On Monday's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
A new study has found that farmers rarely discuss personal problems. The research by the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy shows that a quarter of farmers would have difficulty talking about stress or depression, compared with 14 per cent of people living in urban areas. Only seven per cent of farmers say they would speak to a doctor and many said they had no one to discuss their problems with at all. Gavin spoke with the Chairman of the Clare IFA, Andrew Dundass as well as Shane Kelly, a spokesperson for IACP who was involved in this research project.
Kilrush has been victorious in the international Entente Florale competition. Gavin was joined by Paul Edson, the Chairman of the Kilrush Tidy Towns. The West Clare town represented Ireland in the 'Village' category of the Europe-wide contest, which rewards the "green and pleasant" environments of participating towns. Kilrush, which was named as Ireland's Tidiest Small Town in last year's Tidy Towns competition, had been up against other towns in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia. John Corry
Administrative Officer with Clare County Council and local co-ordinator of the Entente Florale, says the win gives recognition to the huge effort put in by the local community.
THE historic Georgian architecture of Bindon Street in Ennis has been honoured by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), under the administration of the department, has named Bindon Street in Ennis its Building of the Month for August. Gavin Grace met with Risteard Ua Cróinín, architectural conservation officer, Clare County Council.
Next on to talk to on the Morning Focus show was Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications of Age Action. He spoke about the priorities Age Action has for this years budget. They plan to increase the State Pension by €5, increase the Living Alone Allowance by €2.40, to restore the Telephone Allowance over the next two budgets, an additional €26 million for Home Help Service and additional €7 million for 550 Home Care Packages.
On this week's Garda Focus, Garda Brendan Keane from Ennis Garda Station joined Gavin. He is appealing for your help in solving recent local crime.
Mid West Simon are asking people to come out in force to show their support for people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Tracy Reddy, the Team Leader Midwest Simon Community and Geraldine Clancy, the Fundraising and Marketing Executive / Mid West Simon Community spoke about the inaugural three day walk along the Clare coastline. The country is in the midst of the worst homelessness crisis since the founding of the State. The homeless support charity, Mid West Simon, urgently needs help in order to maintain its vital services for families who are homeless or who are in danger of becoming homeless in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. The 72 kilometre walk, which is in eight stages, will take place along the Clare Coast, through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world from Kilrush to Fanore. €50 per person to walk from one to four stages / €70 to walk more than four stages / €15 for students/OAP/Jobseekers for eight stages / €5 per minor (under 16 and must be accompanied by an adult). Contact Mid West Simon 061 608980 or [email protected] or PM on Facebook for more information.
Are you lacking sleep? Do you start work at 8am? Paul Kelley thinks that you should start work at 10am instead. University of Oxford's Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute has been doing some research on sleep cycles. Paul told us why we should be sleeping in. Current starting times for school and work should change to better fit with the human body's natural clock, the sleep expert says. Kelly said that schools should start as late as 11 a.m. to combat the sleep deprivation crisis among young people, noting that children between eight and 10 years old should start school not earlier than 8:30 a.m. On the other hand, 16-year-olds should start at 10 a.m. and 18-year-olds at 11 a.m. Kelly's recommendation is based on the understanding of the circadian rhythm, or the internal body clock, which determines the best levels of wakefulness, concentration and work ability.
Wildlife expert John Murphy talked to Gavin today about birdwatching and wildlife. The expert, from Birdwatch Ireland, answered the multiple questions texted in by listeners.
On this week's Sports Panel, Gavin was joined by Clare FMs Sports Journalist Derrick Lynch and Clare FMs Sports Commentator Syl O'Conner. In local sports news, in the Clare Senior Hurling Championship it is in the Semi Final stages. Sixmilebridge are into their 3rd county senior hurling final since 2011. A blistering first half performance laid the foundation for a 3-21 to 3-13 win over Crusheen in yesterdays semi final. Meanwhile, Clonlara and Kilmaley will have to do it all over again after the first Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final ended in a draw at Cusack Park yesterday evening. The sides couldn't be separated at the final whistle and it finished Clonlara 3-11 and Kilmaley 20 points. A meeting of the Clare GAA Fixtures Committee on Monday evening will decide when and where the replay will be played. On a national level, Dublin are All-Ireland senior football champions for the third time since 2011 after they beat defending champions Kerry by 12 points to 9.
Next up speaking to Gavin on Morning Focus was Anthony Kearns, an Irish Tenor. U.S. soul singer Aretha Franklin and acclaimed Irish tenor Anthony Kearns will perform during the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia. The two singers will headline separate performances on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the pope visits the World Meeting of Families' street festival, and in the run-up to a public Mass said by the pontiff on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Mass is expected to draw a crowd of more than 1.5 million people. Gavin discussed the upcoming show with Anthony.
Finally, Gerry O Reilly, the Chairman of The Clare Association Dublin and Debra Kett, the Secretary of Clare Branch of CF Ireland, talked on the show about the memorial charity walk in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. They are holding a fundraising 10k charity walk starting at Clasac CCE building on Alfie Byrne Road, Clontarf Dublin 3 on Sunday 27th September at 12 o'c with all proceeds going to the Clare branch of C.F.
