On Morning Focus today, Mike Hanrahan, Musician, Songwriter and now Author joined us in studio following the launch of his new book A Beautiful Affair.
The book takes us backstage and into the kitchens of a bohemian, international and surprisingly foodie group of Irish household names, including Ronnie Drew, Finbar Furey, Maura O’Connell, Leslie Dowdall, Pat Shortt, Eleanor Shanley and Sharon Shannon.
Mike penned hit singles ‘Beautiful Affair’ and ‘Walk Away’ for Stockton’s Wing, from which a world of touring and behind-the-scenes escapades began. With affectionate portraits of the legendary personalities he came to know along the way, Beautiful Affair rings with the sheer graft, dedication and serious sense of humour of a life well spent on stage – and in the kitchen.
If you missed our chat with Mike, you can catch it below:
Before that Cllr Pat Burke of Fine Gael, White Gate and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan of Fianna Fáil, Kilmurry joined Gavin on the line as east Clare is to receive the smallest allocation of Clare’s four Municipal Districts as part of a Council initiative to spur projects in communities throughout the county.
The area will receive €30,000 less than last year, despite Clare’s other electoral areas seeing increases, and despite next year’s 15% increase in property taxes. The method to divide out the funding has been decided by Councillors themselves.
Next, we heard from students of Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Cháir as they spoke to Gavin about their campaign, Right Home Make It Happen. The students are undertaking this project in school as part of CSPE. Tobi Olanrawaju, Anita O’Shaughnessy, Emmanuela Moses, Gabriél Melo and SadhbhNí Fhinn Spealasa, joined us in studio to tell us more.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
Next on Morning Focus, Dr Keir McNamara of Clare Peace Park and Revd. Kevin O’Brien of Drumcliffe Group of Parishes joined us in studio to talk about the November Services of Remembrance. The service is for all those who were involved in WW1, WW2 and all international conflicts takes on Thursday 14th November in the cathedral in Ennis at 8pm. Also an ecumenical service of remembrance will be celebrated by Fr. Tom Ryan and Revd. Kevin O’Brien. On Sunday 17th November at 2pm, a wreath-laying service of Remembrance will take place at the WW1 Memorial, Friars Walk, Ennis.
Next, William Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors joined us in studio for this week’s Legal Advice slot to discuss how to deal with legal queries & the challenges which exist around insurance. Will gave us insights into insurance contracts and what becomes contentious with insurance companies.
If you missed our legal advice slot, you can listen back below:
To finish up Morning Focus, Siobhán Mulcahy joined us in studio for this week’s Arts Update.
