Morning Focus – Friday 21/09/18

Morning Focus began this morning with a discussion on El Electronics which is Shannon’s largest employer.

Mick Guinee who has been CEO of the company since 1983 spoke to us about El Electronics ahead of marking 55 years manufacturing in Shannon. Clare FM will be broadcasting outside for the event this Sunday.

Then Hannah Wrixon, founder of Get The Shifts spoke about the Shannon company providing an additional 700 jobs in hospitality and events. Get The Shifts will introduce casual positions over the following 12 months for baristas, mixologists, kitchen porters, bar staff and event and promotion staff.

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Once again we heard about the danger of rural post offices closing in Clare. Declan Meaney from Cree told us about how the community gathered last Wednesday night (September 19) to come up with a plan to save their post office.

In the second hour of the show we had a special country music segment with ‘Keeping it Country.’ Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch reviews the book ‘Keep it Country – A celebration of Irish Country Music’ by Eddie Rowley of The Sunday World. Celebrated journalist Tom Gilmore joined us to discuss his book ‘Big Tom – The King of Irish Country.’

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Next, we heard about the latest production to be showcased at the Glór Theatre in Ennis by Quintessence Theatre Group. Anthony Kinahan chatted to us about the new production ‘Cracks’ which has already been described as ‘a topical and powerful production exploring mental ill health in young people.’

Following on from this, Imelda Cahalan from Clare Arts Office and Clare County Arts Officer, Siobhán Mulcahy provided the arts round up. We heard all about the events which are to be held tonight (September 21) for this year’s Culture Night in Clare.

Dr Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc joined us live in studio to discuss the new monument which will be unveiled at Rath Cross, Sixmilebridge on Sunday (September 23). The monument will honour Thomas Healy, the last member of the Irish Republican Army’s East Clare Brigade. After retiring from the police force in Ennis, Healy joined the IRA and died fighting the British forces near Sixmilebridge in 1921.

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Our last hour commenced with the regular Friday Panel discussion. This week, Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Patricia McCarthy, Former Mayor of Clare and Brian Meaney, Former Green Party member of Clare County Council sat down to discuss a number of wide-ranging topics. Topics included the future of policing and what life is like in Ireland ten years after the economic crash.

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Morning Focus heard from Sinn Féin Preidential candidate, Liadh Ní Riada for the final segment of the show. Nominations to contest the presidency are needed by next week and Ní Riada is one such contender. The candidate says her vision is a humanitarian one that values the dignity of individuals and does not look away from injustice.’