On today’s edition of Morning Focus we heard from President Michael D. Higgins. Clare FM’s John Cooke was in attendance at yesterday’s presidential visit to Clare. The President of Ireland says he deeply appreciates the civic reception held in his honour at Aras Chontae an Chlair, describing it as a great honour and privilege. Addressing the county’s elected members today Michael D. Higgins spoke of his family ties to the county which he told those present – date back to almost time immemorial. The Newmarket on Fergus man recounted his childhood memories in the county, that his experiences here during his formidable years, remain with him still and described the county as unique with possibilities. Following the civic reception the President was bound for Scarrif to visit the Irish Seedsavers Seed Bank Facility and mark the 25th anniversary of the East Clare Community Co-Op. Michael D. Higgins highlighted the importance of the many music events across Clare including The Scarrif Harbour Festival and Willie Clancy and paid tribute to the many musical talents that have emerged here. Later in the programme we also heard from John Higgins from Ballycar and Kathleen Lyons from Shannon – Brother and sister of Michael D. Higgins. They spoke of their pride on his achievements and the pride their parents would feel on President Higgins accomplishments to date.
Noel Murphy is a Teacher at Ballycar National School in Newmarket on Fergus. All 51 pupils and staff of the school visiting Aras an Uachtarain today for a reception with Michael D. Higgins. They will be greeted by the Aide de Camp at 2.30 before being joined by the president for a 20 minute meeting followed by refreshments and a tour of the Aras. Noel described how excited everyone is and what a unique and memorable day it will be for students and teachers alike.
Michael McNamara, Labour TD from Scariff and Joe Carey, Fine Gael TD from Clareacstle joined Morning Focus to discuss their reaction to Mick Wallace’s statement to the Dail last evening. The Independent TD for Wexford says it was cash-flow problems and aggressive and inflexible banks which led his company M&J Wallace Ltd. to under declare VAT. The Independent TD for Wexford addressed the Dail over his tax affairs last evening after admitting last week that his company had underpaid VAT and was unlikely to pay a 2.1 million euro settlement with Revenue. Deputy Wallace says he was wrong and has apologised to those who thought better of him, in particular the people of Wexford. He says is now taking steps to ensure that half of his Dail salary will go directly to the taxman to pay off what’s owed. This week also saw Michael McNamara being elected to the National Executive of the Labour Party by its Parliamentary Party. He spoke of the honour he feels at being elected to the role.
Mary P Lynch is Principal of Kilbaha National School. She joined John Cooke on the show to talk about her school’s 50th year anniversary which is being marked this evening at 7.30pm. The school opened in 1962 when Tom Keating was principal. Mary P Lynch is the current principal of the 39-pupil school and is a past pupil.
Marian Harkin, MEP for the North West region (including Co. Clare) joined the show ahead of her visit to Ennis today where she’ll officially launch the new revamped Caring for Carers website – www.caringforcarers.ie. She also discussed her recent visit to St. Cuan’s National School in Kilbaha. She says the students made a most impressive presentation of their work which reflected very much on the standard of the teaching imparted by Principal Mary P Lynch and her colleague Ciana Callanan. While on Friday and Saturday last Marian met with representatives of the Doonbeg Fishermen’s Association to discuss badly needed development at Doonbeg Pier. She heard that extensive plans had been approved to help develop the pier as an angling centre which would be geared to substantially increasing the tourism footprint in the area.
Joe McCooey of Doolin Heritage Committee spoke to Morning Focus about the inaugural Doolin Heritage Weekend, which is being held this Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June. Talks on archaeology of the Burren, conservation and built heritage will be held in the Russell Cultural Centre Doolin this weekend, commencing at 10.15am on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday. In what promises to be an interesting and informative weekend, the keynote speaker Dr. Peter Harbison will give a talk on ‘12th-Century Pilgrimage in the Burren’ and Christine Grant of the National Monuments Service will speak on “Archaeology and everyday life, finding the right balance.
Nicola Wood, Organiser of the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk also discussed tomorrow’s walk.
Record numbers set to take part. For those already registered – you are invited to collect your race number and official pink ribbon t-shirt in the ballroom of the Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe between 7-9pm on Friday 15th June 2012, and 10:30 to 12:00 on Saturday 16th June. There will be late registrations (extra fee) at these times also.
John O’Connell, Organiser of this weekend’s Estuary 120 gave listeners details of this weekend’s event. The Estuary 120, which will take place on Saturday 16th June 2012, is a 120km cycle in West Clare which will bring riders from Labasheeda westwards to Carrigaholt before returning to Labasheeda along the Shannon Estuary, passing through Kilmurry McMahon, Kilmihil, Cree, Doonbeg, Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Kilrush, Cappa, Killimer and Knock. Entry is €20. There is also a shorter 55km route available for the less adventurous which takes in Labasheeda, Kilmurry McMahon, Cooraclare, Kilrush, Cappa, Killimer and Knock. Registration on the day starts at 8.30am while the cycle itself will start at 10am. For more details please visit www.estuary120.com
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email the show at [email protected] or text – Clare Fm followed by your message to 53030
