On Wednesday's Morning Focus with Marian Egan
Michael Ring TD Minister of Sate with Special responsibility for Tourism and Sport joined us on the show ahead of his visit to the county today – with the first stop at Clarecastle to officially open the Castle Antiques, Arts & craft Centre . The Castle building, is the first of its kind to open in Ireland with its unique business model of being able to offer a sales outlet, under the one roof, to: Antique dealers. Irish Arts & Craft producers. Irish Artists. Irish Craft designers and manufactures, and local Theatrical producers and directors. Then to the Burren to present the Eden award to The Burren Food Trail which has been chosen as Ireland's European Destination of Excellence.
Four Seasons Promotions Ltd., trading as ACS, is believed to be in the running to take over the county dog pound which has been run by the ISPCA, with Frankie Coote as the county's dog warden for the past 15 years. ACS is understood to have competed in a tendering process, and the Council insists no decision has been made on who will be awarded the contract. Frankie says he was warned of the change last week, as well as the threat to his job as he explained to Marian on the show.
Clare County Council Cathaoirleach James Breen also joined the conversation to share his concern following this tender process and what the outcome may mean for the county's animals.
An organisation that arranges play sessions for children in hospital has appealed to people not to steal the toys on the wards. Relatives of sick children have complained that high end toys including Playstations and TVs are being stolen from the the wards in childrens hospitals. Children in Hospital in Ireland says the number of their toys that go missing is relatively low – however admitted it can be a problem in some areas. Their CEO Mary O Connor spoke to Marian.
Comhairle na nÓg Clare are holding an event for young people in Clare to promote positive mental health. It is part of a national initiative called Let’s Go Mental. The event will be held at Clare Youth Service, Carmody Street, Ennis, on the 22nd of July. The evening will last for around three hours starting at 5:30pm and finishing at 8:30pm. There will be Live Music, Workshops(art, Music, Tai Chi, Sporting Events and more) and yummy food. We are expecting around a hundred people to attend. Joining us in studio were members of Comhairle na nÓg Clare David Dyksy, 16, Ennis, Clodagh Sulley, 16, Inagh and Rebecca Leahy, 16, Ennistymon.
Returning to the future of Ennis Dog Pound as discussed earlier in the show – welfare groups have expressed concern that the change could be bad for animals here. Annette Kenny is a representative of a number of groups who are looking to protect pound dogs here – She shared their concerns with Marian.
Cork based Author Jo Kerrigan spoke to Marian about her latest book Old Ways, Old Secrets. Old Ways, Old Secrets lifts Ireland’s modern layers to reveal a hidden world beneath, connecting us to our ancestors and unlocking the mysteries of our beautiful landscape. Jo Kerrigan takes us on a magical journey into the worlds of druids and pookas, legendary heroes and warrior queens.
Animal Matters next with our resident vet John Underhill of Burren Vets who today offered advice to animal owners on Lungworm. It's causing coughing in a lot of calves recently. Lungworm affects dogs and cats too.
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