Morning Focus – April 17th

On Friday’s Morning Focus, we focussed on your health, with advice for both your mental health and physical health during this lockdown.

After government-supported research showed that many say they’re worried and/or struggling at this time, Spanish Point native and Clare-based psychotherapist Grace Harrison joined us with some advice on how to get through these times.

More details on her work can be found on www.graceharrison.ie.  Grace also works with Let’s Get Talking, a Non-Set Fee Service for Online & Telephone Counselling.

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On the physical health side, we firstly spoke with Daithí O’Connor, the founder of the award-winning Revive Active brand of supplements. He also discussed their recent award wins, and the importance of buying Irish as well. You can hear an extended version of his conversation with Gavin below:

While we also spoke with nutritionist Olivia Beck on eating healthily…and the good news is there’s still room for some treats!

At the top of the programme, Cllr Roisín Garvey gave her views on the potential entrance into government by the Green Party. She also played down a recent report linking her with a Seanad seat, should the Greens do a deal with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

We’re endeavouring to highlight some of the great work that is on-going throughout our local region to assist in the fight against COVID-19, and today we heard how GMIT have at least eight separate projects in train at the minute. We spoke with Clare-based GMIT lecturer Dr. Brian de Souza, who is leading the development of new face visors, and with Dr Gerard MacMichael, Head of their School of Engineering, who also discussed some of the ways in which staff and volunteers from the college are contributing to the fight against COVID-19.

We also talked sport, ahead of a virtual GAA congress meeting later today at which the 2020 Championship will be discussed, including whether it can go ahead at all. While there are more important things at this time than sport, of course, many are missing this outlet, both as players and fans. Gavin got the latest from Chair of the Clare GAA County Board Joe Cooney, and also discussed this with Marian Callinan of the Clare Ladies Football Board, and with former Wexford manager (and ex-Clare Under-21 hurler) Liam Griffin

Finally, this morning, art was in focus as we were joined by Scarriff-based artist Nathalie El Baba, who encouraged everyone to get creative. During her conversation Nathalie urged people to make use of what’s around them, and she also pointed people in the direction of many online resources that could be of help.  She recommended the Youtube Channel of Emmy Kalia, Bob Ross, Love To Paint with Roisin O’Farrell on Facebook, Instagram artists including Colin Davidson and www.pinterest.ie