Clare Fm - Podcasts

An Ennis GP insists practical tools can be acquired by women to allow them to "thrive" in their later years. For the second year in a row, glór will play host to a free public information on World Menopause Day 2025 this Saturday the 18th of October from 9am. Supported by Creative Ireland and Healthy Clare, the event offers a programme designed to foster community wellbeing while offering advice on areas like health, nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being during perimenopause and menopause. Dr Máire Finn of Ennis Medical says it will be a friendly environment where people can ask questions and gain valuable knowledge.

A decision on a design for pedestrian and cycling facilities at the Clareabbey Roundabout is believed to be "imminent". Ennis Municipal District has confirmed a preliminary design for a remodelling of the notorious junction located between Clarecastle and Ennis has been submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for approval. It's understood a decision on this is "imminent" and the plans will proceed to the statutory consent process before Christmas, at which point the proposed works will be presented for public consultation. Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy believes the existence of a timeline is a cause for hope.

A review of available school places for children with additional needs has been requested in Clare. It's after the local authority backed a proposal calling for the Department of Education to analyse the current and projected future capacity for school places, staffing and facilities. The report will focus on reducing journey times, travel burdens and costs for families. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says the current state of affairs is causing severe stress and complications.

Almost a third of employees in Clare failed to take their full annual leave entitlements last year. A new report from FRS recruitment shows 31% of workers in this county did not use their full allocation of holidays in 2024. The survey also found that 2 in 5 people affected were not able to carry days over. Head of Technical Engineering & Life Science at FRS Gwen Leydon says staff often feel guilty about taking time off.

Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem are set to take over Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this October Bank Holiday Weekend from the 25th - 27th of October, turning the popular County Clare attraction into a frightfully fun Halloween village. Adrienne O Flynn, Sales and Marketing Manager joined Alan Morrissey to fill us in on what people can expect. Photo (c) Hospitality Ireland

The festival, in honour of the late, great Horslips guitarist and Shannon man, will be taking place in his hometown this coming weekend. One of the bands that will be playing the event is XIII Doors. Like Johnny Fean, XIII Doors hail from Shannon, and their appearance at the festival will be their debut show in their hometown, and in Clare! To find out more, DJ O’Sullivan and Pat "Pablo" Byrne joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Danny Lynch, Chef at Le Cheile, Barefield was back again with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. This week, Danny treats us to a delicious Fish Cake, Chowder and Guinness and Walnut Bread.

Kieran Fanning, a writer and primary school teacher from Co. Meath, returns with his latest book. In Enchanted Ireland: An Atlas of Magical Stories from Every County, Kieran once again pays a visit to every county in Ireland, told through 32 magical stories. Kieran Fanning joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Book Cover (c) Julia Iredale

The International Air Transport Association says Dublin’s Passenger Cap needs to be lifted to boost capacity in Shannon. At present, a planning rule has capped the number of passengers flying through Dublin each year at 32 million. With the capital already handling 85% of Irish air traffic annually however , many aviation stakeholders have called for more routes to be directed through Shannon instead. Speaking at at a Shannon Chamber Lunch this afternoon, IATA Director General Willie Walsh has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that only one central hub is feasible in Ireland.

Gardaí in Clare are inviting parents, guardians, and community members to an Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying Awareness Talk taking place at the Bellbridge House Hotel in Miltown Malbay today, Thursday, October 16th at 7pm. The session will be led by Sergeant Dominic Regan and Detective Inspector David Finnerty from the Divisional Protective Services Unit, and will focus on helping families stay informed and protected online. An Garda Síochána Sergeant, Dominic Regan joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the event and why it’s such an important conversation for the community.

The Doonbeg Drama Group is taking to the stage this weekend with its new one-act play, “Willow”, written by Catherine McKiernan. The performance takes place on Saturday, October 18th at 8pm in Doonbeg Community Hall, with all donations on the night going towards the Doonbeg Christmas Lights Fund. To tell us more, the director, Mary Egan had a chat with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's edition of Morning Focus. Photo (c) Doonbeg Drama Group Facebook

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Nicola Waters, who has taken over a business started by her parents 31 years ago. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

Clarecare, one of County Clare’s longest established and most trusted home support providers, has announced a major recruitment campaign to hire a significant number of Home Support Workers across the county. Clarecare will host a series of Recruitment Roadshows throughout October and November, giving potential candidates the opportunity to meet the Home Support team, learn more about the vital services they provide, and explore rewarding full-time and part-time career opportunities within the organisation. Cathal O’Neill, Home Support Manager and Carmel Keane, Clarecare’s HR Department spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

The Ennis Energy Fair will take place this evening, Thursday 16th of October from 7pm-8:30pm in the Civic Room, Buttermarket Building. Meanwhile, another fair will take place in Ruan Hall tomorrow, Friday 17th of October from 7:30pm-9pm. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Colm Garvey of Clare Community Energy Agency and Dara Dever, Community Climate Action Officer at Clare County Council.

This Saturday night, 18th of October, singer-songwriter Luka Bloom will perform his annual concert at The Cheese Press and this year’s gig will raise funds for the Nour Foundation, a charity supporting Palestinians with food relief during the ongoing war. Alan Morrissey was joined by Nour Foundation founder Chef Nour Elnono on Thursday's Morning Focus to find out more about her work and about the difference this Clare fundraiser will make. Image (c) Cheese Press via Facebook

Could we see cruise ships docking at Moneypoint in the near future? That’s the hope of Cree Independent councillor, Dinny Gould. He brought a motion before the recent meeting Clare County Council, asking the local authority to “explore an opportunity to boost tourism in West Clare and capitalise on Moneypoint port”. For more on this, Alan was joined by Dinny Gould, Cree Independent Councillor and Cillian Murphy, member of the steering group Loop Head Together. Image (c) Visit Clare

The communications regulator claims it has no role in delivering mobile coverage improvements in Clare. Following a proposal from Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle, Clare County Council wrote to the Commission for Communications Regulation requesting it work with providers to enhance coverage in blackspot areas. In response, ComReg says "aside from taking actions to ensure that licencees comply with their coverage obligations", it has no role in this matter, pointing out that this is primarily the responsibility of mobile network providers. Councillor Guilfoyle believes it's a direct result of privatisation.

Hope is being expressed that a decision to pedestrianise an East Clare bridge won't hamper local businesses. It comes as Clare and Tipperary County Councils have decided to permanently pedestrianise the 18th century Killaloe-Ballina bridge. It follows what's been described as a successful trial period by the local authorities, which had been running for the last three months after the opening of the new €88m Brian Boru Bridge. Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien says a targeted tourism strategy is needed.

The Killeen dairy farming family from Doonbeg, Co Clare have been shortlisted in the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. Andrew and Bernadette Killeen, along with their son James, run the farm, proudly supplying Kerry Dairy Ireland. Recognised as Ireland’s leading dairy farming awards initiative, the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honours Ireland’s leading dairy producers who continue to work to enhance standards of excellence in dairy farming and milk production in Ireland. Alan Morrissey spoke to Andrew Killeen on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Image (c) The National Dairy Council (NDC) Ireland

A big weekend of drama is coming up in Corofin this weekend. Corofin Dramatic Society will be staging a bumper bill of one act plays. To find out more on Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Clancy & Martin O Donohue from Corofin Dramatic Society.