Joining Clare FM’s Gavin Grace on today’s edition of The Afternoon Show was John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society. The Irish Cancer Society is demanding work be undertaken to close Ireland’s healthcare gap. It’s warning that cancer-related deaths in disadvantaged areas can be double that of more affluent parts of the country. Today sees the launch of a five year strategy entitled ‘Towards a Future Without Cancer’, which sets out 4 goals for the group. The Society says the economic outlook’s adding to the healthcare challenges. If you have a query in relation to today’s discussion you can contact the National Cancer Helpline on Free phone 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist nurse or visit www.cancer.ie
Karen Hennessy of the Craft Council of Ireland also spoke to Gavin about how the Crafts Council of Ireland has launched a three-year-strategic plan setting out priorities for the sector, with a special emphasis on growing sales of Irish craft. The Creative Expo which features crafts people from around Ireland, including many from Co. Clare is currently underway at the RDS and aims to promote the wide range of art and craft being produced in the country.
Debbie Harper is a Co Founder of twitter group – #SMEcommunity. If Ireland is looking for an example of phenomenal growth and positivity amongst small businesses, it doesn’t have to look much further than the Twitter group known as #SMEcommunity. #SMEcommunity is a group of Irish small businesses who are using Social Media to mentor, advise & support each other. What started in June 2011 with a single tweet between two Irish business people has resulted in 3,029 followers and 16 offline meet ups around the country. The group is holding its second All Ireland tweet up on 25th January in Birr. To contact the group on twitter see https://twitter.com/SMEcommunity_ie
John Buckley is the Youth Engagement Officer with Spunout.ie. He joined the show to offer advice to those who may be feeling the ill effects of “Blue Monday”. It’s claimed today is the most depressing day of the year and has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday’. It’s the day we are believed to feel the full weight of gloomy weather conditions, post-Christmas debts and failing New Year’s resolutions. For tips and advice for helping you feel more optimistic please visit the spunout.ie blog www.spunout.ie/about/Blog/Beat-Blue-Monday
John Riordan with the Irish Examiner joined us from Washington where he is attending the US Presidential Inauguration. Up to half a million people are expected to turn out later today for the public inauguration of Barack Obama. Yesterday, Mr Obama was officially sworn in for his second term as US President, in a low key ceremony at the White House. The US Constitution says that a new President must be sworn in on January 21st, but because it fell on a Sunday the public event was postponed for 24 hours.
Rosaleen Tanham of the KAM Collective (Kinvara Area Musicians) joined us to let listeners know about a series of events taking place in the area this weekend. Each Winter KAM Collective stage a series of concerts, usually local musicians, but sometimes featuring musicians from further afield. This year they are showcasing the acapella male voice group “The Voice Squad”, who will be singing on Saturday 26th January in Johnston’s Hall. KAM Collective is a community, non-for-profit, voluntary group. See www.kinvaramusic.com for details.
To contact The Afternoon Show please email afternoon@clare.fm
