Clare Fm - Podcasts

A piece of Clare’s festival culture is coming to the theatre stage later this month. Lisdoon Nirvana, described as a “nostalgic coming-of-age tale”, is set against the backdrop of the legendary Lisdoonvarna music festival, which ran from 1978 to 1983. An Grianán Theatre will bring Lisdoon Nirvana to Limerick’s Belltable Theatre on the 13th of November. It is written and performed by Frankie McCafferty. Photo (c) Town Hall Theatre

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Marty Marrinan, with the help of Grainne Fennel.

Felicity Hayes-McCoy will be joining forces with her fellow best-selling author, Roisín Meaney, for an event in the Banner bookshop in Ennistymon on the 11th of November. Felicity is the woman who penned the bestselling Finfarran series of novels, which feature a local librarian and are set in a fictional county in Ireland. They have been translated into nine languages. Her latest book, called Once A Year, has just been published. Indeed, the book has a connection to Ennistymon. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Felicity on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) Felicity Hayes-McCoy via Facebook

A new three-year plan is being launched to get more young people speaking Irish. It will be rolled out in primary and secondary schools and aims to foster positive attitudes towards Irish and an increased use of the language. It includes the establishment of a task force, and more language support hours. There will be a focus on inclusion to make sure children from diverse backgrounds and with different educational needs are included in Irish teaching. Cathaoirleach An Clár As Gaeilge, Dónal o hAiniféin joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to discuss this further.

Clare has the highest home care waiting list relative to population...but why exactly is the question? The latest research from Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI), “Home Support Waiting List Per 1,000 People,”, marks the first-ever county-by-county population analysis of HSE home support waiting lists. This study reveals that Clare is the county with the highest waiting list per 1,000 people, at 2.836 per 1,000 people. This population analysis shows that waiting lists in Clare are 157% higher than the national average. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by HCCI CEO Joseph Musgrave on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) HCCI

Almost 200 Clare households contacted a housing charity focused on preventing homelessness between the months of July and September. Threshold has revealed that it worked with a total of 187 households in this county in the third quarter of this year and prevented 24 from becoming homeless. Its latest Impact Report states that the number of renters who've made contact with the service has risen by over 20% in the last year. Threshold National Advocacy Manager Ann-Marie O'Reilly says there's a growing feeling of insecurity among renters.

IBÍLÈ will be hosting its first West Clare pop-up tasting experience this weekend. IBÍLÈ is a contemporary pop-up dining restaurant dedicated to showcasing the vibrant flavours of West African cuisine. They will have a tasting menu at Pot Duggans in Ennistymon on the 7th & 8th of November. The menu is inspired by Nigerian roots, paired with music, storytelling, and cocktails crafted African wine pairings with Irish spirits. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with the founder of IBÍLÈ, Tolu Asemento. Photo (c) via Pot Duggans Facebook

A Midwest migrants rights charity says a new report shows there's a "lack of oversight and adequate governance" from management of an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in south-east Clare. HIQA's latest inspection of the Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre in lower Meelick has found that the provider failed to comply with eight standards. "Significant risks" associated with the premises were identified as well as "serious fire safety concerns" while it was also observed that some residents "felt unsafe" following a number of violent incidents at the facility. Doras CEO John Lannon has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons it's clear there has been no meaningful improvement in the quality of accommodation being provided at the centre since the last inspection.

Danny Lynch, Chef at Le Cheile, Barefield was back with some delicious recipe you can make for yourself at home. This week, Danny brought in some delicious smoked bacon, mushroom and chicken creamy pasta with a cheesecake for desert.

Jackie recently published her memoir, ‘We Made It, Kid’, described as “compelling, heartfelt and inspiring”. The book certainly has a lot to cover: from Jackie being born to an Irish mother and Jamaican father in the UK, then being placed in an industrial school as a baby by a priest for being an "illegitimate" and so much more besides. Jackie joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Jackie McCarthy O’Brien

Roisín Meaney is a best-selling author who released her 22nd book, Moving On in February of this year. The good news for the Clare-based writer is that Moving On has been nominated for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. Roisín spoke with Alan Morrissey about this on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Goodreads

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with artist, art teacher and owner of Anchor Crafts, Pauline Dunleavy. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Kitty Linnane which features Garry Shannon.

Last September, we were joined in studio by Owen O’Brien to talk about his son Cillian, who had suffered life changing injuries following a sudden collapse in school this year. Caused by a rare condition called Arteriovenous Malformation, young Cillian sustained a catastrophic brain bleed and was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Cillian’s acquired brain injury affected his speech to the point where he was non-verbal, his vision was compromised, and he was physically unable to support himself. An iDonate campaign had been set up with a target of €300,000, to help provide accessible and future proofed living space at the family home. On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dónall O’Connor from Doora, who is doing his part to help with that mission. You can donate by going to this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/100km-walk-in-a-day-fundraiser-bringcillianhome Photo (c) Go Fund Me

A meeting will be held in Quin next week, with a view to setting up a local community group. The meeting is due to take place at the Quin Community Centre on Wednesday, the 12th of November at 7pm. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ann McNamara, member of Quin Heritage Group & local historian.

The annual Eamon de Valera Commemoration will take place this weekend. Ennis Courthouse is the venue for Sunday’s Fianna Fáil commemoration, the 9th of November at 11am. The party’s Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher will give the oration. Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio on Thursday's Morning Focus by Billy Kelleher and Kilnamona monumental sculptor & Fianna Fáil member Mike McTigue. (c) Ógra Fianna Fáil via Facebook

A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned at the inquest into the death of Emer O’Loughlin, the Clare woman who body was discovered in a burnt-out mobile home two decades ago. The remains of the Ennistymon native were found in a caravan on lands at Ballybornagh near Tubber on the 8th of April, 2005. The jury returned the verdict at the inquest at the Coroner’s Court sitting in Kilrush on Wednesday. Alan Morrissey was joined live on Morning Focus by Emer’s sister, Pam O'Loughlin. Picture (c) Justice For Emer O'Loughlin via Facebook

It's claimed maintenance works at the Cliffs of Moher are "essential" to have the coastal walk fully open next year. Clare County Council has begun a search for a contractor to carry out "trail maintenance, repair and replacement" works on the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. The local authority has put the project out to tender with the contract valued at €750,000. Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty says everyone wants to see the attraction fully operational in 2026.

A Clare woman who was detained by Israeli forces while travelling to Gaza as part of the Sumud Flotilla says she would do it "a hundred times over" until a lasting peace is achieved in the region. A public meeting will take place this evening in Cloughleigh in Ennis at 8:15pm. Fanore activist Maureen Almai (Al-my), Head of the Clare Participation Network, Sarah Clancy and Ennistymon native Leigh Brosnan, who is a member of Lawyers for Palestine will all be in attendance for the round table discussion. Maureen says it's disappointing that the international focus on Israel during the flotilla's campaign has waned in the weeks after.

Post Offices in Carrigaholt and Shannon will remain open after new contractors were appointed at both locations. In a statement to Clare FM, An Post has confirmed there will be no reduction or disruption to services in either location, although Shannon's office may be relocated to a new unit within Shannon Town Centre. It brings a period of uncertainty to an end for both communities after the former Postmasters in Carrigaholt and Shannon tendered their resignations in September. Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it's a huge relief for the town.