On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Máire Moynahan was joined by Mark Beazley, Executive Director of Dogs Trust. Dogs Trust, Irelands largest dog welfare charity penned the famous slogan “A dog is for life not just for Christmas.” However on the 5th January this year, the charity received 55 surrender phone calls from people who no longer wanted their dog. A shocking increase of 110% on the same time the previous year. Again this year, the charity reveals the top ten reasons people have given for abandoning their puppies and dogs – including the puppy was bought as a present for elderly couple, he barks when left on his own and he isn’t as cute as when I first got him. To help prevent people thoughtlessly buying dogs as Christmas presents, the charity takes extra care when rehoming adult dogs and especially puppies in the weeks before Christmas. Whereas in some cases the fact that people can devote time and attention to their new pet is important in helping him or her to settle in; very often homes can be quite frenetic during the festive season and it may not be the best time for a dog, especially a puppy, to be introduced into an environment where the normal routine is disrupted. For more info please visit www.dogstrust.ie
Aidan Courtney from The Ennis Book Shop was also in studio to review the 100% 1D Official Book – Where We Are, Our Band, Our Story – a must for One Direction fans! He also discussed Reason’s My Kid is Crying by Greg Pembroke
Celebrity Chef, TV Presenter and Author and proprietor of Dunbrody Country House – Kevin Dundon was also a guest of the show. He talked about how to be prepared for Christmas and gave tips and recipes to help spice up traditional Christmas fare. Kevin will be hosting a Christmas cookery demonstration with mini Christmas market at The Armada, Spanish Point on Thursday December 12th. Refreshments at 7pm with demonstration at 8pm. Live music after the show and all proceeds to the West Clare Cancer Center. Tickets available from Jones’ Centra, Armada Hotel and The Pantry, Ennis.
Liam O’Connor, Accordionist and Guinness World Record Holder as the man with the fastest fingers in the world was also a guest of the show today. Liam is a multi-instrumentalist musician and has been described as "the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion". He’s been playing music since 10 with his family and has gone on to record numerous albums with collaborator Lisa Aherne, selling out tours around the world and toured with Lord of the Dance with Michael Flatley for two and a half years. His latest album is out now – Live at Ronnie Scott’s – a trad album infused with world music influences.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
