Clare Fm - Podcasts

Jyoshna La Trobe is heading into an exciting and eventful time. The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter is preparing to release not just one, but two brand-new albums! She’ll be celebrating the launches with live performances at the upcoming Mountshannon Arts Festival, as well as a special show at Glór in Ennis. To learn more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Clare-based New Zealand artist Jyoshna La Trobe. Later in the program, Jyoshna was joined by Yam Aquino on percussion and Lucy Thomas on clarinet for a live performance. Photo(C): Clare FM

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy provided Alan and our Morning Focus listeners with advice on starting a pension in Ireland.

Spectators who were at the Premier League victory parade in Liverpool on Monday have raised questions as to why car access wasn't totally blocked off. A local man in his 50s has been arrested after a car was driven at soccer fans, with 27 people in hospital and a further 20 treated at the scene. They were on the streets for an open top bus parade with Liverpool FC players and staff, showing off the Premier League trophy. Jenna from Wexford was there with her 11-year-old son and husband, and is critical of the organisation of the event... Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has called the incident "shocking"... To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Liverpool fan from Limerick, Eugene O’Connor. Photo(C): Tembela Bohle from Pexels via canva

The Kilkee native, Aoife Ni Eochaidh accepted, on behalf of IPPM, the Award of Physiotherapy Service of the Year 2025 at the All Island, Private Healthcare Excellence Awards, recently in Belfast. Aoife is IPPM’s Clinical Specialist in Pelvic, Women and Men’s Health Physiotherapy. To discuss this further, Aoife joined Alan Morrissey in-studio on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo(C): Clare FM

A Clare athlete flew the tricolour at the recent Six Nations Mountain Running Championships. Dee Collins from Sixmilebridge represented Ireland at the Championships, which took place over the weekend. To discuss this further, Dee Collins joined Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1257714256359830&set=pcb.1257714296359826

As you have been hearing on Clare FM News, County Clare recorded the fifth highest number of suicides in the country last year. New data published by the Central Statistics Office shows a total of 19 suicides were recorded in Clare in 2024. Only Cork County, Dublin City, Wexford and South Dublin recorded more than Clare. Of these 19, 18 were male, giving Clare the fourth-highest rate of male suicide in the country after Wexford, Cork County and Dublin City. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Director of Clare Samaritans and Newmarket-on-Fergus native, Pat White and Retired Doctor from Miltown Malbay, Dr Billy O’Connell. Photo(C): Canva

It's claimed the HSE has failed to allocate enough home care workers to Clare. New figures from the Health Service Executive show this county has the greatest number of people with disabilities and older people waiting for home care supports in the MidWest, with 348 on the list in total. Despite this, 37% of all home care hours in the region were delivered in Clare last year, with 32% in North Tipperary and 31% in Limerick. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor and HSE Regional Health Forum West member Antoinette Baker Bashua says we need more resources.

It's feared a south Clare town could be the victim of serious flooding damage unless a vital piece of infrastructure is upgraded. Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe is urging Shannon Municipal District to replace the weir gate at "the Battlement" at Frederick's Square in Sixmilebridge. The gate regulates the flow of water downstream in the Owengarney River but hasn't been replaced in 50 years meaning it doesn't function as it's intended to. Councillor Crowe has raised the issue at various times over the last decade to no avail he says they're being passed "from Billy to Jack".

Steve Wickham has certainly made his presence felt throughout Irish rock and roll history. The Dublin fiddle player was a long-time member of the Waterboys, as well as playing on recordings by great names such as Sinead O’Connor, Elvis Costello and World Party. Indeed, it’s Steve’s violin playing that you can hear on the U2 classic “Sunday Bloody Sunday”...is it any wonder that leader of The Waterboys, Mike Scott Steve Wickham "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", while the NME described him as a "fiddling legend."? Steve will be playing a benefit show in Clare for Medicins Sans Frontieres – Doctors Without Borders, who at present have over 1,000 staff in Gaza to provide vital medical assistance for all civilians caught up in the conflict. The show at the Westbridge in Miltown Malbay is the brainchild of music promoter, John Roberts, who joined Alan on the show. Photo(C): Clare FM

LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice has released stark findings from two new surveys looking at the challenges faced by families caring for a child with palliative care needs. Children’s Hospice Week, which took place recently, raised awareness about the lived experiences of children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Currently there are 15 families in Clare using LauraLynn’s services. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare Daly, Children's Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist at LauraLynn Ireland's Children's Hospice. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=352624033569242&set=a.352624020235910

Next, we are turning our attentions to the Shannon College of Hotel Management, where it seems there is no accommodation for students for the coming year. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Shannon Banks Sinn Fein Councillor, who’s been working with those affected, Cllr James Ryan. Photo(C): Industrial Photograph via canva

It’s time to turn to one of our newer features, Ageing Well. Reorientating health services to meet the needs and preferences of older adults is essential. Furthermore, adopting age inclusive environments, from age friendly cities to universities to health systems benefits not just older adults, but people of all ages. The University of Limerick, through its Ageing Research Centre and Age-Friendly University Committee, has been at the forefront of research and practice in this vital area. For the latest installment of Ageing Well, Alan Morrissey was joined by Rose Galvin, Professor in Physiotherapy at the University of Limerick.

A new report that collects and analyses the experiences of recipients of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) has been published. The contributions of more than 50 artists and creative arts workers feature in the report, which has been commissioned by the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan. They were interviewed by a sociologist to talk about the changes that the Basic Income for the Arts has brought to their lives. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennistymon-based artist, Maeve Stone and Jack Talty, from Lissycasey, musician, lecturer and record producer. Photo(C): Yusuke Ide from Getty Images via canva

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, retired Deputy Principal of Rice College and Educational Consultant, John Burns advised students on taking State Exams and House Exams.

Mountshannon will be a hive of activity this bank holiday weekend for the Mountshannon Arts Festival. Thousands are expected to descend on the East Clare village for the annual event, which runs from this Thursday, the 29th of May, until Monday, the 2nd of June. Singer Mary Coughlan will perform, while there will be plenty of other musical performances, as well as theatre, children’s entertainment, and much more besides. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Chairperson of Mountshannon Arts, Mel White. Photo(C): Mountshannon Arts facebook page

Alans next guest’s story begins in County Clare, but it has wound its way to her becoming Mayor of the hometown of none other than William Shakespeare! Dani Hunter hails from Shannon but is now Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council in the UK, the birthplace of the legendary playwright, and poet. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Shannon native, Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, Dani Hunter. Photo(C): ShotByJude.com

The tourism sector may play an increasingly important role in supporting long-term economic growth. That's according to the latest SME Monitor published today by Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland. Irish GDP grew by over 13 per cent in the first quarter of the year, largely driven by medical and pharmaceutical exports. Brian Hayes, Chief Executive of the BPFI, says the tourism sector could help to keep employment high... Alan has been speaking about this with Mark Nolan, President of the Shannon Chamber, former managing director of Dromoland Castle Hotel. Alan first asked Mark if he thought the tourism sector can realistically compensate for potential economic hits to high-value industries like medical and pharma, especially in terms of jobs and wages... To explore this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Owner at Doolin Inn, Anthony Moloney. Photo(C): studioroman via canva

The Clare-based former President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association claims Ireland its an outlier in Europe when it comes to allowing tractors on motorways. The IRHA is calling on the Government to ban tractors and slow-moving construction vehicles from using the motorway network. Among the issues being pointed to are the level of congestion caused by these vehicles as well as the safety risks they pose in heavy fog and on stretches of road with blind bends. Ennis haulier Eugene Drennan says no other country in Europe has such a lax approach.

It's claimed Clare's electrical infrastructure is in need of a major overhaul. New ESB figures show there were 1,717 power cuts in this county last year, up 9% on the amount recorded in 2023. However it's still well below the national average jump of 22% in power outages last year. Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurcú believes the situation can be attributed to a lack of investment.

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