Clare Fm - Podcasts

A Clare financial advisor says the winner should take measured decisions, assemble a team of experts and tell no-one. Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that given the nature of Irish communities, it'll be "very difficult" for the successful ticket-holder to keep it quiet for long.

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Joe O'Reilly, Principal of St. Joseph’s NS, Miltown Malbay. A big day lies ahead for St. Joseph’s National School. They will be opening their new astro turf facility and sensory garden.

The team of volunteers at Shannon Town Community Wetlands held a number of on-site events recently, to celebrate Biodiversity Week 2025. Meanwhile, Shannon Archaeological & Historical Society successfully launched the latest volume of their journal The Other Clare. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Micheál Mac Gearailt, of Shannon Archaeological Society & Shannon Town Community Wetlands and PJ Ryan, Chair of the Shannon Archaelogical & Historical Society. PHOTO CREDIT: Hilary Gilmore

Just over 1,600 Clare homes, businesses and farms near Labasheeda will be able to connect to fibre broadband on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) network by early autumn. These homes, farms, and businesses are among 32,000 premises across Ireland that have been brought forward from 2026 to 2025 in National Broadband Ireland’s delivery schedule. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer of National Broadband Ireland PHOTO CREDIT: NBI

A beekeeper from Tuamgraney outpaced nearly 3,500 competitors to become the first athlete from Clare to claim victory in the Cork City Marathon recently. Chris Jeuken, running for Derg AC, a club based on the Clare-Tipperary border delivered an outstanding performance, completing the challenging 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 56 seconds — finishing a full six minutes ahead of the second-place runner, Michael Fox. Remarkably, the former accomplished cyclist (with Burren Cycling Club) missed breaking the course record by just 18 seconds, with the standing record being 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 37 seconds. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Chris Jeuken, Beehive manufacturer of Apis Bee Supplies in Tuamgraney. PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Jeuken

Last April, Alan Morrissey chatted with Aoife Hammond from Common Knowledge about Spreag, their new series of community gatherings celebrating the brilliant climate action already happening across County Clare. The first Spreag took place in early May. The second installment of the four-part series will be held at Common Knowledge in Kilfenora on Thursday, the 19th of June. To find out more, was joined by Aoife Hammond of Common Knowledge and Anja Murray, Chairperson of Common Knowledge Ecologist, nature & environmental writer, documentary maker.

St. Vincent de Paul says the cost of essential items has increased by nearly 20 per cent in the last five years. The charity's latest Minimum Essential Standard of Living report has found the price of items like food, clothing and shelter rose by 1 point 8 per cent since 2024 alone. The cost of meeting the needs of a primary school age child is 98 euro a week - while 72 euro a week is needed for the essentials for pre-school children. The minimum wage only covers about 78 per cent of the cost of essential items for a single person, according to St. Vincent de Paul. Figures from this year's Minimum Essential Standard of Living report show the cost of these items for someone in low-paid full-time employment has risen by 5 point 6 per cent. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joiened by Denis Carty, President of the Clare branch of SVP.

More than half of water bodies inspected in Clare last year were found to have water quality not of a good standard. Clare County Council is on track to complete 139 farm inspections this year, near areas the Environmental Protection Agency has deemed to be at risk of water quality deterioration. According to the EPA, 52 water bodies in this county are at risk from agricultural pressure, with phosphorous and sediment leaks leading to algal blooms the most common problem. O'Callaghan's Mills farmer and Fine Gael Councillor Conor Ryan says it's vital best practice is followed at all times.

Residents of one of Ennis's oldest housing estates says they won't put up with substandard roads and footpaths. Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua, who lives in Hermitage, is calling for a review of surfaces in the area where she says there are concerns around "exposed concrete, uneven surfaces and trip hazards along footpaths". Surface treatment works were carried out in Hermitage in 2023 and Ennis Municipal District says while it believes the roads are in "an acceptable condition", it'll carry out a further survey in the near future. Councillor Baker-Bashua says the 2023 works were inadequate and locals are demanding better.

Clare GAA’s Munster Council representative says a Cork-Kerry monopoly on the provincial championship must be avoided at all costs. Under new proposals, the two teams would be seeded for the Munster Football Championship in 2026, as the highest ranked sides in the National Football League. The recommendation was put forward at the most recent Munster Council meeting, while at the July meeting a vote will be held on the matter. Bernard Keane says the council must preserve the current model, which gives the province's lesser counties the best chance of reaching the decider.

Coming to Glór this Saturday 21 June from 8pm It’s Wine O’Clock is a riotous one-woman show directed by Michael Scott, with no shortage of laughs. For more on this Alan Morrissey was joined by Actor and Comedian, Norma Sheehan.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Frank Dillon, Head of Communications and Fundraising with ALONE, the national organisation supporting older people to age at home. ALONE provides essential services across the country. Frank’ discussed the vital role of volunteers in their Visitation and Befriending programme, both in-person and over the phone. With a growing need for support in our communities, this is a timely call to action. PHOTO CREDIT: ALONE via Facebook

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Denise O’Brien, a Clare-based business consultant, who’s just won back-to-back Network Ireland awards — Solo Businesswoman of the Year and Networker of the Year. From leaving college at 18 to becoming a single mum at 24, Denise has built a thriving business through the power of networking. Now, she’s heading to the national finals in Killarney, and possibly laying the groundwork for a new Clare branch of Network Ireland.

It's claimed Clare's students, young families and children in poverty will feel all the adverse consequences of incoming rent controls. Opposition parties will hold a protest outside the Dáil at 6pm this evening to coincide with a Sinn Féin private members bill calling for emergency action to alleviate the housing crisis and increased investment in social housing. The Government is expected to bring legislation before Cabinet this week that will make the entire country a rent pressure zone, along with restrictions on no fault evictions and a six year security of tenancy. Clare Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that the plans are skewed to favour landlords.

Clare-based Anna Marie Kiernan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital Pain Excellence Centre (HSE Mid-West), received the Best Use of Innovative Technology Award at the HSE Spark Summit in Dublin. Her project, ‘Patch Me If You Can/Virtually Pain Free’, was one of 12 innovative healthcare solutions recognised for tackling key challenges in patient care. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Anna Marie Kiernan. PHOTO CREDIT: HSE

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tatjana Simakova to discuss the real struggles of parenting teens today, from emotional shutdowns to screen-time battles and why so many parents feel lost and alone. Tatjana is a psychotherapist and art therapist based in Ennis, who has spent over 12 years supporting teenagers and their families through emotional and behavioural challenges. She’s also launching Salvus parenTEENg, a new national support space for parents, and she’s offering our listeners early access.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deborah Hickie, Kilkee-based retained firefighter. Deborah is leading a powerful national campaign to recruit retained firefighters across Ireland. Since last September, over 560 new recruits have joined the ranks — but many stations still need more hands on deck. Deborah is here to share what life on the front line is really like, why community-based firefighting matters, and how you — or someone you know — could step up and serve. PHOTO CREDIT: Emergency Services/Search and Rescue - Clare via X

As the Irish government considers the introduction of a scrappage scheme aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), industry voices and EV advocates are weighing in on its potential impact. With EV searches on Carzone up 16% year-on-year and consumer interest continuing to rise, the momentum for a greener transport future is clear. However, challenges around affordability, charging infrastructure, and vehicle range persist. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Casey of Clare EV Owners Club.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Aoibhín Stapleton, Youth Information Worker with Clare Youth Service, to talk about a vibrant and meaningful event happening this week in Glór. The event in question is the official launch of the Youth Banner Showcase and LGBTQ+ Portrait Exhibition. Titled ‘A Celebration of Identity & Pride in Clare’, the event features powerful artwork and stories from young people across the county, highlighting unity, expression, and pride. PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Youth via Facebook

This weekend, Tim Smyth Park in Ennis will be filled with hope, music, and community spirit for Relay for Life Clare, a 24-hour event from 2pm Saturday, June 21st to 2pm Sunday. It’s all about walking together to fight cancer, honour survivors, and remember loved ones. With live music, family fun, and the moving Candle of Hope ceremony at dusk, it promises to be a powerful and uplifting gathering. And yes, Clare FM will be there live on Saturday! To find out more Alan Morrissey was joined by Relay For Life Clare Committee Member, Olive Walsh and Cancer Survivor & Relay For Life Clare Committee Member, Lorraine White.