health Minister Alex White both declaring. The contest for the deputy leadership is a four-way race. Junior Ministers Alan Kelly and Sean Sherlock – as well as TDs Michael McCarthy and Ciara Conway – have put their names forward. Postal ballot papers will be issued on Monday – June 9th and will be returned by 12 noon on Friday July 4th. The count will take place immediately afterwards.
In February 2015, a group of Childline supporters will climb Africa’s highest peak to raise vital funds to keep the children’s listening service open. Childline has been there to answer children’s calls 24/7 for the last 15 years, but may face reductions in opening hours due to financial pressure. The ISPCC is asking volunteers to take the 4701 mile trip from Clare to Kilimanjaro and help to save this service, which has been such an important lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Irish children. John spoke to Emma Hayden Community Fundraiser with the ISPCC about how people can get involved.
Simone Kirby, the Ennis born actress, is the lead actress in the new Ken Loach film Jimmy's Hall, which opened in cinemas across Ireland over the weekend. Simone is London based but her family still live in Ennis. She was banned from Ennis cinema growing up!! John spoke to Simon about her career to date and being banned from the local cinema.
Mary Moloney of Cahercalla Hospice and Jim O 'Connor from Corrovorin, Ennis joined John in studio. Ahead of Sunflower day they wanted to highlight the work that the local hospice does for the community. Jim's late wife Ann died in the hospice within the past year, he explained the work that Cahercalla does. Mary needs volunteers for Friday 6 th June. Hospice Sunflower Days is one of the most popular national fundraising events in Ireland each year and is a major source of income for hospices and voluntary hospice groups. It is an all island fundraising event, now in its 24th year! Hospice Sunflower Days 2014 will take place June 6th and 7th. You can help by volunteering with your local hospice service on Sunflower Days.
Finally history was made in Dublin at the weekend when Clare's first Taekwon-Do Master was promoted by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Technical Committee. Tim Forde is now one of only 16 people in Ireland to now hold the title of 7th Dan, Master. 5 other Clare instructors have also been promoted to 6th Dan. Kevin Kinsella (from Ennis TKD), Stephen Ryan (from Quin TKD), Jamie Rigney (from Ballyea/Inagh TKD), Brian Coughlan (from Barefield TKD) and Adrian Byrne (from Shannon TKD) performed for an examiners panel of three, including Grandmaster Lan, a 9th Dan who is originally from Vietnam. The two gradings tested the candidate's fundamental movements, sparring skills, power breaking and knowledge of the art. Tim joined John in studio to talk about his achievement.
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