Morning Focus began with the issue of job creation – and retention – in Clare which is in the spotlight now as we spoke to Clare FG TD and Minister of State for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen. Recent weeks haven't brought good news on that front with the impending loss of 37 jobs at Loyalty Build in Ennis. And, of course, the winding down of the Roche plant in Clarecastle is a devastating blow to the region. While the IDA defends its record on job growth in the Midwest, the bulk of new positions are in Limerick. On the plus side, we're told that small to medium enterprises are creating employment, with strong results from initiatives like the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Pat spoke with Dep Pat Breen, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business.
Our next guest got in touch with the show about a very recent experience with the health care system. After her father suffered an injury to his hand, he ended up in University Hospital Galway. It's a centre of excellence for plastic surgery and the right place for him – however he arrived there four hours after the accident, a factor which may have comprised his outcome. He'd first been taken to University Hospital Limerick, before being transferred to Galway. Over the last 9 days, he was prepped for surgery five times. Four times, the operation was cancelled at the last minute. He finally had graft surgery yesterday (Thurs. Oct. 20). Carol says that while the medical care was second-to-none, the system, in her experience, is deeply flawed. Carol joined Pat on the line to tell the harrowing tale.
We then had an interview with Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed who is to open the new Liffey Mills outlet in Ballymalley.
As the late, great Anthony 'Axel' Foley is laid to rest, huge numbers have been making their way to his native Killaloe to pay their respects. The outpouring of grief has been enormous ahead of the funeral Mass at 12noon. Pat was joined on the line by Eugene Hogan, spokesperson for the Foley and Hogan families.
We then had our arts round-up with Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer:
Film
Friday
On a Clare Day – Glór
Music
Friday-Sunday
Bunratty Bluegrass Festival
*Saturday
Traditional Singing Circle in Glór
Concert in Carrigoran
Luka Bloom – Glór
Cormac Begley & Rushad Eggleton – Kilkee
Raw Bar Collective – Corofin
Visual Arts
*Saturday
Helen Lowe in Ennis
*Thursday
Kicking the Bucket – Ennistymon
*Friday
Keith Cullen – Shannon
The next guest on the show had a very unusual gift. And, as far as she's aware, she's unique in being able to communicate with our feathered-friend, the crow. Ennistymon-native Rena Chapman says she can intuitively communicate to help injured or lost crows. Listeners in the Lahinch area may know her shop, the Crow's Feather, where she sells her hand-crafted jewellery. Rena will also be appearing at this year's Mind, Body, Spirit and Wellbeing Festival in the RDS in Dublin. Rena Chapman, Crow Whisperer, Artisan Jewellery Maker, joined Pat on the line.
We then had our Friday Panel. Joining Pat this week were Roisín Garvey, An Taisce Green Schools Coordinator and Irish Language Officer for the Green Party, Martin Waldron, Craigmore House Burren Escape and Burren Ecotourism Network, and Patrick O’Neill, Filmmaker and Former Executive with Allergen. Topics discussed this week were Anthony Foley, Teachers and Garda union strikes, the final Trump – Clinton Debate and the Creepy Clown Craze.
We then had an interview with Socks in the Frying Pan, a trio of talented Clare traditional musicians who have launched their new album ‘Socks in the Frying Pan’. The lads – Shane Hayes, Aodan Coyne and Fiachra Hayes – joined Clare FM’s Joan Hanrahan on the West Wind.
