An East Clare man who’s in Calais to support migrants and refugees being evicted from a make-shift camp has described their situation as “desperate”. Efforts began this week to dismantle a section of the so-called “jungle” where thousands of people have set up camp in the hope of eventually getting into the UK. Bodyke man, Marquin Corbus, spoke to Gavin this morning from Calais. Eugene Drennan from the Irish Road Hauliers Association also spoke about the issue on the show.
Next on the show, Gavin spoke to Dr John Hillary, former Fianna Fail candidate and son of President Paddy Hillary, about the aftermath of the general election.
Parteen man, Will Ferguson, spoke on Morning Focus today about pioneering the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things is the concept of connecting any device with an on and off switch to the internet (and, in some cases, to each other). This includes everything from mobile devices, coffee machines, washing machines, televisions and almost everything else you can think of. It’s estimated that by 2020 there will be over 34 billion connected devices and the implications for the way we live and work are enormous. A Parteen native is the founder of a company which uses ultra narrow band technology to allow millions of devices to connect to the internet where long distance, low battery life and low cost are necessities. Will Ferguson tech start-up, VT Networks, did the first demonstration of its Internet of Things Network in Galway on General Election Day (February 26) at an event in Galway in conjunction with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology’s iHubs and Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Programme.
John Cullinane, Area President of St Vincent de Paul (SVP), spoke on the show this morning about the society. SVP in Clare is looking for members of the public to become volunteers with the society. An open information evening will be held tonight (Wednesday, March 2) at 7.30pm in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis and anyone interested is invited to come along to learn more about SVP, the work that the Society does and how they can contribute to SVP.
More than 1,000 job opportunities will be up for grabs at the Agri Careers event, organised by the Irish Farmers Journal and ‘open eir’ at the RDS tomorrow (Thursday, March 3). More than 50 of the top Agri businesses in the country will have roles on offer. These are not just for applicants from an agricultural or Ag Science background. Jobs in sales, marketing, IT, finance, operations and other areas will be available. Mary Phelan, Careers Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal, spoke to Gavin about the job opportunities in the Agri sector.
The rejuvenation of part of Ennis was up for discussion in a meeting of local Councillors last evening. Elected representatives and Council officials were in agreement that something needs to be done to spruce up Parnell Street. There have been a number of suggestions to revitalise the street – this includes a Perspex roof, and a feasibility study is to be published in the coming months. However, one Councillor, Barefield’s Ann Norton, told Gavin how she thinks temporary or pop-up shops could be the way to go, especially with the Fleadh on the way in August.
Next on the show, The Money Doctor, John Lowe, spoke on a number of topics including the impact of government instability on financial markets. John also answered listeners’ money queries.
Clare woman, Dr Miriam O’Connor, spoke on the show today about training for the ‘toughest race on earth’. Cancer specialist, Dr Miriam O’Connor, will run six marathons in six days through the Sahara Desert to raise funds for the Special Olympics Munster. Miriam, who works as a Consultant Oncologist in Waterford’s University Hospital, will travel to the Sahara Desert in Southern Morocco in April for the gruelling Marathon des Sables. Participants must carry their food and sleeping bag on their backs as they run 40-50 degree heat to cover the 250km through the desert. The mother of one, has already completed more than 25 marathons and Ireland’s longest road race, Connemara 100 mile race. Originally from Quilty, Miriam will be joined by 1,200 athletes from around the world including 25 Irish runners. Her brother Thomas O’Connor is also taking part. Donations can be made at Specialolympics.ie at the Munster section.
The Irish Film Industry is on a high after Sunday’s Oscars. Two wins and nominations mark what’s been described as a landmark year, but it seems all is not well, particularly for women. This issue will be explored in a conference at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick on Friday, and it’s being organised by Dr Susan Liddy, who spoke on the show today about the talk.
John Underhill spoke on the weekly instalment of ‘Ask the Vet,’ about mouth ailments in animals.
Ballyvaughan musician has made his granny a musical sensation, and is now up for a major award. Daithi O Dronai is a musician from Ballyvaughan, currently based in Galway. He wrote ‘Mary Keane’s Introduction’ about his 90-year-old grandmother, who said she wouldn’t be famous until she heard the song on Clare FM. ‘Mary Keane’s Introduction’ has audio from an interview Daithi’s grandmother did two years ago. He said that when he heard the audio he couldn’t believe how personal and heartfelt it was and that he hadn’t heard anyone her age talk so honestly about love. Mary Keane lives in a thatched cottage in Ballyvaughan and, according to reports, has a habit of bursting into laughter at odd moments. ‘Mary Keane’s Introduction’ is the first track from Dathi’s Tribes EP, released on the 26th of February. The single has been nominated for the 2015 Choice Music Prize Song of the Year. The Choice Music Prize event takes place tomorrow, Thursday, March 3rd.
