Clare Fm - Podcasts

A Clare farmer and Fine Gael Councillor has expressed disappointment over his party colleague's decision not to increase bovine tuberculosis compensation rates in Budget 2026. As it stands, farmers who lose non-pedigree cows to TB can only receive up to €3,000 under the On-farm Market Valuation. Speaking to Clare FM, however Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon confirmed the rates wouldn't be increased in budget 2026 and that the focus instead will be on eradicating the disease. O'Callaghans Mills Councillor Conor Ryan says some farmers have been left heavily out of pocket.

It's hoped today's Clare Pride March will attract its largest ever turnout. The third iteration of the march will take place from 12:30pm this afternoon and will culminate in Glór with a family fun event. This evening will see The Market Bar host the Clare Pride After Party which will include drag acts and live music. March organiser Karina Murray says the occasion has gathered huge momentum over the past three years.

Eire Óg manager Gerry O'Connor is warning his side they are facing a massive test this weekend in the semi finals of the TUS Clare senior hurling championship. They go up against neighbours Kilmaley for a place in this years showpiece event, with one unbeaten record set to fall at the full time whistle. The Townies already have silverware on the sideboard after winning the Division Two league title, but are hoping to end a 35 year wait since they last claimed the Canon Hamilton. O'Connor says they have to be ready for a huge battle to take another step toward that goal. Throw in on Saturday evening is at 4.30pm with commentary on Clare FM with John Neylon and Associates, Consulting Engineers, Architects and Energy Assessors, Cathedral Court, Ennis. Meanwhile, Ballyea come into this weekends semi final outing as the most recent champions left in the race for the title. They last captured the Canon in 2022 and are hoping to return to the decider for the sixth time in their history when they take on Cloone

On this weeks show: We will be looking ahead to a huge weekend of action in the TUS senior hurling semi finals, and one of either Corofin or Doora Barefield will be dropping out of the top tier. We will also hear how you can support the Joe Slattery Future Care Fund while also getting your hands on a vintage piece of Clare GAA gear, we look ahead to the senior semi final action in the Clare ladies football championship and lots more too

Interviews with Brian Culbert (Kilmaley), Gerry O'Connor (Eire Óg), Fergal Lynch (Clooney-Quin) and Robbie Hogan (Ballyea) ahead of this weekends TUS Clare SHC semi finals

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch. TUS Clare SHC Semi-Finals: Kilmaley v Éire Óg (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 4:30pm) Ballyea v Clooney Quin (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 3:30pm) TUS Clare SHC Relegation Final: Corofin v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Sunday, 1pm) TUS PIHC Quarter-Finals: Ruan v Tulla (Friday, 5:30) Tubber v Clarecastle (Saturday, 2pm) TUS IHC Relegation Final: Scariff v Newmarket-on-Fergus (Sunday, 12pm) TUS IHC Q-Final O'Gonnelloe v Éire Óg (Sunday, 12pm) O'Callaghans Mills v Kilmaley (Sunday (1:30pm)

A new tourism centre in East Clare is expected to provide an economic boost to surrounding towns and villages. The Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience on the outskirts of Mountshannon has been officially opened by Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley today. The €4.3 million project includes an interactive visitor experience, outdoor seating in the restored Old Rectory gardens and public realm improvements to Mountshannon village. Minister Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Sean Lyons, that Mountshannon as well as other nearby settlements will enjoy increased tourist traffic for years to come thanks to the development.

Support continues to pour in Joe Slattery, as locals prepare to turn out in force at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg next weekend for a special fundraiser titled "Jerseys for Joe." Hundreds of Clare jerseys and iconic gear from across the decades will be up for grabs at a pop-up shop during the County SHC Semi Finals, with all proceeds going towards the Joe Slattery Fund for Future Care. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was in-studio by Michelle Moroney, Office Manager and Deirdre Murphy, Head of Operations Clare GAA. Photo (c) Smith O'Briens GAA & Cammogie Club Facebook

The Central Bank has criticised the Government's spending plans describing its package for Budget 2026 as unnecessarily big. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis Economist, Micheál Collins and Ennis Estate Agent, Diarmuid McMahon on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) by claudiodivizia via Canva

Marcin Piotrowski is a Polish sociologist, journalist, cultural animator, and humanitarian activist. He is also the founder of the Folkowisko Humanitarian Foundation, which since the first days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has delivered thousands of tons of humanitarian aid and coordinated hundreds of volunteers on both sides of the Polish–Ukrainian border. Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Marcin Piotrowski on Friday's Morning Focus.

We have previously spoken about the close connection between Ennis and the German town of Langenfeld on Morning Focus, The two towns have shared a close friendship since becoming official Twin Towns in October 2013, with lots of events and initiatives being held. This year, the Ennis–Langenfeld Twinning Board will host its third Oktoberfest celebration on Culture Night this Friday (19th September, from 7pm to 10pm) at the beer garden in Fawl’s Bar, O’Connell Street. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dara Glynn, Secretary of the Ennis-Langenfeld Twinning Board and Councillor, Mary Howard on Friday's Morning Focus.

A young woman from North Clare, who is living with a chronic stomach condition, has claimed she spent five weeks “begging” for help at University Hospital Limerick, but the appropriate treatment was not forthcoming. 23-year-old Sarah O’Reilly, from Dough, Lahinch was diagnosed with Gastroparesis three years ago, following an 18-month wait for a scan. HSE Mid West Response: HSE Mid West is unable to comment on individual cases as we are obliged to protect our patients’ confidentiality. We have been linking with the patient on this matter, and continue to provide support. Alan Morrissey was joined by Sarah on Friday's Morning Focus to find out more. Picture (c) Clare FM

Shannon's TD is calling for an end to be brought to the use of the town's airport as a US military stopover. Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan has claimed removing the triple lock mechanism would further damage the country's neutrality which she says is already "undermined" by the US military's relationship with the Clare base. In the first three months of this year, 71 permits to land in Shannon were granted for aircraft carrying munitions of war. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McGettigan insists the facility requires "ethical" funding instead of increased militarisation.

It's believed it's "only a matter of time" before a serious road traffic accident takes place on one of the main approach roads to a Clare village. Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman is calling for a flooding issue to be addressed at Cappa South in Sixmilebridge. It's claimed the road, which he describes as "one of the busiest" in the Shannon Municipal District, floods every time it rains which forces cars to drive on the wrong side of the road. Councillor O'Gorman says it's an unsustainable situation.

Separately, Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin has called for an audit of areas across the MD, such as Shannon Town Park, that are illegal dumping blackspots and would benefit from the installation of CCTV. The local authority's Environment Section has pledged to undertake a "comprehensive audit" of public complaints relating to illegal dumping in public areas. Once the review is complete, the Environment Section says it will "assess and determine any necessary actions to address the issues identified". Councillor Griffin believes it "makes a mockery" of the legal system if illegal dumpers aren't penalised.

Elected representatives in Shannon have expressed confusion around why cameras in place in one of the town's most prominent public areas aren't in use. Shannon Municipal District has confirmed this week that CCTV cameras are installed in the Shannon Town Park but aren't activated because the legal basis for this isn't in place. CCTV surveillance was a dominant topic of discussion at this week's Shannon Municipal District meeting as no fewer than two councillors tabled motions relating to its use. Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy called on the relevant bodies, namely the Gardaí and Clare County Council, to come together and endeavour to reactivate the existing camera network in the Shannon Town Park. In response, Shannon MD has stated that the cameras installed in the vicinity of the park aren't currently activated because "the legal basis for their activation is not in place". It's emphasised that under the current legislation, an application can be made by the local authority of the Gardaí to have the

TIDAL is the title of the new poetry collection by Karen J. McDonnell. DeValera Public Library in Ennis is the venue for the launch, which will take place this Saturday, the 20th of September from 12noon. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Karen J. McDonnell on Thursday's Morning Focus.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with farmer and pedigree Salers breeder, Catherine Minogue. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

County Clare will proudly host an Alzheimer’s Memory Walk event this year as part of the nationwide Alzheimer’s Memory Walk supported by Aviva, taking place on Sunday, (21st September) in honour of World Alzheimer’s Day. The Clare event will be held at Lee's Road in Ennis, bringing together families, friends, and the local community to walk in solidarity with the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland—and to remember those who are no longer with us. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Linda Murphy, one of the local Champions leading the Clare Alzheimer’s Memory Walk on Thursday's Morning Focus.

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Danny Lynch, chef at Le Chéile, Barefield. This week, Danny shared a delicious recipe for a Classic Fish and Chips.