Clare Fm - Podcasts

Over 1,000 families in Clare have benefitted from a new Government grant established to assist parents of newborns. Introduced in Budget 2025, the Newborn Baby Grant gives a once-off payment of €280 to families for the purpose of providing for the material needs of newborn babies and newly-adopted children. The grant was paid in respect of almost 50,00 children last year at a cost of €14 million, with 1,041 Clare families receiving a payment under the initiative, resulting in supports for 1,053 babies in the county. Coordinator of the West Clare Family Resource Centre Mary O'Donoghue says when a new baby enters a household, every little helps.

Clare LGFA Captain Joanna Doohan Looking Ahead To 2026 Campaign

Almost €4m in funding has been made available for active travel projects in Clare. Of this, €2.75m is going towards Safe Routes to School Schemes and active travel projects in Ennis, Crusheen and Athlunklard. €1.2m has been ringfenced for greenway projects with €500,000 going to the West Clare Railway Greenway, with a further €500,000 for Bus Stop Enhancements. Clare Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan the funding will expedite project delivery.

This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, a national and international campaign highlighting how cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination, regular screening and early awareness of symptoms. In Ireland, around 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, despite the fact that most cases are linked to HPV and are largely preventable. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Clinical Director of CervicalCheck, Dr Nóirín Russell. Photo (c) Pixelshot via Canva

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch and Tommy Guilfoyle joined Alan Morrissey to look back at the weekend in Sport. TUS Dr. Harty Cup Semi Final: St. Josephs Secondary School v St Flannan's College Munster Colleges Senior A Ladies Football Final: St Joseph's Spanish Point 4-7 Mercy Mounthawk Tralee 1-11

We’re finishing our week of reports from Kenya this morning with Colum McGrath’s final piece from Mombasa. It brings us inside a primary school built by the Ray of Sunshine Foundation and introduces us to the people — both local and Irish — who’ve helped make the project a reality.

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre was back on Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries. On Monday’s Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Judy shared tips for growing fruit. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Today is what’s often called “Blue Monday”, typically the third Monday in January, which is sometimes described as the most depressing day of the year – though experts say there’s no scientific basis for that claim. What it does highlight, however, is that many people can feel a bit low during the darker winter months. So, if you’re not feeling yourself, what can actually help? Clare FM's Daragh Leamy was out and about on the streets of Ennis to talk to some people on what they think of "Blue Monday". Furthermore, Alan Morrissey spoke with Pat White, Director of Clare Samaritans and Gráinne Trevors, Registered Nutritionist, specialist in Performance and Health Nutrition on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Juan Moyano via Canva

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about: Drama: Tulla Courthouse Music: Michael English in Mullagh Spring Into Song Ennis Choral Festival Cois na hAbhna Ceilí Visual Arts: Jewellery making in Scariff Celtic Clay Making in Mountshannon Exhibition in Scariff HeART of Gaza Exhibition in Súil Arts Grants Open for Applications

Ireland has moved up the EU rankings on gender equality, rising three places to 6th position in the latest Gender Equality Index. With a score of 69 out of 100, Ireland now sits well above the EU average, and the Government says this shows real progress for women and girls. But behind the positive headlines, questions remain about whether equality is being experienced by everyone — particularly LGBTQ+ people and those living outside major cities. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Mike Taylor, First gay Chairman of Clare Young Fine Gael, former YES Campaigner .. Dedicated to human rights and Equality issues, especially the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment along with Karen Sugrue, sociologist and psychotherapist, Lecturer in the department of Applied Social Sciences on the Moylish Campus at the Technological University of the Shannon on Morning Focus. Photo (c) SUMALI IBNU CHAMID from Alemedia.id via Canva

After nine years at the heart of food, conversation and community in Ennistymon, Sinéad Ní Ghairbhith is stepping away from The Cheese Press. What began with Irish farmhouse cheese at local markets — and a life-changing moment stranded on the roof of her car during a flood — grew into a much-loved shop where people came as much for the chat as for the cheese. Sinéad spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to reflect on the journey, the values behind the business, and what happens next as The Cheese Press moves into new hands. Photo (c) cheesepressennistymon.com

New figures show a sharp rise in the number of US citizens seeking asylum in Ireland, with applications increasing more than fourfold in the past year. At the same time, immigration from the United States has nearly doubled, as growing numbers of Americans look to leave amid political tension and fears over personal safety at home. We’re going to explore what’s driving this trend, the difference between asylum and other migration routes, and what these figures tell us about life in the US right now. On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Simon Ó Treasaigh, Manager of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre.

Road safety remains a major concern here in Clare, particularly after a sharp rise in crashes on the M18 and N18 late last year. With public anxiety growing and emergency services pointing to dangerous driving as a key factor, the Government says new legislation could help turn the tide. Joining Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus was Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, to discuss whether these new laws will make a real difference on Clare roads. Photo (c) Pat Flynn

The Transport Minister has poured cold water on the prospect of a rail link to Shannon Airport being progressed in the lifetime of this government. Responding to a parliamentary question on its exclusion from the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy published in December last year, Darragh O'Brien says the project is "intended to be progressed in the longer term". This is despite the rail link being included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review which was produced in July 2024. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says people are growing impatient.

It's been claimed Ennis's local elected representatives are only being told "dribs and drabs" regarding money being spent on the town's future. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has requested a copy of a report on submissions gathered at three public consultation events on Ennis 2040 plans held in January 2024. In response, Ennis 2040 says a summary of the feedback was presented to councillors in May 2024. Councillor O'Callaghan says he wants more transparency.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn chats with magician, entertainer and author Anthony Galvin-Healy. From Ennis, Anthony’s book on the Limerick drug war was Ireland’s top selling non-fiction book of 2004 and also the most shoplifted book in the country. He once applied for astronaut training with NASA and to work as a postman on Antarctica. He also appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2016.

There are calls to review the leave disparity between pregnant SNAs and teachers in Clare. As it stands, pregnant school employees may be placed on Health and Safety Leave where a risk has been identified which is not possible to remove from the work environment. SNAs are only entitled to 19 days of paid absence unlike their teacher colleagues who have unlimited paid leave. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua, who raised a motion on the issue at the latest meeting of Clare County Council, claims it's simply "not fair".

Clare is expected to see a 6% rise in job openings during 2026. The 2025 Review & 2026 Trends Forecast report produced by FRS Recruitment reveals recruiters are forecasting a rebound in the national jobs market this year. This comes after a challenging 2025 which saw a 17% decline nationwide in advertised job vacancies. General Manager of FRS Recruitment Lynne McCormack says it's a positive change.

It's been suggested that a village in Clare is being referred to by the wrong name. At this month's meeting of Ennis Municipal District, Mayor of Clare Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy has claimed he has reason to believe his native village's name was never formally changed to Clarecastle. The settlement was initially referred to as 'Clare' and first appeared on a map as 'Clarecastle' in 1900, with this name coming from the structure known as 'Clare Castle' which stands on an island of the River Fergus. Councillor Murphy says if it's found that the original name is correct, this name should be used.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan leads our Sunday Prayer at the begining of Catholic Schools week.