Clare Fm - Podcasts

A member of the Clare minor hurling backroom team says the squad are out to remedy what went wrong during their first encounter with Cork this season. The Banner travel to FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday to face Cork in the All Ireland semi final, with The Rebels having gotten the better of the round robin game in Tulla by 3-24 to 3-17 when the sides met in April. Barry O'Connell, who's brothers with manager Ger, is Head of Performance Analysis for the squad, with the pair having previously worked together when involved in the Clare camogie setup. He says when reviewing the video analysis of the previous defeat, the shortcomings of that performance became immediately apparent.

A leading housing charity says the devil will be in the detail of proposed rental changes that will affect the Ennis and Shannon electoral area. Under new plans to be discussed by cabinet this week, rents for newly built properties in Rent Pressure Zones will no longer be capped at 2% annually, but instead be tied to the rate of inflation. It's expected however, that the 2% rate will be retained for existing tenancies. Threshold Advocacy Manager Ann Marie O'Reily has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that renters will be at risk if the legislation is rushed through.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, Tom gave listeners advice on Roses & Enjoying Summer Blooms And Fragrance In Your Garden! If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Derek Dormer. Games Reviewed: All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship: Clare 0-12 Limerick 1-9 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosiog) WillWeGo.com Clare Cup

Macklemore played to raucous crowds in Ireland last week. The American rapper performed in Dublin and Cork, and it was his show at Musgrave Park in the Rebel County that had a Banner flavour to it. The Thrift Shop singer invited two young fans on stage one of them being eight-year-old Gabby O’Brien from Clare for a dance-off. Gabby and eleven-year-old Grace from Cork left Macklemore speechless, with a series of backflips and cartwheeels. To find out how special it was, Alan Morrissey was joined by Gabby 0'Brien herself and her mom, Claire O’Loughlin. Photo(C): Clare FM

David Gray is returning to Ireland. The highly acclaimed British singer-songwriter will play the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Co. Kerry on the 27th and 28th of August. This follows his concerts in Dublin and Limerick earlier this year. David released his latest album, Dear Life, last January. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by singer-songwriter, David Gray. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1073248890828610&set=a.258953375591503

A young woman from Shannon will be flying the Banner flag in this year’s Miss Ireland Finals. 20-year-old Karly Slattery has qualified for the finals at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co. Meath on the 14th of June. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Karly Slattery. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2176550556109559&set=pcb.2176551742776107

Doolin is the place to be for music lovers this coming weekend! The 2025 Doolin Folk Fest will take place this coming weekend. Running from Friday until Sunday (13th – 15th), a host of great acts including John Francis Flynn, De Danann, Brian Finnegan, Muireann Bradley & many more will perform. To get the full rundown, Alan Morrissey was joined by Festival organiser and General Manager of Hotel Doolin, Dónal Minihane. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1085255970078772&set=a.628871729050534

Synthetic drugs including artificial substances that mimic cannabis, heroin and stimulants pose an emerging threat to Europe. That is the warning coming from the EU drug agency, which has documented “unprecedented imports and seizures” of synthetic cathinones. These are chemically similar to cathinone, a stimulant. The “rising availability” of fake medicines containing highly potent nitazenes - a synthetic opioid that led to overdose outbreaks in Dublin and Cork at the end of 2023 and in several Irish prisons last year – are also being highlighted by the EU Drug Agency in its European Union Drug Report 2025. The agency is also pointing to a doubling in the strength of cannabis resin over the last decade, the risks posed by high-potency cannabis extracts and edibles, and the rapid spread of semi-synthetic cannabinoids. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by TD, Donna McGettigan and Addiction Counsellor, Michael Guerin.

Clare County Council is joining forces with Ennis Medical Center and other key services in Clare to promote Men's Health this June. They will be hosting an event this Thursday (12th June), at the Buttermarket, Drumbiggle, Ennis, from 9:15am to 1pm, followed by a light lunch with the option to attend a walk in Lees Road after the event. Men's Health Week is an international event running from today (Monday, 9th June), to this Sunday (15th June). Alan Morrissey was joined by Samantha McCarthy and Dr Fergus Glynn from Ennis Medical.

As tensions explode between President Trump and Elon Musk, talk of a third political party is gaining steam. Insiders say Musk is privately exploring options to back a new political movement that breaks from both Trump-style populism and Democratic progressivism. After their public clash over Trump’s tax bill, and with no reconciliation in sight, some allies say Musk’s next move could reshape the midterms next year. Scott Lucas, Professor of international politics at UCD says some republicans could be swayed. To discuss this fallout further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lecturer & Director of Clinical Legal Education, Larry Donnelly.

Futureproofing measures are being sought to ensure no part of Clare finds itself without internet unexpectedly. Over 3,000 homes and businesses in West Clare found themselves without internet on Thursday following accidental damage to telecommunications infrastructure caused by a road traffic accident in Kilrush. In a statement to Clare FM, telecommunications service provider eir says "repair teams were deployed immediately" and "full service was successfully restored before lunchtime" on Friday. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney believes companies should have a contingency plan for such events.

It's hoped Government funding can be harnessed in Clare to combat the spread of an illegal plant as matter of urgency. Clare County Council has called for additional funds to assist in the fight against hogweed which is an invasive species prevalent in south-east Clare that can cause burns, skin irritation, scarring and blindness. Responding to a letter from the local authority, a Government representative has confirmed funding is available to tackle invasive alien species through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan says with the plant seeing significant growth at this time of the year, action is required immediately.

Clare camogie boss John Carmody says his side were made rue some missed chances as Limerick snatched a late draw in the All Ireland Senior camogie championship. A 12 points to 1-9 draw in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg means Banner hopes of reaching an a quarter final still rest in their own hands. Clare had trailed by as many as by four points after the visitors raised a green flag late in the first half. Carmody says his side showed great heart to fight back and earn a draw following a slow start.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, we’ll hear about Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of fresh water fish and their habitats. Pat Flynn visits Corofin to meet IFI staff who’ll tell is about their work in Co Clare and possible career opportunities within the organisation.

A plan to repair a damaged section of a wall in a West Clare town has finally been agreed to. Part of the Vandeleur Woods boundary wall in Kilrush has been in collapsed state for a number of years which has created a trip hazard while representing an eyesore and occasionally resulting in loose stones ending up on the public road. After engagement with local Independent Councillor Ian Lynch, Coillte and West Clare Municipal District are understood to have agreed a joint approach to repairing the wall, with works to proceed to procurement stage soon. Councillor Lynch says it'll allow locals to have a "sense of pride" in the area once again.

It's hoped the long awaited introduction of the scheme to deliver free hormone replacement therapy will encourage more women in Clare to experience the benefits of the treatment. This was the first week of the HRT scheme after a deal was reached between Health Minister Jennifer Carrol MacNeill and The Irish Pharmacies Union. Previously, women were forced to pay between 30 and 70 euro a month for the treatment which can help increase muscle strength, reduce anxiety and prevent osteoperosis. Founder of Mná Ag Gaire Ennis Women's Shed Hilary Tonge, claims it will be lifechanging for many women.

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Sunday Prayer for today Sunday 8th june 2025, Pentecost Sunday.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan presents this week’s programme which includes an interview with Nita Enright about the upcoming celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Apostolic Work Society and an interview with a military chaplain (Fri. Robert McCabe) whose 20years of service included peace keeping missions in Lebanon, Syria, Chad, Liberia and Kosovo. He gives us an insight into the role of chaplain in the defence forces.

Tree sculptures commissioned to replace the remains of old trees in Shannon Town Park have been identified as the latest initiative to drive footfall to Shannon Town. The park has been adorned with detailed wooden carvings of owls, foxes, rabbits, a bumblebee, and a fairy house made by Limerick sculptor Will Fogarty. The idea was floated as an environmentally sustainable solution to the removal of rotten trees which began to pose a health and safety risk. Cathaoirleach of Shannon MD, Pat O'Gorman, is hopeful the sculptures will attract larger crowds of visitors to the town.