Clare Fm - Podcasts

A busy weekend in sporting action in Clare! Clare FM's Derrick Lynch and Tommy Guilfoyle joined Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to discuss the TUS Clare SHC Semi-Finals, SHC Relegation Final, TUS PIHC Quarter Finals, TUS IHC Relegation Final and the TUS IHC Quarter-Finals.

A Clare estate agent predicts that house prices in the county will continue to rise over the coming year amid an ongoing supply shortage. A new survey by Real Estate Alliance has found that the average price of a three-bed semi-detached house in Clare has surged by 18.5% to €320,000 in the last year. There's also been an increase of over 3% in the last three months in the cost of the average second-hand three-bed semi-detached property in the county. Liam Browne of REA Paddy Browne in Ennis has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons it's good news for sellers but represents a significant challenge for buyers.

“Families with seriously sick children are living in a constant state of anxiety, uncertainty, and exhaustion, often unseen and rarely highlighted.” This quote comes from Cliona’s Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report. The report delves into the toll of the financial crisis on families caring for seriously sick children in Ireland. Brendan Ring is the Founder of Cliona's and he spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to tell us more. Photo (c) Clionas.ie

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan was joined live in studio by Judy Beck, General Manager at Clonroad Garden Centre for our In The Garden slot. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

SVP is appealing for new volunteers in Clare. Denis Carty, Clare SVP President spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to find out more. Photo (c) SVP - Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ireland via Facebook

Mountshannon Harbour was a hive of activity on Friday afternoon as local elected representatives assembled to mark the official opening of the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience. Despite opening its doors to the public during the summer, the new tourism centre had its official opening on Friday the 19th of September 2025. Clare FM's Seán Lyons was present at the event and spoke to local Fine Gael councillor Pat Burke about the day's significance.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about the Luka Bloom Concert, Into The Wild - Madagascar the Musical, exhibitions in Scariff and Kilkee and much more.

Journalist Michael Moynihan has written a new book on the GAA that is sure to kickstart plenty of conversations. More Than a Game: The GAA and Where it's Going explores the evolving landscape of the Gaelic Athletic Association and its profound connection to Irish identity and society. The book delves into a variety of important issues facing the GAA. To discuss the GAA and where it's going, Alan Morrissey spoke with author, Michael Moynihan on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Gill Books

The Restore Ballymacraven River Association’s Autumn lecture series gets underway from Tuesday the 23rd of September. They are offering a series of six free lectures, exploring a range of topics surrounding biodiversity and rivers To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Cía McElveen Walsh, Communications and Community Engagement Officer for Restore Ballymacraven River Association. Picture (c) Restore Ballymacraven River Association via Instagram

Back in early August, we spoke about the upcoming Doonbeg Charity Truck and Tractor Run, with Chair of the organising committee Martin Kelly sharing what was planned for this year’s event. Since it began in 2019, the Doonbeg Charity Truck and Tractor Run has raised thousands of euro for a range of local and national charities. This year, the chosen beneficiaries were West Clare Cancer Support, Happy Feet Happy Minds, and Down Syndrome Clare. Martin Kelly rejoined Alan Morrissey on Monday’s Morning Focus to reflect on the success of this year’s run and to talk about the upcoming cheque presentation night. Picture (c) Doonbeg tractor and truck run via Facebook

The minimum wage could soon be more than 14 euro per hour. It is expected that the Low Pay Commission will recommend to the Government an increase of 5% to the National Minimum Wage. Would you welcome this move? Would your view on this depend on whether you were an employee or a SME business owner? To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis Chamber MD, Gwen Culligan of County Boutique.

It's claimed Clare's schools and early childhood settings are going without vital staff due to an inefficient Garda vetting process. Garda vetting is a criminal history check required for anyone working with children, vulnerable people or in healthcare, and lasts for three years, but only at their existing place of employment. This means that if someone applies for a new job or goes for a second job within that timeframe, they have to start the process over. Teacher and Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan says the systems flawed.

The Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District insists attracting tourism accommodation providers to East Clare must be the next area of focus for the region. The €5.3m Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience, which consists of interactive exhibits, a café and an external seated terrace, was officially opened on Friday afternoon. Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley, who opened the attraction, has stated it will "help boost tourism and economic growth in Mountshannon" by "increasing footfall and driving visitor numbers". Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke doesn't believe this can happen without additional places for people to stay.

Uisce Eireann is set to begin repair works to water mains serving O'Brien's Bridge this week. The repairs involve the replacement of over one kilometre of aged water mains, which the water authority says will provide a more secure and reliable water supply less prone to leakage. To facilitate the works the L70361 will be closed in stretches with a traffic management system in place until the works completion in early November. Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, Jack Cronin, says the works will significanly lower instances of bursts on the mains.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets writer and bookseller Gráinne O’Brien from Ministers Cross, Sixmilebridge who has been writing since she was a teenager. Activist and author Dermot Hayes from Corofin will also talk about his own memoir, The Road The Rises.

A Clare architect claims the planning process is getting slower and says he doesn't believe bringing in new laws to tighten the judicial review process will act as a "panacea". It comes as Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has indicated he'll introduce new legislation to ensure those who make judicial reviews "have an actual interest in the process" and aren't halting developments to "suit their own agenda". A number of high-profile residential, commercial and infrastructural developments in Clare have been held up in recent years by lengthy appeals processes. Ogonnelloe-based architect Garry Miley insists a "root and branch" approach is required.

The commission for communications regulation has been requested to carry out a review of Clare's coverage. It follows concerns raised at this weeks meeting of Clare County Council, involving residents, businesses and emergency services being impacted by blackspots and areas of poor service. So far this year, new telecommunications towers have already been approved in Corofin, Crusheen and Scariff. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says it's a problem that needs tackling countywide.

Br Brendan Quinlivan presents Beyond Belief for today, Sunday 21st September 2025. The programme includes a report from the Franciscan Solemn Profession last weekend and an interview by Colm Flynn with actor Jonathan Rouime on his role in The Chosen.

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Sunday Prayer for today, Sunday 21st Septemer, the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Clare County Council is asking the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for "increased focus and funding" for West Clare's roads ahead of the Irish Open 2026. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney has this week called for "critical improvements" to be carried out on the region's roads network in advance of the competition, with a particular emphasis an Kilmihil through Cree to Doonbeg. In response, the West Clare Municipal District says it's currently working on "plans for improvements" and is liaising with the Department as well as TII in relation to the works involved along with a request for "increased focus and funding on these routes". Councillor McInerney says there's an appetite for the maintenance programme and the allocation of funding from Government to be fast-tracked.