Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare racing driver Laura O’Connell is preparing to represent her country. The Broadford native has her sights firmly set on securing a win for Ireland in the upcoming Racing Women Nations Trophy at Donington Park in the UK at the end of September. Laura is bidding to secure a top two finish overall at the upcoming event, a result which will guarantee her a sponsored drive in the Radical Gulf Championships, taking place in Abu Dhabi. The event will incorporate the Racing Women Nations Trophy which will see ten women from around the world competing against each other. Alan Morrissey, caught up with Laura O'Connell herself to find out more. Photo (c) Laura O'Connell

Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare (WCI-Clare), formerly known as Clare Women’s Network, invites women across County Clare to their Open Day on Thursday, 18th September 2025. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by WCI Clare Coordinator Cecilia Brizuela, on Thursday's Morning Focus. Image (c) Women's Collective Ireland - Clare via Facebook

There’s a new furniture store in town! Last July, we heard from the Madden family on their decision to close Madden’s Furniture store on Station Road and bring an end to a near half century of existence. A new chapter will begin at the premises, when McDermott’s Furniture & Interior opens this Friday. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined live in-studio by David Haugh, Manager of McDermotts House Furnishers.

2025 marks thirty years of Clare Haven Services. Clare Haven services provides support, information and emergency accommodation to women and children subjected to domestic abuse. To commemorate this, Clare Haven is hosting a variety of commemorative events throughout the year. As part of the range of events, they will be celebrating their Children & Young People service. Alan Morrissey was joined on Thursday's Morning Focus by Eva Cummins, Fundraising Executive at Clare Haven Services and Grace Delaney, Children & Young People Supports Coordinator. Photo (c) Clare Haven

There is welcome news for Shannon Airport – and for potential transatlantic passengers hoping to travel from the Clare. Aer Lingus is announcing increased capacity on their Shannon to Boston route. The route will increase from operating 3 times weekly to 10 times weekly, starting from summer 2026. To find out more about this development, Alan Morrissey spoke with Aer Lingus’ Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Donal Moriarty on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Shannon Group

The Taoiseach says broadening a Government scheme that funds smaller airports so as to allow Shannon Airport to benefit from it is "under consideration". Across 2023 and 2024, Shannon Airport received €7.64 million through the Regional Airports Programme which was established to support airports handling less than one million passengers per year but was expanded during the pandemic to assist slightly larger facilities like Shannon. The outcomes of the Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, which included the broadening of its scope to include airports with greater than one million passengers, were published in July of this year. Responding to Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe in the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the review showed the benefit of including Shannon in the scheme.

It's believed Clare communities are missing out on millions of euro due to a lack of serviced campervan sites for tourists. It's estimated that up to 78,000 motorhomes visit this county each year, contributing over €10m to the local economy. The local authority has acknowledged however that the lack of appropriate facilities is resulting in a loss of at least €1.3m in potential spend each year. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan says it can be easily rolled out.

Kilmaley are the team bidding to break the longest wait of the remaining teams for a place in the final of the TUS Clare senior hurling final this weekend. They take on Eire Óg on Saturday evening in Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog, as they look to reach a first showpiece event since winning their second ever title in 2004. Both teams carry unbeaten form into the game, with Kilmaley being impressive winner over Sixmilebridge in their last eight showdown. Manager Brian Culbert says they have been working hard to continue improving throughout the year. 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. Sunday's action sees Clooney Quin taking on Ballyea, with Clooney-Quin looking to reach the final for the first time since 2017. They overcame champions Feakle to seal their last four spot, and have yet to taste defeat in this years championship. Manager Fergal Lynch says they hav

It's claimed events such as Clare Pride are more important than ever for the LGBTQ+ community given a resurgence in online abuse. It comes as the fourth ever edition of this county's festival gets underway today. In 2023, over 250 people attended Clare's first ever Pride Parade and according to its organisers, the festival as a whole has grown from strength to strength since. This year, Quare Clare says its aiming to focus on involving more groups than ever before, and the week's events will kick off tonight with an inclusivity talk hosted by Shannon Toastmasters. Sporting events will also feature for the first time, including a soccer tournament hosted by Shannon Town FC and bike riders in conjunction with the Clare Sports Partnership. Quare Clare Secretary, Orla Vaughan says they want to create a safe space for as many people as possible regardless of gender or orientation. The main events take place on Saturday, with the Parade through Ennis town taking place at 12.30pm, followed by a family fun even

Clare County Council is seeking public submissions to identify areas that are commonly used for swimming/bathing, but not currently designated as bathing waters. Those who may be a regular swimmer and want to help the local authority decide which bathing areas should be designated as bathing waters are being encouraged to have their say. Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus spoke with Brendan Flynn, Senior Executive Environment Engineer with Clare County Council, and Kay Nolan from the local authority’s Environment and Water Services Department about this. Photo (c) Clare FM

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has encouraged survivors to apply for representation opportunities in three key structures. Applications are being invited from survivors and affected persons who are interested in the four positions available on the National Centre for Remembrance steering group to be part of the decision-making process. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Patricia Carey, Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse Photo (c) Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse

Almost €7 million in Government funding has been announced for the redevelopment of an iconic Ennis building. Clare County Council has been awarded the funds for the renovation of the Cloister at 49 Abbey Street which is to be an arts and heritage hub consisting of artist studios, classrooms, conference space and exhibition space. The funding comes through the THRIVE initiative which makes up to €7 million available to local authorities for the refurbishment and adaptation of publicly-owned heritage buildings in town centres. Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the facility with breathe new life into Ennis and will be a "pivotal element" of the town's redevelopment.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is inviting members of the public, and in particular community groups and individuals, with an interest in water quality, to a community information meeting this evening (Wednesday, 17th September 2025 at 7.30pm) in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon. The meeting on water quality in North and West Clare will also discuss the establishment of a Community Catchment Forum for the Mal Bay Catchment of North and West of the County. Ruairí Ó Conchúir, from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) The Clare Herald

The Swallow, a feature film by Tadhg O’Sullivan featuring Academy Award winning actress Brenda Fricker, will be released in select Irish cinemas from September 19th. The film was shot on location in Co. Clare. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by the man behind The Swallow, the Clare-based filmmaker, Tadhg O’Sullivan. Image (c) The Swallow, a film by Tadhg O’Sullivan - featuring Brenda Fricker

Thousands of people are expected to descend upon Lisdoonvarna this coming weekend for the Matchmaking Festival. It should be a time of great fun, and, hopefully, love will be in the air for many of the festival goers. However, those in need, or who are struggling to cope, are being reminded they’re not alone. Samaritans will be in Lisdoonvarna this weekend (Friday 19th & Saturday 20th), ready to support anyone who may be struggling to cope. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Samaritans volunteer, Sean Breathnach and Willie Daly, legendary matchmaker. Photo (c) Discover Ireland

Clare County Council is being accused of taking "too long" to address infrastructural issues impacting on access to emergency care in the north of the county. The Midwest Hospital Campaign is highlighting the journey time between the Cliffs of Moher and University Hospital Limerick's emergency department which it says is one hour and 15 minutes at a minimum, and is often hampered by delays at the likes of Blake's Corner in Ennistymon. It calls comes as emergency services had to attend to two separate incidents at the North Clare attraction in one day this week. Ennis resident and Midwest Hospital Campaign spokesperson Hilary Tonge says in addition to a Model 4 hospital in the county town, the roads require urgent attention.

The fourth annual Clare Pride Festival returns today. The festival which is open to all regardless of orientation, kicks of tonight at 8pm, with the Shannon Toastmasters Club hosting a talk on inclusion at Treacy's Oakwood Hotel. The week's schedule also includes a family fun event, a first ever LGBTQ+ soccer tournament, a social cycle, after party, various arts exhibitions and workshops and Clare's third annual Pride Parade, taking place on Saturday. Quare Clare Secretary Orla Vaughan says its grown from strength to strength.

Treacy's Oakwood Hotel in Shannon is the venue for this week’s Charity Variety Concert in aid of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. The eclectic line-up includes Quin 'n' Tonic, Harmony Bro, Vincent di Placido, Ger Carrig and many more. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Elaine Buckley, Regional Fundraiser at LauraLynn, Noel Murphy, Concert Director/Compere, Liam Jones, Fleadh winner and Aidan White, the organiser.

Local historian and author, Colm Liddy joined Alan Morrissey on Tuesdays Morning Focus once again for our History in Focus slot to talk about Wolf Tone and how certain events nearly led to Wolfe Tone visiting the banner county. 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.

Cathy Curtis is an author who has written a “detailed and engaging” biography of one of Ireland’s greatest and most courageous writers, Tuamgraney’s Edna O’Brien. Fearless: A Biography of Edna O'Brien, tells the story of a woman who refused to be silenced. Cathy Curtis joined Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Irish Writers Centre