Clare Fm - Podcasts

A Clare employment support service has told an Oireachtas committee that the work experience model for people with disabilities isn't fit for purpose. EmployAbility Clare is seeking the introduction of a programme that would allow those with a disability, health condition or additional support needs to work eight hours a week to "build confidence". The current Work Placement Experience Programme requires all participants to complete 30 hours per week. Speaking in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters, Marie Killeen of EmployAbility Clare says it's "unrealistic" for many people.

Over 2,500 new vehicles have been sold in Clare this year. The latest report from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry shows that 385 of these were electric, marking a 66% in the last year. While Petrol/Electric hybrids are the most popular selling cars in this county this year, accounting for over a quarter of the market share. SIMI Director General Brian Cooke says the electric market is enjoying a purple patch.

We look ahead to a busy weekend of action for Clare club football with all three Munster representatives out over the next two days. We will also have our Greyhound Focus slot and a few other bits also

The long-awaited opening of a new service station on the outskirts of Ennis is being hailed as a win for the economy of the county town and its surrounds. Following a lengthy battle, the Supermac's Banner Plaza at Junction 12 on the M18 has officially opened its doors this afternoon. The station is the result of a €20 million investment and is responsible for the creation of more than 120 jobs. Clare FM's Seán Lyons has been speaking to local Councillor Pat Daly at the Banner Plaza

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch was in-studio with Alan Morrissey for Friday's Morning Focus to look ahead to GAA fixtures taking place over the weekend. Games Previewed: Munster Club SFC Quarter-Final: Eire Óg v Rathgormack (Waterford) (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 1:30pm) Munster Intermediate Club Football Quarter-Final: Corofin v Stradbally (Sunday, Corofin, 1:30pm) Munster Club JFC Quarter-Final Killimer v Clonmel Óg (Saturday, Kilmihil, 2:30pm)

History was created in New York in recent days, with Zohran Mamdani winning the race to become the city’s mayor. He received more than fifty percent of the votes, defeating Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the nomination to Mr. Mamdani in the primary election, and the Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa. The 34 year-old Democratic candidate will become the first Muslim mayor of the largest city in the US, as well as its youngest mayor in 133 years. Just days before his stunning victory, Zohra/n Mamdani paid a visit to the popular Murphy’s sports bar in the Big Apple, which is owned by Clare native, Rory Murphy. Murphy’s is located in Queen’s, where Mamdani lives. To find out more about this, Rory spoke with Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus live from New York. Photo (c) Rory Murphy.

A piece of Clare’s festival culture is coming to the theatre stage later this month. Lisdoon Nirvana, described as a “nostalgic coming-of-age tale”, is set against the backdrop of the legendary Lisdoonvarna music festival, which ran from 1978 to 1983. An Grianán Theatre will bring Lisdoon Nirvana to Limerick’s Belltable Theatre on the 13th of November. It is written and performed by Frankie McCafferty. Photo (c) Town Hall Theatre

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Marty Marrinan, with the help of Grainne Fennel.

Felicity Hayes-McCoy will be joining forces with her fellow best-selling author, Roisín Meaney, for an event in the Banner bookshop in Ennistymon on the 11th of November. Felicity is the woman who penned the bestselling Finfarran series of novels, which feature a local librarian and are set in a fictional county in Ireland. They have been translated into nine languages. Her latest book, called Once A Year, has just been published. Indeed, the book has a connection to Ennistymon. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Felicity on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) Felicity Hayes-McCoy via Facebook

A new three-year plan is being launched to get more young people speaking Irish. It will be rolled out in primary and secondary schools and aims to foster positive attitudes towards Irish and an increased use of the language. It includes the establishment of a task force, and more language support hours. There will be a focus on inclusion to make sure children from diverse backgrounds and with different educational needs are included in Irish teaching. Cathaoirleach An Clár As Gaeilge, Dónal o hAiniféin joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to discuss this further.

Clare has the highest home care waiting list relative to population...but why exactly is the question? The latest research from Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI), “Home Support Waiting List Per 1,000 People,”, marks the first-ever county-by-county population analysis of HSE home support waiting lists. This study reveals that Clare is the county with the highest waiting list per 1,000 people, at 2.836 per 1,000 people. This population analysis shows that waiting lists in Clare are 157% higher than the national average. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by HCCI CEO Joseph Musgrave on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) HCCI

Almost 200 Clare households contacted a housing charity focused on preventing homelessness between the months of July and September. Threshold has revealed that it worked with a total of 187 households in this county in the third quarter of this year and prevented 24 from becoming homeless. Its latest Impact Report states that the number of renters who've made contact with the service has risen by over 20% in the last year. Threshold National Advocacy Manager Ann-Marie O'Reilly says there's a growing feeling of insecurity among renters.

IBÍLÈ will be hosting its first West Clare pop-up tasting experience this weekend. IBÍLÈ is a contemporary pop-up dining restaurant dedicated to showcasing the vibrant flavours of West African cuisine. They will have a tasting menu at Pot Duggans in Ennistymon on the 7th & 8th of November. The menu is inspired by Nigerian roots, paired with music, storytelling, and cocktails crafted African wine pairings with Irish spirits. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with the founder of IBÍLÈ, Tolu Asemento. Photo (c) via Pot Duggans Facebook

A Midwest migrants rights charity says a new report shows there's a "lack of oversight and adequate governance" from management of an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in south-east Clare. HIQA's latest inspection of the Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre in lower Meelick has found that the provider failed to comply with eight standards. "Significant risks" associated with the premises were identified as well as "serious fire safety concerns" while it was also observed that some residents "felt unsafe" following a number of violent incidents at the facility. Doras CEO John Lannon has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons it's clear there has been no meaningful improvement in the quality of accommodation being provided at the centre since the last inspection.

Danny Lynch, Chef at Le Cheile, Barefield was back with some delicious recipe you can make for yourself at home. This week, Danny brought in some delicious smoked bacon, mushroom and chicken creamy pasta with a cheesecake for desert.

Jackie recently published her memoir, ‘We Made It, Kid’, described as “compelling, heartfelt and inspiring”. The book certainly has a lot to cover: from Jackie being born to an Irish mother and Jamaican father in the UK, then being placed in an industrial school as a baby by a priest for being an "illegitimate" and so much more besides. Jackie joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Jackie McCarthy O’Brien

Roisín Meaney is a best-selling author who released her 22nd book, Moving On in February of this year. The good news for the Clare-based writer is that Moving On has been nominated for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. Roisín spoke with Alan Morrissey about this on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Goodreads

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with artist, art teacher and owner of Anchor Crafts, Pauline Dunleavy. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Kitty Linnane which features Garry Shannon.

Last September, we were joined in studio by Owen O’Brien to talk about his son Cillian, who had suffered life changing injuries following a sudden collapse in school this year. Caused by a rare condition called Arteriovenous Malformation, young Cillian sustained a catastrophic brain bleed and was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Cillian’s acquired brain injury affected his speech to the point where he was non-verbal, his vision was compromised, and he was physically unable to support himself. An iDonate campaign had been set up with a target of €300,000, to help provide accessible and future proofed living space at the family home. On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dónall O’Connor from Doora, who is doing his part to help with that mission. You can donate by going to this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/100km-walk-in-a-day-fundraiser-bringcillianhome Photo (c) Go Fund Me