Clare FM’s Darren Kelly spoke to Clare County Board Chair, Joe Cooney following yesterday evenings proceedings at the County Board Meeting which left Clare without a Senior Hurling Manager.
It had been anticipated that a manager would have been appointed last night (Weds, Oct 9) but delegates – many of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process – backed a Scariff motion to return to the clubs and seek expressions of interest in the position. That means it could now be November before the new boss is appointed.
Next, with the signing off on Budget 2020 signalling the end of the Confidence and Supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, Dep Micheál Martin, Leader of Fianna Fáil joined us in studio to discuss this further. The Taoiseach has said it’s opportune time to look at the relationship between the two parties over the last three-and-a-half years. Few people gave the current government much hope of surviving when it was put together in 2016, and, while the date of the election has been a talking point on an almost weekly basis, there’s also been a sense that it needed to hang tough in the face of the uncertainty over Brexit.
If you missed the interview, you can listen back below:
Next, Frances Black, Ind member of Seanad Éireann & Singer joined Gavin on air ahead of her gig in glór, Ennis on Saturday Night (October 12th). The show will bring Frances together with fellow legends the Banner’s own Sharon Shannon and songstress Mary Coughlan.
Next on Morning Focus, we heard from Mary Noonan, mother of the late Eimear. Eimear Noonan from Caher was a wonderful young East Clare woman who died tragically in an accident in France. She was an avid and talented musician – in a number of genres – and now her family have, fittingly, chosen to honour her memory with a Music Bursary. The award of 1,000 euros each, will go to one student from Clare and Galway. The busary is open to first year students of music, pursuing a course at third level in the current academic year 2019-2020. Closing date is Friday, 18th October, 2019. All details on eligibility etc. can be found on www.eimearnoonanmusicbursaryaward.net
The award is funded from the proceeds of a memorial concert held in Gort on her first anniversary in November of last year. Performing on the night were Eimear’s musical associates spanning the classical and traditional music genres, including Coole Music Youth Orchestra, UCC Orchestra, GCS Choir and ensemble and a group of Eimear’s close trad music friends. Additional funds were gratefully received from the Scariff RFC Robbie Madden Fundraiser and private donors.
A second memorial concert to continue supporting music education will take place in Gort, Co. Galway on Saturday November 16th, 2019.
You can listen back below:
Next on the show, Karen Clancy, Dolores Meaney and Denis McAuliff of Ballynacally Future Planning Group joined Gavin inn studio to chat about the vital work they do to preserve the fabric of rural Clare. The group was set up early in 2019 with the help of Clare Local Development company CDLC, and is an umbrella group for all clubs and organisations in the area.
A community survey was sent to all households to gain ideas and suggestions from all concerned and a Community Development plan was devised as a result. This plan will help in future planning and help groups to secure grant aid, especially where CLDC is involved.
This Plan is to be launched on Sunday next (Oct 13) at the local community centre between 12 and 2pm.
The open day will also showcase the work of more than 14 local voluntary groups who do so much in and around the village and community.
If you missed it you can listen back below:
Next, Séamus MacMathúna of Oidhreacht an Chláir and Aidan Considine of Clohanbeg School were on the show to talk about a whole series of cultural events which are taking place over Friday (Oct 11th) and Saturday (Oct 12th) to mark Éigse Tomás Ó hAodha this weekend. This is the second annual Irish-language cultural event, organised by Oidhreacht an Chláir, in Áras OaC, Flag Road.
It’s supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Community Strand of the Decade of Centenaries Programme, through Clare County Council and will feature lectures, workshops and the launch (on Saturday) of a booklet of material gathered by the pupils of Miltown, Rineen, Mágh and Clohanbeg National Schools, with the help of parents, grandparents and other relatives. That’s entitled ‘How Irish is Our English?’.
You can listen back below:
To finish today’s Morning Focus, we heard from Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer for this week’s Arts Update.
