Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry took Morning Focus by the reins today as she hosted the show on behalf of Gavin Grace. The highlight of Friday’s show was of course the Friday Panel.
This week, Fiona was joined by Bernadette Kenny who is the CEO of the Bluebox children’s charity, Brian Meaney, a former member of the Clare County Council and, Tony Killeen, the former minister for defence.
They discussed current topics such as dating and mating in 21st century Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement and, the drugs issue in Clare.
Listen back below:
To kick off the show, Fáílte Ireland’s Director of Commercial Development, Paul Keeley, spoke about the new tourism boost for East Clare. The River Shannon is at the focal point of what’s been titled ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’.
Then, Fiona spoke with Dr Sylvia Murphy Tighe, a course director with a bachelor’s in midwifery, about her ground-breaking research on hidden pregnancies. Dr Sylvia who hails from Newmarket-on-Fergus, has been studying the issue of hidden pregnancies for years.
Following that, Deputy Timmy Dooley, a member of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee, outlined his concerns surrounding the Belfast rape trial and the aftermath of the trial.
Next, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy and Bella Hehir talked with Fiona about the 70th anniversary of the Pan Am crash. Bella and her husband have been looking after the graves for a number of years and Councillor Colleran Molloy has been helping them raise funds for restoration.
There will be a ceremony led by Mayor Paul Murphy to commemorate the thirty people who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
Next Monday and Tuesday, the Clare Youth Service will be hosting a Courage Project course and conference for young people. Representatives of football clubs in including Arsenal and Benfica will be in Ennis looking at ways to reach young people through sport.
Brian McManus of the Clare Youth Service, Samir Singh of Arsenal FC in the community and, Majbritt Svensson of the Ebeltoft Youth Service, joined Fiona live on air to chat about the event.
Listen back below:
To round off the show, Fiona also chatted with Clare County Arts Officer, Siobhán Mulcahy about the upcoming art events in the region.
