The death has taken place of the former chairman of the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee and well known local activist Peadar McNamara
A former President of the Clare Council of Trade Unions, Mr McNamara was from Inch, and taught at Ennis Community College for over 30 years
He died following a illness at his home in Inch on Wednesday evening
On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Michael Corley, Former Clare Labour Party Councillor who knew Peadar since the 1970s; Dermot Hayes, People with Disabilities in Ireland who knew Peadar since 1974 through his involvement with the Council of Trade Unions and Brian Meaney, Green Party Councillor and Member of Ennis General Hospital Development Committee
Labour Deputy Michael McNamara also paid tribute to Peadar, and Maura Ui Dhonnchadha, Chairperson of the Ennis Singers’ Club paid tribute on their behalf
Peadar and Philip Brennan founded the Ennis Singers Club fifteen years ago
Maurea said the club endured because of Peadar’s tenacity and drive
Peadar was 67 years of age over the Summer and is survived by his wife Mary and his children are Salvadore, Keir, Eleonora, Rosa, Paula and Rebecca
He taught Art/Craft and Design to second level and adult students at Ennis Community College for 33 years
He studied at Limerick School of Art, and did further studies in London
Peadar and his family did the frieze at the back of the church in Kilmaley for the Millennium
In January 2008 Peadar McNamara stepped down as Chairman of the Ennis General Hospital Development Committee and joined me on Clare FM’s Morning Focus to encourage others to get involved in the campaign to protect local health services. In this archive audio extract – I asked Peadar whether he felt the hospital committee in Ennis had made progress over the years
Peadar McNamara was also a vocal campaigner for men’s health issues, speaking out locally and nationally after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer – Also in January 2008 – Peadar joined me in studio as we discussed prostate cancer and the need for greater awareness among men – in this archive audio extract – Peadar reflected on his own personal experience
Peadar McNamara will repose at Daly’s Mortuary Chapel, Francis Street, Ennis this evening from 5pm with removal at 7.30pm to St John The Baptist Church, Kilmaley
Funeral Mass on Saturday at 11.30am
Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery
House private, please
Family flowers only
Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice
Have your say on the www.clare.fm online poll
How should the government deal with Child Benefit in the upcoming budget?
• Tax it – 9%
• Means Test it – 57%
• Cut it- 12%
• Leave it untouched – 22%
An Ennis consultant psychiatrist has called on Government to add lithium salts to the public water supply in a bid to lower the suicide rate and depression among the general population
Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee made the comments at a public forum on Depression in Rural Ireland in Ennistymon last night
He said that there is growing scientific evidence that adding trace amounts of the drug lithium to a water supply can lower rates of suicide and depression” and quoted
Lithium is used by doctors as a mood stabiliser in the treatment for depression.
It has been tried out in Texas – and found to be quite helpful
Dr Bhamjee gave the reasoning behind this suggestion
The X-Factor Singing sensation Marty Byrne from Ballyfermot, Dublin joined John on the line for a word ahead of her visit to Ennis this weekend
Mary spoke about her new autobiography, This Is My Life, that has just been published
She rose to fame in 2010 after becoming a finalist on the seventh series of The X Factor
From a childhood in working class Dublin- when he family regularly had to pawn their nice things to make ends meet, Mary talks about her memories, the importance of her Faith to her, going from working in Tesco to performing on the X Factor, releasing an album and her dream coming true as she supported Neil Diamond in the Aviva in June
Mary Byrne will be in Ennis Book Shop between 2-3pm this Saturday
Crusheen captain Gerry O Grady has warned the Clare champions face a challenge in trying to repeat their opening day performance in the Munster final when they take on Na Piarsigh this Sunday
The Clare side rattled the Limerick outfit for long periods but failed to close out the game,losing a four point lead in the second half
The full forward also believes his side need to avoid a flat performance, one which he believes affects many sides in replays
2 PM THROW IN IN SEMPLE STADIUM – THURLES this Sunday and live coverage of Crusheen Vs na Pairsigh in the munster club hurling final replay is brought to you in association with Banner Carpets and Flooring quin Road Business Park Ennis
Catherine Brigdale, PRO of Crusheen GAA spoke witrh JOhn about how the community is feeling
They have a bus going to Thurles on Sunday- contact 086 825 1111 for more information.
The Christmas craft fair in the Templegate Hotel this Saturday and Sunday between 11 and 5pm – admission is free
This year Clare Crafts are asking you to support local enterprise when choosing your Christmas gift
There are about thirty craftspeople involved and there are more to join in the New Year
This is the second of their Christmas Craft Fairs – the first was in Bunratty last weekend
Ann Moloney of the Clare Craft Association explained
Aidan Courtney of the Ennis Bookshop joined John in studio to look at some of the popular books of the week
‘Flourishing’ a self-help book by Maureen Gaffney
‘My Story’ by Kenny Egan
‘You’ll Ruin Your Dinner’ (Sweet Memories of an Irish Childhood) a memoir of sweet shops of the 1940s by Damian Corless
If you have a story, query or comment for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
