Clare Fm - Podcasts

The great Colm Liddy, author and local historian was back in the studio for the first segment of 2026. This week, Colm told us about the Clare Election of 1828.

Hauliers are warning that new fuel taxes, toll hikes and port charges introduced at the start of the year are pushing rural businesses to the brink and driving up the cost of everyday goods. Eugene Drennan, former President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and an Ennis-based haulier, says the government is deeply out of touch with the pressures facing rural Ireland. Alan Morrissey was joined by Eugene on Tuesday's Morning Focus to discuss this further. Photo (c) Good Life Studio from Getty Images via Canva

What can we expect from this year? Nobody can predict what will come our way in 2026...or can they? If you want an idea of what is going to happen in this new year, then you could do worse than have a read of Old Moore’s Almanac. Old Moore’s Almanac, one of the oldest almanacs in the world, has a very good track record when it comes to predicting what will take place the following year. To find out more about the Almanac, what they got right this year, and what is in store for 2026, Alan Morrissey was joined by Editor of Old Moore’s Almanac, Nicole Buckler.

Shannonwatch is calling on the Irish government to categorically condemn the illegal invasion of Venezuela. The group also wants to see an immediate suspension of the use of Shannon Airport as a transit hub for US troops and their weapons. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Edward Horgan, Shannonwatch Founder. Photo (c) Shannonwatch Facebook

The future of Venezuela must be decided by the people living there, according to the Taoiseach. Micheál Martin says action must be taken to ensure there is a fair and free election in the country, after US forces captured its president. Nicolas Maduro denied drug-trafficking charges in a New York court yesterday, with Donald Trump stating the US now 'runs' Venezuela. Speaking in China, Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Ireland never accepted the legitimacy of Maduro's regime. But how did ordinary Venezuelans feel about Maduro? And how do they feel about what Trump and the US have done? Paula Sicard, born in Columbia & raised in Venezuela, was live in-studio with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus.

New Research Highlights Growing Openness to Dry January. Drinkaware, the national independent charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse, is encouraging adults across Ireland to consider taking part in Dry January 2026 — a month-long opportunity to reset habits, boost wellbeing, and explore a more mindful relationship with alcohol. To discuss this in detail, Alan Morrissey was joined by Meadhbh Firmino da Silva Santos, Deputy Manager at Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) drinkaware.ie

Former Ennis councillor Brian Meaney has put forward an interesting – some might say provocative - idea aimed at slowing the decline of Irish pubs. He believes a modest charge for filtered tap water could help recognise the real costs of running a pub, reduce reliance on heavily marketed zero-alcohol products, and protect the pub’s role as a vital social hub in Irish communities. Brian Meaney joined Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to explain this. Photo (c) Mike Da Bell Getty Images via Canva

Clare County Council collected more than €120,000 in parking fines last year. 2025 also saw a fourfold increase in the number of parking fines issued at the Cliffs of Moher. According to new figures, the total sum collected in parking fines in Clare across last year was €126,295 which was 15% above the figure for 2024. 61% of fines were issued in Ennis but the county town saw a 3% drop in fines compared to the previous year. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Cllr Joe Garrihy, Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor, and Cllr Mary Howard, Mayor of Ennis, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor. Photo (c) Clare FM

There were almost 100,000 attendances at University Hospital Limerick last year. New data show a total of 95,373 presentations were recorded at the region's main hospital in 2025 which was up 9% on 2024 and almost 25% above the figure for 2021. Recent statistics released by HSE Mid West meanwhile indicate over 12,500 people with Clare addresses travelled to University Hospital Galway's emergency department in the last three years. Friends of Ennis Hospital spokesperson Angela Coll says many are leaving this county due to a lack of emergency access.

A new committee established to discuss local safety concerns in Clare will meet for the first time this month. Members of the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership will attend an induction workshop in mid-January before their first full meeting takes place in early February. The partnership consists of 26 representatives including seven local councillors, a member of An Garda Síochána, TUSLA, HSE and Clare County Council reps, and various community stakeholders. LCSP member Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says given the length of time that's passed since the disbandment of the county's Joint Policing Committee, he's looking forward to getting to work.

Clare Manager Paul Madden After McGrath Cup Win Over Waterford by Clare FM

Individual behaviour has been attributed as the cause of Ennis' significant fall in the latest anti-litter rankings. The county town has dropped from 2nd to 15th in the Irish Business Against Litter League's table and following the latest inspection, is no longer deemed 'Cleaner than European Norms'. While most areas of Ennis received A and B grades, the Deposit Return Scheme Machine area of Dunnes Stores received a C+ rating, with an obvious presence of black sacks, sweet wrappers and plastic bags bringing down the town's score. IBAL Spokesperson Conor Horgan insists it's a simple fix however.

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Clare FM's Syl O'Connor and Derrick Lynch for the first sports review of the year for 2026. Games Reviewed: Munster Hurling League – Group B: Clare 3-20 Limerick 3-18 (Saturday, Tulla) McGrath Cup: Waterford 0-11 Clare 3-10 (Friday, Dungarvan)

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre was back for the first In The Garden for 2026. On Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Judy spoke about how to look after herbs. If you have any questions for Judy you can text or WhatsApp on 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm.

The Environmental Group, Friends of the Irish Environment, is warning that a protected rare snail at Doonbeg in County Clare is now in what experts describe as “terminal decline”. The charity says this has serious implications for further development at the Trump-owned golf resort, including the proposed Irish Ballroom, and argues that existing court orders are not being complied with. Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, Tony Lowes spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to explain what the law requires, why this tiny snail matters, and what could happen next. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy joined Alan Morrissey for the first Arts Slot of 2026. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about music events in Corofin and Ennis, Doolin Writers Weekend, a Traditional Dancing weekend in Ennis, and much more.

It’s time for Parenthood in Focus. On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Petrina O’Halloran. Petrina is the founder of Mama's Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com. This week Petrina is going to talk to us about healthy habits for children. Photo (c) Mamas Boobie Box

Dermot Hayes, founder of the Clare Leader Forum and chair of the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association, passed away peacefully on Friday evening. He was a tireless advocate for disability rights in Clare and beyond for more than three decades. Alan Morrissey was joined by Anne Marie Flanagan, a disability rights campaigner and member of the Clare Leader Forum, to remember the life and legacy of her dear friend and colleague Dermot Hayes.

Nuclear scientist Claire Gallery-Strong has been awarded an MBE by King Charles for her services to nuclear science. A founding member of Women in Nuclear, and a former student of St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil, Claire has spoken of her pride in her West Clare roots and the influence of her late father and brother in shaping her career. Alan Morrissey was joined by Claire on Monday's Morning Focus to find out more. Photo (c) GOV.UK

Ahead of the Dáil break, Mary Lou McDonald claimed the coalition’s first year in office was the worst Government performance since the Dáil was founded. The Sinn Fein president gave her year-end assessment of the Government, saying it is the worst this century. She characterised the coalition as “a do-nothing Government,” saying it had processed the least amount of legislation this century. Mary Lou McDonald said people were being hammered with price increases and ‘mean spirited’ decisions ahead of Christmas. Was 2025 the worst performance by any Government since the foundation of the Dáil? What is the plan for 2026? Joining Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to discuss this was Donna McGettigan, Shannon Sinn Fein TD, Joe Cooney, Bodyke Fine Gael TD, and Cathal Crowe, Meelick Fianna Fail TD. Photo (c) Oireachtas.ie