Clare Fm - Podcasts

A prominent and much-loved North Clare business is set to close its physical shop due to what it has described as a seriously challenging environment. Having been in business since 2010, Airmid Natural Irish Skincare has been trading on Ennistymon's Main Street since 2021 but will be reverting to an online only model at the end of September. The family firm will be the latest in a number of Artisan makers to leave the market town in recent months and has pointed to the 23% VAT rate, a dramatic drop in tourist footfall and soaring operating costs. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan has been to Ennistymon to find out more and spoke to the town's newest business, but began by asking Airmid Co-Owner Kevin Lynch about their recent decision.

Today is the 24th of July. It’s an important day for the Samaritans as they get the opportunity to remind people all over Ireland that they are here to listen and offer help and support – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To talk about the Samaritans’ Awareness Day, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat White, Newmarket-on-Fergus native and Director of Clare Samaritans and Larry Hally, from Ennis recently took on the outreach role in the branch.

The 6-mile trawling ban for vessels over 18 metres is to be reintroduced. The law will place certain restrictions on trawling activity by large vessels inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The reintroduction means that from the 1st October 2026, trawling activity (that is the operating of trawl or seine nets) by fishing vessels over 18 metres in length overall inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited. A limited total allowable catch of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 metres length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and inside baselines from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026 only. Over 18 metre vessels fishing for sprat during that period will require an authorisation to do so. To get a sense of how this news is being received within the fishing community in West Clare, Alanb morrissey was joined by Luke Aston, Carrigaholt based Irish Chartered Skippers Association Chair and Patrick Murphy, Irish

There's a call for the Government to provide clarity as to whether a new Model three hospital in the Midwest will be included in the National Development Plan. The revised plan gives the Department of Health an allocation of €9 billion for 2026 to 2030 but a list of projects to be supported isn't expected to be finalised for several months. The findings of HIQA's review of emergency capacity in this region are due in September and hopes for a new emergency department were dealt a significant blow in May when HSE MidWest made a submission that didn't recommend such a facility. Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara believes residents of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary deserve a straight answer on the matter.

A Clare hotelier is accusing the Finance Minister of "spin" regarding the planned reduction of the hospitality VAT rate. Following the publication of the Government's Summer Economic Statement, Minister Paschal Donohoe has claimed the reintroduction of the 9% rate for the sector would cost €1 billion. This, he says, would leave very little left over for other tax cuts. Clare Tourism Advisory Board Chair and Hotel Woodstock co-owner Sean Lally believes it's an "unfair" way to represent the situation.

One of the Vice Captains of the Clare's minor ladies football squad says the manner of their semi final victory has given the squad great belief ahead of Saturday's All Ireland Final. Clare face of against reigning All Ireland Champions Sligo in the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan for the right to take home the cup. Barry Donnelly's came through a gruelling extra time battle against Monaghan in their last four clash a fortnight ago. Fergus Rovers clubwoman, Rhea Meaney, says overcoming such a stern test gives them great confidence headed into the final.

An Ennis trad and folk musician is honouring her father with her latest album. “Éinín an Cheóil”, meaning “Birdsong”, is the name of Fiona Tyndall’s upcoming album. Due for release on Wednesday, 17th of September, the album, described as “a highly personal and passionate collection”, is also inspired by Fiona’s father. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fiona Tyndall, Ennis trad and folk musician. PHOTO CREDIT: Irish Music Magazine official via Facebook

During this week’s Garda Focus, we heard that Gardaí in Shannon are investigating a burglary that occurred at a public house and off-licence in Drumgeeley, Shannon in the early hours of last Saturday morning, the 19th of July. At 3:50am on that date, a person dressed in a grey hoodie damaged the front door of the premises and when they were disturbed, they fled the scene. Gardaí are appealing to anyone that may have observed this person or any persons near the public house and off-licence in the early hours of last Saturday morning to contact Shannon Garda Station on 061-365900. The premises in question was the Carry Out Off-Licence. They posted on social media: “Break-ins, hold ups, assaults, we’ve had them all. Latest version around 3:50am this morning. If anyone has any information, can you please contact Shannon Gardaí.” Alan Morrissey spoke with Jim Moran, the owner of Carry Out Off-Licence in Drumgeeley, and began by asking him to explain what happened during the latest incident. PHOTO CREDI

A North Clare drinking water supply has failed to comply with E.Coli standards for the second year in a row. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's latest annual report Monreagh-Tubber was among the 3% of private schemes nationwide to test positive for the bacteria, which can lead to serious gastrointestinal illness. It's understood the Monreagh-Tubber supply has been operating under a boil water notice for the last year and that it will be connected to the public mains in the coming months. EPA Wastewater and Drinking Water Inspector, Michelle Roche has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan however that the outlook for Clare is positive.

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 financial fraud in Ireland and the current types & trends.

Lauretta O' Dea is preparing for the launch of her new poetry book. The launch of “Never Give Up” is a special one for Lauretta, as it is her debut effort. The launch will take place at Kilrush Library on Saturday, the 26th of July. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dermot Hayes and Lauretta O' Dea, Author from Kilrush.

Clare is in the running to become the European Volunteering Capital for 2027. Representatives of Clare County Council and Clare Volunteer Centre travelled to Brussels for the official presentation of the “candidacy certificate” for the prestigious European Volunteering Capital 2027 title, a key part of the bidding process. If successful in the bid, County Clare would become an internationally recognised centre for excellence in policies and programmes supporting volunteers and volunteering. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sharon Meaney, Manager of Clare Volunteer Centre and Brendan Boyce, Integration Support Coordinator for Clare County Council.

The government has signed off on a 112-billion-euro capital investment package out to the end of the decade. A further 100 billion is being planned for the years 2030 to 2035. The National Development Plan review injects further cash from the Apple Tax and AIB share sales. 24 billion of that money will be put into transport, including public transport. While 36 billion euro is being provided to 2030 for housing - not including investment in water. Tánaiste Simon Harris says the money will contribute to huge infrastructure improvements. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Garry Miley, Ogonnelloe-based Architect and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, West On Track.

The Government is being urged to ramp up investment in the road network of rural parts of Clare. It comes as details have been revealed of the State's plans to invest €112 billion in infrastructure over the next five years. As part of the revised National Development Plan, housing is to receive an investment of €36 billion while transport will be supported to the tune of €24 billion - €2 billion of which will go towards Dublin's Metrolink. O'Callaghan's Mills native and Secretary of the Clare branch of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, Martin McMahon, claims the powers that be have a job of work to do to prove the west of Ireland isn't being forgotten about.

A West Clare councillor claims repairs currently being undertaken on water supplies is a factor in outages in the region. It's after two seperate bursts on water mains has caused a loss of supply for customers in Miltown Malbay, Coore, Spanish Point, Mullagh, Creegh and Cooraclare. In February, Uisce Éireann announced works would be completed on 6km of defective 50-year-old mains on the Coore water scheme. Cree Independent Councillor, Dinny Gould, says these works are putting extra strain on fragile pipes further along the line.

Clare FM Preview Of 2025 TUS Clare SHC by Clare FM

Clare Minor LGFA Manager Barry Donnelly Ahead Of All Ireland B Final

Clare has been allocated over €14m to upgrade group water schemes. It represents roughly 19% of the funding dished out nationwide, with approximately 31 installations to benefit in this county. The Coolmeen-Kildysart Scheme alone will receive over €2.7m, with over €1m also ringfenced for schemes in Cree, Miltown Malbay, Loop Head, Moyasta and Kilrush. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it will secure the future of many communities.

Clare SFC Manager Reaction - Kieran Ryan and Maurice Walsh

This week is Farm Safety Week. Initiated by the Farm Safety Foundation in the UK and led by the IFA in Ireland, the initiative runs until Friday (25th July). Farm Safety Week has the support of more than 400 partners across Ireland and the UK. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Stephen Walsh, Clare IFA Chair and Feakle native, and Norma Rohan, Co-Founder & General Manager at Embrace Farm. PHOTO CREDIT: Farm Safety Foundation