Clare Fm - Podcasts

As the annual August break approaches for Beyond Belief, Fr Gerry Kenny presents this review programme with news of The Little Ark at Kilbaha and talks to Fr Donagh O'Meara about the forthcoming Youth Pilgrimage to Rome. Fr Brendan Quinlivan and Stephen Fletcher choose memorable pieces from Beyond Belief over the last few months to play again. Beyond Belief returns at 9pm on the 7th September 2025

On Sunday, August 10th, fitness coach and community leader Evan Garvey will lead a special sunrise walk as part of his Beat the Darkness initiative, an event dedicated to raising awareness around suicide prevention and supporting the charity Happy Feet Happy Minds. Organised by Evan Garvey Fitness, the walk invites participants to come together in solidarity, take in the beauty of the early morning coastline, and reflect on the importance of mental health. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Evan Garvey, of Evan Garvey Fitness.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, we heard about the imminent closure of Airmid Natural Irish Skincare in Ennistymon. Today, our attention turns to Corofin, where the owners of The Morning Dew Café + Giftshop have announced their decision to close its doors. To find out more about the reasons behind their decision, Alan morrissey was joined by Nadaa Hyder, co-owner of Morning Dew Cafe + Giftshop. PHOTO CREDIT: The Morning Dew Café + Giftshop via Facebook

Before it became home to the soon-to-be-closed Madden’s Furniture, the building on Station Road in Ennis echoed with music, laughter, and the shuffle of dancing feet. Paddy Con’s Dance Hall was once one of the liveliest spots around—a place where legends took the stage, and memories were made that still linger decades later. In this special segment, we sit down with Chris Hanrahan, who worked in the building for years and remembers Paddy Con’s in its prime. From the night Brose Walsh played the opening, to the moment Jim Reeves graced the stage, and through the golden era of rock 'n' roll, Chris takes us back to a time when the dance hall was the heartbeat of the local music scene. Along the way, we’ll hear about some of the unforgettable artists who performed there, and we’ve lined up a few tracks.

There has been mixed reaction to the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of health warnings on alcoholic drinks until 2028. The Cabinet’s approval of the deferral of health warning labels on alcohol for two years comes amid fears the plan would undermine Irish trade competitiveness on the international stage. While wine and drinks producers are welcoming the decision, public health advocates have condemned the move, describing it as a setback for consumer information. FASD Ireland are also criticising the postponement. The Ennis-headquartered organisation, which provides awareness, education and support for those living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, has described the decision as “a significant setback for public health in Ireland.” For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Mike Taylor, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, FASD Ireland.

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day. Given the day that is in it, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have come together to reflect on the lives lost to drowning and to issue a vital safety message. So far in 2025, 42 people have drowned in Irish waters—ten more than this time last year. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Charlie Glynn, Kilrush RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer and Paul McGowan, Marketing Assistant with Water Safety Ireland.

There is said to be devastation in a County Clare village, following the tragic death of a mother and her two children in a shooting incident in Fermanagh. 45-year-old Vanessa Whyte from Barefield and her children Sara and James Rutledge, who were aged 13 and 14, died in a gun attack at their home in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. Vanessa was found dead alongside one of her children, while the second child later succumbed to their injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A man, who also suffered gunshot wounds, remains in a serious condition in hospital. Police have said a triple murder and attempted suicide is one line of inquiry - as a man from the same household remains seriously injured in hospital. Meanwhile, a vigil will take place later in the grounds of Maguiresbridge Primary School. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, Barefield Parish Priest and the families neighbour, Ann Norton If you have been affected by this story, you can contact Sama

A Clare restaurateur fears delaying the introduction of a lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector would be too little too late for some businesses. The Government is contemplating pushing out the proposed reinstatement of the 9% VAT rate to June 2026 to create more scope for tax cuts in the Budget. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe claims the measure will costs around €1 billion to implement. Patrick O'Donoghue of the Monk's Restauraunt in Ballyvaughan insists many businesses can't wait another year.

It's hoped West Clare will be benefitting from the immense economic boost of the Irish Open in 2026. It's understood the DP World Tour is currently in discussions with Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg, with a view to holding the event at the world renowned course next year. The Irish Open was previously held at Lahinch in 2019 and is believed to have injected over €10m in the local economy over the course of a week. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says it would be a gamechanger.

The captain of the Clare minor ladies footballers claims All Ireland victory could provide the springboard for success for the county's intermediate squad. Clare face off against Sligo in the All Ireland Minor B final in the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence on Saturday, the same opposition who defeated them in the semi final in 2024. Manager Barry Donnelly will have a full strength squad to choose from with no injuries reported from the camp ahead of the game. Skipper Aisling Crowe is hopeful the current squad can take the next step to bolster the intermediate ranks.

A County Clare village is said to be devastated, following the tragic death of a mother and her two children in a shooting incident in Fermanagh. 45 year-old Vanessa Whyte from Barefield and her children Sara and James Rutledge, who were aged 13 and 14, died following the incident at a house in Maguiresbridge yesterday. A murder investigation is underway, following the incident at a house on the Drummeer Road yesterday morning. Emergency services were alerted after a 999 call was placed from inside the house. Vanessa Whyte was found dead alongside one of her children, while the second child later succumbed to their injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A man, who also suffered gunshot wounds, remains in a serious condition in hospital. PSNI Superintendent Robert Magowan says they're investigating a suspected murder and attempted suicide. An Garda Síochána has been assisting the PSNI in liaising with family members in Clare. Barefield native Vanessa Whyte, who attended secondary school at Coláist

The Relic of St. Bernadette is to visit Lisdoonvarna this weekend. The event will take place at Lisdoonvarna Corpus Christi Church this Saturday (26th July, 4pm). For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fr. Robert McNamara PP Lisdoonvarna, Hosting the Event and Morgan Sharpe, Guest Speaker who also Processes the First Class Relic of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. PHOTO CREDIT: Diocese of Kilmore

Cooraclare's Aisling Kelly believes the Clare minor ladies footballers have been hardened by the tough defeats the squad have experienced in recent seasons. The Banner are gearing up for an All Ireland Final as they head to the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Co.Mayo on Saturday afternoon to face Sligo. Sligo came out on top when the sides met in last year's semi final en route to claiming the title, while the Clare squad also tasted defeat in the U16c final against Antrim two years ago. Joint Vice captain, Kelly, says the side have matured greatly over the course of the past couple of years.

Clare Animal Welfare is hosting a special event this coming weekend. On Sunday (27th July), they will hold “Lurcher Day" near Feakle. It will offer people an opportunity to find their new best buddy! For more on this, Alan Morrissey wad joined by Stiofán MacGabhann, Director and Treasurer of Clare Animal Welfare. PHOTO CREDIT: mikedabell from Getty Images

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats Julie Dickerson, CEO of Shannon Engine Support.

ISME, the Irish SME Association, has welcomed the Summer economic Statement from Government, but said a far greater focus on indigenous enterprise will be required to address the imbalances in the Irish economy between multinational businesses and indigenous enterprise. ISME has warned that Ireland will suffer the worsening effects of ‘Dutch Disease’ unless Budget 2026 focuses on scaling indigenous enterprises and helping them export. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Siobhán Ni Ghairbith, Owner of St. Tola’s Goats Cheese. PHOTO CREDIT: Arthur A from Pexels

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrisey was joined by Sinead McKee. Sinead is a mental health advocate, who runs wellness workshops across the country to help students disconnect from devices and connect to mind/body practices to promote their mental health. She is with us today to speak about the benefits of sound meditation, or what you might know more commonly as sound baths. Sinead's Instagram Handle: @sineadmckeetruenorthwellness

The Kilmihil Festival of Fun returns this August Bank holiday weekend. A host of events and activities are planned for the festival: from a vintage rally, and trad sessions, to a fireworks display, pig racing, and much more besides! To give us a more complete picture of what will be happening at the Kilmihill Fesitval of Fun, Alan Morrissey was joined by committee member, Micheal Fitzpatrick.

A third of us say we've tried to end an addiction to our phones through a digital detox. A new survey by DFS found 41 percent of respondents feel they look at their phone too much, with 51 percent reporting a screen time of 3 or more hours every day. Is excessive screen time having a negative impact on our mental, emotional and physical health? For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Clarke Browne, Owner-operator at Munster Business.

Lisdoonvarna Youth Club has arrived at an important crossroads. The club is seeking volunteers, and it is a critical callout: if they don’t get any volunteers, then there will be no youth club for 2025/26. For more on this, Alan morrissey was joined by Committee Members Sean McDonnell and Jimmy Danaher.