This afternoon on The Today Show with Gavin Grace, Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch discussed the issue of potholes on our county’s roads. Conor is Director of Policy with AA and says the group’s patrols attended over 1,400 call outs relating to punctures and warped wheels during January alone. The roads were badly affected during the big freeze events of 2010 so this time last year they were in terrible shape and said while a little better; it is still an endemic problem in 2012. This year drivers in counties Monaghan (23%), Cavan (19%) and Clare (19%) have emerged as worst affected based on the AA’s poll results. Somewhat correlating with this, Monaghan and Cavan County Councils were well down the list last of intended total road maintenance allocations for 2011. Clare County Council did fare slightly better however ranking 10th out of 33.
4th Year Medical Student, Mike McNamara from Ennis spoke to The Today Show about his development of two new apps to help us become more aware of our heart health. The student at NUI Galway collaborated with the heart and stroke charity Croí. Following on from the success of the charity’s Croí MyAction Programme, a cardiovascular disease prevention initiative, targeting individuals at increased risk of heart disease or stroke, Mike McNamara has developed Croí FoodWise and Croí HeartWise, which are available to download for free from itunes.
Gearoid Mannion of Tom Mannion Travel Worldchoice was in studio for our weekly Travel Feature; this week Gearoid advised on ferry crossings to destinations from Ireland and how taking the ferry can form part of your family’s summer holiday. He discussed ferry travel to France (Cork to Roscoff and Cherbourg) and destinations for families once you’re there. He also gave advice on ferry travel to the UK (Dun Laoghaire or Dublin to Fishguard, Hollyhead and Pembroke).
Mark Heffernan, Author of Dead Man Talking: How One Man Brought Down the Limerick Mob spoke to Gavin about his new book and about the incidents that led the Southill man to testify against key figures in the McCarthy/Dundon gang. Following this Mark was labelled a “dead man walking” and has described in his new book how he was dramatically pursued through Limerick by some of the city’s most feared criminals in a high-speed car chase. The book tells of the two-year campaign of intimidation against the Carew Park man by members of the McCarthy/Dundon gang and details his role in the trial that sent seven members of the gang to jail for offences including violent disorder and demanding money with menaces. The book is written with journalist Darren Boyle.
Members of the cast and crew of Lourdes! The Musical joined Gavin in studio to talk about the upcoming performances of the show. Aoife Walsh, Director of the musical and from Sixmilebridge, along with cast members Aine Hogan, Philip Desmond and James Malone talked about the plot and music featured in the show which gets underway at The Lime Tree Theatre at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on Thursday and Friday night this week at 8pm. Lourdes! The Musical’ takes a light-hearted look at youth involvement in the annual pilgrimage. The Youth Pilgrimage, which has been running for 17 years, sees between 80 to 90 young people embark on what has become a truly enriching and spiritual experience.
To contact The Today Show please email today@clare.fm or text your message – Clare FM, followed by your comment or query, to 53030
