Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare filmmaker, author, and ocean conservationist Ken O’Sullivan is back with a brand-new documentary, DOLPHINS – Wonders of the Ocean.  The two-part series airs on RTÉ One at 6:30pm this Sunday, 31st August, and the following Sunday, 7th September.  Known for stunning nature films like Sea Fever, Ireland’s Deep Atlantic, and Ireland’s Ocean, Ken is diving into the fascinating world of dolphins this time.  To hear more about the project and what inspired it, Alan Morrissey caught up with him on Morning Focus.

A long-awaited project that will aim to end devastating floods for residents of Clonlara has finally been unveiled. The €5.2m Springfield Flood Relief Scheme was officially unveiled yesterday by Office of Public Works Minister Kevin Boxer Moran. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan was in attendance and spoke to local resident and long-time campaigner Gerardine Quinlivan, but first Minister Boxer Moran addressed the crowds beneath the torrential South-East Clare Rain. Photo (c) Clare County Council

Clare's Leaving Cert students are set to receive their CAO Round 1 offers later today. Those who received their results last Friday will be able to view their offers on the CAO website from 2pm this afternoon. Students around the county will be hoping the first installment of grade deflation, which took effect this year, won't impair their chances of enrolling in their preferred course. Branch Chairperson of Clare IGC, manager of CareerFocus.ie and Ennis Community College guidance counsellor, Mary Tyrell is urging students to reach out for support if they don't get their desired offer.

Tuesday’s Morning Focus broadcasted live from the Digital Hub in Sixmilebridge, as part of Clare FM’s Summer Tour. Senior Executive Officer, Suzie Clifford and Senior Executive Engineer with the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett joined us to discuss community engagement, economic development, and a number of active projects. Leas Cathaoirleach Michael Begley gave an insight into his day-to-day responsibilities, shared his hopes for the year ahead, and reflected on the importance of collaboration with MD staff. Executive Engineer,John Strand and Senior General Services Supervisor, Pat Kearney outlined the vital operations of the Shannon MD team and reflected on years of local progress in towns like Sixmilebridge. Sergeant Edel Burke from Kilrush Garda Station joined us for this week’s Garda Focus. Later in the show, Mark Noonan of the Sixmilebridge Town Team spoke about the town’s masterplan under the Town Centre First initiative.Rural and Community Development Officer, Conor Leyden highlighted his w

It's claimed a reluctance to acquire derelict properties in rural areas is significantly contributing to Clare's ranking as the county with the ninth highest dereliction rate. It comes as the latest Geodirectory report shows both Clare's vacancy and dereliction levels to be 5%, ranking above the national average for both those measures. That's in spite of a 31% increase to the county's housing stock over the course of the last year, with 684 new addresses registered in Clare, while construction was underway on 664 properties during June. GeoDirectory CEO Dara Keogh has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady that although the county fares poorly on some of the metrics, there is potential for improvement in the near future.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 26ú lá de mí Lúnasa, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1981 tháinig clann le dhá pháiste saor ó thine a tharla ina tí. I 1998 bhí plean ann chun 150 bus nua a bheith ann agus córas dairt níos fearr leis an chostas de 150 milliúin punt. Bhí an plean ann chun an trácht a laghdú I mBaile Átha Cliath. I 1976 tháinig sé amach go raibh aefort na sionainne lán de dhaoine do seachtain iomlán. I 1998 bhí imní ag comhairle contae an chláir faoi na plean a bhí ann don chúrsa gailf I nDún Beag leis an chostas 12.5 milliúin punt agus de bharr sin chur siad stop leis ar feadh tamall. Sin Beyoncé le Crazy In Love – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2003. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1965 chuaigh Sonny & Cher chuig uimhir a haon sa Bhreatain lena hamhrán I Got You Babe agus bhí sé seo a t-aon uimhir a haon sa Bhreatain riamh. I 1970 tharla cóisir I Nua Eabhrac chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh den oscailt den stiúideo Electric Ladyland. Agus ar deireadh b

Clare farmers are calling on the Minister for Agriculture to address income volatility in order to sustain the sector. It follows the official launch of a new conference which will aim to address both local and national issues affecting this county. The 'Farming in Clare: What the Future Holds' event will take place in Hotel Woodstock on September 12th, where farming experts in a range of disciplines and the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon will be in attendance. Among the key issues on the agenda will be generational renewal, red tape in the sector, the nitrates derogation, profitability and sustainability. Speaking at the official launch from his farm in Doora, Clare Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association Chair Mícheal O'Dwyer says ensuring income stability has to be the greatest priority. According to the latest Teagasc report, the average family farm made over €36,000 in 2024, an 87% rise on the previous year. However Kilnamona farmer and Clare Macra Na Feirme Rep Catríona Power says the vol

More bins and a fresh call for a levy on disposable coffee cups have been proposed to tackle Clare's costal litter scourge. It's after he Irish Business Against Litter League's latest report has deemed Lahinch and Doolin to be "moderately littered". The judgements were made by the environmental group An Taisce and the independent adjudicators decided in Clare, only Mountshannon was clean to European norms, for having a "virtual absence of litter.". At Lahinch, however, legacy issues of utensils, cigarette butts food waste, coffee cups, plastic bottles discarded within the rock armour and on the promenade and car park reared their head once again. Lahinch was ultimately deemed to be moderately littered; a slight improvement on the litter grade received last year. IBAL Spokesperson Conor Horgan says that while the local authority should look to revise their cleaning schedule during busy periods, he believes a coffee cup levy is also necessary. Doolin also improved on last year's ranking, but was judged to

It's claimed the imminent introduction of student accomodation in Clare won't drastcally shift the dynamic of the county's rental market without a continuous influx of supply. It comes as the findings of the latest Daft.ie quarterly report into the rental market has found the average monthy rent in the county for those moving into a new property has risen over 7% in a year to €1,529. 95 student beds are set to come on stream in Phoenix House in Shannon, which has been touted as having the potential to free up close to 20 properties on the rental market. Economist at Trinity College and author of the report, Ronan Lyons, has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady, that although it's a good first step, more projects of this kind are urgently needed in Clare.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Tommy Guilfoyle and Derrick Lynch. Games Reviewed: TUS Clare SHC: Group 1 (Saturday): Clonlara v Crusheen Sixmilebridge v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield Group 2 (Sunday): Corofin v Clooney-Quin Inagh-Kilnamona v Broadford Group 3 (Sunday): Feakle v Éire Óg Wolfe Tones v Newmarket-on-Fergus Group 4 (Saturday): Scariff v Kilmaley Cratloe v Ballyea Clare Ladies SFC: Group A: Fergus Rovers v Burren Gaels Kilmurry Ibrickane v Eire Óg Group B: Kilmihil v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield Banner v Miltown

There has been a worrying decline in hospitality employment. That’s according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which represents 3,000 members across restaurants, cafés, gastropubs, and other food-led businesses. The R.A.I. is pointing to the latest Labour Force Survey figures as proof of the economic case for the Government to bring back the reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that, while the data for the first quarter of 2025 suggested growth, driven largely by part-time jobs, the newly published Q2 figures reveal a clear contraction. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Terry O’Connor, Co-owner of Henry’s Bistro in Ennis and Frank Landy, of Sweet N Green.

Cosmic Fest is back! The Inagh-based music festival makes it return with another great lineup. The August edition, which will take place on the 30th of August, will also include a Battle of the Bands. To give us a glimpse of what to expect, organisers Stax and Debbie Green, along with Ferdia O’Sullivan from ‘With The Lights Out’, joined Alan Morrissey on Monday’s Morning Focus.

Almost 60% of people who are blind or vision impaired have been injured by a footpath obstacle. That’s one of the findings in a new survey from Vision Ireland. Their Clear Our Paths Survey 2025 also reveals that 96% of respondents regularly encounter hazards such as wheelie bins, parked cars, and overgrown branches on public footpaths, with the majority saying these obstacles have caused accidents or incidents that reduced their confidence in navigating public spaces. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Claire Cassidy from Ennis, who is visually impaired.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Petrina O’Halloran for Parenthood in Focus. Petrina is the founder of Mama’s Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com. This week, Petrina talked about children going back to school.

The RNLI Charity Cruise makes its return on Friday, the 29th of August. The cruise offers a chance to support the work of the RNLI, who dedicate their time to saving lives at sea along the Clare coast and beyond. To find out more about the RNLI Charity Cruise, Alan Morrissey was joined by Liam O’Brien, Owner of Doolin Ferry Co. and Joe Queally who is involved with the Ennis Fundraising Branch for the RNLI. Photo (c) Kilrush RNLI

North Clare native John Conroy, along with a dedicated team of Clare-based volunteers, spent this summer working in the Jinja region of Uganda. Their efforts supported the initiatives of local organisations including Hospice Jinja, Walukuba West Primary School, and the Nile Óg Cusack’s GAA Club. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Conroy, Volunteer, qualified fitness coach, founder of Fitness4Fun.

In October (5th) Siobhan, who hails from Clare, and her son will undertake a big challenge in memory of her late brother. They will take on Ironman Barcelona in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association to commemorate Siobhan's brother, Michael Carmody. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Siobhan O'Dea, Professional Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Diseases at St. Vincent's Hospital. You can support Siobhan here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SiobhanAndLuke

Two Clare beaches have been deemed to be 'moderately littered' in the latest litter league rankings. That is according to the Irish Businesses Against Litter Coastal Report. IBAL’s report shows both Lahinch and Doolin have fallen short of 'clean to European norms' status. However, Mountshannon managed to attain clean status. To find out more Alan Morrissey was joined by Conor Horgan, IBAL Spokesperson.

Employees at Clare County Council are beginning industrial action today, over what they claim is the management's failure to comply with agreed national dispute resolution procedures. SIPTU members working with the local authority are engaging in a work to rule after grievances were raised over two telematics policies outlined last year. SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Arek Muszynski, claims both policies have been implemented too hastily while also labelling them as 'intrusive'. He says it's a dispute that should have been easily resolved.

Clare secretaries are preparing to begin an indefinite strike after it's claimed the Department of Education has 'shown no interest' in resolving a long running parity dispute. Fórsa is calling for secretaries and caretakers to receive the same entitlements as teachers and SNAs, including pensions and bereavement leave. Industrial action will begin as the school term resumes next week, while a protest is planned outside Dáil Eireann on August 28th. Vice-chairperson and Treasurer of Fórsa School Secretaries Branch on the Clare/Galway border, Rena McGrath, says there has been no meaningful consultation from the Department on the matter.