Clare Fm - Podcasts

Last September, we spoke with David McMahon. David, who hails from Newmarket-On-Fergus, was leading efforts by the United Nations to clear explosives in Ukraine. David has extensive experience in explosives ordnance and demining. Since volunteering to go to Cambodia in 1993, he has operated in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Sudan. David is still in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where Russia recently carried out its largest drone attack since 2022. On Wednesdays Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey caught up with Newmarket-On-Fergus native, David McMahon.

A new inclusive childrens playground will be opened at the Mullagh Sportsfield this Saturday afternoon (14th June, 12pm). To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Chairman of the Sportsfield Committee who have brought the project to fruition, Pat Sexton. Photo(C): Clare FM

Tributes are being paid following the passing of a beloved GP in Shannon. The condolences and fond memories have been pouring in from the local community in Shannon for the late Dr. Nnaji (Fabian) Akamnonu. Dr Fabian, as he was affectionately known, operated the Ozundu Medical Centre in Ballycasey. He is survived by his wife Anne, children Chioma, John, Nkem, Brendan and Nnenna, and extended family and friends. He will be buried following funeral mass at St Mary’s Church Ruan on Thursday at 11am. To remember Dr Fabian, Alan Morrissey was joined by Noel McNamara, who was his neighbour for 20 years.

Clare County Council has committed to meeting the Department of Transport to ensure the delivery of the Ennis Northern Inner Relief Road. Locally dubbed "The Road to Nowhere" it was envisaged to link the Lahinch Road at Claureen to the Tulla Road , however only a 520m section connecting the Gort Road Industrial Estate to the Clare Technology Park was built. It will cost over €10m to finish the project, and now a developer owning lands along the route has claimed it's locked out of building approximately 260 houses without its completion. Mayor of Ennis Clare-Colleran Molloy says it's an unacceptable situation.

Residents of a Clare housing estate are reportedly afraid to allow their children out by themselves due a growing anti-social behaviour problem. Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard has called for vegetation to be cut back at the entrance to Elm Park in Ennis amid reports of alcohol consumption and other "unsavoury" behaviour at the site. Ennis Municipal District claims the remains of a tree in the area knocked by Storm Éowyn have now been removed while it says any known instances of anti-social behaviour are to be reported to the Gardaí. Councillor Howard says people trying to raise their families shouldn't have to put up with these issues outside their own homes.

A former Clare intercounty player says the experience Clare will have gained from their Division 2 League campaign will stand to Clare in the latter stages of the championship. Clare go to Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday looking to secure a home quarter final with a win. Both sides are already guaranteed a place in the last eight courtesy of impressive wins over Offaly in their previous outings. Clare FM analyst, Ann Marie Callinan, says the games against quality opposition will give Graham Shine's an edge.

Kilmurry Ibrickane and Doora Barefield will be hoping to book their place for a shot at early season silverware when they face off in the semi final of the WillWeGo.com Cusack Cup. The two sides go head to head in Quilty on Friday evening, with the winner progressing to face Jack Daly holders Éire Óg in the decider. Doora Barefield ran out comprehensive 5-12 to 2-9 when the sides met in the group stages of the campaign earlier in the year. Clare FM's, Derek Dormer expects a stronger showing from Kilmurry this time around.

East Clare residents claim windfarm developments proposed for their area will destroy their lives. It comes as Clare County Council has requested updates to national wind energy guidelines that will aim to put defined limit on the height and scale of turbine developments. There are currently pending applications to build 104 turbines here, however the rules governing their size have not been updated since 2006. Niall Ward from the Meelick Windfarm Opposition Alliance whose living near the proposed twelve turbine Ballycar windfarm has been telling Clare FM the lack of regulation is extremely concerning.

A serious case of neglect has come to light in Clare involving two animals left indoors without food or water for several days. Clare's County Dog Warden as well as representatives of the Gardaí and Clare County Council inspected an Ennis house last week following reports of a dog being left inside unattended. When they gained access to the house, they also discovered a cat trapped in a bathroom without food or water in a dehydrated state. Frankie Coote says both animals are now in good health but the outcome could've been very different.

LOR-KEY, known to his friends and family as Lorcan O’Garvey, will be performing in the Cheese Press in Ennistymon on Thursday (12th June) The gig will act as a listening party for his debut EP, I AM THE KEY... To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Irish-French reggae artist, Lorcan O’Garvey. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2141712233013015&set=pb.100015227772643.-2207520000

An open letter has been written by businesses and individuals in both Kilrush and the greater West Clare region to Eir, to express their serious concern over what they describe as the “vulnerability of broadband infrastructure” serving their communities. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Chris Koble, Borrow a Geek. Photo(C): Proxima Studio via canva

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on the Fair Of Spancil Hill. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.

Donna McGrath is in the process of establishing a new business in Ennis: a psychotherapy and counselling service, but in a creative way. Check out Donna's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/solas_psychotherapy?igsh=MXV4cHMxbXR3eGg0dw%3D%3D To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donna McGrath. Photo(C): Donna McGrath's Instagram

Is there a smell in Ennistymon? That certainly seems to be the case, at least judging by comments on social media. A number of locals have taken to Facebook to highlight what they describe as a strong smell in various locations in the West Clare town. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor, Shane Talty.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, retired Deputy Principal of Rice College and Educational Consultant, John Burns answered questions from parents on topics like budgeting, hard times in school, and the transition from Transition year to Leaving cert.

Two lecturers from the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) have been highly commended for their exceptional contributions to teaching at the prestigious Regional Teaching Excellence Awards. The awards, which took place at the Millenium theatre on the grounds of the TUS Moylish campus in Limerick last week, celebrated seven finalists from across the region, representing TUS, Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and University of Limerick (UL). Among the seven shortlisted candidates which included the winner, three lecturers received high commendations - two of them hailing from TUS’s Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD): Damien O’Connell, Programme Coordinator for Critical and Contextual Studies, and Clare-based Gianna Tomasso, Programme Leader for the MA in Instructional and Learning Design. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Programme Leader for the MA in Instructional and Learning Design and is an Assistant Lecturer at Limerick School of Art and Design, Gianna Tomass. Phot

A young woman is on a mission to shed light on the harsh realities of living with Atopic Dermatitis. 19-year-old Alicja Stachurska from Lisdoonvarna, has launched an online awareness campaign through Instagram after years of struggling with the debilitating skin condition, also known as eczema. From sleepless nights to a visit to the A&E, Alicja says she reached a breaking point — and decided to take action. Her page, malinka_eczema, shares personal updates, practical advice, and candid reflections with the goal of supporting others in similar situations. Clare FM’s Ewelina Szybinska caught up with Alicja to hear more about her journey — and why she believes raw honesty is key to healing... Check out Alicja's instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malinka_eczema/ Photo(C): Alicja Stachurska

Rent Pressure Zones are to be extended to cover the entire country. Sweeping new changes will be brought to cabinet for approval today following a meeting of government leaders last night. In a major change to how renting works in the country - every single tenancy will be in a Rent Pressure Zone This means yearly rent increases will be capped at 2 per cent or linked to inflation - whichever is lower. However, rents in newly built homes will only be linked to inflation. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Timmy Dooley and Shannon Sinn Féin Representative and Homeless family support worker, Shane Doody. Photo(C): Salang889 via canva

It's claimed communities across Clare are suffering due to outdated windfarm planning guidelines. There are currently pending applications to build 98 windfarms in Clare, many of which are up to 180m in heigth. The national guidelines on acceptable wind turbine developments meanwhile haven't been updated since 2006. Ardnacrusha Fianna Fáil Councillor Rachel Hartigan says the system is completely outdated.

It's believed an EU proposal on rental cars could have severe consequences for tourism in Clare. Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is seeking clarity on an EU Commission proposal that would force car rental companies to switch their fleets to electric in a short period of time. With the lack of EV charging infrastructure a common topic of discussion in Clare, it's feared the move would deter people from visiting rural parts of the county. Ní Mhurchú says at a precarious time for tourism-dependent, it's too big a risk to take.