On Friday's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
Today is the day of the Referendum vote, to mark this Pat Wallace the County Registrar spoke to Clare Fms Fiona Cahill to outline what happens during the Referendum Voting, what people are being asked to do and what happens with the Vote Count on Saturday.
Melissa Purcell from Barefield spoke to John next about her late father fondly known as Buddy Purcell who passed away in January 2012 at the age of 67 from a Brain Aneurysm. Melissa explains that he was someone who was always going out of his way to help people and because of this and the fact he was a fit and healthy man Melissa and her family decided to donate his organs – Buddy's kidneys were donated to one woman whose family were long time sufferers of Kidney disease and since she received the donation, another of her family members received a kidney donation – something, this lady believes it is a continuation of Buddy's good luck. For Melissa and her family Sunday is a special day as the Clare Branch of the Irish Kidney Association hold their annual Mass of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Ennis Cathedral – For Families of deceased organ donors and Transplant recipients.
Fidelma Mooney Chairperson of Clare Dyslexia Association and Rory Morahan a.k.a. The Druid Chef both joined us in studio to highlight a special event taking place in the West County Hotel tonight where Rory is going to cook up a storm for Clare People all in support of the Clare Dyslexia Association
Fidelma is a Mother to Nadine (14) and Dylan (11) who are both dyslexic. Fidelma explained how like she did, many parents panic when they find out their child has learning difficulties, but the that there are many ways to overcome the obstacles dyslexia present. She and Rory (who is also dyslexic) explain that it is about shifting the focus to children's creative side and coming up with alternative ways to learn, besides reading and writing. Rory established his flare for food and cooking as a result of this and the Clare branch of the Dyslexic association hold monthly Creative Clubs.
In other weekend events . . .
Matthew Griffin the Chairman of Riverside Cycling Ennistymon spoke to us ahead of the 3rd Annual Fundraising Event – Walk, Run and Cycle on Sunday from 10am at the Community Centre in aid 3 locl charities – Friends of Ennistymon Hospital, Ennistymon tidy towns and Slainte an Chlàr Kilnemona. Full Details at riversidecycling.com.
Mary O'Brien, Ballyvaughan – Clare Burren Marathon Challenge Event Organiser spoke to us ahead of The 8th annual Clare Burren Marathon which takes place on Saturday May 23rd May – Full / half marathon or 10k routes optional – taking in the hills and the Burren Terrain – starting at The Pier Ballyvaughan at 9am on Saturday. The money raised is going to approx. 15 difference charities with majority of them local.
Our panel of three guests from around the county join us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories which include the Royal Visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camille to the West of Ireland, including his visit to the Burren and a look ahead to the weekend's sporting action with a double heather of Clare VS Limerick in the Senior Football and Hurling Championships.
Our guests this week were Gearoid Howard of Crimmins Howard Solicitors, Shannon, Dr. Sharon Parr Project Scientist with Burren Life and Noel Crowley Former Clare Librarian and Local History enthusiast and Former member of the Arts council. Before the Panel finished up, Clare FM's sporting expert Derrick Lynch joined the discussion to outline some predictions for the weekends sports.
Theresa Hennessy from Ennis joined us ahead of her trip to Nepal this week to see her daughter Melanie who has been there since before the earthquake devastated the country. Melanie is a young doctor who has set up an orphanage in a district outside of the capital, Kathmandu. Theresa is appealing to local Pharmacies and shops for donations of medical supplies to take out / send out to Melanie and her team. Michael Hennessy from Ennis is the leader of "In the Mood" and Ennis Cathedral Choir Director. In the Mood are hosting a fund raising event tonight in aid of Melanie Hennessy's charity Draoicht NUIG at the Old Ground Hotel from 10.30pm. Michael joined us in studio also and brought along a recording of local singer and band member Helen Catherine Ball singing “At Last” by Etta James.
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