Today’s Morning Focus began as Clare’s own Senator Martin Conway arrived in studio.
He stopped by to discuss his recent addition to Fine Gael’s ticket for the next General Election which will see him join Joe Carey and Pat Breen in a bid to retain the party’s two seats here.
First though, we took a look at new ERSI research based on Growing Up in Ireland data which tracked the employment of mothers for the first five year’s of a child’s life. The study showed that women facing high childcare costs were far less likely to work during that period. We took the streets to interview Ennis mothers about their experiences of childcare.
Then we spoke with Bishop Fintan Monahan about how low numbers entering the priesthood are continuing to affect parishes across the country. In recent times we’ve seen the clustering of parishes and a reduction in the number of religious services. In response to this, our Diocese of Killaloe is launching courses for lay people to get involved in the Ministry. There will be training to enable people to enter the Ministries of Catechist and Pastoral Care. There will be information nights throughout the Diocese or alternatively leaflets in Churchs across the Diocese. The closing date for applications Friday September 28th.
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The next hour began with Parteen based author Dan Mooney. Dan’s day job is as an air traffic controller but is career as an author is only growing stronger as he releases his second novel: ‘The Great Unexpected’. The book deals with strong themes like male friendship and mental health.
Then we heard from Sarah O’Connor, the CEO of the Asthma Society. She highlighted September as a month where kids are particularly prone to asthma attacks due to school pressures and other factors. She urged people to reduce the risks this year.
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The hour rounded out with the sad news that the Lambert Theatre is closing. The theatre was the home to the iconic puppets that starred in programs like ‘Wanderly Wagon’ or ‘Bosco’. Descendant of Eugene Lambert the original founder of the theatre, Paula Lambert took Gavin on a trip through memory lane and lamented the theatre’s closure.
The final hour of Thursday’s Morning Focus saw us joined by Brendan McGowan, a graduate of both GMIT and the University of Ulster, a researcher, curator and writer. He discussed his upcoming talk on famed writer Pádraic Ó Conaire and the Revolution. The talk will be part of a series of such events held by North Clare Historical Society at the Courthouse Gallery on Monday week (September 17th).
Pádraic Ó Conaire is revered for his journalistic work as well as his short stories, which he wrote exclusively in Irish leading to him being hailed as a champion of the language. While O’Conaire is typically associated with Galway, being born in Galway City and raised in Connemara, he actually boasts a strong Clare connection. All four of his sisters settled in Clare, while the man himself lived in Miltown Malbay for a time and campaigned for DeValera in East Clare.
O’Conaire is a point of major interest for McGowan. McGowan with help from fellow writer Diarmuid De Faoite published the first ever English translation of O’Conaire’s ‘Seacht mBua an Éirí Amach’ in celebration of the book’s 100th anniversary.
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Then the founder of Cannonball, a supercar spectacle, Alan Bannon gave us details about the convoy’s latest showing. The convoy will make it’s way into Spanish Point for 1:30pm on Saturday, September 9th.
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From one event to the next Glór is kicking off it’s summer season with the Music Network’s presentation of renowned musicians Séamie O’Dowd, Máirtín O’Connor and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill. The Music Network aims to make live music as available as possible by playing in venues across Ireland at affordable prices. Séamie O’Dowd told us Glór’s showing will take place on Tuesday, September 18th at 8pm.
The show ended with Irene McInerney who, while originally from Kilmaley, lived most of her life in Cairns in Australia. She has recently launched her memoir: ‘Down By The Sandy Gardens – When Irish Eyes Aren’t Smiling.’ An author’s signing will take place at Ennis Book Shop on Saturday (September 8th).
