Clare Fm - Podcasts

Last summer, Clare FM heard about the opening of a Design Bank, a popup creative space in Miltown Malbay. Given it was a popup, the Design Bank was open for most of July last year. However, it looks like it is to be given a more permanent lease of life. To find out more Alan Morrissey was joined by Organiser, Aoife O’Malley, Molly Sterling, managing the Design Bank and social media content and Kevin Keane, aka 'Potadóir', potter based in Spanish Point.

The launch of a new book on the social history of the combined villages of Ballynacally and Lissycasey will take place tomorrow, on Friday, the 23rd of May. The book, entitled ‘Ballynacally/Lissycasey: The Parish and its People’ has been written by Mary Hester in association with Clare Roots Society. It will be launched at the Community Hall in Ballynacally at 8pm. For more on this Alan Morrissey was joined by Author, Mary Hester.

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael O’Doherty. Michael is an internationally recognised bio-energy healthcare expert and is calling for a national conversation on educational reform, modern parenting, and an integrated approach to childhood resilience. As school avoidance, anxiety, learning and behavioural difficulties continue to rise among children in Ireland, Michael, who is based in Ennis, is calling for urgent change.

Post Offices say they can contribute more to local communities and the economy, if they're properly funded. A significant new report commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union has found the network needs around 15 million euro a year over the next 5 years. With that Post Offices could provide even more essential services, as well as government services. IPU President Seán Martin, says that works out as less than the price of a cup of coffee per citizen. To find out more Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Independent Postmasters Group and Clarecastle Fianna Fail Councillor.

There's a call for Clare County Council to ignore GDPR, put up CCTV surveillance in illegal dumping blackspots and "let the courts decide". It follows several recent reports of the incorrect disposal of waste at the Tulla Bring Bank. Efforts to have cameras installed at locations in Clare where illegal dumping is common have proved fruitless in recent years largely due to data protection regulations. Sixmilebridge Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan believes the local authority shouldn't let legislation get in the way of tackling the issue.

Plans are afoot to bring a designated early intervention youth mental health service to Clare. Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler has named this county among four areas where she's determined such supports are lacking. It's hoped funding for the service can be acquired in Budget 2026. Speaking in the Dáíl, Deputy Butler says she's exploring the avenues through which this can be achieved.

A meeting has heard that all of West Clare's elected representatives must act as ambassadors to attract industry into the struggling part of the county. Quilty Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon is calling for an assessment to be carried out of vacant commercial property in the Kilrush local electoral area. The latest Geodirectory report has found that Kilrush has with a whole 24.% of its units vacant, Kilrush has the ninth-highest commercial vacancy rate in the country. Councillor Shannon says once the figures are known, work can begin to attract businesses into existing premises.

Two months ago, a rendition of “Dimming of the Day” was posted on Facebook. The rendition was courtesy of Ger O’Donnell and Trevor Sexton, with the fantastic addition of Don Stiffe on guitar and vocals. Ger and Trevor are gearing up to be the supporting act for Richard Thompson at the Galway International Arts Festival.

A group of students from a Kilkee secondary school have gained recognition on the national stage. The young filmmakers, all students St. Joseph’s in Kilkee took second place in a national film award – The Right Focus 2025 awards, which were held recently. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by 3 transition year students from St. Joseph’s Emma Roberston, Muireann O'Dea, Roisin Kett and their teacher Michelle Morrissey. Photo (c) Mark Stedman

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Greg Carey from Shannon. Greg published a book of poetry two years ago, which raised awareness about breast cancer in men. This is an issue that Greg knows about only too well, as he was diagnosed with breast cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The contribution of the late Frank Custy to the cultural life of county Clare and beyond will be remembered in a special tribute concert which promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Fleadh Nua in Ennis. The 2025 Fleadh Nua in Ennis, which runs from the 24th of May until the 2nd of June, will see a host of concerts, céilís, music sessions, CD launches, recitals, sean-nós dancing, and lively street performances taking place around the county town. This includes the tribute concert to the late Frank Custy, which will be held at Glór on Sunday, the 1st of June. To find out more on this Alan Morrissey was joined by Frank Whelan, Chairman of the Fleadh Nua Committee.

A Lahinch councillor is seeking a solution to parking chaos in the seaside town following a weekend of heavy tourist traffic. Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery is calling on the local authority to redirect camper vans and buses from the Lahinch Promenade Car Park to the Liscannor Road Car Park amid serious congestion issues. He claims there were more than 25 camper vans parked at the prom on Friday and Saturday night and this is understood to also be causing a severe waste management problem. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery.

There has been a near 200% increase in the number of children waiting over one year for initial speech and language therapy in the last three years. The figures, which were compiled by the Labour Party, also reveal a 170% rise in the numbers waiting over a year for psychology support in the same period. Meanwhile, Labour’s comparative analysis shows that the increase in the number of staff providing therapeutic support has been a fraction of the almost two-fold jump in demand for therapies and services. To find out more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Linanne, parent of Jack Linnane from Kilfenora.

It's feared West Clare won't be the same place in five years time unless a plan to be devised to help communities said to be dying on their feet. Clare County Council is being urged to develop a strategic plan to bring investment into the west of the county in order to create jobs. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has also been invited to the region to assess the feasibility of establishing a local economic taskforce. Kilrush Councillor Ian Lynch believes it's a critical juncture for struggling towns and villages.

An urgent appeal has been issued to people in Clare this week, as life saving blood supplies dip to under three days of stock. Given the lesser number of clinics held across the county due to the May and June bank holidays some blood stocks have reached the two day mark, including those of the universal O Negative supply. Donation clinics will be taking place in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon this evening from 4:50pm-8:10pm and in Scariff GAA Hall at the same time on Thursday. Broadford native & IBTS Recruitment & Retention Executive, Alex O'Connor says more than half of all supply goes to ongoing cancer services before exterior events such as road traffic collisions are factored in.

Uisce Éireann insists it's not resting on its laurels when it comes to preventing water shortages in Clare. The water utility is urging homes and businesses in this county to be mindful of its usage as the Carron Water Treatment Plant is one of 22 supplies nationwide deemed to be in drought status. A number of methods of conservation are being encouraged such as using a watering can instead of a hose for gardening, not letting the tap run and taking a bath instead of a shower. Uisce Éireann's Asset Operations Lead for Drinking Water in Clare, Darragh Conneely, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons they're looking into futureproofing water infrastructure here against hot spells such as the one currently being experienced.

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on the reawakening of public Violence. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.

Aid trucks have entered Gaza for the first time in almost three months - but so far just five lorries have been allowed to cross. Israel's government is now allowing a "basic quantity of food" into Gaza, to avoid a "starvation crisis." Charities say it's a 'drop in the ocean' compared to what's needed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the decision was made after pressure from allies. To find out more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Éamonn Meehan, Clare-based Chairperson of Sadaka

This week marks 10 years since Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through a referendum. The vote on the 22nd May, 2015 saw gay marriage legalised by a nearly two-thirds majority. To reflect on a hugely significant moment in recent Irish history, Alan morrissey was joined by Bernárd Lynch, Ennis born former priest, author and activist, Adam Long, member of the national LGBT Federation, Verena Tarpey, CEO of GOSHH and Orla Vaughan, Quare Clare representative.

An exhibition highlighting the conservation importance of a rare bat species in Clare is currently on display. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat project is a unique collaboration between Inis Artists, Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office and Creative Ireland Clare. The exhibition is on display in the DeValera Library, Ennis until the 26th of May to coincide with National Biodiversity Week. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Alan Shoosmith, Inis Artists Public Relations Officer and Dr Kate McAney, of the Vincent Wildlife Trust. Photo (c) Facebook - Inis Artists