With a heavy heart we have an update on the Daycentre, this was to be opened, at long last, but just recently, Cllr Geraldine Donoghue has had some correspondence stating that it will not be opening anytime soon and for just 1 day a week!

This is terrible news for all the service users and carers in the community, Cllr Donoghue and users are now planning direct action in the hope of highlighting this ridiculous situation. 

Also I had Thomas Ryan on, Maw is involved with Mr. Motivator himself Gary Kilcar, in setting up Jumpers for Goalposts in Loughrea, a wonderful initiative and if any of Gary's past endeavours are to go by, this will be a success as well. I can't wait to get down myself. 

In the studio this week was Steve Dolan, head of GRD, telling us of the fight to better utilize the RSS and Tus projects. Because of the existing narrow parameters of both schemes, rural communities are being disadvantaged hugely, Steve and his cohorts have instigated a campaign to highlight these. These schemes are both beneficial to the communities and participants, a win-win situation for all. The government must take action.

Then we have Kerrie Gardiner, who is instrumental in the running of Bord Bia’s Bloom in the Phoenix Park. Kerrie brings us through her duties and responsibilities and the festival’s attractions. This is Bloom’s first year back and it’s incredibly busy, I can’t wait to get to this.

Also we have Michael Fahy’s upcoming Book launch in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa this Friday 10th of June at 7.30pm, all are welcome. Michael has written a book on his uncle Frank Fahy Revolutionary and Public Servant.

Finally we give a shout to the Predator Triathlon Club, who are launching their race, Loughrea Triathlon, to be held at the end of the summer.

In the studio this Sunday was Ian Marmion, Ian, well-known son of Peggy and Lexi, will tell us of his career, taking him all over the world. His passion for horse racing, his wonderful success at Cheltenham. We’d been trying to make this happen for a long time so it was great that Ian could make it.

A wonderful interview with Emma. 14yrs ago Emma took it upon herself to raise money with the help of her family and friends for a project in Zambia. She wasn't sure as to what she would put the money to until she arrived there but finally decided to build a refuge for young girls so that they could attend school without fear of being attacked. In the 14yrs the facility, that was originally meant to house 44 girls there, now had nearly 150. Emma is hoping to raise some funds to facilitate the community to build an extension. 

Emma, originally from Coscorrig, daughter of Pat and Ann Gilchreest is now married to Nico and has two children. She lives in Moate. Emma talks us through her time going through St. Raphael's, hanging out in JP's! Going back to college and working in areas that have made such a difference to many communities. Thanks for coming in Emma, lovely chatting with you.  

Loughrea Boxing Club has been running for nearly 70 years and there has been a Whelan there from the start. Ferdy's Dad was on the committee who formed the club, Ferdy boxed and then coached. He talks of it as a pastime or hobby! He's there for decades, this dedication to the club is only matched by his continuous enthusiasm for the club decades later. The Club has had it's own number of All-Ireland titles, Ferdy brings us through them all, and also the man who won one before the club was formed, a real Rocky story, he didn't train in an abattoir but a Bakery!

Ferdy brings us through the tournaments, moving to the club house, the personalities involved and the fighters throughout the decades. 

Seven Springs Daycentre Re-opening update. This week I brought together some past interviews re the Seven Springs Daycentre. Anastasia Ward, who has used the service for years kindly took my call at the ungodly hour of 10am! And I was delighted she did, She explained and described how vital and important the Daycentre is to so many people. Then I chatted with Cllr. Geraldine Donoghue who has championed this for a while now. Last week she got word that they hoped to open the Daycentre in early June, staffing is the issue. Finally a Reading Challenge! We are inviting anyone to come along with us as we read Joyce’s Ulysses, plan is to complete 2 chapters a week and finish just in time for Bloomsday. Keep up with our progress on the Arts Show, Saturdays at 7pm and join the conversation.

Great to meet up with my cuz Cora Ryan this morning. Cora just arrived back from Australia with her new baby, Laoise. Little Laoise had her very first birthday this week. 

Cora recalls growing up on Main Street, all the families about the place, Fahy's, Magee's, Wade's, Dervan's. Rollerskating on the Main St! Drifting off to sleep with the music from Keary's and all the other Main St pubs filling the night air. Right in the middle of it.

The popular haunts about the town, The Temperance Hall, the Lake, Cinema, the arcade at the back of the Casket, the tennis club. Summers that ran for ever. 

Leaving for Australia in 2007 and making a life on the other side of world. Welcome home Cora. 

This week I chatted with one of our newest people in town, Uliana from Ukraine. Uliana tells us about her home, about the invasion and her flight to Ireland. A young woman full of life and energy and positivity. Her home is the city of Zaporizhzhya straddling the Dnieper river. A city full of industry, she tells how the country continues to try and work and function while under attack.

Also I look back on the Patrick’s Day Parade in Loughrea last Thursday which was an incredible success and Loughrea Community Radio were delighted to be part of it.

This morning I had Dan Doorhy and John Carrig in from The Barn Owl Project Galway. Two guys giving a huge amount of their time to preserve and protect these wonderful creatures. Loss of habitat and secondary poisoning have had a devastating impact on them and they are now on the Red List for critically endangered animals. The lads also brought in a little visitor as well, Erin, a one year old Barn Owl, who was very well behaved.

Daniel Cronin In Conversation With… Anthony Delaney. Anthony emigrated in the 80's, firstly England then the States. He talks of life in America, rugby at home and abroad, school days and friends.

Anthony has been a wonderful supporter of the radio since we started, we reached out to him last Paddy’s Day programme for a quick chat so when I heard he was coming home I had to get him into the studio.