RTÉ's Cian McCormack is on the road again for Morning Ireland's travel series Ireland by Bike. His mission is to discover and promote business owners who are unlocking the potential of rural Ireland.
Do you want to chat to Cian on his journey? Don't forget to get in touch with Morning Ireland by e-mailing irelandbybike@rte.ie.
Earlier this morning, Cian shared some of his most memorable e-mails so far. Listen to the full report on Morning Ireland below.
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One e-mail in particular that caught Cian's eye was sent from Mary Hawkes-Greene of the Burren College of Art. Mary wrote that since 1994 the college has been the mainstay of the local economy all year round.
"We're self-sustaining and we're very proud of that. Our degrees are accredited by NUI Galway but we are independent.
"We have fourteen people employed in total and that's quite significant in a small town like this", said Mary.
The College is home to both Irish and international students who involve themselves in the community; eating in local restaurants, renting local accommodation and using local transport.
Cian spoke to one lecturer who has travelled to the Burren from the United States. Robert Brinkerhoff, Professor of Illustration at Rhode Island School of Design, completed a residency in the Burren College of Art in 2003 and fell in love with both the facility and the setting.
"I always wanted to bring a group of students back and I deal with content in the illustration programme where I teach that's centered on mythology from time to time so this class is really about illustrating Irish myths and legends in the setting of the Burren."
Later this morning, Cian found himself in Lahinch, Co. Clare where the town is in full swing, preparing for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann this August. Listen to the full report on Morning Ireland above.
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The RTÉ reporter said that the sunshine and scenery that he has been exposed to whilst travelling from Kinvara to the Burren to Ballyvaughn, Ennis and Lahinch was stunning.
"The scenery just left me completely speechless; the grey limestone just lined by the blue sky and all those veins of little green growth - it was really really worth travelling that road", said Cian.
On arrival, Cian spoke to a number of musicians who are preparing to take part in this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August.
"It's a huge benefit for the town in that everybody wants to be at the fleadh because it's in Clare, you are the home of music when you come to Clare", said music teacher Mary MacNamara.
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Mary (pictured below wearing her famous red shoes) went on to say that she encourages all her students to buy themselves a special pair of concertina shoes as the tapping sound is a huge part of performing.
"I encourage my students in the Winter time to have concertina boots and in Summer time to have concertina shoes", she said.
The story of Mary resonated with one listener in particular who sent in a poem about Mary and her shoes.
Concertina Shoes - for Mary McNamara
The concertina player spoke
about her concertina shoes –
red shoes with a sole
of soft leather
and concertina boots for winter
for tapping out the rhythm
she prefers hard floors
bare rooms for resonance
so that every tune
will sing through all her bones.
Bernadette McCarrick, 20/6/2017
Next, Cian spoke to William Cahir, the new chairman of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, to find out what makes the fleadh so special.
"The fleadh allows the town to present a picture of itself to the visitors that are going to come to the fleadh. It rejuvenates the town; Clare County Council got behind the businesses and gave a painting scheme so, for example, between last year and this year, I would say up on 98% of every business in Ennis will have been freshly painted", said William.
Later today, Cian will cycle to Kilkee, Co. Clare to look at a community enterprise that uses paddle boating to bring money into the local community. Tune into Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 between 7:30am and 8:00am and 8:30am and 9:00am.
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