On Friday's Edition of Morning Focus with Marian Egan
The Transport Minister Paschal Donohue has unveiled new rural road signs and "urban slow zones" in housing estates. These residential areas will have their speed limits reduced to 30 kilometres per hour, while further rules later this year will give the option of a 20 kilometre limit. The Minister says the decision on whether this occurs, and where, will lie with Councils.The new guidelines also include changes for rural roads, meaning that drivers in those areas can decide what speed to use when driving on narrow lanes from today.
Barry Keating is the Road Safety Officer Clare County Council, he joined Morning Focus to outline what these new guidelines mean and Clare County Council's role in implementing them. Marian also spoke to Rita Malone from Clonlara and a campaigner with Ireland Unites to Support Jakes Legacy – Clare Division who want to see a mandatory 20kmh set for housing estates.
President Michael D Higgins visits County Clare
Mary Cleary is the Principle of Rockmount National School, where President Higgins was due to visit today at 2 PM. The School is celebrating 150 years in existence this year; to mark the occasion the students produced a book titled “Stepping Stones” documenting memories, stories, receipes and advice from their parents and past pupils of Rockmount – they presented Pres. Higgins with a copy.
Carmel Honan, Principle St. Flannan’s College spoke ahead of the president's first stop to St. Flannan's College this morning. Raised in a farmhouse at Ballycar, Newmarket-on -Fergus, Co Clare, the President was educated at St Flannan’s College from 1955 to 1960, spending two years as a boarder and three as a day boy, which involved a 16-mile round trip by bikes. Carmel explained that students were really excited to see a ‘celebrity’ visit their school.
President Higgins officially opened The Kilfenora Ceili Band Parlour at The Burren Centre, Kilfenora at 5p.m today – this is a new multi purpose space that has been created to showcase the band’s music and history. The Kilfenora Ceili Band Parlour will take you on a journey of discovery through the times, people and culture of this internationally renowned band. Frances Connole is the Manager The Burren Centre and said the band were to greet the President and his wife to Kilfenora this evening.
Also while in Miltown Malbay this afternoon, President Michael D. Higgins was to officially open a new Lifesaving Training Centre at White Strand, Miltown Malbay. The centre will train Lifeguards and the general public in Irish Water Safety’s syllabus for swimming, water survival and rescue skills that save lives from drowning. Brendan MacGrath Clare Water Safety Member said there was huge efforts put in over the last few weeks ahead of the President's visit and it was an honour to have him officially open the centre.
Morning Focus Friday Panel
Our panel of three guests from around the county join us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories. This Weeks Panel included: Birgitta Curtin Burren Smokehouse Co-Owner Lisdoonvarna, Peter O Connell News, features and Sports journalist Clare Champion and Sarah Ferrigan Development Officer Clare Women’s network
Weekend Events
“The Banner Transformation Cycle to the Cats” taking place this Saturday March 21st. Group of 22 leaving Cusack Park at 7.30am on 152KM cycle to Nowlan Park Kilkenny, staying over and for the game on Sunday. All proceeds to Banner GAA Club and Slainte an Clar Cancer Centre Kilnamona. Conor McNulty is the founder of the cycle and joined forces with the Banner GAA club, he spoke to Marian about the event.
Table quiz at The Grove Roslevan, Ennis on this Friday at 8.30PM, in aid of helping raise funds toward a second Bumbleance – An interactive Ambulance service for sick children – Set up by the Hefferen Family in Kerry who loss both their children to Battens Disease. The Bumbleance is ran by Lifeline ambulance company and Pat Kileen is a driver for Enable Ireland in Clare and got involved with Bumbleance through fundraising last year; an ambulance push from Dingle to Dublin, he told Marian all about this special service.
Spanish Point Golf Club ‘The Kube’ Event taking place in the Community Hall Miltown Malbay this Saturday night March 21st with a number of special appearances including Podge Collins. There will be a number of Charities benefiting from the event. The event based on the Popular TV Show The Cube presented by Philip Schofield – each contestant are set a number of challenges, each more difficult as you move up. Mervin Hehir is the Chair of the Organising Committee, he spoke to Marian about the event.
