Morning Focus – Thursday August 11, 2016

Morning Focus began by discussing how criminal gangs targeting farms may be using 'insider information' supplied by people posing as agricultural service providers.

That's according to a major farming organisation who believe that recent robberies involved tip-offs to criminals from people who called to farms posing as agricultural service providers. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) says the issue is so serious that it may necessitate Garda vetting for those visiting farms – including Department officials. **ICSA, in association with Waterford Institute of Technology, is currently conducting a study on rural crime on Irish farms. Farmers are urged to log on to [http://www.icsaireland.ie Seamus Sherlock ICSA Rural Development Chairman spoke to Pat.

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Burren celebrates volunteer spirit Environmentalist and television presenter Duncan Stewart will launch a celebration of conservation volunteers in the Burren this weekend. The very first Working for Wellbeing of People and Place event will recognise active conservation volunteering and look at how best to work together for the benefit of our community, our environment and ourselves. *The event will be held in Corofin tomorrow (Fri., Aug. 12) and Saturday and in the ultimate learning landscape, the Burren. Brigid Barry Burrenbeo Trust Conservation Volunteer.

 The countdown is on to the second annual Enterprise Ireland International Business Women’s Conference which will be held in conjunction with the Rose of Tralee International Festival (it's almost that time of year again!) on August 22 at the Brandon Hotel in Tralee. Enterprise Ireland is calling on the business women of Clare to join them and the line-up of 29 expert speakers who are set to take to the podium. Among the 27 of Ireland’s leading business women and entrepreneurs will be singer Eleanor McEvoy and Norah Casey from Dragons’ Den. The event will celebrate the business achievements and success stories of women today under the conference theme ‘The Changing Face of Success’ focussing on strong female role models leading by example and empowering women to fulfil their ambitions. Sarita Johnston Enterprise Ireland.

Clare lifeguards travel to Holland on National Lifesaving Team 7 Clare lifeguards are on the National Surf Lifesaving Team travelling to Holland for the World Lifesaving Championships this September. The International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) is the world authority in the global effort to prevent drowning and works with national lifesaving organisations to improve drowning prevention and water safety. With 7 out of the 22 on the National team being from Clare, Clare Water Safety want to highlight that the people of Clare are in safe hands with these talented and skilful lifeguards working in the county. Bernard Cahill Lifeguard Clare McGrath Water Safety Development Officer with Clare County Council came into studio and discussed the event with Pat.

 Melbourne Rose A Clare woman will represent Melbourne at this year's Rose Of Tralee. Meghan Griffin from Ennis works at Monash University as an Events & Alumni Relations Manager. She's home in Ireland to take part in the Rose event in Tralee which gets underway on August 22. It's been a hectic few days for Meghan who's been involved in advance filming for television and special charity events, including one in Clarecastle last night (for Pieta House and Cahercalla Hospice). Meghan's taken time out to join Pat in studio.

Round-up of arts events Readings: Lecture and Book Launch by Gearoid O’hAllmhurain in the Old Ground Saturday MUXZ (pronounced Music I think?) in Ballyvaughan Tuesday: Book Lunch by Pat Liddy – The history of Cois na hábhna Visual Arts

Sunday Spinning demonstration in Cragganowen Fleadh exhibitions – Clare Crafts / Ciara Malone / Christy McNamara / Finn Harper Music Sunday Harp Concert – Querrin Tues & Weds Riches of Clare – Ennistymon & Mountshannon Weds Grainne Hunt – Ennis Concert in Miltown Malbay Kids activities Tues & Weds Traditional Singing Workshops in Ennis Weds Film – Kilkee – The Spiderwick Chronicles Weds & Thurs Alan Nolan – Comic Artist Áine NÍ Ghlinn – Poetry & Storytelling Siobhan Mulcahy.

This year's Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is already being called The Fleadh Down in Ennis, though the original Fleadh down in Ennis was sixty years ago, and of course was famously immortalised by Robbie McMahon in his famous song of that name. The Fleadh also returned to Ennis in 197x, and those events are being remembered fondly as we build up to the festival next week. Clare FM's Gavin Grace has been speaking with some of those who were there in '56 and '77.