Clare Fm - Podcasts

Schools across Clare are being invited to get moving, as Fyffes teams up once again with Olympian David Gillick to launch Ireland’s Fittest School 2026. The nationwide initiative aims to promote fitness, exercise and healthy eating among young people. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Emma Hunt-Duffy, Head of Marketing at Fyffes on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) fyffesfittestschool.ie

On Tuesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, the great Colm Liddy, local historian and author was back in studio for History In Focus. This week, Colm told us the story of The Terry Alt Rebellion.

There was Clare success at the recent National Indoor Rowing Championships. The event took place in the UL Sports Arena on Saturday, January 17th. It was a day of success for Shane O’Malley. The Cree native became a national indoor rowing champion again, after claiming same title in 2025. He spoke with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to tell us more. Photo (c) Marion o Malley via Facebook

It was time for our Legal Advice slot on Tuesday's Morning Focus. This week, Alan Morrissey spoke with Caroline Doherty of Cahir & Co. Solicitors on the topic of Divorce.

Simon Harris is among the group of EU Finance Minister's meeting to discuss Donald Trump's latest tariff threat. Cabinet will also be discussing the potential ramifications for Ireland if it happens. The US President claims he will 100 per cent go ahead with imposing extra tariffs on European countries opposed to his plans to take over Greenland. He's insisting Denmark 'can't protect' the territory. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Larry Donnelly, Columnist and Law Lecturer at University of Galway on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) COSPV Getty Images via Canva

New figures show the number of homeless pensioners has more than doubled in recent years, with rising rents and house prices leaving many older people vulnerable to losing their homes. At the same time, new frontline supports are emerging here in Clare. Joining us now are Neil Garvey, CEO of Midwest Simon, and Fiona Faulkes, who spent five years sleeping rough and now runs a dedicated mobile homeless shower facility in Ennis, to talk about what they’re seeing on the ground and what needs to change. Photo (c) RossHelen via Canva

Clare GAA has a new Head of Operations, with Ann Marie Moran officially taking up the role this month. A Chartered Accountant and IT Project Manager by profession, and someone with deep roots in club and county GAA through Corofin and Corofin/Ruan, Ann Marie steps into the position at a key time for the organisation. Ann Marie spoke with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to talk about her first weeks in the role and what lies ahead for Clare GAA.

US President Donald Trump’s son Eric is visiting Clare this week, Tuesday 20th Jan and Wednesday 21st Jan, as plans move forward for a major new ballroom development at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg. The proposed project, which is currently before Clare County Council, is being billed by the Trump Organisation as a significant economic boost for West Clare. Public submissions on the proposal close on the 2nd of February. To discuss what this visit means for Doonbeg and what locals hope will come from it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Doonbeg Fianna Fáil councillor Rita McInerney and local resident Willie Hanrahan. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

14 households in Clare have lodged appeals over the level of compensation granted to them under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme. Under the scheme, homeowners affected by the defective mineral are entitled to receive up to €462,000 to rebuild or repair their property. To date there have been 180 appeals made over the approved payouts, with the vast majority coming from Donegal and just 8% stemming from Clare. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney believes most here are satisfied with the scheme, but that improvements are still needed.

Over 1,000 families in Clare have benefitted from a new Government grant established to assist parents of newborns. Introduced in Budget 2025, the Newborn Baby Grant gives a once-off payment of €280 to families for the purpose of providing for the material needs of newborn babies and newly-adopted children. The grant was paid in respect of almost 50,00 children last year at a cost of €14 million, with 1,041 Clare families receiving a payment under the initiative, resulting in supports for 1,053 babies in the county. Coordinator of the West Clare Family Resource Centre Mary O'Donoghue says when a new baby enters a household, every little helps.

Clare LGFA Captain Joanna Doohan Looking Ahead To 2026 Campaign

Almost €4m in funding has been made available for active travel projects in Clare. Of this, €2.75m is going towards Safe Routes to School Schemes and active travel projects in Ennis, Crusheen and Athlunklard. €1.2m has been ringfenced for greenway projects with €500,000 going to the West Clare Railway Greenway, with a further €500,000 for Bus Stop Enhancements. Clare Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan the funding will expedite project delivery.

This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, a national and international campaign highlighting how cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination, regular screening and early awareness of symptoms. In Ireland, around 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, despite the fact that most cases are linked to HPV and are largely preventable. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Clinical Director of CervicalCheck, Dr Nóirín Russell. Photo (c) Pixelshot via Canva

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch and Tommy Guilfoyle joined Alan Morrissey to look back at the weekend in Sport. TUS Dr. Harty Cup Semi Final: St. Josephs Secondary School v St Flannan's College Munster Colleges Senior A Ladies Football Final: St Joseph's Spanish Point 4-7 Mercy Mounthawk Tralee 1-11

We’re finishing our week of reports from Kenya this morning with Colum McGrath’s final piece from Mombasa. It brings us inside a primary school built by the Ray of Sunshine Foundation and introduces us to the people — both local and Irish — who’ve helped make the project a reality.

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre was back on Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries. On Monday’s Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Judy shared tips for growing fruit. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Today is what’s often called “Blue Monday”, typically the third Monday in January, which is sometimes described as the most depressing day of the year – though experts say there’s no scientific basis for that claim. What it does highlight, however, is that many people can feel a bit low during the darker winter months. So, if you’re not feeling yourself, what can actually help? Clare FM's Daragh Leamy was out and about on the streets of Ennis to talk to some people on what they think of "Blue Monday". Furthermore, Alan Morrissey spoke with Pat White, Director of Clare Samaritans and Gráinne Trevors, Registered Nutritionist, specialist in Performance and Health Nutrition on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Juan Moyano via Canva

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about: Drama: Tulla Courthouse Music: Michael English in Mullagh Spring Into Song Ennis Choral Festival Cois na hAbhna Ceilí Visual Arts: Jewellery making in Scariff Celtic Clay Making in Mountshannon Exhibition in Scariff HeART of Gaza Exhibition in Súil Arts Grants Open for Applications

Ireland has moved up the EU rankings on gender equality, rising three places to 6th position in the latest Gender Equality Index. With a score of 69 out of 100, Ireland now sits well above the EU average, and the Government says this shows real progress for women and girls. But behind the positive headlines, questions remain about whether equality is being experienced by everyone — particularly LGBTQ+ people and those living outside major cities. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Mike Taylor, First gay Chairman of Clare Young Fine Gael, former YES Campaigner .. Dedicated to human rights and Equality issues, especially the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment along with Karen Sugrue, sociologist and psychotherapist, Lecturer in the department of Applied Social Sciences on the Moylish Campus at the Technological University of the Shannon on Morning Focus. Photo (c) SUMALI IBNU CHAMID from Alemedia.id via Canva

After nine years at the heart of food, conversation and community in Ennistymon, Sinéad Ní Ghairbhith is stepping away from The Cheese Press. What began with Irish farmhouse cheese at local markets — and a life-changing moment stranded on the roof of her car during a flood — grew into a much-loved shop where people came as much for the chat as for the cheese. Sinéad spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to reflect on the journey, the values behind the business, and what happens next as The Cheese Press moves into new hands. Photo (c) cheesepressennistymon.com