On Wednesday’s edition of Morning Focus, Gavin spoke with Irene Hamilton of Scattery Island Tours about a new 70 passenger ferry for the daily trips to the monastic island. It is hoped that the introduction of the new and larger ship will increase tourism in West Clare.
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To start the show, Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch, joined Gavin. Around 20% of people who apply for a driving test don’t show up for their appointment. The Road Safety Authority says this is having a major impact on waiting lists – which are as long as 12 weeks in some parts of the country.
Then, Gavin was joined by Michael Brennan, the Political Editor at the Sunday Business Post to update Morning Focus on topics that will emerge during the coming Dáil session.
Following that, there was discussion of a new a rent register showing the average price in your local area. It’s to be introduced in a bid to expose rip-off landlords. Jackie Bonfield who is the General Manager at Midwest Simon, discussed the new plan with Gavin.
Ireland’s drinking habit has become almost €1 billion-a-year headache, with vast sums of money lost on caring for problem drinkers. However, the cost of harmful drinking is only one measure of the damage caused. A new report lays bare the hidden misery of dealing with problem drinking from the perspective of those left to pick up the pieces. Eunan McKinney, Head of Communications and Advocacy at Alcohol Action Ireland, spoke with Gavin about the issue.
There’s been a lot of talk about plastics, and their damage on the environment in recent times. As part of the plastic free initiative, Kinvara is going plastic-free for a week. Gavin chatted about the movement with Helen Lane of Plastic-Free Week in Kinvara.
Ennis is set to host the Munster Fleadh in July. While not on the same scale as the All-Ireland Fleadh, the Munster Fleadh is the biggest of the provincial fleadhanna and will draw a large number of competitors, musicians and visitors for a week long event from the July 15-23. Mícheál Ó Riabhaigh Secretary, of the Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan and Joe Arkins, chatted about the festival in studio.
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After that, Gavin spoke about Turas na mBan which is a female only cycle sportive run by Clare Ladies Cycling Club. Phil Spellissy who is the Chairperson of the Clare Ladies Cycling Club and Deirdre O’Connell, Turas Co-Ordinator, were welcomed into the studio by Gavin as they talked about the event.
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Glór gallery comes alive this spring with a gloriously fresh exhibition of new work. On Friday the 13th of April, Moments, an exuberant and beautifully uplifting exhibition by leading Irish printmaker, Gráinne Cuffe was opened to the public.
To round off the show, Gavin hosted the ‘Ask the Vet’ segment with John Underhill of the Burren Vets in Ennistymon.
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