Monday’s Morning Focus reflected on the weekend gone before, as we reviewed a disappointing sporting weekend and relived one of Ireland’s most important political moments.
The show opened with Junior Minister Pat Breen speaking to Gavin about his efforts to overturn United Airlines’ Shannon flight cut decision. They’ve suspended operations to its New York route for the winter months – a move met with disappointment from Shannon Airport. Breen is meeting with management at United as he asks them to appeal the cuts.
Next we heard from Councillor Michael Begley, Teresa Browne of Clareville House and Mike Hogan, Chairperson of East Clare Tourism as they called for a ‘Ring of Lough Derg’, or similar efforts to encourage visitors to the area.
Speaking of the area, it was the East-Clare bye-election of 1917 that gave Eamon de Valera his historic entry into politics. An event on Sunday, attended by former Clare TD and granddaughter of The Long Fella, Sile de Valera, TD for Galway West and Dev’s Grandson, Eamon O’Cuiv, Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin and hundreds more marked the centenary of the election. Clare FM’s Ben Sweeney attended the celebrations and prepared the below report.
Garda Niamh Browne joined us from Ennis Garda Station as they appealed for the public’s assistance in solving a number of Clare crimes.
After that we heard from Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and the Clare People’s Eoin Brennan who spoke to Gavin about a disappointing weekend for Clare’s GAA teams and chose their Sports Star of the Week.
The show ended with a chat with Ennis Chamber of Commerce President Will Cahir and Chair of Inis le Cheile Michael Queally about the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, and how they hope it will positively affect the town.
