Clare Fm - Podcasts

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O’Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. On this week’s Travel Tales, Fergal discussed his travel experiences to Porto and surrounding areas!

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Avril Collentine, of Cahir & Co. Solicitors, Ennis in our weekly legal slot. This week, Avril discussed common queries from farmers and their spouses. If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us on focus@clare.fm

One of golf’s prestigious amateur golf tournaments will take place in Clare early next month. Lahinch Golf Club will host the Arnold Palmer Cup between the 5th and 7th of July. The Arnold Palmer Cup pits the top university/college golfers from the United States against the best collegiate golfers from around the world. To get an update on the preparations and the excitement building for the event, Alan Morrissey spoke with John Gleeson, the Chairperson of Lahinch Golf Club. The event is free of charge. Picture(c): www.arnoldpalmercup.com

MS Ireland has launched the results of its “My MS My Needs” survey. This comprehensive survey highlights the needs and experiences of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Ireland. To discuss the findings of the survey, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lahinch native, Alison Cotter who is the Advocacy and Research Officer for MS Ireland. Picture (c): www.ms-society.ie/

The recommendations published earlier this year by a special Oireachtas committee urged the Government to legislate for assisted dying in restricted circumstances. However, in a pastoral letter the bishops criticised the recommendations, warning the proposals will “undermine the confidence of terminally ill people” and leave those with intellectual disabilities in a vulnerable position. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin. To discuss this further, Clare health campaigner, John Wall also joined Alan on the show. Picture (c) DarkoStojanovic via canva.com

Iarnród Éireann says it doesn't anticipate increased ticket prices in Clare to result in a drop-off in passenger numbers. The national railway network operator has announced fare adjustments on a number of its intercity routes following a fares determination process commenced by the National Transport Authority in January. A day return ticket from Ennis to Galway purchased at a ticket office will now cost 17 euro and seventy-five cents compared to 17 euro and five cents previously, while the Ennis to Limerick fare will remain unchanged. Iarnród Éireann Corporate Communications Manager Barry Kenny says as the provider reduced its fares by 20% in 2022, it's still a good value way to travel.

Clare's Green Senator says she hopes to act as bridge between rural and urban Ireland if chosen as her party's deputy leader. Inagh's Roisín Garvey has announced her candidacy for the role vacated by Minister Catherine Martin last week following the resignation of party leader Eamon Ryan. Dublin Central TD Neasa Hourigan and Dún Laoghaire TD Ossian Smyth have already said they'll contest the party's deputy leadership which will be put to a vote at a hustings on July 13th. Roisín Garvey claims recent events have shown that regional balance is an issue which must be addressed at a Government level.

Morning Focus was broadcasting live from The Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, a great local business that is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Firstly, Alan Morrissey was joined by Birgitta and Peter Curtin, Founders and Owners of the Burren Smokehouse who discussed the history of the Smokehouse, their products and food tourism. Alan was then joined by Helga Himmelsbach, the organiser of a free concert called ‘Musicians For Road Safety”. It will be held in Ballyvaughan to mark the first anniversary of her husband's death. Alan was also joined by Tony Shannon, a member of Riverside Cycling Club. They chatted about The Sea To Summit 2024 cycle that took place over the weekend. Afterwards, Alan was joined by Peter Jackson, the Head Chef of The Roadside Tavern and John Curtin. Senator Martin Conway then joined Alan to discuss the issue of teenagers vaping in Ireland. After that we had the Arts Round up with the County Arts Officer, Siobhán Mulcahy. Alan was then joined by two members of the team at The

The wife of a man killed in a road traffic collision in North Clare last summer says she "can't believe" nothing has been done to improve road safety in the region in the past year. A free concert will be held in Ballyvaughan next month to raise awareness of the serious concern locals have around pedestrian and motorist safety in the popular tourism hub. On July 27th last year, Jeremiah O'Connor, known to family and friends as Jerry, lost his life when his motorycle collided with a car driven by a French tourist on the N67 road near Ballyvaughan. At the time, Jerry's death was the latest in a string of serious and fatal incidents over the years on North Clare's roads network - sparking calls for a speed limit review in the area. Last year saw a 19% rise in road deaths nationwide, with six in Clare alone, while the county has seen three fatal road traffic collisions so far in 2024. On July 27th at 3pm, a free concert called 'Musicians For Road Safety" will be held in Ballyvaughan to mark the first anniver

Ennis is expected to benefit from a significant tourism boost this Summer following it's success in the latest Irish Business Against Litter rankings. The county town climbed seven places to go fifth in the national rankings, with nine of the ten assessment sites receiving an 'A' litter grade, including the Kilrush Road, Gort Road, Limerick Road and Hawthorns Housing Estate. Dublin City meanwhile fell to 39th in the rankings and was classed as 'littered.' IBAL Spokesperson Conor Horgan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that cleanliness is high on the agenda for tourists and believes Ennis will benefit from an expected drop in footfall elsewhere.

Uisce Eireann is being urged to prioritise the enhancement of water and wastewater infrastructure in Miltown Malbay following renewed supply disruptions this weekend. It's after a burst main led to outages in the Coore, Mullagh, Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point areas yesterday afternoon; leaving bars, restaurants and public toilets without water during a peak visitor period. In a statement to Clare FM, Uisce Eireann says crews were immediately deployed to carry out repairs and that supply is now returning to all impacted customers. Clare Independent TD and MEP Elect Michael McNamara says the repeated occurrence is unacceptable.

A Clare Oireachtas Health Committee member claims Ireland has let vaping get out of hand and argues it was not regulated when it should have been. Figures from the latest CSO's Growing up Ireland report shows that 1 in 10 thirteen year olds have tried vaping. Concerns have been voiced about the longterm health complications they may cause, especially to those below the age of 18 as they are still developing mentally and physically. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway says there will be great push back on any vape-related bans but believes it's the right step forward.

Diane O’Connor is coming to Glór. The comedian, environmentalist and activist is bringing her stand-up show The Accidental Activist to the Ennis venue on Friday, the 28th of June. The show has been going down well, with sold out nights in both Dublin and Galway. To chat about the show, Diane joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Sea to Summit 2024 took place over the weekend. On Saturday, a group of cyclists undertook the huge challenge of cycling from Ennistymon to Croagh Patrick, climbing the reek and cycling back to Ennistymon, to raise vital funds for cancer care. This important event was organised by Riverside Cycling Club. To find out how they got on, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tony Shannnon from Riverside Cycling Club. To donate, visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SeatoSummit2024 Picture (c): Riverside Cycle Club via www.idonate.ie

A member of the new Clare Road Safety Working Group insists tackling speeding and improving driver behaviour will be her top priorities over the next five years. The three person committee, which was ratified at last Friday's Annual General Meeting of Clare County Council will be responsible for shaping road safety policy and highlighting road hazards countywide. It's members consist of Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle, Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy and Ardnacrusha Fianna Fáil Councillor Rachel Hartigan. Councillor Rachel Hartigan says parents need to sit down and talk to their children about speeding on the roads.

Clare Manager Brian Lohan After Win Over Wexford

On this week's Atlantic Tales with Pat Flynn, we meet Hanne T. Fisker, who left Denmark in 2008; spent three years travelling the world living a nomadic life before settling in North Clare.

Clare's County Dog Warden says he won't hesitate to issue fines to dog owners following a spate of attacks in the last week. At least five separate incidents involving dogs attacking people have been recorded in Clare in recent days, including a rottweiler knocking over a man, and a child being bitten by a german shepherd. Clare recorded the highest rate of injuries or damages to clothing resulting from dog attacks in the country in 2022, with 49 people affected. County Dog Warden Frankie Coote insists due to the grave nature of the problem, he and the Gardaí are vigilant when it comes to issuing fines.

It's claimed many businesses in Clare missing out on energy savings by failing to analyse output costs. It follows a new report from Urban Volt which found that 57% of Irish Small and Medium Enterprises identified cost as a barrier to adopting sustainable initiatives. While 4 in 5 businesses said their budgets could not afford climate friendly policies. Managing Director of the Ailwee Burren Experience and ISME Council member Nuala Mulqueeney says simple measures can add up to big savings over time.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents this Sundays Beyond Belief and has a report about rewilding graveyards in Co Clare