On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Clare’s Oireachtas members are to be briefed today on plans for the future of Moneypoint, which – as we know, unfortunately include plans to make up to 100 staff redundant.
The current coal-burning operations at the station, near Kilrush, will cease by 2025, which has led to widespread fear for the future of the economy of West Clare.
Dr Michael Harty who will be meeting company representatives later this morning, has been voicing his shock at the situation, and says he will be seeking clarity from the ESB on the job losses today. He spoke to Gavin about what he wants to see happen.
From Doolin, Lorcan Shannon has his own own law practice, specialising in immigration law, based close to Times Square. Gavin visited him in New York recently, to get an insight into the issues faced by people, from Ireland and elsewhere, who are living illegally in the US.
Yesterday saw the launch of a revolutionary flight tracking technology right here in Clare. Aerion ALERT, as it is known, allows aviation experts to track planes right around the world, no matter where they are, all from their base at Ballygirreen near Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Up until now, just 30% of the surface of the earth was covered with these trackers and the hope would be that, now that this technology is up and running, there will be no more instances like the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 five years ago. Clare FM’s James Mulhall visited Ballygirreen for the launch and he spoke firstly with Seán Patrick, who manages the Irish Aviation Authority base there.
Shane Casey is the author of a number of lovely children’s books, which are produced in the Banner county and deal with all aspects of our wildlife and biodiversity. The books (‘Natures Incredible Adventures’ and ‘Nature’s Marvellous Adventures’) which are also dyslexia friendly will be signed at Clare Show on Sunday next and ahead of that, Shane, who is a former biodiversity officer, joined Gavin live in the studio.
The show grounds in Ennis will come alive this Sunday (July 14) as the Clare Agricultural Show gets under way. The show has been a key part of the county’s agricultural heritage for well over 100 years and attracts thousands of visitors from Clare and further afield. Joe Lillis who is the Chairperson of the Clare Show gave us an insight into what to expect from this years show.
Next Sunday will see the annual ceremony to commemorate the Battle of the Somme, take place at the Clare Peace Park in Ennis. This annual service remembers all those from Clare who died in WW1, especially those who died during the Somme offensives in 1916 where one million of the three million who took part in the battle were killed or wounded, making it one of the bloodiest battles in history.
The Peace Park committee will also launch a WW2 memorial later this year. A new panel will be manufactured in the coming weeks and the committee hope to have it in place for a dedication service in September this year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war’s start. Keir McNamara who is from the Clare Peace Park spoke to Gavin about important it is to remember those that have gone before us.
To end the show we were joined by our very own Brian Flynn to tell us of his ‘The Greatest Song You’ve Probably Never Heard’ and today it was Jody’s Corcoran, ‘Day’s Gonna Come’
