The show began this morning by looking at calls being made for a change to national legislation to allow Councils help victims of domestic abuse. Clare County Council has heard that, because they are property owners, it is very difficult for abuse victims to be given social housing. It's feared this lack of an alternative keeps abuse victims in violent relationships. Clare Gardaí dealt with over 400 cases of domestic disturbance last year The Council says it's working by a series of Social Housing Assessment Regulations which were introduced in 2011, but Councillor Ian Lynch thinks they need to be changed. he raised the matter in a motion at this week's Council meeting, and afterwards told Gavin why. Gavin then spoke to Denise Dunne from Clare Haven MF.
Next Gavin spoke with the newly elected president of Irish Farmer’s Association, Galway Dairy Farmer, Joe Healy. His election follows the resignation of Eddie Downey last year. The pay scandal at the organisation was one of the key election issues along with pay levels for farmers. Joe Healy says there needs to be transparency within the IFA. In Clare, Mr Healy received 65% of the 1,000 ballots cast. Gavin also spoke to Willie Hanrahan Clare IFA President to find out what the elcetion meant for farmers in Clare.
Rates incentive targets vacant premises Clare County Council has unveiled details of a scheme which aims to cut the number of business premises which are vacant for a long period of time. Property owners, whose business have been unoccupied for over two years, will be given a rates reprieve in the event that a tenant moves in for at least one year. This will see up to 7500 euro knocked off rates bills over three years, while other start-up supports will also be available. Noreen Twomey Walsh of Twomey Walsh Household Linens, Parnell St., Ennis & Parnell St. Traders Association gave Gavin the details.
Next, Margaret Kinnane from Disabled People of Clare spoke to Gavin to explain why a transport service used by up to 20 disabled people in Clare on a daily basis is facing the axe. Disabled People of Clare (DPOC) has given a month's notice to service users of the ending of a bus facility, which many rely on for transport to work, college and medical appointments. DPOCs says it's been hit by 'a perfect storm' in terms of funding and is now unable to cover its costs, even though the service has been self-sustaining for decades (since 1972 – TBC). *A meeting will take place, on the issue, at 11am, at the offices of DPOC in Ennis (Unit 1, Clon Road Business Park).
Clare Youth Theatre were in studio to promote their latest project: “Laugh, Cry, Think” The evening's performance is made up of short pieces adapted, scripted and directed by Clare Youth Theatre members. Items deal with the themes of mental health and love. They're based on musicals and an adapted version of Alice in Wonderland. glor, April 22 and 23. The guys performed an extract from Alice in Wonderland, where the Cheshire cat enters and introduces the caterpillar to Alice.
Is solar energy – the way of the future? Gavin's next guest was a Kilrush man who's travelled to the other side of the world to peruse a career working with solar technology. Christopher Dixon is working as a project developer in the solar energy industry in California, but believes solar can provide opportunities for development in rural Ireland Clare has been earmarked as a hub for solar farms, with Terra Solar recently announcing a 30 million euro plan to set up six solar farms here, beginning at Ballymorris near Cratloe. Christopher Dixon told Gavin why he believes this could be the start of a growing trend in Ireland.
This summer, Waterways Ireland and Canoeing Ireland have joined forces with outdoor centres and canoeing clubs to create the Blueway 10k 'learn to paddle' programme. The 12 week canoe training programme will start on May 28 and culminate in a 10km paddle in 7 key locations across the inland waterways. In Clare, local providers will get people on the water at Lough Derg and the Shannon. Eoin Rheinisch, 3 x Olympian and Blueway 10K Ambassador says people who take on the challenge will learn new skills, enjoy stunning scenery, and improve their fitness in a fun and exciting way. This no nonsense workout that will allow people to turn up in regular workout clothes, put on a buoyancy aid, grab a boat and paddle, and go for short intensive work out. Starting on May 28 and culminating in a 10k paddle in 7 key locations across the inland waterways. A taster day where interested people can try out the paddling experience before signing up is taking place in all 30 centres on the May 14, come along and try it out. Sharon Lavin from Water Ways Ireland and Mike Jones from My Next Adventure, Killaloe talked to Gavin to tell him more.
Mitch Albom and Teresa Carmody O'Shea from Clare county Library were in studio for the weekly book club.
Then we continued our series of radio essays by Dr. Tomás MacConmara, marking Clare’s part in the Easter Rising of 1916. In today's essay we were invited to take a look at an iconic photograph of the 1914 All Ireland winning Clare hurling team. Through the stories of some of the men in that photo, we learn how life and politics in Clare changed so profoundly as a result of the Easter Rising. It was written by Dr. Tomás MacConmara. Today’s reader was Ger Treacy. Editor was Anne Marie Kennedy. Producer was Paula Carroll. ‘Against the Gale’ was made with the support of Clare Co. Council’s 1916 Centenary Fund.
On World Animal Vaccination Day John Underhill from Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners questions.
Next May 5-7 Next month, glór and Bealtaine/Age and Opportunity, in association with Clare County of Culture are hosting a national event called VOLTage. This event will platform the many extraordinary projects and creative activities which bring together artists and older people from Clare and throughout Ireland. Clare has an outstanding reputation in the design and delivery of creative projects for, with and about older people, having initiated and hosted a range of projects and events over the 20 years of the existence of the Bealtaine festival, working across a range of art forms. Mary Moloney from Cahercalla and Sophie Motley and Sarah Jane Shiels from WillFredd Theatre joined Gavin in studio to tell him more.
