Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare's opposition TD has criticised HIQA for a lack of decisiveness in its review. The regulator had previously questioned the need for a second emergency department in the region following an inspection which highlighted the effects of gross overcrowding at UHL in 2022. Despite now recommending that either expanding or extending University Hospital Limerick would be a more timely solution for patient safety, it does say that a new hospital elsewhere could address long term bed requirements. Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan says this should've been obvious for some time.

What do Eddie Lenihan and Taylor Swift have in common? They do both know Jason Kelce, the former American Football player with the Philadelphia Eagles. The world’s biggest pop star is engaged to Jason’s brother Travis Kelce, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason Kelce was in Ireland recently, and paid a visit to Clare to hear Eddie, the folklorist, storyteller and broadcaster do his stuff! Eddie Lenihan, folklorist & storyteller joined Alan Morrissey live in studio on Tuesday's Morning Focus.

It's claimed Clare's housing market will be in "real trouble" unless more second-hand stock becomes available. Daft.ie's latest House Price Report shows the number of housing transactions and exisiting homes for sale in Munster both fell last year. In Clare, meanwhile, the average price of a two-bed terraced home soared by 31.5% which is the highest increase of any property type nationwide, while four-bed homes went up by over €35,000. Report Author and Economist Ronan Lyons has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan however there are some positive indications for Clare.

An information and awareness campaign directed at victims and survivors of sexual violence has been launched (Monday, 29th September). According to Sexual Violence Study figures from the CSO, almost half of those who have suffered sexual violence didn't tell anyone else what had happened to them. The Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Cuan are encouraging survivors of sexual violence to feel empowered to speak out, and to seek support. Siobhán O’Leary, Managing Director of Rape Crisis Midwest spoke with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Rape Crisis Midwest Facebook

On this week's Clare History In Focus, local historian and author Colm Liddy joined Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to talk about County Clare in 1798 and 1799. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your townland you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm. Photo (c) Colm Liddy

Stephanie Woollard who is from Australia, is the founder of The Celtic Way, a tour company that brings travelers from across the world to explore Ireland — not just through its sights, but through its soul. With strong family ties to Mayo and a growing love for East Clare, Stephanie is on a mission to reconnect people with their heritage in the most meaningful way possible. Alan Morrissey spoke with Stephanie on Tuesday's edition of Morning Focus.

Clean Ireland Recycling is backing Irish charity Project ESPWA in building a new disability centre in Kenya. The Shannon-headquartered company is providing building materials for the project that are scarce locally. The new disability centre, which is located in Bamba in Kenya, is due to open early next year. To learn more, Alan Morrissey chatted to Managing Director of Clean Ireland Recycling Brian Lyons and long-time ESPWA volunteer Pat Barry on Tuesday's Morning Focus.

We all remember the teacher that very positively impacted our lives and also perhaps the one who was somewhat unkind. So what makes a good or great teacher? On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by retired Deputy Principal of Rice College and Educational Consultant, John Burns to discuss this further.

Harrison is an author, eco-builder, broadcaster and the co-founder of Common Knowledge, the non-profit social enterprise based near Ennistymon. The Australian native is a busy bee at the moment. He is back on our TV screens from Wednesday the 1st of October, with a new season of Build Your Own Home. Harrison also has an upcoming event at the Old Ground Hotel here in Ennis on the 16th of October, called When Did Housing Become an Act of Rebellion?, during which he will launch his new book, Our Homes: Other Ways to Solve the Housing Crisis. For more on this, Harrison Gardner joined Alan Morrissey in-studio.

Volunteers from Clare were among those who were honoured at the Special Olympics Ireland Volunteer Awards 2025. Sixmilebridge couple Donagh and Carmel Cronin received this year’s Munster Volunteers Award. The pair are long-standing members of Shannon Flyers Special Olympics Club and were recipients of the award for their many years of service. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Donagh and Carmel Cronin.

Members of the Seanad are being warned that they must amend the Defamation Bill coming before them this week, as the legislation in its present form won’t do enough to protect small businesses from “vexatious” defamation claims. That is the view of the Alliance for Insurance Reform, which says a large volume of these claims affect local retailers, corner shops, and businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors. ISME – the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association – is also warning Senators that they have a “last chance” to reform defamation law. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Brian Hanley, CEO Alliance for Insurance Reform and Crystel Robbins Rynne, HR Locker CEO. Picture (c) Oireachtas.ie

A landmark report to determine if another Emergency Department is needed in the MidWest is due today. HIQA is expected to publish its review of urgent and emergency capacity across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary at 3pm. The review was announced last May amid persistent gross overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick and after inquests into the deaths of Clare patients Aoife Johnston and Martin Abbott at UHL both returned verdicts of medical misadventure. Friends of Ennis Hospital Chairperson Angela Coll says the people of the MidWest can't wait any longer.

It's claimed "Brendan O'Regan would turn in his grave" if he became aware of an upcoming development on the site of a former Clare hotel. Clare County Council has granted planning permission to Crescent House Limited for a mixed-use development which will require the demolition of the Shannon Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty. The project will features 58 residential units as well as a convenience retail store and six retail or office units. Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman believes what the area really needs is tourist accommodation.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and Paudie Carmody. Games Reviewed: TUS Clare SFC Semi-Finals: Éire Óg 2-10 Lissycasey 0-9 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg) Cratloe 1-14 Doora Barefield 3-11 (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg) Eire Óg and Doora Barefield will face off in the 2025 TUS Clare senior football final. Eire Óg were first through after victory over Lissycasey thanks to goals from Colm Walsh O'Loughlen and Manus Doherty. Clare TUS IFC Semi-Finals: Corofin 2-12 Clondegad 0-16 (Saturday, Clarecastle) Cooraclare 0-12 Banner 0-11 (Saturday, Milltown) Clare TUS PIHC Relegation Final: Bodyke 3-15 Killanena 2-10 (Saturday, Whitegate) Clare Credit Unions Adult Camogie Championship: Group 2: Inagh-Kilnamona v Clarecastle/Ballyea (Friday) Kilkishen v Feakle-Killanena (Saturday) Group 1: Truagh-Clonlara v Newmarket (Saturday) St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield v Scariff Ogonelloe (S

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre joined Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus for our regular In The Garden Slot. This week, Judy spoke about all things related to hedging. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Students from St. Patrick's Comprehensive School in Shannon were recognised for their staging of the musical We Will Rock You. A.I.M.S.: The Association of Irish Musical Societies presented certificates to students in recognition of their incredible nominations in this year’s Musical Mentoring Programme for We Will Rock You. The school’s staging of the musical featuring the music of Queen, which was directed by Aodán Fox, with musical direction by Karen Barrett and choreography by Laura Gough, ran last December (December 4th to 7th, 2024). On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Deputy Principal, Sharon Brooks and student, Feidhlim Cotter. Photo (c) St Patrick's Comprehensive School

The Clare FM Radio Auction is back next month. The auction, in association with Ennis Lions Club, will take place on the 17th of October. This year’s beneficiary will be St. Clare’s School. For more on this, Ed Scannell, Principal of St. Clare's, and David Goodstein, on behalf of Ennis Lions Club, joined Alan Morrissey in studio on Monday’s Morning Focus.

A Clare TD claims a United Ireland would reunite families and allow displaced Shannon residents to reconnect with their ancestral home. The Taoiseach has poured cold water on suggestions a poll on Irish unity will be held before 2030, saying more time is needed to prepare and to unite people across the island. The Good Friday Agreement states that a border poll should be called by the Northern Ireland secretary when they believe there is evidence that public opinion in the six counties has shifted in favour of change. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons she's observed appetite for reunification in her hometown and throughout the county.

Community activists from across Clare will come together in Ennis on Saturday week (October 11th) for ‘Rural Rejigs’. The special event marks the 10th anniversary of Clare Public Participation Network. With over 450 member groups countywide, the Clare PPN will celebrate a decade of community action with a day of discussion, inspiration, live music, dance, and free food. To chat about what is organised for the event, Alan Morrissey spoke with William Hederman, of Clare Public Participation Network on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Clare Public Participation Network

Dr. Harry Barry has just published memoir. Beneath the Surface: A Doctor's Journey of Empathy, Healing and Self-Discovery provides unique insights into the life and work of one of Ireland's most influential doctors and mental health advocates. Dr. Harry Barry joined Alan Morrissey to discuss this further on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Ger Holland