Morning Focus opened with an interview with the owner of a business recently devastated by fire.
Birgitta Curtin of the internatioanlly-renowned foodies' hub in Lisdoonvarna, the Burren Smokehouse, parts of which were extensively damaged in a fire last Friday morning spoke with Gavin about the harrowing situation.
The Burren Smokehouse opened in 1989, and it sproduct has gone on to be sold internationally, and served to the likes of Queen Elizabeth and other dignitaries during state visits.
Owner Birgitta Curtin also paid tribute to people in the community who have rallied to their support over recent days, and told me firstly of how she first heard news of the fire last Friday morning.
Next, Morning Focus moved to the topic of the Paralympic Games. While they'll take place as planned next month, there will be major budget cuts by the organisers in Rio.
Gavin spoke to Jonathan McGrath a Killaloe native, Paralympic swimmer and member of the Limerick High Performance Swim Team gave his reaction to the cuts to Gavin.
Escalating hostilities between the IFA and Larry Goodman’s ABP have seen the farm organisation withdraw authority for the beef processor to collect farmer levies on its behalf. Last week, ABP announced it was to change the levy system from one where consent was presumed to one where farmers must now request that the levy is collected. The IFA responded, blaming the act on its opposition to the ABP purchase of 50% of Slaney/ICM. Following a January protest, a report by a leading competition economist, commissioned by the IFA, was sent to the EU’s competitions commissioner. IFA president Joe Healy has written to Goodman, instructing him to suspend the collection of the levy, with immediate effect.
For an overview of this stand-off, Gavin spoke to Pat O'Toole, News Correspondent with The Farmer's Journal.
This week sees the start of a new adventure for up to 1400 students in Clare who received first offers of college places.
Points for two thirds of college courses have remained the same or are down on last year, but there has been a surge in the points required for business and tech courses as well as courses relating to the construction sector.
Gavin was joined on the line by Michael McNamara of Griffith College, Limerick.
Gavin then presented a special package of his highlights from the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2016. It came to a triumphant conclusion last night (Aug. 22), as the curtain was drawn on a wonderful eight days.
A man from Shannon told Gavin he is looking forward to a new lease on life, after being chosen to drive a new vehicle designed specially for those who use power wheelchairs.
Padraic Hayes will get to drive a new Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) vehicle which allows people with disabilities to learn to drive alongside an IWA instructor, securely from their own power wheelchair.
The 33-year-old was born with cerebral palsy and also has arthritis. As his disability has progressed he started using a power wheelchair a number of years ago. Padraic relies on the IWA to provide transport to bring him to and from local services, or his mother to drive him to appointments, shopping or other activities.
He's involved in Para Power Lifting and trains on a weekly basis in his local gym and also travels to Dublin on a regular basis. He hopes that learning to drive will increase his level of independence, give him greater freedom and boost his chances of securing a full-time job.
Gavin's next guest was a Dutch native with strong links with the traditional music of County Clare. He's just published a novel called 'Ecuador, at Last'. One of the main characters is a young Clare woman who muses on the trad music in Corofin and the surfing at Lahinch.
Philip Peereboom has also released an album entitled 'I Wish', under the pseudonym of Philip MacLochlainn. He's been in Clare for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann.
This edition of Morning Focus concluded with Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden's regular weekly slot.
