Clare Fm - Podcasts

There are concerns among the undocumented Irish in America that they could end up in Guantanamo Bay. That's despite the Trump administration denying its planning to send illegal immigrants to the US run prison in Cuba. The Department of Foreign Affairs also says it understands there are no plans to do this. An immigration lawyer told the Irish Examiner there's uncertainty within Irish communities in the US and they're nervous about travelling home to Ireland for holidays. To discuss this situation further, Clare FM’s Peter O'Connell spoke with New York-based immigration lawyer Lorcan Shannon earlier.

A new report says the MidWest will need another emergency department and 600 more acute hospital beds by 2040 to meet the demands of the growing population. It comes as The Friends of Ennis Hospital has published its latest research document covering hospital bed capacity projects for the next fifteen years. The group has recommended that a new hospital is built on a new campus and has also poured cold water on HSE plans to build a second 96 bed block at University Hospital Limerick, citing planning obstacles. Chairperson Angela Coll believes a Clare facility is the only viable solution.

Volunteers are urgently being sought to train the next generation of Clare's open water lifesavers. The Clare branch of Water Safety Ireland is currently seeking instructors and swim teachers to provide lessons across Miltown Malbay, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Cappa, Ballyvaughan, Kilkee, Labasheeda, Flagmount and Carrigaholt. Open water safety classes in Clare are among the longest running in Ireland, with the tradition now in its 80th year. Clarecastle based Chair of Water Safety Ireland Claire McGrath says it's vital new personnel are trained to keep our recreational water hotspots safe.

Clare's Brian McNamara says Louth's greater ability to punish mistakes was the difference between the sides in their crucial knockout tie in the All Ireland Football Championship. The Leinster Champions inflicted a third defeat of the Sam Maguire series on Peter Keane's side, leaving them bottom of Group 3 and eliminated from the championship. Clare trailed by eight points at the break, before goals from Aaron Griffin and Rory McMahon helped bring the deficit to as little as two in the closing stages. The Cooraclare clubman says at the very least, they were focused on delivering a good performance to round off the year.

The manager of the Clare Ladies footballers says the fast start they got against Wexford was crucial in securing victory in their All Ireland Intermediate Championship Clare secured top spot in Group 4 with a two point victory in Chadwicks Wexford Park, with Lauren Conway's goal inside the opening ten minutes proving the difference. The reward for doing so is a home quarter final in the next round, where The Banner will face Monaghan on Sunday June 29th. Boss Graham Shine says the younger members of his side took to occasion seamlessly.

Relive Clare FM's second half commentary and reaction to Clare's narrow defeat to Louth in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship with Derrick Lynch and Joe Garry

Newly approved plans for a wastewater treatment plan in West Clare are expected to be challenged in the High Court. It comes as Uisce Éireann has been given the green light to build a new sewerage plant, along with foul pumping station on a site just 620m away from Kilkee Cliff Walk. An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the project last week, following a successful appeal from Uisce Eireann which maintains the plant is essential to end the discharge of raw sewerage into Intrinsic Bay. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Rita McInerney has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan it's likely to spark a judicial review.

It's hoped many Clare families will finally be on the road to getting closure as preparatory works for exhumations at the the site of the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam begin today. 796 babies and children died at the home between 1925 and 1961, the equivalent of one child every fortnight. It's expected the excavations will take up to two years or longer to complete. PRO of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance Breeda Murphy says he suffering of mothers and babies in Clare cannot be forgotten.

The Government is being urged to expedite water repair works in West Clare as local communities are said to be "up in arms". Uisce Eireann is today commencing upgrade works on an 800 metre section of mains on the R483 at Alva, Creegh, which will aim to prevent future leaks and bursts. The utility is also on track to complete 6km of mains replacement in Miltown Malbay by the end of this month, but renewed calls have been made for a new line to serve Doolough to Kilrush. Creegh Independent Councillor Dinny Gould says persistent outages will continue if its not dealt with.

Bloodline - Clare FM Documentary by Clare FM

To review the sporting fixtures, Peter O'Connell was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM Commentators Syl O’Connor and Joe Garry. Games Reviewed: All-Ireland Senior Football Championship - Group 3: Clare v Louth (Sunday, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise) All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship, Semi-Final: Clare v Cork (Sunday, FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles)

On Monday's Morning Focus, Peter O'Connell was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, Tom gave listeners advice on Mid Summer Flowering Shrubs. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

It is time to welcome Seanchaí Corner back to Morning Focus. Seanchaí Corner is where the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster, Eddie Lenihan regales us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. For our latest episode of Seanchaí Corner, Eddie tells us about the strange tale of the Mass Stones.

On Monday's Morning Focus Peter O'Connell was joined by Dr Anne Casey, author & poet from Miltown Malbay. Dr Anne Casey is launching her latest book in Ennistymon later this month, the 21st of June. Originally from Miltown Malbay, Anne is a Sydney-based, internationally award-winning poet, writer and author of five poetry collections. Anne has worked for 30 years as a journalist, magazine editor, media communications director and legal author, holding senior positions in government and the private sector. Anne’s latest book of poetry, called Seang (Hungering), is based on her research into Irish famine children in Australia. PHOTO CREDIT: Dr Anne Casey

This Friday, June 20th, the historic St. James’s Church, Knockjames in Tulla will come alive with music and community spirit for a special charity concert. The event promises an evening of heartfelt performances, all in support of Milford Care Centre. To find out more on this Peter O'Connell was joined by Brian Torpey.

Relive all the drama from Clare's epic victory over Cork in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Semi-Final

Ennis has been restored to one of the top five tidiest towns in Ireland in the latest anti-litter league survey. The county town, now ranked just behind Naas, has regained its ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ status, with nine out of ten areas surveyed receiving an A grade — up from five in December. An Taisce praised recent enhancement works on O’Connell and Henry Street, describing the streetscapes as “lovely,” and highlighted major improvement at the Dunnes Stores Car Park, which went from the least tidy area to earning a top grade. To dicuss this further Peter O'Connell was joined by Councillor Mary Howard and Conor Horgan of IBAL. PHOTO CREDIT: (c) IBAL

Clare County Council is being urged to set about acquiring a disused piece of land in Ennis with a view to turning it into a playground or leisure area. Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly has identified an overgrown vacant site located behind St Joseph's Hospital in the centre of the Crescent estate. Ennis Municipal District says the site in question isn't in Council ownership but it can "investigate the ownership issue further with a view to legally acquiring" it if there is sufficient interest. Councillor Daly says there's scope for an amenity that would be of great benefit to residents.

Clare minor hurling manager Ger O'Connell says his side showed immense bravery to fend off Cork and reach the All Ireland Final. The Banner exacted revenge for defeat in the group stages, defeating the Munster Champions 0-27 to 1-22 in Thurles to book their place Waterford now await in the decider after they overcame Kilkenny in the other semi final clash on Saturday evening. O'Connell says the players' character and quality was shown in spades in the second half.

Clare boss Peter Keane has honoured the way his side 'died with their boots on' as they exited the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Clare's season was brought to an end by Louth, with the Leinster champions claiming their preliminary quarter spot with a 2-17 to 2-14 win. Having trailed by as many as nine following two quick fire Louth goals, Clare battled back with a pair of their own from Rory McMahon and Aaron Griffin but ultimately never got nearer than three points. Keane says he was proud of the way the team battled to the final whistle.