On The Afternoon Show Gavin Grace was joined in studio by Denise Dunne of Clare Haven Services and Frances O’Gorman, a Senior Executive Librarian with the Clare Library Service. In Ireland, it is estimated that one in five women experience domestic violence. This year, to mark the 16 days of Action and Awareness on Violence against Women, which runs from 25th Nov – 10th December, the Mid-West Local Area Networks (Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary) are actively targeting libraries and book clubs in the Mid-West region to promote literature with the theme of ‘violence against women’. The 16 Days Campaign is a global campaign that started in 1991 to raise awareness of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women. It grows every year with more people getting involved and speaking out about violence against women.
Oisin Collins from Joe.ie also joined the show to discuss how Pope Benedict has revealed some untruths in relation to Christmas! As kids start rehearing for their school Nativity plays, the Pope has declared that the presence of cattle and donkeys is based on little more than a myth. Benedict the 16th has been putting the record straight in a book on Jesus’ infancy. He says references to the ox and the donkey in other parts of the Bible may have inspired Christians to include them in Nativity scenes. Despite his scepticism, the Pontiff concedes the tradition is here to stay.
Donal O’Loinsigh from An Clar as Gaeilge and presenter of Clare FM’s Cul Chaint also spoke to Clare FM’s Maire Moynahan about the latest census figures reveal the cupla focail are alive and well in the county. In fact Clare residents have shown that they have more than just a cupla focail in the latest batch of results from the census. CSO figures released this morning, shows Clare has the second highest proportion of Irish speakers of any county nationwide. Over 48% of residents in the Banner County have classified themselves as Irish speakers, lower only than County Galway, and far higher than the national proportion of 40%.
Caroline Lynch from the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) also spoke to Gavin about their hopes to get the whole country saying “Thank You” for all that is good in their lives. Now in its third year, the Thank You Day survey revealed that people would most like to thank their partner or spouse. The previous two years, mothers topped the poll, but this year they slipped to second place. Partners (46.9%) were followed by appreciation for our mothers (28.1%) and our children (7.8%) and friends (7.8%). The survey captures who people are most grateful to, what famous figure – either living or dead – that they most appreciate and what they are thankful for in their lives. People are most grateful for family, loved ones and their health. Some 49.3% of people were grateful to a loved one “for always being there.”
Clare FM’s Maire Moynahan was also in studio to let listeners know about the numerous events taking place across the county in support of Clare Fm’s 50 Cent Appeal – if you’d like to get involved and host a “50 Cent Event” call 065 682 88 88 or email [email protected]
If you’d like to contact The Afternoon Show please email [email protected]
