The Tuesday edition of Morning Focus celebrated the huge achievement of Tidy Towns groups across the Banner County.
The show honoured groups from Ennis to Kilrush, as well as Mountshannon, Lisdoonvarna, Quin, Ballynacally, Ballyvaughan, and Tuamgraney.
Getting the show off to a lively start were Clare TDs Dr Michael Harty (Ind) and Dep Timmy Dooley (FF). They debated proposed changes to the law on drink driving, which would see first offenders driving over the blood alcohol limit being banned for a minimum of three months.
Then, joining Gavin in studio were Geraldine Cotter Coughlan, Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns and Teresa McGrath, Vice Chairperson. They were delighted when Ennis was named this week as the tidiest large urban centre in the country. Listen back below:
Then, Gavin heard from a listener struggling with the pain of arthritis. She contacted the show’s comment line on 065 6846777. In response, the show heard from Arthritis Ireland who had some advice and tips for those living with this condition.
Money Doctor John Lowe then joined Gavin for his fortnightly financial advice slot.
The issue of recycling was then discussed. With up to 40 percent of recycle bins in the country being contaminated, Gavin got advice from Clare County Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer, Karen Foley. Clare FM’s Muireann Duffy got the views of some people in Ennis about their recycling habits. Listen back below:
The mental health of farmers was a topic the show then returned to. A new booklet has been produced by Teagasc and Gavin heard from Finola Colgan, Area Development Officer with Mental Health Ireland and Barry Caslin from Teagasc. The publication is available here.
You can listen back to that interview below:
Clare County Dog Warden was the next guest on the show, with his weekly update on animal welfare.
Paul Edson of Kilrush Tidy Towns was up next as he outlined that while the local committee is delighted with its Gold award this week, it had hoped to do better. Meanwhile, Lisdoonvarna’s Kathleen Gibbons joined Gavin to chat about her special Endeavour Award, given for her years of service to the local tidy towns group.
Margaret Ward, historian and writer, then joined Gavin to chat about her new book on the feminist activist, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington. Listen back below:
As part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness week, Gavin was joined by Tom Meehan of EI Electronics, Shannon, who spoke about the dangers of this ‘silent killer’.
The show concluded with a visit from Anne Rynne and Emma O’Brien of Clare Women’s Network who talked about a screening of the film ‘Maudie’ at glór, Ennis on September 28. Listen back below:
