Clare Fm - Podcasts

Seanchaí Corner sees Eddie Lenihan, the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. This week, Eddie told us the strange tale of Three Candles in Bouleavan.

The Killaloe/Ballina Christmas day swim will take place at Two Mile Gate and is raising vital funds for the Brothers of Charity Killaloe–Ballina, supporting people in the local community. With a new service building recently opened and a growing need for assistive communication technology, the swim aims to make a real difference — and everyone is invited along to cheer on the swimmers and enjoy a warm cuppa on Christmas morning. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by organiser Jonathan McGrath and Service Manager at Killaloe Ballina Brothers of Charity, Camille Nolan. Image (c) Killaloe/Ballina Christmas Day Swim via Facebook

According to the latest figures from Focus Ireland, almost 290 children in Clare and Limerick will face Christmas without a home this year — part of a record 5,274 children now homeless across the country. As the charity renews its Christmas Appeal and No Child Without A Home campaign, it’s calling on the Government to act and urging the public to support families in crisis. Alan Morrissey was joined by Lorraine Toner, Head of National Community Fundraising with Focus Ireland to discuss this further.

Clare County Council is set to explore interventions to improve the national secondary road network. It comes amid persistent calls for upgrades to be carried out on the N68 connecting Ennis to Kilrush, and for the completion of the realignment project on the N85 which connects Ennis to Ennistymon. In a statement to Clare FM, the local authority has confirmed that the proposed works which include alterations to the N67 have all undergone various environmental and design assessments. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says a major investment is needed.

Catherine Ryan from Clare Sports Partnership joins me in studio. She told us all about the showcase of her collection of cribs that will be taking place at De Valera Public Library here in Ennis this Saturday, the 20th of December, 11am-4pm. Catherine was live on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey.

Unsightly and unhealthy – mould, damp and condensation problems are common in our homes. As temperatures drop, condensation becomes a critical issue for homeowners across the country. Left untreated, this moisture transforms into mould, which is known to exacerbate respiratory infections and allergy symptoms. To educate us all on this was Jerry Galvin, Damprite provides services in Clare who spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Chris Steer Getty Images via Canva

A Clare farming representative is urging the Government to follow through on its pledge to oppose a deal which it's feared could jeopardise livelihoods across the county. Feakle-based chairperson of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association Stephen Walsh is one of thousands who've taken to the streets of Brussels today to oppose the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. The deal would give South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay unprecedented access to EU markets, allowing 99,000 tonnes of low-tariff beef into Europe. Stephen has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the viability of communities in Clare is dependent on the deal being rejected.

Anne Donnellan recently launched her latest collection of writings in Ennis. De Valera Public Library was the venue for the Clare launch of the Ennis native’s newest collection, ‘If Only We Could Bottle It’. To find out more about the collection and the launch , Anne joined Alan Morrissey live in-studio.

On Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey Jo, a Crisis Helpline therapist with Pieta based here in Clare. Pieta is urging communities to get involved in its Light Up the Darkness appeal, taking place today (Thursday, 18th of December), as the charity prepares for one of its busiest times of the year. With demand for support rising over the Christmas period — and more than 300 people expected to reach out on Christmas Day alone — Jo spoke to us about what the festive season is like on the helpline and why compassionate, round-the-clock support is so vital at this time of year. Photo (c) Pieta House Facebook

Club Clare memberships are now open for 2026, with all funds raised going toward supporting Clare’s hurling and camogie teams for the coming season, from adult to underage levels. To discuss this and more, Clare senior hurling manager Brian Lohan joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday’s Morning Focus.

Ahead of the Christmas season, Rothaíochta na Sionnaine presented a timely gift to Down Syndrome Clare. Proceeds from the fourth annual Odd Socks Cycle totalled €21,723, warmly received by Down Syndrome Clare. A record 350 cyclists took part at the end of March. Participants completed 50km and 100km routes, starting in Shannon and taking in scenic East Clare. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Committee member of Down Syndrome Clare, Seán McKillen outlined the details of the event. Photo (c) Club Rothaíochta na Sionnaine via Facebook

HSE Mid West's REO says the location of a new hospital for the region will be up to the Government. It follows confirmation from the Health Minister that the Government has accepted all three recommendations from HIQA’s review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest. After meeting with Clare’s Oireachtas members, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed that work will begin in the new year on expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, developing a second site for UHL, and progressing plans for a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department for the region. On Thursday's Morning Focus, HSE Mid West REO Sandra Broderick spoke about the pathway for the future of healthcare in the region. Photo (c) Alan Place

A Shannon resident is calling for urgent action to improve safety at a junction at Purcell Park after a frightening near-miss involving two young children. Dara Gough says the incident happened during the evening rush hour, when limited visibility at the junction meant she narrowly avoided colliding with two boys on scooters. She believes the layout of the junction makes it extremely dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians, and that it’s only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Dara spoke of her concerns about road safety in the area. Photo (c) Dara Gough

The Health Minister says expanding health services in Ennis will benefit the entire Midwest. It comes as Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has this week committed to boosting capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the campus to a second location and developing a new hospital with an emergency department in the region. The Minister has also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to increasing beds at Ennis, Nenagh and St John's, following former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's announcement of 48 new beds at Ennis in May of last year. Addressing the Seanad, she says the more services are available in Ennis, the less pressure there'll be on other facilities the region.

Residents of a West Clare town are being offered financial incentives to stop smoking. The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme has launched the Financial Incentives to Stop Smoking Programme pilot in Kilrush as well as in targeted areas of Limerick city. Through the scheme, eligible medical card holders over the age of 18 can earn up to €400 in gift vouchers across a 12-month period. Health Promotion and Improvement Officer in Health and Wellbeing at HSE Mid West, Niamh Keating, says smoking is a particular concern in Kilrush.

A new local initiative is aiming to cut down on disposable cup waste in Clare. Joining us are Mary Howard, Ennis councillor, and Siobhain Landy of Sweet N Green, to talk about the launch of Cupa An Chláir, a new reusable cup project involving Ennis Tidy Towns and several local cafés. On Wednesday's edition of Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Mary Howard, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor and Siobhain Landy, Co-owner of Sweet N Green in Ennis were live in-studio to chat more on this.

A West Clare woman is hoping to be a voice for under-represented communities in her region on a new forum focused on community safety issues. Kilmurry McMahon community nurse and West Clare Aontú representative June Dillon has been appointed by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership. The LCSP, which has yet to convene, will act as a successor to the now-disbanded Joint Policing Committee and will facilitate discussions on local crime-related between between elected representatives, community members, Gardaí, the HSE and others. June has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that many people in the west of the county don't know where to turn when crime strikes.

Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was in-studio to chat about his thoughts on the Irish economy over the last year and his expectations for the economy going forward for the new year in 2026. Tommy spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

As Christmas approaches, many families across Clare are facing increasing financial pressure. Joining Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus was Denis Carty, Area President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Clare, who is appealing to the public for support this Christmas. Denis gave us an update on this year’s Christmas appeal and shared what SVP volunteers are seeing on the ground, including the growing number of people reaching out for help compared to previous years. Photo (c) SVP

As winter brings a rise in respiratory illnesses across the Mid West, staying well and out of hospital has never been more important. Carmel McInerney, Respiratory Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Ennis Hospital, is urging people to take simple, practical steps to protect their lung health in the coming weeks. Alan Morrissey spoke to Carmel about a range of topics from flu and COVID-19 vaccination to managing asthma and COPD and knowing when to seek help.