Clare Fm - Podcasts

On Monday's Morning Focus, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan This week, Tom gave listeners advice on Autumn Lawn Care. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

This Saturday, Glór in Ennis will host an afternoon (12.30pm) full of poetry and music as the Clare Poetry Collective returns with its latest free event. Featuring poets Esther McMorrow Donnellan, Arthur Watson, and Frank Golden, alongside musician David Donohue, the gathering celebrates the rich creative spirit of Clare and beyond. For over three decades, members of the Collective have brought poetry to life through performances, publications, exhibitions, and broadcasts — from libraries and bookshops to festivals and theatres. On Monday's Morning Focus, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Esther McMorrow Donnellan, poet and novelist from County Clare, and Arthur Watson, a poet based in Tulla, to share what audiences can expect and why poetry continues to resonate deeply in local communities.

As the summer crowds begin to thin, there’s growing momentum behind a call to keep Kilkee active and vibrant during the off-season months. Local businesses are stepping up with creative ideas to make that happen — one of which is The Flying Alpaca, an interactive alpaca farm nestled just outside the town. Co-run by Barbara Veterano, the farm offers visitors a hands-on experience with these gentle animals, and it’s proving to be a hit with families, tourists, and locals alike. To talk about how Kilkee can embrace year-round tourism, and why alpacas might just be part of the answer, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Barbara Veterano, Co-Owner of The Flying Alpacas.

This year marks a major milestone for a Clare-based initiative that’s been making a real difference in the lives of people living with Type 1 Diabetes. Thriveabetes — founded ten years ago by Gráinne Flynn and Christine Meehan, two women from Clare who live with the condition themselves is celebrating its anniversary with a free event open to people with Type 1, as well as their parents, carers, and supporters. The focus this year is on mental health and emotional wellbeing, with the conference titled “Thriveabetes Mind Matters. To find out more, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Gráinne Flynn, Co-founder of Thriveabetes, living with Type 1 Diabetes.

The Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey, having generated over 5 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity through its on-site hydro-electric turbine. Installed seven years ago, the system was designed to power the hotel’s operations in an environmentally responsible way. To date, the energy produced is equivalent to powering more than 1,200 Irish homes for a year, marking a substantial reduction in the hotel’s carbon footprint and positioning it as a leader in green tourism in the region. To tell us more, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Michelle McManus, Sales & Marketing Manager at The Falls Hotel.

A new community group in Clare is aiming to tackle the growing issue of social isolation by helping people connect through shared activities and local events. The Clare Social Group, set up by local mum-of-four Laura Garam, offers a space for residents to arrange everything from hikes and coffee meet-ups to play dates and sporting events. The idea is simple but powerful, to create more chances for fun, friendship, and meaningful connection in everyday life, right here in Clare. To discuss this further, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Laura Garam, organiser of the group.

This Sunday, the community in Miltown Malbay is coming together for a special event at the Armada Hotel called Gather for Gaza. Organised a Palestinian man originally from Gaza and now living and working here in West Clare, the fundraiser aims to support families in Gaza who are in urgent need. To find out more, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined in-studio by Mohammad Alloh, Proud Palestinian and Isabelle Brennan, a friend of Mohammad and a friend of Palestine.

Clare is set to benefit from a boost to its Garda numbers but not as many as had been expected. There's been a mixed response to the news that six of the latest 154 Gardaí attested at Templemore will be allocated to Ennis Station. However, an earlier announcement at the end of July predicting an additional 15 Gardaí for the Shannon division now seems to have faltered To discuss this further, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Timmy Dooley, Tulla-based Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tony Mulcahy, Shannon Fine Gael Councillor.

A prominent homeless charity claims families in Clare are staying in emergency accommodation for as long as two years. New figures from the Department of Housing show 73 adults here were accessing emergency accommodation in the week of July 21st to 27th. Across the same period, 147 families in Clare and Limerick were availing of such supports. Midwest Simon CEO Niall Garvey says these lodging were never intended for long-term residency.

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for today the 31st August 2025, the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 11th Sunday after Trinity. The Reader is Sean Dunleavy

Andrew Grimes is an emerging indie folk singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, known for his introspective lyrics, warm acoustic sound and authentic storytelling. He writes music from the heart hoping it will connect to others in their own way Since launching his music career in 2024, he has steadily built a loyal following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He takes inspiration from bands such as Mumford & Sons, Kingfishr & Amble and blends their elements together to create a unique sound.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 29ú lá de mí Lúnasa, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1975 fuair beirt bhás agus ghortaíodh 20 duine nuair a chuaigh bus isteach chuig carr. I 1981 tháinig sé amach go raibh RTÉ ag iarradh an táille don cheadúnaigh teilifís a bhailiú. I 1981 bhí damhsa ar siúil I Baille an Mhuilinn agus sin an áit a rinne siad an cinneadh cé a bheadh mar ionadaí don chontae do Miss Ireland. I 1998 leag dochtúir ón Mullach amach staidéar nua chun eolas a bhailiú chun cabhrú le daoine gan féinmharú a dhéanamh. Sin Soft Cell le Tainted Love – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1981. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 2019 tháinig Noel Gallagher amach ag rá go raibh sé ag iarradh achainí a thosú chun briseadh suas The Foo Fighters. I 2021 fuair drumadóir Ron Bush bás de bharr ailse ag aois 79. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh amhránaí Michael Jackson I Meiriceá I 1959 agus rugadh amhránaí Liam Payne sa Bhreatain ar an lá seo I 199

A Clare disability activist claims some schools need to be "more proactive" in assisting children and parents with the "frustrating" assessment of need process. With the 2025/26 school year now in full swing, new figures from the HSE have revealed that just 19 children in Clare received an assessment in the first six months of this year. An assessment of need is an evaluation carried out by the HSE for children or young people with a disability. The process identifies a child's health needs and what health services are required to meet these needs. While the HSE frequently emphasises that an assessment of need isn't necessary in order to avail of health services, it can make it easier to access supports. New HSE data released to Sinn Féin shows just 19 children in Clare received an assessment of need between January and June, which accounted for just 11% of its cases. Of those assessed, a whole 16 were found to have a disability. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan believes a shortage of the a

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday's Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch. Games Previewed: TUS Clare SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final: Miltown v Doonbeg (Saturday, Kilmihil, 5pm) TUS Clare SFC Relegation Semi-Final: Kilmihil v Kildysart (Friday, Cooraclare, 7:30pm) Clare IFC Relegation Semi-Final: Ennistymon v Liscannor (Saturday, Quilty, 5pm)

On 'Ours To Protect', we take a closer look at biodiversity, sustainability and the broader issue of Climate Change as it relates to Clare. This week, Pat Flynn chats with James Rambaud about the work Teagasc is doing in Clare around monitoring CO2 emissions in agriculture. Ours to Protect brought to you by Clare FM, the IBI and funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

A shop is Sixmilebridge is behind an interesting initiative, aimed at looking after children who find themselves in difficulty. O'Flynn's Centra has offered itself as a safe haven for children in case of emergencies. To tell us more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ollie Cahill, Store Manager at O'Flynn's Centra in Sixmilebridge.

Noirin Lynch is the Director of the FCJ Spirituality House in Spanish Point. To tell us more about the house, and the courses and programmes they have on offer Alan Morrisey was joined by Noirin on Friday's Morning Focus.

Sheils Motor Group have been recognised with a prestigious European award. The Ennis dealership was the recipient of the Ford Presidents Award, which recognises dealerships for exceptional customer satisfaction and sales performance. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Eddie Rynne, General Manager of Sheils Motorgroup.

The Clare Association Dublin will honour its award recipients for 2025 in early September. Mary Considine will receive the award for Clare Person of the Year for 2025. The Lissycasey native announced her departure from the Shannon Airport Group after over 30 years working at the Clare base earlier this month. She is due to become the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann later this year. Meanwhile, Professor Michael Kerin, from Kilnamona, and Chair of Surgery at the University of Galway, Clinical Director of the Saolta Cancer Academic Network, and Vice-President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. They will be honoured at Clare Association Dublin’s Annual Awards Dinner at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on the 6th of September (Saturday). To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ciarán O’Connell, Chairperson of the Clare Association Dublin.

Previously on Morning Focus, we have heard from people taking on challenges to travel across the whole or parts of the country via bicycle, or on foot. However, Becky Gilmour has surely cornered the market with the form of transport she will be using: a skateboard! Becky has been traveling the entire Wild Atlantic Way — on her skateboard. The death by suicide of a close friend inspired her to take on the 2,500km route along the western edge of Ireland to raise vital funds for Samaritans. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Ireland’s answer to Tony Hawk, Becky Gilmour. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this interview, please contact; the Samaritans on 116 123 or; Pieta House on 1800 247 247