Clare Fm - Podcasts

There was a fall in the number of rental properties available within the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limit in September, with the latest Locked Out of the Market report from the Simon Communities showing just 24 rental properties were available under HAP limits across 16 areas last month. That’s a 25% drop since June, with only 11 areas offering no HAP housing at all. Dublin accounted for 21 of the 24 HAP eligible homes found nationwide, while Sligo and Leitrim had the lowest number. But what does the situation look like here in Clare? To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined live on the line by Niall Garvey, CEO of Midwest Simon.

Clare's County Registrar says a spoiled vote is "as if the person hadn't voted". A total of 94,054 people are going to polling stations countywide today to indicate their preference for the next occupant of Áras an Uachtaráin. People will have three choices on the ballot paper; Independent Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin. A ballot paper is considered a spoiled vote when it's left blank, boxes are ticked rather than numbered, the order of preference isn't clear, the writing isn't legible, the voter identifies themselves in some way or anything is written other than the order of preference. Polling stations are open until 10pm today, and Clare County Registrar and Returning Officer Rita Considine says even if you accidentally spoil your vote, it doesn't count in the electoral process.

This feature, titled “Traditional Greats,” is presented and produced by Clare FM's 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. In today's episode, Therese pays tribute to Dympna O’Sullivan. This episode also features Clare FM's Joan Hanrahan.

A four bedroomed house built in the early 1970s in the seaside resort of Lahinch and described as a "rare coastal gem” has sold for almost one million euro in an online auction". A new entry in the Residential Property Price Register records that the €986,000 sale of Hy Brazil at Seapark closed on October 7th, and was €111,000 more than the guide price of €875,000. There were three bidders involved in the online auction and all business was done in little more than 30 minutes. Diarmuid McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady that despite the high price point, prospective buyers in the county shouldn't be concerned.

Can a pair of shoes really change your life? This Christmas, the spectacular rags to riches family pantomime Cinderella will come to University Concert Hall Limerick. Brought to you by the same creative team behind last year’s smash hit Mother Goose, Cinderella has all the traditional elements of a fabulous festive outing to entertain the entire family. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Programming and Business Development Manager in UCH, Jennifer Flewett and actor, Stuart Mackay.

Two Clare women have been named finalists in the Female Founder Awards 2025, hosted by The Club Women’s Network. Sharon Barrington of IFF Plastics Ltd from Creegh is nominated for Business of the Year. Fiona Brennan of Inspire Action Success from Tulla is nominated for Contribution to The Club. On Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Sharon and Fiona were on the show to talk about this. Photo (c) Female Founder Awards

A mother living with multiple sclerosis insists there should be more awareness of hidden disabilities so that people in Clare with conditions like hers do not feel stigmatised. Mother-of-two, Louise Power was diagnosed with MS a decade ago following the birth of her second child, though her symptoms began years earlier. She is encouraging families, schools, book clubs, workplaces and groups of all ages across Clare to get on board and support the MS Readathon, which runs from the 1st of November to the 15th of December. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Louise on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) MS Readathon Ireland

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with entrepreneur, lecturer and consultant Fiona Levie who is based Mountshannon. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

A warning is being issued over illegal disposal of waste and the use of fireworks during Halloween. Clare County Council has once again advised the public not to light bonfires or use illegal fireworks this period. The local authority is highlighting the dangers associated with bonfires, as well as pointing to strain put on the fire services and the environmental impact of such illegal activities. Gearoid Blake, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Clare County Council, was live in studio with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Jameslee from pixbay via Canva

North Clare Historical Society continues its lecture series next week. The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon is the venue for next Tuesday’s, the 28th of October at 8pm talk, entitled The Decline of the Big House in Ireland: Some Further Perspectives. Terence Dooley will be delivering the lecture. Terence is Head of History Department in Maynooth University where he is also Director of the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates. Photo (c) Maynooth University

Last July, Alan Morrissey chatted with Loretta O’Connor who had organised a Drive In Bingo for the U14 Boys side at Ennis Town FC. The aim of the event was to raise funds to enable the lads to travel to Barcelona to compete in a big soccer tournament. The good news is that their trip ended in success!

The Federation for Victim Assistance is a registered charity based in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, which supports many victims of crime and trauma across Clare and Limerick. This Saturday, October 25th, the Federation will have a presence at Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre in Ennis. Alan Morrissey spoke with Siobhán Madden, the Garda Victims of Crime Officer for Clare, who works closely with the Federation to support victims throughout the county. Tom Brophy, Chairperson of the Federation for Victim Assistance, also joined the conversation. To get in touch with Victim Assistance, freephone 1800 277 477. Logo (c) Federation For Victim Assistance

23 people have been arrested after a second night of disturbances outside the IPAS accommodation centre in Citywest in Dublin. Gardaí say the disturbances which flared at around 7 o'clock last night, as well as the accompanying violence was predominantly carried out by teenagers and young adult men. TD for Dublin Bay North, Tom Brabazon, says local people have genuine questions about what's happening in their area. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has praised the Garda response to a very difficult situation. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Ireland South Independent MEP Michael McNamara, Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe and Clare Immigrant Support Network Chair, Eoin Tynan O’Mahony. Picture (c) Clare Immigrant Support Centre

The Tánaiste has confirmed a plane carrying weapons bound for Israel was authorised to stop at Shannon Airport this month. Responding to a parliamentary question in the Dáil, Simon Harris has clarified that a civil aircraft travelling from South Carolina in the US to Athens in Greece on October 12th was given clearance by the Department of Transport to land at the Clare base for a technical stopover. It's understood the flight was carrying the unloaded personal weapons of troops and was allowed to proceed to Athens en route to Nevatim Airbase in Israel. The Tánaiste says it's a matter for the Minister for Transport.

The local authority has confirmed the construction phase of the Ennis Public Realm Works will conclude at the end of next month. From November 26th, traffic will return to all roads apart from O'Connell Street, which will stay pedestrianised until at least February of 2026. A survey running from December 8th until January 4th will allow the public to have their say on access, traffic flow and pedestrianisation for O'Connell Street. Senior Executive Engineer with Ennis Municipal District, Paddy Tiernan, says public input is vital in the future of the town.

An important update has been issued to West Clare residents casting their ballots in the Presidential Election tomorrow. Due to ongoing renovation works at Querrin Schoolhouse, anyone with the school on their polling card will instead vote at Carrigaholt National School. Those whose polling station was Knockanean National School prior to its demolition will go to Fahy Hall in Roslevan tomorrow, while voters in Tubber are being reminded to mark their ballot paper in the new national school building located beside the church. Clare County Registrar and Returning Officer Rita Considine says the location on every polling card is accurate with the exception of those whose card directs them to Querrin National School.

Students of the Technological University of the Shannon's Ennis Campus are among thousands participating in a walk-out today over what they view as a "two-tier education system". The protest has been coordinated across TUS's six campuses in a bid to shine a light on the perceived inequality between technical universities and "legacy" universities. Among their various asks are that technological universities be granted access to capital funding for the construction of purpose-built student accommodation, that postgraduate stipend funding be increased to the full €25,000 and that professorships be fully implemented. TUS Student Union Deputy President for the Midwest Gearóid Folan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons "enough is enough" and the time for parity is now.

An award-winning soprano with Clare connections is returning to Ennis next month for a special Candlelight Concert at St. Columba’s Church. Eve Stafford, President of Network Ireland Limerick, will perform on Saturday, the 8th of November alongside acclaimed Clare composer Fiona Linnane on piano. Alan Morrissey was delighted to be joined by Eve on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was back for Clare FM's Financial Advice slot. On Wednesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Tommy informed us on what the tax deadline means for people.

We’re continuing our brand-new feature on Morning Focus, which will also broadcast each evening on The West Wind. In the third episode of “Traditional Greats”, Therese pays tribute to Micho Russell of the Russell Brothers, which features Charles Monod and Diarmuid De Faoite.