Clare Fm - Podcasts

The EU is due to vote on the arrangement on Friday, which would increase trade opportunities between Europe and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Taoiseach says huge progress has been made in relation to the deal, but says he doesn't have confidence that Irish farmers won't be under pressure if the deal goes through. Speaking in China, Micheál Martin told reporters that Ireland will vote no. Eddie Punch, Cratloe farmer and former General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association was live in-studio on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey.

House price inflation is expected to ease in Clare this year. MyHome.ie's latest report shows the average asking price for a property in this county was €285,000 at the end of December, remaining stagnant for the last three months. The number of homes for sale here did fall by 5% however and the average time for a home to go to sale agreed has grown to 4 months. Managing Director of MyHome.ie Joanne Geary has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan prices are likely to increase gradually in the near future.

A renewed focus on attracting tourists to Ireland from India, the UAE and the Asia-Pacific region will receive millions of euro in Government funding. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke set out his department's €4.7 billion capital investment strategy for the next five years. The expenditure is part of the Government's National Development Plan. A new era beckons for Irish tourism according to plans for the sector which will be published later. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Seán Lally, Clare Tourism Advisory Forum Chair, Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock in Ennis. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

TII to examine spike in collisions along N18/M18 after 16 incidents in September and 9 in October, exceeding earlier monthly averages for 2025 Calls have been made for the introduction of an average speed zone. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Colum Frawley, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Clare Fire and Rescue Service and Seán O’Neill, Director Corporate Communications with TII. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

Sharon has experienced periods of isolation, serious health challenges, and what she describes as escalating safety concerns while living in her local community. She is on the verge of homelessness after what she describes as being “terrorised” by a group of men. This is a sensitive conversation about personal wellbeing, fear, and the struggle to find appropriate support. Alan Morrissey sat down for a conversation with Sharon to find out more.

RSA driving testers have voted in favour of going on strike. Members of the Fórsa Trade Union say their employer has failed to make sure testers are covered by the State Claims Agency while working. If the strike goes ahead, it could mean test wait times increase. To explore this further, Alan Morrissey spoke to driving instructor Chris Curran.

Calls have been made for Claire's workers in Ennis to receive fair redundancy packages amid closure fears. The fashion accessories retailer has been trading at the Dunnes Shopping Centre in Ennis for almost 23 years, however its US parent company has entered administration. The fate of the Modella Capital owned stores across Ireland and the UK remains in the balance, with the company citing high street conditions as a contributing factor. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor and Clare Trade Union Council member Tommy Guilfoyle says it's vital the employees interests are prioritised.

A Clare hot school meals provider is hopeful a new survey will result in changes to the "unviable" demands of the scheme. The Government is seeking the opinions of parents and teachers on the School Meals Scheme which is currently open to over 3,200 schools nationwide. New regulations introduced at the end of August last year resulted in at least 10 schools losing access to the meals. Shannon Fine Gael councillor and Managing Director of FreshToday, Tony Mulcahy, says small schools are locked out of the initiative.

Singer-songwriter, Derek Ryan is kicking off his biggest concert tour to date this Thursday night (8th January) at the Glór Theatre in Ennis. To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Derek on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Derek Ryan via Facebook

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy spoke to us about planning for your future.

A new report has revealed the challenges relating to technology that Clare parents are grappling with. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Schooldays.ie, which is a website that provides resources to parents and teachers, has published a report highlighting the views and experience of parents in Ireland. The 'Parents Of Ireland Survey 2026' features responses for 1,878 parents nationwide on a range of issues. These include special educational needs, mental health services, reform of the Junior and Leaving Cert, bullying, mobile phones, the Irish language, parenting styles and family finances. Owner of SchoolDays.ie, Richard Murphy, says he hopes the report lays bare the challenges faced by parents in a rapidly changing world. A key finding of the survey is that almost 30% of parents have had to seek an assessment of need for their child and of these, one in four have found the experience to be 'very poor'. More than a quarter have said their child has had to look for mental health services and 30% of thes

Job losses are expected in Ennis as the parent company of a longstanding retail store in the town has entered administration. Modella Capital, which owns fashion accessories retailer Claire's went bankrupt in late December and has stated that last-ditch efforts to save the chain have failed. Claire's had been operating in the Dunnes Store Shopping Centre in Ennis since 2003, and the latest developments have put 2,500 jobs at risk across Ireland and the UK. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan it's vital the unit is repurposed in a timely manner.

John Conneely, Deputy assistant General Secretary of ASTI, and science teacher at St.Flannan's College Ennis, joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus to discuss the findings of a new parents survey. A newly published Parents of Ireland Survey 2026, which captures the views of nearly 2,000 parents nationwide. The survey highlights growing concerns around access to special educational needs assessments, long waiting times for children’s mental health services, pressure on family finances, and attitudes to issues like compulsory Irish and mobile phones in schools. John will give us his perspective from the classroom and from the wider education sector on what these findings mean for schools, parents and policymakers. Image (c) by Syda Productions via Canva

If you are wondering what to do with your Christmas tree, Clare County Council has free Christmas tree collection drop-off points. To tell us more about it Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer and AIE Officer with Clare County Council spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Clare FM

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined on the show by Regina McInerney from Corofin. Regina took part in the Olympic Torch Relay ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The relay saw the flame travel thousands of kilometres across Italy, celebrating Olympic values and the country’s rich cultural heritage along the way. Photo (c) Regina McInerney

Gemma O’Connor is the Live Stranding Coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Earlier this month, Gemma helped coordinate a major rescue operation in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, where eight dolphins became trapped on a dropping tide. Thanks to a carefully managed response involving IWDG volunteers, local kayakers and support agencies, all of the dolphins were successfully refloated and guided safely back to sea. Gemma was on Wednesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey about that dramatic day, the teamwork involved, and the vital work of responding to live strandings along our coast. Photo (c) Irish Whale and Dolphin Group via Facebook

Clare County Council is closer than ever to erecting CCTV at illegal dumping blackspots, with a commitment of March of this year. However, despite this, the practice is still widespread. The latest incident has seen bed boards, mattresses and several industrial plastic bags and refuse sacks discarded at Gallow's Hill in Meelick, which has been blighted by the behaviour. The Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O’Gorman has been highlighting this on social media. Pat O’Gorman spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Pat O'Gorman via Facebook

It's being argued that newly-published legislation will provide the "perfect" solution to construction delays currently being seen in Clare. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has tabled a bill intended to overhaul the judicial review process while "ensuring balance and protection of the common good". Under the proposed changes, a judicial review can't be sought on purely technical grounds, applicants can only claim costs where the final decision provides a significant benefit to them, and only those directly affected by the development can make an objection. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly say the current system is a "joke" and displays a "mistrust" of local authority planners.

A Clare-based chemical solutions provider worth €65 million has acquired a Cork-based firm. Chemical Solutions Group, which has its headquarters in Shannon, has agreed terms to acquire wastewater and effluent treatment chemicals specialist Celtic Water Care. The group, which already comprises Chemifloc, GI Chemicals Ireland, GI Chemical Solutions UK, and Chemilab, deals with potable water, wastewater, environmental and hygiene applications. Its CEO, Kevin Quinn, says the acquisition is a "win-win" for both parties.

If your New Year's resolution is to watch more films, you're going to be busy. A smorgasbord of films are due for release in 2026: from the retelling of the Saipan showdown between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy, to Irish Oscar hopes resting on the performances of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in Hamnet...to a feelgood true story about a Neil Diamond tribute act! For a preview of the must-sees and avoid at all costs flicks , Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Colum McGrath.