Clare Fm - Podcasts

A Clare artist claims the extension of a scheme which provides a weekly income to 2,000 people in the arts sector nationwide is "good news for the people of Ireland". As part of Budget 2026, the Government has committed to delivering a "successor scheme" to the Basic Income for the Arts which was introduced in 2022 and provides a weekly payment of €325 to 54 people in Clare. A recent report found that the initiative allowed recipients to spend more time on their arts practice, put higher financial investment into their practice and produce more pieces of work than the control group. Lahinch-based artist Maeve Stone, who’s a member of the National Campaign for the Arts Steering Committee, believes the positive effects are being felt outside the sector as well.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch speaks with Paudie Carmody and Sean O'Brien to preview the Clare senior, intermediate and Junior A football championship finals

Clare FM's Derek Dormer speaks with players & management from Eire Óg and Doora Barefield ahead of the 2025 TUS Clare SFC Final

Explosive pop rock duo Bound were formed on a fateful Saturday night on 14th of October, 2023! The lads aligned as founding members Harry Gold (singer) and Kriss (guitar) forged Bound in a frenzy of creative output with 3 songs and big ambitions. The Dublin duo have continued to write songs in a variety of styles and genres from bluesy rock, to 80’s inspired pop, to feel good summer anthems, and have been wowing audiences with their dynamic live shows. Their first single with label Beardfire “Show Me Now” turned heads and pricked ears with it’s potent mix of classic blues riffage and modern pop hooks! And now the enigmatic duo turn their hand to 80’s style pop rock reminiscent of hit makers INXS! “Can’t Get You Off of My Mind” is at once familiar and fresh, combining retro nostalgia with up to the minute production and style! “Can’t Get You Off Of My Mind” is the second single from upcoming EP “Not Your Type”.

This week, for our sports preview, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday's Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch, Brian Howard, Éire Óg Chairman, Garrett Greene, Doora Barefield Chairman to talk about the many sporting fixtures taking place over the weekend. Games previewed: TUS Clare SFC Final: Éire Óg v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 3:30pm) TUS Clare IFC Final: Cooraclare v Corofin (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 1:15pm)

An initiative aimed at enhancing the tourism offering of an East Clare town has received €1 million in government funding. The Killaloe-Ballina Twin-Town Tourism, Regeneration and Enhancement Project has been allocated the money under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. It's understood the project will include proposals outlined in the Killaloe-Ballina plan and will focus on key buildings, sites, laneways, streets, and town centre public realm enhancement and regeneration works. Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the funding will pave the way for a number of much-needed improvements to come to fruition.

A special theatre production is taking place in Scariff this weekend and it’s all in aid of a cause that’s brought comfort to many grieving families across Clare. Local director Denise Moroney is staging Among Women, a collection of powerful female monologues performed by members of the former Scariff Drama Group, to raise funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. The charity helped bring Denise’s brother, Martin Noel McNamara, home to Clare earlier this year after he was fatally injured in a traffic accident in the United States, and she’s now honouring his memory through the stage. For more on this, Denise joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Sliabh Aughty Drama Group Facebook

Ennis Tidy Towns is hosting a Halloween Costume Swap this evening (Friday, from 6 to 8) at the CBS Hall on New Road in Lifford. Families are encouraged to bring along children’s costumes that no longer fit and swap them for something new or make a small €5 donation if you don’t have one to exchange. To find out more about this, Alan Morrissey spoke with councillor Mary Howard, Ennis Tidy Towns and Shayla Hilpert, Ennis Tidy Towns Volunteer on Friday's Morning Focus.

Welcome to another episode of Ours To Protect on Clare FM. This week, Pat Flynn visits Shannon Airport to hear about two projects being undertaken as part of the Shannon Airport Group's Sustainability Strategy. First, the Group is close to commissioning the first solar farm constructed at any airport in Ireland while an award-winning Farmland Biodiversity Enhancement Project has also been launched, another first for Shannon.

Today, Friday the 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by the Director of Clare Samaritans Pat White on Friday's Morning Focus.

Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Marilyn Glenville on Friday's Morning Focus. Dr. Marilyn Glenville is one of the UK’s leading Nutritionist specialising in women’s health. Dr. Glenville will be delivering a talk in association with The Health Connection on Brain Health & Preventing Dementia. The talk, entitled How To Optimise Your Brain Health And Help Prevent Alzheimer’s, will take place on Tuesday, the 14th of October at The Health Connection in Ennis. Image (c) dr.marilynglenville via Instagram

Two-year-old Kody, who lives in Inagh, has been through so much in his short life. He was born with a rare genetic condition called Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypo-peristalsis Syndrome, or MMIHS. Kody is to being honoured as a Little Blue Hero this Sunday, the 12th of October in Ennistymon Garda Station. On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Jackie Garland and Garda Niamh Keogh from Ennistymon Garda Station for more on this. Photo (c) Jackie Garland

A new section of the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road opened to traffic last Friday, the 3rd of October, marking a major milestone in one of Limerick’s key transport projects. The new stretch of dual carriageway connects the Tesco Roundabout at Coonagh to the newly constructed roundabout on Cratloe Road, improving traffic flow and connectivity in the area. On Friday's Morning Focus Alan Morrissey spoke to Shannon Banks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan and Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O’Gorman to get their reaction.

It's hoped the opening of a new social housing development will inspire more progress in Clare. It comes as the Tuath Housing Association in collaboration with Clare County Council has unveiled the 48 unit Loughvella housing estate on the Lahinch Road in Ennis. As it stands, however, just over 2,800 families remain on Clare's approved social housing list. Tuath Board member Angela Murphy says they're delighted to help families in need.

It's hoped a new Garda appointment will result in safer conditions in rural Clare. Superintendent Michael Corbett has been appointed as An Garda Síochána's first ever Rural Crime Lead. In the position, he'll be responsible for investigating rural crime incidents such as burglary, machinery theft and trespassing. Feakle farmer and Chairperson of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association, Stephen Walsh, saying it's welcome there's now a designated person to go to when such incidents take place.

Éire Óg boss Shane Daniels says they can't afford to let outside noise distract them in their attempts to regain the TUS Clare Senior Football Championship. The Townies are hot favourites to follow up the success of their hurlers and secure a senior championship double and a fourth Jack Daly crown in five years. An impressive group stage campaign saw them record three wins from three and that was followed up with victories over Miltown and Lissycasey in the quarter finals and semi finals respectively. Daniels says they're solely focused on delivering an improved performance from their last four success. Meanwhile Doora Barefield's Eoin Thynne says their biggest challenge is playing mistake-free football on Sunday. The Parish defender claims despite the 10 point defeat inflicted on them the last time the sides met, the scoreboard didn't represent the pattern of play. Thynne says any hint of complacency will be duly punished. Throw in on Sunday is at 3:30pm with commentary thanks to Brian Pyne Tiles West

Emma Fogarty, Ireland’s oldest living person with the rare skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), has never let her diagnosis define her. In her powerful new memoir Being Emma, with an introduction by Colin Farrell, she shares her remarkable story of courage, friendship and resilience, proving that even with “butterfly skin,” she can still live her best life. Alan Morrissey spoke with Emma on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) TheBookshop.ie

Maria Doyle Kennedy is set to perform at a special candlelit concert at Hotel Doolin. The acclaimed actress and much-loved singer-songwriter will be joined by her husband and musical collaborator, Kieran Kennedy, for an intimate evening of music and storytelling. Photo (c) Doolin Arts

Kilkee and Ballyvaughan continue to have raw sewerage discharged into their waters on a daily basis. The Environmental Protection Agency's Urban Wastewater Report for 2024 shows they were among 15 towns and villages doing so, due to a lack of connection to a treatment plant. Kilmihil, meanwhile is being classed as a priority area as mistreated wastewater is causing harm to lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters, while plants at Lahinch and Killaloe failed to meet standards. EPA Drinking Water and Wastewater Enforcement Inspector David Shannon has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that Uisce Éireann must urgently expedite its work.

The housing market in Clare is said to be stabilising as first-time buyers look elsewhere for their ideal home. MyHome's latest report shows the average asking price for a property in the county in the period of July to September was €285,000, meaning it was unchanged from the same period last year. Three-bed semi-detached homes were going for €275,000 during this stretch while the median asking price for a four-bed semi was €295,000. Managing Director of MyHome, Joanne Geary, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons while it's good news that the market is "righting" itself, scarcity of supply remains a concern.