Thursday’s Morning Focus began with a discussion on the beef crisis, and the prospect of fresh talks.
Meat processors and farming groups met separately with the Agriculture Minister yesterday evening in an effort to resolve the row, and discussions could resume in the coming days. We heard from Clare TD and Minister for State Pat Breen, who also discussed the government’s announcement that the Budget will be drafted on a ‘No Deal’ Brexit basis.
On yesterdays show we mentioned how Community groups are facing cut backs & closures over rising insurance costs, today Gavin discussed this topic in more depth. A new survey of groups has found that almost half say they’re at risk of closing if the issue isn’t addressed. There are 15,000 community groups around the country, which include organisations like Tidy Towns and Meals on Wheels. The survey was conducted by the Public Participation Network (PPN) and Sarah Ferrigan from the Clare Public Participation Network joined Gavin on the show to discuss this topic.
Then, Morning Focus heard from Sixmilebridge-based woman, Karen Ievers. When she was last with us, Karen told of us how she had unearthed extraordinary photographs of the family of Jane Austen. Now, she believes, she has made another discovery. Karen has purchased a photograph which, she believes, is of a young Oscar Wilde. She believes it was taken in 1871, around the time Wilde began studies at Trinity College in Dublin.
Listen back below:
Next, what is life like for a professional poker player? From Shannon, Louise Butler is one of Ireland’s top professional poker players. She plays the game online, in the main, but she also plays in person, including when she popped into studio to meet Gavin for a conversation.
Who came out on top?!
Now, there’s a ‘who’s who’ of musical talent in Quin (at Malachy’s Bar) on Saturday featuring everyone from our own Joan Hanrahan, Aindrais de Staic, Blackie & Oliver O’Connell, Siobhán Peoples and many more. They’re taking part in the third festival of music, entitled ‘Le Chéile’ for Milford Hospice and Sláinte an Chláir. John Wall and Maire O’ Sullivan joined Gavin on air to tell him more. John will be the MC from 2pm (until late) at the event.
There’s a new festival in town, it’s the Clare Food & Drink Fleadh which takes place from September 26th to 29th, promising plenty of fun and gastronomic good times.
Supported by Fáilte Ireland as part of its ‘Taste the Island’ initiative, Clare Food & Drink Fleadh will showcase the best of the Banner’s bounty – the amazing food sourced, grown and produced sustainably across the county, as well as the award-winning craft beers and whiskeys brewed and distilled in Clare.
While the majority of the programme of events take place in Ennis, there is a satellite programme of events showcasing the fantastic artisan makers based in every corner of the county.
Margaret O’Brien, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, hopes the festival will promote Artisan producers in the County and both she and Oonagh O’Dwyer, Foraging expert, spoke to Gavin about attempting to remove the fear which is associated with consuming wild local food.
Finally, on the show we got an Arts update from Siobhán Mulcahy who is the Clare County Arts Officer for our regular arts update.
In regards to music, this Thursday (12/09/19), there will be a concert in Glor which has been organised by the Irish Music Network. Josephine Marsh is one of a few artists who will be playing at the gig. This is a National Tour, however will feel like a local gig as two of the musicians are from County Clare.
On Friday a more intimate gig is taking place in glor with Aodán Coyne and Emma Langford.
In regards to theatre, next week is History week, as a result, there are many activities taking place in many libraries around the county. In Ennis Library ‘Greyhound on a Train’ will be shown at 1pm and again in Shannon Library at 6pm.
Lastly in reference to Visual Art there is an exhibition on in Scariff Library until the end of September called ‘Play of Light’.
