Morning Focus opened by asking if a new Ennis library be a priority project in the current economic climate, particularly with homelessness on the rise across the county.
Clare County Council say it's appropriate that Ennis is served by a new modern library.
The local authority has responded to calls from Ennis Sinn Féin to re-consider the 8.6 million euro plans for a new library in the town.
They say the money would be better spent on the likes of social housing, and that the current library should instead be upgraded.
The Council says that facility on Harmony Row is over 40 years old, and prone to flooding, and that the cost of any revamp there would be considerable.
To debate the issue, Gavin spoke to Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Tommy Guilfoyle of Sinn Féin in Ennis.
None of us is getting any younger, we all know that, but would you be shocked to hear that there'll be nearly 1 million people aged 65 and over by 2031? That's an increase of 86.4 per cent on the numbers currently in that age range.
Of these 136,000 will be aged 85 or over – an increase of 132.8 per cent.
Facing up to our changing age profile – in terms of investment and forward planning – is something that Social Justice Ireland insists that we must do as a matter of urgency.
Gavin was joined by Fr Seán Healy, Director Social Justice Ireland and by Stella O'Gorman of Clare Age Friendly.
According to Gavin's next guest, farmers hoping to upskill are being penalised by Department rules which state that educational events (under the Knowledge Transfer initiative) can't be held at weekends.
Over the summer, Denis Tuohy organised an education event for a Saturday, but was told by the Department that it wouldn't be approved for funding as such events weren't permitted on weekends or public holidays when officials would be unable to verify them.
Mr Tuohy, an agricultural consultant and farmer from Scarriff, believes this rule creates a serious disadvantage to part time farmers who work Monday to Friday.
East Clare is set for a jobs boost as a US bio-medical firm lodges plans for an expansion to accommodate an additional 105 staff.
Beckman Coulter already employs 315 staff at its facility near Tulla. Gavin spoke with Cllr Joe Cooney, FG of the Killaloe MD, CCC.
Life in West Clare in the early part of the last century is brought to life vividly in a book about to be launched by my next guest.
A Clarewoman’s Journey by Anne Loughnane details how a social worker's visit to an elderly woman and her son uncovers an epic and, at times, heartbreaking story. It's that of Eilin whose life unexpectedly changes from prosperity to poverty. It also captures the era of the First and Second World Wars, the 1916 Rising and Ireland’s War of Independence as well as the Civil War that followed. Gavin was joined in studio by the author, Anne Loughnane.
Pieta Grand Tour comes through Clare
Brian Higgins, CEO of Pieta House is on a very novel rickshaw road-trip across Ireland – the “Pieta Grand Tour”.
He set off from the original Pieta House in Lucan, County Dublin, at the end of last week, and will finish his epic trip on Friday next (Sept. 9) the day before World Suicide Prevention Day.
The aim of the journey is to raise awareness of – and to try and combat – the stigma that still surrounds suicide and self-harm.
Brian came up with the idea of the Pieta Grand Tour as Pieta House is marking its 10th year helping those in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm, the organisation is about to open its 10th centre (in Waterford) and he’ll complete the feat in 10 days (10x10x10 = 1,000). Therew was also news that a new location has been found in Ennis and we’re just waiting to sign an agreement and formalize it all, so the likelihood is that the service will be running there again in the next few weeks.
Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden, updated listeners on a number of cruelty cases.
Gavin's next guest was one of Ireland's most accomplished contemporary singer/songwriters. She's the talent behind the song 'Only A Woman's Heart' – the title track of the best-selling Irish album in history.
Eleanor McEvoy has just produced her 20th studio album. It's called 'Naked Music' and on Friday night (Sept. 9, 8pm), she'll bring her solo tour to glór in Ennis.
Gavin then heard the moving story of a young man living with the consequences of drinking adn driving. Shane Mullins is 28 and comes from Monivea. About ten years ago, he
drove drunk, crashed the car and ended up with a brain injury. He is now
blind in one eye, has limited co-ordination, reduced mobility and suffers
from many of the cognitive impairments that go with his condition. Despite
these obstacles, today, Shane is touring the country, talking in schools and
colleges about his experiences since that night.
He’s developed a self-help programme, which he calls D’MESS, designed to
help young people face and fight their own demons. Each letter stands for a
word – Determination, Motivation, Emotional, Support and Social life
During Willie Clancy Week, Gavin's next guest (who always keeps an ear to the ground) noticed that, despite the craic and the fun, it wasn't always easy for young men to meet young women. His impression was backed up by conversations he had with bar staff – well positioned to observe the dating game. So, by way of support and advice, film-maker Patrick O'Neill has put together a list of 10 dating tips and he joined Gavin to discuss them.
This edition of Morning Focus ended with a look at the Shannon Festival, on Sept 9 – 11 at the Skycourt Shopping Centre, Shannon. Music from Paddy Casey, Adam Moloney, Big Generator and more. Entertainment for children, food, markets, crafts, workshops, etc. Gavin was joined on the line by Derek Barrett.
