On today’s Morning Focus a Clare team who set new land speed records in Wales joined us in studio, we heard from Rosie Foley who swam the Straits of Gibraltar and finished the show with this weeks Ask the Vet segment.
James Toft along with his wife Imogene (both based in Kilkishen) and their friend Patrick Kelly, who have all worked in Ennis for the last 20 years, went to the Pendine Sands in Wales last week. They took a total of six records back to Clare! While James took to two wheels, Imogene is now officially the fastest woman on four wheels on sand, for cars of her category, and Patrick set a new record on his ‘Seemog Buggy’. James, Imogen and Patrick joined Gavin in studio today to chat about their achievements.
Listen back to the interview below:
After revealing yesterday (Tue, Sept 24) that the Local Property Tax for Clare homeowners is to increase by 15%, we were inundated with messages from our listeners and it’s safe to say that the vast majority who got in touch were annoyed and angry about the hike. It’s an issue that split FF members of Clare County Council, but it’s also one which CEO Pat Dowling insists will enable a better service to be delivered to rural dwellers. Cllr Pat Burke, FG member of Killaloe MD and Cllr Ian Lynch, Ind member of West Clare MD, joined Gavin on air to discuss this topic further.
Rosie Foley, from Killaloe, has just braved ocean waters where the current can reach up to five-and-a-half kilometres per hour to complete what is seen as one of the biggest challenges for open water swimmers. Rosie Foley swam the 22 km crossing on Tuesday in support of CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. A charity which is very close to her and her family. She tweeted after yesterday’s crossing to say that the charity has helped her family in their most difficult times since the loss of her brother Anthony Foley to a heart condition in October 2016.
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Maria Wood is a singing teacher from Ennistymon who specialises in teaching beginner singers. Maria spoke to Gavin about how she’s looking to help people who may feel too nervous to sing as she offered some encouragement via the radio.
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a condition we have discussed on Morning Focus a number of times. It’s a disease that makes it hard to empty air out of your lungs because of airflow obstruction. This can result in shortness of breath or tiredness because you are working harder to breathe. It’s believed that up to 200-thousand people in this country may have the condition – many of them without their knowledge. More information can be found on www.copd.ie. here’s a very active support group here in Clare and they’re holding a fundraiser next Saturday (Sept 28) in Ennis at Cois na hAbhna. James Gallagher, the organiser of this event, joined Gavin on air alongside Eoin O’ Neill and The Fiddle Case to tell us more about the event. Eoin and the band plays a couple of songs, including a fantastic rendition of Spancil Hill.
Also, a weekly exercise class takes places every Thursday at 12.30 pm in Cois na hAbhna, Gort Rd, Ennis. All are welcome, contact James to get involved.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 086 3395015
To finish up Morning Focus today, John Underhill of Burren Vets joined Gavin on-air for this weeks Ask the Vet segment. John spoke to Gavin about the topic of amputees.
Listen back below:
