Clare Fm - Podcasts

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, we look ahead of this year’s staging of the over 400-year-old Spancil Hill Fair. On June 23rd, hundreds of horse sellers, buyers and visitors from all over will descend on the Fair Green in Spancil Hill for the world famous fair immortalised in Michael Considine’s poem, which was later put to music.

A Clare TD says alterations must be made to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to ensure its effectiveness into the future. Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, has called for an increase in the amount that could be awarded under the grant. Since its inception in 2022, 366 applications have been accepted in Clare with up to €50,000 available for the renovation of a vacant property and up to €70,000 for a derelict building. Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, Deputy Cooney claims rising prices in the construction sector could jeopardise the grant's effectiveness.

Clare County Council has committed to developing a plan to roll out modular wastewater treatment plants to boost housing in unsewered areas. There are currently 50 towns and villages in Clare without a sewerage connection, while plants in Clareabbey, Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Kilkee. Kildysart and Kilmihil are all at capacity. Following a proposal passed this week, the local authority has now pledged to engage with the Department of Housing with a view to expediting developer led systems as an interim solution. Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says it's urgently needed.

The Department of Health has been requested to establish a cancer patient advocate in Clare. Although the HSE does have a Patient Advocacy Liaison Service and a patient advocate role in the MidWest, neither are specifically dedicated for cancer treatment. Renewed calls have been made for a role to be established to ease pressure on cancer charities here and to guide patients through the processes of accessing chemo and radiotherapy. HSE Regional Health Forum West Member Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker Bashua says it's not good enough that the service is currently being provided by a charity.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents Beyond Belief for Sunday 15th June 2025

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Sunday Prayer for Trinity Sunday

It's being argued the almost 100 vacant social homes in Clare stand as a "monument to the Government's failures". Figures obtained by Sinn Féin show there are more than 2,656 council houses lying idle nationwide including 776 which have been empty for over a year. Of these, 91 are located in Clare, 18 of which have been unoccupied for more than 18 months. Speaking in the Dáil, Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says it's more evidence the housing crisis isn't being treated as an emergency.

Optimism has been expressed that the Ennis Town Bus Service will be up-and-running by September. According to the National Transport Authority, the long-awaited service will have seven in 10 Ennis residents living within 400 metres of a bus stop while nine out of 10 being within 800 metres of one. Clare County Council's website states the bus is "scheduled for commencement during the first quarter of 2025". Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says it's very much "in the ether".

Clare O’Malley is an Irish singer-songwriter and actress who has captivated audiences across the world. For years, Clare O’Malley has commanded the spotlight—whether it was starring in major theatrical productions in New York City and Ireland’s National Theatre, The Abbey, or appearing in films like Creed. She’s taken on iconic theatrical roles, earned critical acclaim from The New York Times for delivering “one of the most astonishing performances,” and even found herself on the world’s biggest musical stage—as a backing vocalist for Jedward at Eurovision in Azerbaijan. From centre stage to film sets, from Eurovision to sold-out theatres, Clare O’Malley has spent her career bringing other people’s stories to life. Now, she’s finally telling her own. With the release of her first two tracks on her Debut EP, New Heights and Little Weirdo, Clare is proving that her artistry goes beyond performance—she’s a songwriter with something to say. A Legacy of Creativity - A Family of Storytellers: Clare O’Malley’s

The publication of the HIQA review of emergency capacity in the Midwest has been pushed back to September. The Health Minister has confirmed this week that the health watchdog's report, which will examine the case for a new emergency department in this region, is now expected to be published four months after its initial projected completion date. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says the revised timeline is "contingent on the completion of the ESRI reports within the expected timeframe" which will include regional capacity projections. Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons while it's disappointing, there's a "chink of hope" in the rationale behind the postponement.

A Clare primary school has made its own bit of history hosting its second annual regatta today. Scoil Chriost Rí in Clougheligh is taking advantage of it's unique location along the shores of the River Fergus to launch kayaks, pedal boats and more for its third to sixth class pupils. The 'Kayak Le Chéile' event which is assisted by the Burren Adventure Centre and Civil Defence will see the school row all the way to Ballyalla Lake. Board of Management Chair and teacher Emma Kavanagh says its become an extremely positive community event.

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM's GAA Commentator Syl O’Connor. Games Previewed: All- Ireland Senior Football Championship – Group 3:  Clare v Louth (Sunday, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 2pm)   All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship, Semi-Final:  Clare v Cork (Sunday, FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, 1pm) 

It is time for the twenty-fourth episode of our second season of The Village Tour. With The Village Tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county. By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener. During each episode of The Village Tour, Alan chats with various people from a particular village or townland in Clare: from locals and business owners to those involved with local sports clubs, community representatives and many more. In our latest episode of The Village Tour, Alan paid a visit to Kilbaha.

Hit & Hope project is bringing free tennis lessons and equipment to children in refugee camps across Europe and the Middle East. Since 2018, Wesley O’Brien, Coach at Killaloe-Ballina Tennis Club & founder of Hit & Hope travelled to seven countries, using sport to bring hope to kids affected by war. Now, with the help of a signed 2025 Kerry Senior Footballers jersey, he’s raising funds to keep the mission going. To find out more, Wesley joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) Wesley O Brien via Facebook

Record numbers of schools have had to seek emergency financial assistance from the Department of Education this year, as they struggle to meet dramatically increased running costs with inadequate funding. That is according to the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA). The management body says an urgent increase in financial support for primary schools from the State is needed so that they can meet basic running costs. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Principal of St Connaire's Primary School in Shannon, Peter Walsh and Assistant Principal of CBS Primary School in Ennis,Colm Davoren. Image (c) Maths Backgrounds Math and School Supplies Flatlay by Sandra Dans from corelens via Canva.

Cat owners in Shannon would do well to listen very carefully to our first conversation on today’s show.  That’s because it is alleged that a person or persons are poisoning local cats in the Rossbracken area.  According to a post on social media, several local pets and stray cats around have recently fallen ill or died under suspicious circumstances.  To get more on this rather alarming story, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare Maher, cat owner from Shannon and Clare's daughter, Honey Maher-Shiels. Image (c) Cat Walking Outdoors by pixelshot via Canva.

Three Clare music venues are among the beneficiaries of a €500,000 Government funding pot. The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, has announced the 33 recipients of the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme. Kenny's Bar Lahinch, Pot Duggan's in Ennistymon and the Attic in Doolin will all receive up to €15,000 under the scheme which has been devised to support smaller venues showcasing emerging artists. Kenneth Kenny of Kenny's Bar Lahinch says it's a welcome helping hand at a time when businesses like his are facing additional challenges.

A rapidly growing Clare SME is calling for newly built homes to be included in the solar panel grant scheme. Fitzgerald Electrical and Solar PV Solutions has increased its headcount from 10 employees to over 100 in recent years and was one of four businesses showcased at the annual Ennis Chamber President's Lunch yesterday afternoon, attended by Enterprise Minister Peter Burke. The company has also made four trips to the Aran Islands to date as part of a unique initiative to help locals install photo-voltaic panels at a reduced cost. Sales Manager Enda O'Gorman says recent cuts to the grant also need to be reversed.

The manager of the Clare minor hurlers has commended his sides strength in depth as they prepare for their last four tie in the All Ireland Championship. Clare and Cork will be hoping to secure their place in the decider when they do battle in the semi final in FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Both sides are looking to reach the final for the first time since their previous All Ireland success, with Clare's coming in 2023 while Cork claimed the title in 2021. Banner boss Ger O'Connell says the quality throughout the entire panel enabled them to overcome some early season stumbling blocks. Throw in in Thurles on Sunday is at 1pm with commentary on Clare FM with Keatings Bar and Restaurant, Kilbaha, Loop Head.

Clare's success at converting their opportunities for two-pointers has been tipped as the deciding factor for determining their fate in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Peter Keane's side will be hoping to keep their season alive on Sunday afternoon when they face Louth in Laois Hire O'Moore Park in a winner takes all clash. Clare kicked four first half two-pointers against Monaghan in Clones, while hitting a further two in their game with Down in Round 1. Clare FM analyst Joe Garry says at least 25 points will be needed to secure a preliminary quarter final place. Throw in on Sunday is at 2pm, with commentary on Clare FM with Ennis Home Furniture Quinn road Business Park, Ennis and Jones’s Supervalu Milltown