Clare Fm - Podcasts

Award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan has returned as Ambassador for the 18th Annual Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, calling on people across Ireland to come together and raise vital funds for Children’s Health Ireland. This year’s campaign is proudly fronted by 11-year-old Saoirse McDonagh Davis from Liscannor, a courageous young patient whose story represents the thousands of children and families who depend on CHI services every day. To find out more, Saoirse and her mom Stella joined Alan Morrisey live in-studio on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Nationwide viewers know her as the calm voice telling other people’s stories — but lately, Anne Cassin has been stepping into the spotlight herself. The veteran RTÉ broadcaster, who has close family ties to Clare, has swapped the studio for the dancefloor on Dancing With The Stars, embracing lifts, sequins and some very personal moments along the way. It’s Fright Night on Dancing with the Stars this Sunday as the first dance-off of the series looms. For more on this, Anne joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) RSVP

Clare Local Development Company is launching a free Citizen Science Biodiversity webinar series for January and February 2026, helping people learn how to observe, record and protect local wildlife and habitats — no experience needed at all. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Morrissey, LEADER Development Officer with Clare Local Development Company, and Rachel Dowling, ecologist with Nature Network Ireland, who are leading the programme. Photo (c) Clare Local Development Company LinkedIn

Clergy and diocesan staff from across North Clare gathered in the county recently to talk about radical new approaches to parish life, as standalone parishes become a thing of the past and priests and lay people work more closely together across wider areas. One priest already living this reality is Fr. Rob McNamara, who now serves both Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon, covering seven churches across a large and diverse area. With Bishop Duignan responsible for the wider North Clare grouping of parishes, Fr. Rob’s experience on the ground offers a real insight into the challenges – and opportunities – of this new model of ministry. He joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Lisdoonvarna Fáilte CLG - North Clare Sports & Amenity Park's Facebook

A total ban on scramblers in public places will be in place within weeks. It follows the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Dublin on January 25. The new regulations will also strengthen the enforcement powers of gardaí. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien says the plan is to focus on suburban areas where scramblers are most prevalent. For more on this, Alan Morrissey spoke with Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe and Eddie Golden, Superintendent with the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division. Photo (c) Ganesh Sundar Getty Images via Canva

Clare workers have the sixth lowest disposable income in the country. A new CSO report shows this county's rate is 15% lower than the national average coming in at €25,626 in 2024. Although Clare saw an almost 5% growth compared to 2023's figures, it still remains the lowest in Munster. Head of the Clare Public Participation Network Sarah Clancy believes the reality on the ground is likely worse.

The majority of meetings of a new partnership set up to "prioritise the voice of local communities in identifying community safety issues" in Clare will take place behind closed doors. Clare's Local Community Safety Partnership, which consists of 26 members including seven local elected representatives, has convened for the first time this week and will meet Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan today. It's understood a minimum of six meetings of the partnership will take place each year but only one of these will be open to the media. Former Sixmilebridge councillor PJ Ryan, who's been named the group's Chairperson, says it "remains to be seen" if there'll be more transparency in the future.

Lahinch Playground will reopen to the public today following a €240,000 investment. The facility had been undergoing renovations since last Autumn, following numerous health and safety concerns. The new equipment includes a wide array of accessible and wheelchair friendly features such as carousels, a ramped deck and sensory communication play panels. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery says it's a major boost for the community.

Music Network is celebrating 40 years of touring with a special collaboration that comes to glór in Ennis on Wednesday, February 11th. One of the standout voices on the tour is Noriana Kennedy, who joins Kevin Burke, Dermot Byrne and Jim Murray for a night of traditional and contemporary music. Noriana spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Music Network

The Clare based chair of HSE MidWest's Patient and Service User Council is imploring people not to take good health for granted and to regularly check themselves for a cancer diagnosis.Today, February 4th is World Cancer Day, and in Ireland over 44,000 new cases are detected each year.In 2017, Quin Native John Wall was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, having presented to his GP, believing there was an issue with his sciatica. John says the importance of early detection cannot be emphasised enough.

Tommy Corbett, from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was back in-studio with Alan Morrissey for Wednesday's Morning Focus. This week, Tommy gave us an interesting insight into applying for a mortgage and why sometimes people get refused a mortgage. Any questions for Tommy, you can text or WhatsApp 0861800964.

Poetic Keys An Ode to County Clare - Colemans Bed [Whyte] by Clare FM

New research is raising concerns about the Government’s proposed ban on vape flavours, warning it could have serious unintended consequences for public health. A county-by-county analysis suggests that almost 60,000 former smokers nationwide could return to cigarettes if only tobacco-flavoured vapes are allowed. In Clare alone, it’s estimated that more than 1,200 ex-smokers could relapse. Joining Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to discuss the findings and the concerns around the proposed legislation was Ken Heffernan, former smoker and spokesperson for Respect Vapers. Photo (c) rattanakun via Canva

Restore Ballymacraven River Association is set to host a series of free river and wetland events in Ennistymon. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lexi Keating, founder of the West Coast of Ireland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation Europe & representative on the Mal Bay Catchment Forum, and Cía McElveen Walsh, Community Engagement Officer with the Restore Ballymacraven River Association.

We are going to pay tribute to Colum Flynn, a man who made an immense contribution to sport in County Clare. Colum played a big part in Clare’s hurling successes as trainer in the 1970s – during which time they won back-to-back league titles in ‘77 and ‘78 - and, of course, the 1990s, when the Banner County achieved long-awaited All-Ireland glory in 1995. Colum also tasted All-Ireland success with the Cyril Farrell-managed Galway sides which won two All-Irelands in the late-’80s, as well as doing immense work within boxing in Clare. Colum is survived by his wife Kay, son Padraig, daughters Ciara, Sorcha, Aoife, Katie & Eilish, and extended family and friends. His reposal will take place this Thursday evening in Daly's Mortuary Chapel, Francis St., Ennis from 5:30 o'clock to 8 o'clock. Funeral Mass will be held in Ennis Cathedral at 11 0’clock, with burial afterwards in Drumcliffe Cemetery. To remember Colum Flynn, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fr Harry Bohan, Former Clare hurling manager, long-time

With the 54th Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy set to take place in Miltown Malbay from the 4th to the 12th of July this year, planning is already well underway. A recent meeting at Miltown Malbay Town Hall focused on traffic arrangements for Willie Clancy Week, including possible changes to traffic flow and even the suggestion of extending arrangements over two weeks. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by two councillors who attended that meeting — Fianna Fáil councillor Shane Talty from Ennistymon, and Fine Gael councillor Joe Garrihy from Lisdoonvarna. Image (c) Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy

Just 25 Assessments of Needs were completed in Clare over a nine-month period last year. An assessment of need is a statutory process used to determine the health and educational needs of children with disabilities, and the HSE aims to deliver results within a six-month timeframe. According to the latest figures, however, 73 children in this county are overdue an assessment. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor and HSE Regional Health Forum West member James Ryan says it's nothing short of a disgrace.

Companies in Clare in industries experiencing skill shortages are said to be increasingly embracing upskilling and reskilling. A workshop organised by Shannon Chamber at the Ei Electronic Centre of Excellence has heard that employers must "prioritise employee engagement and create environments that support healthy levels of pressure" to get the most out of their staff. A 2025 poll found that teams engaged in this way outperform others by 21% in profitability, and that 9% of global GDP is lost due to low engagement. Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes says there's now a greater emphasis on combatting skill shortages through retraining employees.

Companies in Clare in industries experiencing skill shortages are said to be increasingly embracing upskilling and reskilling. A workshop organised by Shannon Chamber at the Ei Electronic Centre of Excellence has heard that employers must "prioritise employee engagement and create environments that support healthy levels of pressure" to get the most out of their staff. A 2025 poll found that teams engaged in this way outperform others by 21% in profitability, and that 9% of global GDP is lost due to low engagement. Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes says there's now a greater emphasis on combatting skill shortages through retraining employees.

Driving test waiting times have remained stagnant in Clare over the past four months. Budding motorists in this county can currently get a test within 11 weeks in Kilrush, 10 weeks in Ennis and 9 weeks in Shannon. It means two of Clare's three centres are now meeting the Road Safety Authority's service level agreement time of ten weeks. Chris Curran from the The Chris Curran Coaching Driving School in Ennis has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan it's crucial this progress is maintained.