On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined on the line by Bunratty based Eoin Gavin,
President of the Irish Road Haulage Association
Despite on-going negotiations with the Department of Finance working group, the Association’s AGM – taking place this Saturday in Bunratty – promises to be an emotive event given the financial pressure road haulage operators are under with the ever escalating cost of fuel
The Association is continuing to engage with the Department of Finance working group with a view to implementing an essential user fuel rebate (EUR) for the tax compliant, licensed sector of the industry coupled with proposals for an equalisation of the fuel duty rate applied to green diesel
While negotiations to date have been positive and the process is still on-going, the number of haulage operators who have ceased trading continues to grow month on month.
There was some good news for Clare’s turfcutters on Wednesday night after a private members motion form the Technical Group in support of turfcutters in Special Areas of Conservation was passed in the Dáil
The motion succeeded after Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan withdrew the Government’s amendment to it
Under the EU directive 53 raised bogs across the country including here in Clare are closed to cutting
To conincide with Wednesday night’s vote 15 hundred turfcutters including some from County Clare protested outside the Dail
Members of the Clare Turfcutters and Contractors Association- who were present at Leinster House
Carmel Haugh, Secretary of the Clare Turf Cutters and Contractors Association,Padraic Haugh, Chairman of the Clare Turf Cutters and Contractors Association and Willie Hanrahan, a landowner beside Tullaher Bog had a word with John about their campaign.
This year is marks the 50th anniversary of the CBS Harty Cup win
On 26th of March 1962 over 10,000 people attended that final that took place between St Flannan’s v CBS
Michael Hanrahan was part of the CBS winning team – it was the only time in the history of the Brothers CBS that they won the title
To commemorate the event they are looking for team members of the 1962 winning Harty Cup team to contact Louis Mulqueen or Colm Flynn
They are trying to jolt people’s memory of the event and organise a gathering – and are trying to include the St Flannan’s team too
Contact Michael on 087 357 9358.
Brendain MecFhionnghaile of an Clar as Gaeilge had the latest results from Feile na hInse 2012.
The Burren Ecotourism Network hosted a regional seminar on the theme of Creativity and Product Development in Ecotourism. 3 international guest speakers of considerable standing in ecotourism circles presented their experiences and vision for ecotourism in Ireland and internationally
She is happy to contribute as one of the newer aspirant members of BEN involved in the training and mentoring programme for Ecotourism Ireland accreditation
John spoke with Deborah Evers of the Burren Ecotourism Network and Mary Mulvey – CEO – Ecotourism Ireland who said Clare is oozing potential- have to attract a different type of tourist- a tourist who wishes to spend more time in Clare than just a day at the Cliffs of Moher
She is here in Clare this week training
She outlined the development of the Burren Ecotourism Network and its significance to Co. Clare, the launch of the Ecotourism Ireland Label and the development of an eco tourism approach to the management of tourism in areas of unique natural environment
Mary was involved in the ‘Green Box’ on the Sligo Leitrim border
The President of Ireland, M. D. Higgins, has been asked to launch the eco tourism accreditation label
It is likely that this will happen in the Burren region or at Aras an Uachtarain within the next couple of months
Orla Vaughan of Kilfenora Hostel and Peter Hynes of Aloha Surf, Fanore – that offers surfing at Fanore and sea kayaking at Ballyvaughan – had a word about business.
www.burrenecotourism.com
The Clare Oral History and Folklore Group are holding a public lecture in Kilbaha Community Hall this evening that will explore the blind storyteller, Bríd Ui Choisteala
Bríd Ui Choisteala was once recognised as one of the finest tradition bearers in Ireland
However over time Bríd has largely fallen from social memory
Críóstóir Mac Cárthaigh from the Department of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin is delivering the public lecture on Brid Ui Choisteala in Kilbaha tonight – he spoke with John
According to Tomás Mac Conmara of Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the lack of awareness of Bríd Ui Choisteala’s depth as a storyteller, is reflective of the broader neglect of women as tradition bearers.
VSO is an international development charity that recruits professional volunteers and places them overseas to work in some of the world’s poorest countries. Placements with VSO are long-term generally 1-2 years and currently Irish VSO volunteers are working in over 33 countries worldwide
They have already attracted a large number of teachers from Clare schools who are taking early retirement in line with the Croke Park Agreement These early retirees still have a lot to offer and would be ideal candidates as VSO volunteers due to the years of experience they have built up in the education sector
Malcolm Quigley, Director of VSO had a word with John to say they are currently seeking retired teachers from Clare
www.vso.ie or call 01 6401060.
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