Kieran and Sinead McCarthy from Shannon joined Clare FM’s John Cooke live in studio to talk about their 3 year old daughter, Aoibheann. Aoibheann was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis 16 months ago. The couple were initially heartbroken with the news but are now concentrating on the future and getting the best possible care and treatment for Aoibheann. Kieran will take on an Iron man type challenge this October Bank Holiday weekend to raise funds for TLC4CF (Tipperary, Limerick and Clare for Cystic Fibrosis) which aims to improve CF Treatment facilities in the Mid-West, and the Clare Crusaders (their clinic in Barefield provides care and treatment for special needs children, including a range of therapies for Aoibheann). Kieran will swim 3 kilometres in Shannon (120 lengths of the Shannon Pool), before getting on his bike to cycle 230 kilometres through the night to Dublin to be in time for the Dublin city marathon which he will then run.
Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy from Shannon and Labour TD Michael McNamara from Scariff discussed plans for a much anticipated cargo facility for Shannon Airport. The plans moved a step closer yesterday afternoon following the signing of an agreement between the Dublin Airport Authority and a major American company.
The DAA has signed what’s known as a Heads of Agreement with the Lynx Group to construct a 10, 000 square metre temperature controlled freight logistics facility in Shannon and the company will now work on plans for the facility over the coming year. The Shannon Airport Authority has welcomed the move in the hope that a new cargo facility will provide a major investment in the mid-west, bringing more employment to the region.
Director of Services with Clare County Council, Ger Dollard spoke to Morning Focus to react to yesterday’s discussion on the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia cycle. He addressed some of the complaints made by a local business about access on the day of the race; the dates that the cycle took place and if there is any possibility of having it later in the year after the peak tourist season. The event, organised by IMG, has started and finished in Ennis for the last two years and is due to be held in Clare for the next three years. However the Director of Services says there is a possibility of hosting the event in another part of the county.
Also on today’s show;
Author, Francesca Browne, discussed her new book The Voices of Angels. This newly released book is a follow up to her autobiographical debut “My Whispering Angels,” and promises to take the reader further along Francesca’s journey with the angels. She has she has now become a very well known "Angel Lady" and has run several workshops and evenings locally. Francesca will be signing copies of her new book “The Voice of Angels” in Sacred Earth, Ennis tomorrow at 3pm
Marcella Clancy of charity TLC4CF gave details of a fundraising cycle of North Clare for TLC4CF. The cycle starts from Kilnaboy National School at 10am, with Registration from 8.30 to 9.30am. The fundraiser includes two routes – a 40km cycle and a 115km challenge. To date, the charity has raised over €3million euro between the 3 counties to build an urgently needed Cystic Fibrosis unit at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick which caters for Cystic Fibrosis Patients in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. All funds for the project so far have been raised via massive fundraising efforts, no funding from HSE or Government has come for the building project. The building is due to commence next month, however in order to kit out and have the unit ready to open they need to raise a further €1million. The completion and use of this unit for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers has the potential to add valuable years onto already shortened lives.
John Morgan, Chairman of the local branch of Comhaltas, Kilfenora spoke about the Kilfenora Ceili Band’s session in Linnane’s Bar on 25th September as part of the national ‘Trad for Trocaire’ week. Gerard Linnane and the band are asking people to come along and enjoy a great night that will also help raise funds for communities overseas during ‘Trad for Trocaire’ week, which runs from the 22nd – 28th September.
Gerry Reidy of Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club discussed the Burren Peaks 2011 Walking Festival which is opening tonight in Ballyvaughan.
Aidan Courtney of the Ennis Bookshop joined us for our weekly Book Focus review.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus you can contact the show by emailing [email protected] or text Clare FM followed by your comment to 53030.
