The Mayor of Clare has donated his 1,000 euro Mayoral Christmas Card allowance to two local voluntary groups
Councillor Pat Hayes this week presented 500 euro cheques to both Clare Sunset Foundation and Ennis & Clare Samaritans
The Mayor joined John Cooke in studio on Thursday’s Morning Focus to reflect on the year that was 2011.
It’s reported today that Ireland’s Farmers have emerged as the star performers of the Irish economy this year
New figures show that agricultural income per employee rose by 30.1 per cent in Ireland while the average EU figure was up by just 6.7 per cent
The increase in agricultural income in 2011 was due to the rise in the value of agricultural output
Only Romania at 43.7 per cent and Hungary at 41.8 per cent, had higher EU incomes per employee than Ireland
Cratloe man Eddie Punch, ICSA General Secretary and Martin McMahon of the ICMSA in Clare discussed.
39 private North Clare landowners have pledged their support for a major tourism project that will provide improved public access to some of County Clare’s most scenic coastal locations
The Clare Coastal Walk Project, the contract for which was signed today, will be a stand alone coastal walk linking the villages of Doolin and Liscannor, and also will become part of the Burren Way long distance walking route
Targeted at the more experienced walker, the upgraded walk will take approximately 12.7 kilometres of the existing Burren Way off tarred road and onto the scenic coastal path along by the iconic Cliffs Of Moher from Doolin to Hags head, and then on minor roads into the village of Liscannor
The CLDC says the upgrading of this coastal path will offer a unique perspective on coastal walking along an area of land that is world renowned
Pat Sweeney, landowner and Eimear McCarthy of Clare Local Development Company joined John in studio.
The Inaugural Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship will take place in Ennis on January 7
The event, which is based on age-old lumberjack traditions and commonplace across Germany and Austria, will see members of the public competing to determine the Irish distance record for throwing a standard 1.5 metre tree
All proceeds raised on 7 January in Ennis will go toward the development of a new Clare County Dog Shelter
Brian Meaney, Green Party Councillor and organiser of the Inaugural Irish Christmas Tree Throwing Championship joined John in studio.
Christmas is truly the season of goodwill, but this doesn’t always mean we show the same goodwill to our bodies
Hectic schedules and festive parties throughout the Christmas period can often mean disaster for our diet and make our hearts heave under the pressure
Luckily, having a happy Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy one too
To help you survive the festive season and keep that cholesterol and blood pressure under control, Maureen Mulvihill of the Irish Heart Foundation has compiled some simple tips to help you eat, drink and be merry in a heart healthy way- she shared them with listeners. www.irishheart.ie
A Fundraising social in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin will take place at the Power House in Tulla next Friday the 30th at 9.30pm- finger food, spot prizes and music by Larry McEvoy- €5 please support – 2 tickets to give away
John Fawl of the Lahinch Christmas Day Swim, now in its 21st year, had a word with John
The swim takes place at 12.15 from the promenade in Lahinch
Proceeds from the swim this year go to Slainte an Chlair which supports people and their families living with cancer
Tony Cogan had a word about the Miltown Malbay Christmas Day Swim – taking place at the White Strand at 1pm Christmas Day in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Miltown Malbay
Last year they raised €13,000 for Caring for Carers with over 100 swimmers- they hope to raise as much as possible for the new branch of SVdP in Miltown
John O’Connell of the Kildysart Christmas Day Swim encouraged people to support it
The 8th annual Christmas day swim will take place at Gortglass Lake Kildysart at 12 noon Christmas day
Proceeds to the West Clare Mini Marathon Cancer Fund
The New Quay 10th annual New Years Day 10k walk in aid of Irish Cancer Society will start from New Quay Church at 12 30pm. Register at 12noon. Clare Hurling Manager Davy Fitzgerald will open the walk. Refreshments in school afterwards
Kilbeacanty 8k turkey run takes place on St Stephens’s day starting at 1.30 from McCarthy’s
All proceeds go to Gort Cancer Support Group and Galway Hospice
Entry €10 on the day from 11.30 to 1.15 or visit www.turkeyrun.ie
The Lisdoonvarna People of the Year Awards are taking place next Friday 30th December to celebrate those who volunteer in the community – funds raised going to North Clare Sports and Amenity Park Debt Reduction
Sean Collins, Sixmilebridge native and President, Irish Vintage Engine & Tractor Association had a word ahead of the Sixmilebridge Tractor Bog Run in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital on Tuesday 27th December
John Underhill of Burren Vets joined John in studio to answer your pet and livestock queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
The Morning Focus team wish all of our listeners a very Peaceful Christmas and all the best for 2012!
