Morning Focus – Wednesday 19/07/17

Pic Arthur Ellis.

The midweek edition of Morning Focus looked at a range of topics from controversy over greenways to a look ahead to Midwest Simon’s annual charity sleep-out.

The show opened with a discussion with ICSA Rural Development Chair Seamus Sherlock about the development of cycling and pedestrian routes through farmland. The ICSA is calling for greater consultation with farmers over greenways.

Pat was then joined on the line by Dr John Hillery a psychiatrist from Spanish Point, representing the Royal College of Physicians. He told Pat about new research showing huge support for curbs on the advertising of alcohol – particularly that which targets children. Listen back below:

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The issue of knotweed is a big one in the Banner county, costing huge sums of money to eradicate and threatening major development projects. Ahead of a series of workshops for members of the public (encouraging people to report sightings of knotweed), Pat was joined in studio by Dr Frances Giaquinto, a botanist and ecologist. Listen back below:

As Midwest Simon prepare for their charity sleep-out later this year, Jackie Bonfield called to studio with Munster rugby hooker, Duncan Casey. Listen back below:

Liam O’Brien, an author from Ennis, joined Pat next in studio to talk about his new book for children, ‘Grandad’s Irish Farm Holiday’. Listen back below:

The show rounded off with a chat with artist Catherine Ireton, the creator of ‘In Good Hands’, a show which saw glór, Ennis, transformed into a hair salon offering ‘virtual haircuts’. Listen back below: