Clare Fm - Podcasts

Tributes are being paid in Clare to former Fianna Fail MEP for this region, Brian Crowley, who has passed away, aged 61. Mr Crowley had struggled with health issues over a number of years and passed away this morning at Cork University Hospital. He topped the poll at five successive European elections before stepping back from politics in 2019. Meelick Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe, who worked with Brian Crowley in Brussels the beginning of his own political career has been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that it's a very sad day for all those who knew him.

Farm succession is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Irish farming. New figures from the latest IFAC Irish Farm Report show that two in five farmers don’t have a formal successor, with an ageing farming population and concerns around viability and lifestyle putting real pressure on family farms. To unpack what this means in practice, Daragh Dolan was joined by Avril Collentine, solicitor and farming specialist and Andrew Naughton, a suckler farmer from West Clare and a Clare Macra member on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Roman Biernacki from Pexels via Canva

A group of six young dancers from the Minogue School of Irish Dancing in Ennis have qualified for the 2026 World Irish Dancing Championships in Schaumburg, Chicago. It’s a huge achievement for the dancers, their families and teachers, and a proud moment for the Banner County. Joining Daragh Dolan on Friday’s Morning Focus was Aoife Garrahy, one of the parents helping to organise the journey to Chicago, along with her daughter Grace Garrahy, one of the six dancers representing the school at the World Championships. Photo (c) Planxti.com

The West Clare Cancer Centre 8K Run and Walk takes place on Sunday, the 25th of January in Kilkee, along a stunning route on the Wild Atlantic Way. All funds raised go directly towards supporting cancer patients and their families across West Clare. On Monday's Morning Focus, Daragh Dolan spoke with William McGrath, Chairman, Co-founder of the West Clare Cancer Centre to tell us more about the event and how people can get involved. Photo (c) West Clare Cancer Facebook

An issue raised at this week’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District has put the spotlight on dereliction in Whitegate. Local councillor Pat Burke has called on Clare County Council to urgently address the condition of the former public house on Main Street, Whitegate — describing the current state of the building as unacceptable. The Council has confirmed the property is on the Derelict Sites Register, with levies now applying, and that it will be assessed this year under the Government’s Compulsory Acquisition Activation Programme. Pat was speaking with Daragh Dolan on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

Urgent clarity is being sought on plans for a primary care centre in North Clare. The HSE first signalled its intentions to deliver a facility in Ennistymon back in 2021, but remained in the planning stages for four years. A tender process to construct the centre was announced last January, however no updates have been provided since. Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty says local residents can't be left in the dark.

Clare County Council is being urged to bump up its disability employment numbers in order to make up for national shortfalls. At present, the Government has targeted a 6% disability employment rate for the public sector. Campaign group Cothrom, however, believe this figure should be treated as a baseline rather than a ceiling and its looking for local authorities to take a leading role. Co-Founder Michael O'Dowd says the current trends are concerning.

On Thursday's edition of Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Shane Birchall, organiser of Carry the Weight — a powerful fundraiser for men’s mental health. On August 1st, Shane and a team of five will climb Croagh Patrick carrying 200 kilograms of weight between them, finishing with a record-breaking deadlift at the summit. The challenge is a symbol of the invisible burdens many men carry every day, and all funds raised go directly to Pieta House.

On Thursday's Morning Focus, we were delighted to welcome Peneleapaí, a singer-songwriter from Scariff whose ethereal, acoustic folk blends traditional Irish roots with global influences. Her new single, Farewell to Seasons, explores endings, transitions, and the cycles of life, offering a reflective, intimate soundscape that invites listeners to pause, connect, and find renewal. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Peneleapaí to find out more.

Danny Lynch, Chef at Le Chéile in Barefield was back for Taste Of The Week on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. This week, Danny introduced us to some healthy food options for us all to enjoy.

It's claimed hospital overcrowding is contributing to dwindling blood supplies in the MidWest. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is holding a clinic at the West County Hotel in Ennis from 4.50pm until 8.10pm this evening. At the beginning of this week, the IBTS delivered more blood to local hospitals than any other day in its history. Broadford based Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says the level of pressure on the healthcare system is telling.

DJ O’Sullivan is a guitarist and lead singer with XIII Doors — who’s also launching an exciting new hard-rock project called OGMA. Formed with musicians he met while working alongside Geoff Tate former frontman of legendary rock group Queensrÿche, the band blends blues-driven hard rock with classic Thin Lizzy influences. With a debut EP just finished, a US tour about to kick off, and new music on the way both with OGMA and XIII Doors, DJ joins us to tell us more. To tell us all about it, DJ joined Alan Morrissey live in-studio.

Tens of thousands of Carers across the country have been blindsided by letters from Revenue telling them they may face tax bills going back years. Labour's social protection spokesperson Mark Wall says it's causing serious financial and emotional stress to families who are already carrying an enormous burden. Deputy Ward says Carer’s Allowance is means tested, and for many people that created a genuine and understandable belief that they didn't owe tax. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said that information shared from his Department to Revenue relating to the Carer's Allowance will be forward looking, and that less than 10% of the 104,000 people who receive Carer's Allowance or benefit will have any tax liability For more on this, Alan Morrissey has been speaking with Deborah Kett from Crusheen, whose daughter has cystic fibrosis on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Natee Meepian's Images via Canva

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Denise O’Gorman, founder of Remedy Credit Control Solutions. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

There’s been a major development in one of the world’s most high-profile families this week. Brooklyn Beckham has spoken out publicly for the first time about an ongoing rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, accusing them of control, manipulation, and prioritising the “Brand Beckham” over family relationships. His explosive social media statement has sparked widespread debate — not just about celebrity families, but about adult children, boundaries, and why family estrangement is far more common than many people realise. Clare FM’s Colum McGrath spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

This morning we’re discussing new figures that raise serious questions about equality in Irish cancer care. A Parliamentary Question from Aontú has revealed significant regional and social disparities in breast cancer survival rates, suggesting that where you live — and whether you’re treated publicly or privately — can affect your chances of survival. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey discussed the findings and what they mean on the ground with June Dillon, Aontú representative for Clare, and Anne Murphy, oncology nurse based in Tulla. Photo (c) pixelshot via Canva.

A major cultural anniversary is being marked in Ennis this January as Scoil Gheimhridh Chumann Merriman returns with a special focus on An Gúm at 100 — celebrating a century of Irish-language publishing, translation and education. The Winter School runs from the 23rd to the 25th of January at the Old Ground Hotel. Dr Síle Ní Choincheannain of Mary Immaculate College, one of the event’s directors spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Scoil Gheimhridh Merriman via Facebook.

A special event is taking place in County Clare this Mother’s Day weekend, bringing people together to remember loved ones and support families affected by sudden loss. Run for Your Mum is a 5-kilometre fun run in Barefield, organised by Ennis woman Rebecca Walsh in memory of her mother Caroline, who died in 2020. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Rebecca Walsh and Michelle Nagle from Clean Ireland Recycling, one of the event’s key sponsors, to tell us more about the meaning behind the run and how people can get involved. Photo (c) Run for your mum 5k

Residents in Shannon are growing increasingly frustrated and anxious following a spate of break-ins and car thefts across local housing estates. Joining Alan Morrissey, on Thursday's Morning Focus to discuss the impact on the community and what needs to be done was Sinn Féin Local Area Representative Shane Doody and local resident Saoirse Sparkes, who recently shared her own experience and praised the Garda response. Photo (c) 1001Love from Getty Images Signature via Canva.

A long-awaited wastewater scheme in East Clare is said to be "on the long finger" with "no definitive start date". Ahead of this month's meeting of Killaloe Municipal District, Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke attempted to table a motion asking Uisce Éireann to provide an update on the Broadford scheme announced in December 2023 but was informed that the water utility no longer accepts motions from elected representatives. The Department of Housing announced an additional €700,000 for the project in November of last year, bringing its total allocation to €8 million. Councillor Burke says the lack of progress is frustrating.