Clare Fm - Podcasts

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Sunday Prayer on today Sunday 2nd November 2925

Clare County Council is seeking a contractor to install a mini roundabout at a notorious Ennis junction. The local authority has published the tender for minor civil engineering traffic calming works at the junction of the Shanaway Road and the Lahinch Road in the county town. The works are valued at €200,000 and involve the realignment of the junction, the construction of a mini roundabout, the upgrading of the road and footpath, and the installation of pedestrian crossings. Mayor of Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says after years of lobbying for the measure, she's relieved to know the wait will soon be over.

The MidWest Region's maternity hospital will hold a remembrance service tomorrow. The mass will take place at the Church of the Holy Rosary on the Ennis Road in Limerick on Sunday at 3pm. According to the CSO, there were 18 neonatal deaths in the MidWest, including four new-borns from Clare. Fr Des McAuliffe says it's a very poignant and comforting occasion for bereaved families and staff.

Sideline View Friday October 31st

Carrie Baxter’s signature sound is a tapestry of experiences and influences that interweave to tell the story of her unique journey in music. This sonic fusion blends neo-soul, R&B and jazz with deeply personal confessional lyrics, heartfelt storytelling, and themes that explore the most profound depths of the human experience. Her debut EP, Placebo (2020), described by I Was Just Thinking… as an “audio therapy session”, unpacked Carrie’s childhood and early love of hip-hop and jazz, while exploring the realisation that nothing external can bring lasting fulfilment without first making peace with the soul. Her follow-up, What Now (2021), was born out of the comedown after her debut, a moment when she didn’t quite know where to turn or what to do next. Written from that place of uncertainty, the collection wrestled with love, heartbreak, and redemption, and was described by Earmilk as “a cathartic production that sees Baxter step out of her musical comfort zone.” "Under My Skin" is a song about the ache o

A Clare Approved Housing Body insists all of its developments are rigorously tested to ensure the best value for money. It follows a new report from the Housing Finance Agency which shows it cost Approved Housing Bodies €247,500 on average to build social homes in this county. The Inis Housing Association is one of the biggest contributors in this regard, and is responsible for over 90 homes in Clare. Chairperson Pierse O'Shiel has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that due diligence is done on every project.

On Friday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, It was time to look ahead to this weekends sporting action with Clare FM’s Derek Dormer. Games Previewed: Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final: O’Callaghan’s Mills v Abbeydorney (Kerry) (Sunday, 1.30pm) Munster Junior Hurling Club Championship Quarter-Final: Killrossanty (Waterford) v The Banner (Saturday, Lemybrien, 1:30pm)

The fourth annual Heritage Ireland 2030 Summit took place at Trinity College in Dublin on Wednesday. The annual conference brings together heritage practitioners to share knowledge and advance the national heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030. The engagement of young people with heritage was to the fore at the Summit, which heard about local ‘on the ground’ heritage projects from around Ireland centred on engaging young people with heritage and biodiversity in new ways. This included hearing about an interesting project from Clare, which involved the adoption of a ringfort behind their school by children from Inch National School. Keir McNamara, from Inch Tidy Town spoke with Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Eventbrite

'Beauty or Beast' the story of Púca. Produced by Clare FM's Programme Director / Head of Operations, pf@clare.fm

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 Frank Custy, featuring Garry Shannon.

Today is Halloween! It’s a day for spooky costumes, scary movies...and lots of trick or treating! We sent Daragh Leamy from the Morning Focus team out to ask the great Clare public about their feelings on Halloween. We also hear from Ann Massey McElroy, author, paranormal investigator, history and hauntings specialist and folklorist on Friday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) by Jaspe via Canva

Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Oxford University Hospital Professor Nick Maynard joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus. Nick is renowned for his humanitarian work with the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians and has been volunteering in Gaza for the last 15 years. He will pay a visit to County Clare next month, when he will give a fundraising talk for Medical Aid for Palestinians, in Kilkee on the 30th of November from 6pm. Picture (c) Cultúrlann Sweeney

The Oakhill Players are bringing Big Maggie to the stage in Kilkee next month. They will perform John B. Keane’s ‘riveting story of money, land and secret sex’ over four evenings at Cultúrlann Sweeney, from the 13th – 16th November. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Veronica Keating of Oakhill Players.

Work is underway on the Tulla Road Active Travel Scheme in Ennis. The project will deliver a continuous 2.2 kilometre primary cycle route and enhanced walking and wheeling facilities on the Tulla Road. Pedestrian crossings are to be upgraded while new crossings will be introduced, junctions will be tightened and various other traffic calming measures will be implemented. Clare County Council estimates the works will take 18 months to complete and has confirmed construction will take place in seven phases, with phase one from Gort na mBláth and Hillcrest expected to take 12 weeks. Clare FM's Seán Lyons spoke with Clare County Council Senior Executive Engineer Anne O'Sullivan to find out more about the background to the project and the schedule of works. Photo (c) Clare County Council

The construction of the Tulla Road Active Travel Scheme in Ennis is expected to take 18 months. Clare County Council has announced that the project will be delivered in seven phases, with the first section from Gort na mBláth to Hillcrest to be completed within approximately 12 weeks. Works will take place from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays while works impacting road operation will be carried out from 9:30am to 4:30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. It's understood a traffic management system will be in place for the duration of the operation, and Clare County Council Senior Executive Engineer Anne O'Sullivan says they'll strive to minimise disruption.

A proposed development which would see several warehouse units built in a residential area of a south-east Clare village has been given the green light. Clare County Council has approved Tekelek Group Holdings Limited's planning application to construct four warehouse units including office accommodation in what the firm has referred to as the "Portdrine Business Park" in Portdrine, Cratloe. A total of nine submissions were made in opposition to the development during the appeals process, with local Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman among those who objected. He believes the additional traffic arising from the development will overwhelm the area and create a road safety risk in the vicinity of the N18.

Ireland’s past is alive in its stories, customs, and the rhythms of everyday life. In a new book 'Old Ways to New Days', folklorist and lecturer Shane Lehane explores how ancient traditions continue to shape who we are today. From tales of Biddy Early, the famed wise woman of Clare, to fascinating finds like Ireland’s earliest pen discovered in the Burren, Shane brings the richness of our folklore to life. Shane joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday’s edition of Morning Focus. Photo (c) University College Cork

A Clare homeless charity has branded comments by the Taoiseach on homelessness as "disappointing" and says they ignore the "deeply traumatic" effects of living in emergency accommodation. Micheál Martin has come under fire for claiming homelessness figures are "a bit like hospital waiting lists" in that "it's not the number on the waiting list; it's how fast you get treated". Focus Ireland has called the statement a "poor choice of words", saying "people go to hospitals because they are sick; they do not have to become homeless". Head of Policy and Communications at Novas, which operates a small family hub in Ennis, Una Burns, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons regardless of how much time people spend with homeless services, the experience often leaves long-lasting wounds.

There has been a significant decline in confidence in the Irish economy among businesses operating in the 'experience economy'. That is according to a new survey carried out by employers group Ibec. More than 70 businesses operating in the sector were surveyed as part of the research, including hospitality, retail, travel, tourism, food, drink, entertainment, the arts, sports and events. 7 out of 10 businesses said reduced overseas demand was a major concern. The sentiment survey shows that 49% of businesses are now less confident about the economy, compared to 28% six months ago. To discuss this further, Nuala Mulqueeney as Manager of the Ailwee Burren Experience and Martin Canavan, Moher Hill Open Farm and Leisure Park joined Alan Morrissey on Thurswday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Ewastudio via Canva.com

A Clare squash player became a champion at the recent Irish Masters Open. Michael Conlon from Ennis CBS Squash Club clinched the Men’s Over 70 title at the competition in Dublin, with victory over Dominique Dautremont of France in the final. Michael had been the No.1 seed heading into the tournament, having picked up a European silver medal in Wroclaw, Poland. Alan Morrissey spoke with Michael live in-studio on Thursday's Morning Focus.