Morning Focus began with cutbacks to the Shannondoc services. As you'll have heard on our News service, it's claimed a new service being rolled out in Kilrush, won't be enough to meet the out-of-hours GP needs of West Clare. A video-based remote doctor service will be introduced, allowing Shannondoc to open from 8pm until 10pm from Monday to Friday. This will be supported by an on-duty doctor in Miltown Malbay from 6pm to 8am. Among the concerns raised are the capacity of broadband in the area to support the service and possible restrictions on under-6s. Gavin was joined by Dr Pat Morrissey, Chairperson of Shannondoc.
The conversation continued when Dr Billy O’Connell from Miltown Malbay joined Gavin on the line.
Media reports this week tell us that Hillary Clinton came so close to winning the US Presidential Election that she had planned to deliver her victory speech beneath a symbolic glass ceiling. As we now know, that didn't come to pass and having a first female president of America still seems some way off. There's widespread disappointment among the organisations who've been campaigning to bring more women into politics – among them the National Women's Council of Ireland. Gavin was joined on the line by the organisation's director, Orla O'Connor.
An awareness day to highlight the challenges faced by premature babies and their families takes place next week. Thursday, November 18 is World Prematurity Day. In advance of that, the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA) will today (Fri. Nov. 11) launch an advice guide for parents. Gavin spoke with Deirdre Kirby from Ennis who has first-hand experience.
This week, an Australian financial service, based in Shannon, began to offer mortages to Irish customers. Pepper Ireland had started to roll out mortgage services at the start of the year, but until now they had only been available through its network of brokers. The company also unveiled a new retail consumer brand "Pepper Money", which will support the roll-out of additional loan products – including personal and car loans, equipment finance and credit cards – in the coming months. Gavin was joined on the line by Barry Delaney, Head of Sales & Marketing at Pepper Money.
We then had our weekly Arts Round-Up with Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare Conty Arts Officer. Events this week were:
Poetry
Friday – Launch of poetry Book in Ennistymon
Visual Arts
2 exhibitions in Killaloe
Exhibition in Galway by Marie Connole
Music
Friday – Sonamus in Glor
Ennis Trad Festival (Quick Mention) and mention specifically Music Generation Bus and Trad4Teens
Saturday – Martin Hayes in Kilkee
Theatre
Saturday in glor – Have a heart – Seamus Moran
Now we’ve an exciting event for you here taking place here in Ennis. Remembering one of Ireland’s most beloved singer-song writers – Christie Hennessy – is legendary broadcaster and entertainer Aonghus McAnally. He’ll be playing at the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick next Thursday, November 17 and at Glór the following Thursday November 24. Aonghus joined Gavin live in studio.
We then had our Friday Panel. Guests this week were Gearoid Howard, Solicitor at Crimmins Howard Solicitors, Shannon, Patricia McCarthy, Former Mayor of Clare and Ger O’Halloran, Business man, (Abbey Stores) Quin. Topics discussed were the US election, what this means for women in politics, overcrowding at UHL and is Christmas coming too early?
Morning Focus finished up with a look at the Ennis Trad festival and had some live music from Blackie O’Connell on the uilleann pipes and Seamus McMahon on the fiddle.
