Clare Fm - Podcasts

DJ O’Sullivan is a guitarist and lead singer with XIII Doors — who’s also launching an exciting new hard-rock project called OGMA. Formed with musicians he met while working alongside Geoff Tate former frontman of legendary rock group Queensrÿche, the band blends blues-driven hard rock with classic Thin Lizzy influences. With a debut EP just finished, a US tour about to kick off, and new music on the way both with OGMA and XIII Doors, DJ joins us to tell us more. To tell us all about it, DJ joined Alan Morrissey live in-studio.

Tens of thousands of Carers across the country have been blindsided by letters from Revenue telling them they may face tax bills going back years. Labour's social protection spokesperson Mark Wall says it's causing serious financial and emotional stress to families who are already carrying an enormous burden. Deputy Ward says Carer’s Allowance is means tested, and for many people that created a genuine and understandable belief that they didn't owe tax. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said that information shared from his Department to Revenue relating to the Carer's Allowance will be forward looking, and that less than 10% of the 104,000 people who receive Carer's Allowance or benefit will have any tax liability For more on this, Alan Morrissey has been speaking with Deborah Kett from Crusheen, whose daughter has cystic fibrosis on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Natee Meepian's Images via Canva

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Denise O’Gorman, founder of Remedy Credit Control Solutions. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

There’s been a major development in one of the world’s most high-profile families this week. Brooklyn Beckham has spoken out publicly for the first time about an ongoing rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, accusing them of control, manipulation, and prioritising the “Brand Beckham” over family relationships. His explosive social media statement has sparked widespread debate — not just about celebrity families, but about adult children, boundaries, and why family estrangement is far more common than many people realise. Clare FM’s Colum McGrath spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

This morning we’re discussing new figures that raise serious questions about equality in Irish cancer care. A Parliamentary Question from Aontú has revealed significant regional and social disparities in breast cancer survival rates, suggesting that where you live — and whether you’re treated publicly or privately — can affect your chances of survival. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey discussed the findings and what they mean on the ground with June Dillon, Aontú representative for Clare, and Anne Murphy, oncology nurse based in Tulla. Photo (c) pixelshot via Canva.

A major cultural anniversary is being marked in Ennis this January as Scoil Gheimhridh Chumann Merriman returns with a special focus on An Gúm at 100 — celebrating a century of Irish-language publishing, translation and education. The Winter School runs from the 23rd to the 25th of January at the Old Ground Hotel. Dr Síle Ní Choincheannain of Mary Immaculate College, one of the event’s directors spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Scoil Gheimhridh Merriman via Facebook.

A special event is taking place in County Clare this Mother’s Day weekend, bringing people together to remember loved ones and support families affected by sudden loss. Run for Your Mum is a 5-kilometre fun run in Barefield, organised by Ennis woman Rebecca Walsh in memory of her mother Caroline, who died in 2020. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Rebecca Walsh and Michelle Nagle from Clean Ireland Recycling, one of the event’s key sponsors, to tell us more about the meaning behind the run and how people can get involved. Photo (c) Run for your mum 5k

Residents in Shannon are growing increasingly frustrated and anxious following a spate of break-ins and car thefts across local housing estates. Joining Alan Morrissey, on Thursday's Morning Focus to discuss the impact on the community and what needs to be done was Sinn Féin Local Area Representative Shane Doody and local resident Saoirse Sparkes, who recently shared her own experience and praised the Garda response. Photo (c) 1001Love from Getty Images Signature via Canva.

A long-awaited wastewater scheme in East Clare is said to be "on the long finger" with "no definitive start date". Ahead of this month's meeting of Killaloe Municipal District, Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke attempted to table a motion asking Uisce Éireann to provide an update on the Broadford scheme announced in December 2023 but was informed that the water utility no longer accepts motions from elected representatives. The Department of Housing announced an additional €700,000 for the project in November of last year, bringing its total allocation to €8 million. Councillor Burke says the lack of progress is frustrating.

Clare's Minister of State claims it's "unnecessary" for the Government to discuss banning the US military from using Shannon Airport at this time. The Labour Party called for the measure in light of the US President's recent rhetoric around acquiring Greenland, but speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump has stated he won't take the territory by force. Donald Trump says he's now working on what he's calling an "infinite" deal for Greenland, following discussions with Nato chief Mark Rutte last night. An emergency summit for EU leaders on Greenland will still go ahead today, despite Trump announcing a withdrawal of planned tariffs. Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley says it's time to "dial down the rhetoric".

A Clare based MEP is hopeful an upcoming review of the Mercosur deal by Europe's highest court can help to prevent the controversial trading arrangement. European Parliament members marginally voted to refer the text of the deal to the European Court of Justice at a ballot in Strasbourg yesterday. Under its current terms, up to 99,000 tonnes of beef from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia would enter the EU each year with reduced tariffs, however farmers are concerned with the quality of the produce. Scariff native, farmer and Independent MEP Michael McNamara believes the deal is unworkable in its current form.

Wednesday’s Morning Focus was broadcast live from the EmployAbility Clare offices at Elevation Business Park, Ennis. Alan Morrissey first spoke with Marie Killeen, Service Manager at EmployAbility Clare, who outlined the range of services they provide. He was then joined by Tommy O’Doherty, Chairperson of EmployAbility Clare, who spoke about his background and how he became involved with the organisation. Next, Alan spoke with Mary Coll-Burke, Employment Personal Advisor with the Department of Social Protection, who explained the benefits of EmployAbility Clare and the supports available through the service. Following this, Alan was joined live on the show by Yvonne Madden, Employment Coach with EmployAbility Clare; Mairead Mannion, Shop Manager at the Clare Haven Horizons Charity Shop; and Patricia McNamara from the HR Department of Clare County Council. The group discussed the partnership formed in 2022, what was involved in setting it up, and its importance. We then heard from Deirdre Ball, Communicat

Clare County Council is being warned not to wait for a fatality to take action on road safety measures at one of the county's busiest junctions. The local authority is progressing plans for an Active Travel Scheme on the Clare Road and Limerick Road in Ennis, which include solutions to long-running problems at the Clareabbey roundabout. The Clareabbey Roundabout has long been one of the most contentious and dangerous junctions in the Ennis–Clarecastle area, raising ongoing concerns for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Proposed safety measures, as part of the R458 Active Travel Scheme focus, however, on improving cyclist and pedestrian safety with segregated cycle lanes, raised crossings, traffic calming and improved pedestrian links. Frustration has been voiced by some residents though in the wake of a public consultation event held last month, with calls for more ambitious solutions. Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle insists the current proposals would cause major tailbacks on all four arms on one of the c

A lecturer is praising the efforts of Employability Clare in helping her to reintegrate into the workplace following life changing injuries she sustained a decade ago. While partaking in the Wicklow 200-kilometre event on a wet and dark day in 2016, Stella Sloane suffered a brain bleed, collapsed lung and broken collarbone. Stella spent significant time recovering in Beaumont Hospital, before eventually returning to the University of Galway's Shannon College of Hotel Management as a lecturer in Accommodation Services. She says it's a hugely helpful process.

A Shannon Creche has poured cold water on new state proposals to lower childcare costs for struggling parents. It comes as the Department of Children has unveiled new plans to provide 800 new childcare spaces, by purchasing buildings in rural and disadvantaged areas that can be ran on a not for profit basis. New figures from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers show almost 1,000 childcare facilities have closed in the last six years. Co-Owner of Kidz Haven in Shannon Noel Mulderrig has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that this trend is likely to continue.

It's claimed urgent action needs to be taken on the installation of bus stops in the Cratloe area as a matter of public safety. At this week's meeting of Shannon MD, Clare County Council was requested to liaise with the NTA with the aim of installing bus stops at Cratloe Cross, Portdrine, Laghile, Gallows Hill Cross and O Gorman’s Cross. Calls have also been made for the installations of shelters on both sides of the road at Setrights Cross and for the reinstatement of the bus stop and pole at Ballymorris Hill. Cratloe Fianna Fail Councillor Pat O'Gorman, who proposed the motion, says the lack of bus stop signs is leading to children walking long distances along the N18.

Protection measures are set to be reviewed on a major flood defence on North Clare's coast. Clare County Council has confirmed it's engaging with the Office of Public Works and the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority in order to commence dredging and strengthening works at Doolin Pier and the Aille River. It comes amid coastal erosion concerns brought on by recent severe weather events such as Storm Éowyn. Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says it's vital to protect the region's economy.

Clare FM analyst Kevin Sheehan previewing Clare's National Hurling League Division 1B Campaign

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch Speaking With Colaiste Muire Management Frank Culleton and Aoife Sheehan

Fans of classic rock should make their way to Glór early next month. Rock Rising: The Supreme Classic Rock Show returns to the Ennis venue on the 7th of February. The show will feature timeless anthems from the likes of Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Journey, and more besides. With Alan Morrissey this morning on Tuesday's Morning Focus was Paul Cantillon of Rock Rising.