Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare County Council is asking the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for "increased focus and funding" for West Clare's roads ahead of the Irish Open 2026. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney has this week called for "critical improvements" to be carried out on the region's roads network in advance of the competition, with a particular emphasis an Kilmihil through Cree to Doonbeg. In response, the West Clare Municipal District says it's currently working on "plans for improvements" and is liaising with the Department as well as TII in relation to the works involved along with a request for "increased focus and funding on these routes". Councillor McInerney says there's an appetite for the maintenance programme and the allocation of funding from Government to be fast-tracked.

A Clare farmer and Fine Gael Councillor has expressed disappointment over his party colleague's decision not to increase bovine tuberculosis compensation rates in Budget 2026. As it stands, farmers who lose non-pedigree cows to TB can only receive up to €3,000 under the On-farm Market Valuation. Speaking to Clare FM, however Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon confirmed the rates wouldn't be increased in budget 2026 and that the focus instead will be on eradicating the disease. O'Callaghans Mills Councillor Conor Ryan says some farmers have been left heavily out of pocket.

It's hoped today's Clare Pride March will attract its largest ever turnout. The third iteration of the march will take place from 12:30pm this afternoon and will culminate in Glór with a family fun event. This evening will see The Market Bar host the Clare Pride After Party which will include drag acts and live music. March organiser Karina Murray says the occasion has gathered huge momentum over the past three years.

Eire Óg manager Gerry O'Connor is warning his side they are facing a massive test this weekend in the semi finals of the TUS Clare senior hurling championship. They go up against neighbours Kilmaley for a place in this years showpiece event, with one unbeaten record set to fall at the full time whistle. The Townies already have silverware on the sideboard after winning the Division Two league title, but are hoping to end a 35 year wait since they last claimed the Canon Hamilton. O'Connor says they have to be ready for a huge battle to take another step toward that goal. 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. Meanwhile, Ballyea come into this weekends semi final outing as the most recent champions left in the race for the title. They last captured the Canon in 2022 and are hoping to return to the decider for the sixth time in their history when they take on Cloone

On this weeks show: We will be looking ahead to a huge weekend of action in the TUS senior hurling semi finals, and one of either Corofin or Doora Barefield will be dropping out of the top tier. We will also hear how you can support the Joe Slattery Future Care Fund while also getting your hands on a vintage piece of Clare GAA gear, we look ahead to the senior semi final action in the Clare ladies football championship and lots more too

Interviews with Brian Culbert (Kilmaley), Gerry O'Connor (Eire Óg), Fergal Lynch (Clooney-Quin) and Robbie Hogan (Ballyea) ahead of this weekends TUS Clare SHC semi finals

At 15 years old Teagan is no stranger to the stage and screen, from appearing on the Late Late Toy Show 4 times as a singer and dancer, gracing the stage at Junior Eurovision Ireland in 2022 and 2023, 5 years running with the Olympia Panto as a dancer and vocalist, starring in Christmas events with Arnott’s and Taylor’s. Appearing in 3 Smyths Toys adverts, multiple Ivory Sessions, regularly performing with Spotlight, Garageland, 2025 Barretstown Picnic, Music Generation and now Teagan’s music is even being blasting out at events at Ireland’s biggest venue Croke Park! Teagan’s energy and talent is undeniable whether as a vocalist, songwriter, dancer or model! Pretty On Purpose shouts “believe in yourself” from the rooftops from the first bar to last, a pop rock powerhouse with a message for us all; don’t dim your light, express your creativity and be the example of confidence you love to see in those you admire. Pretty on Purpose is a call to all of us to reject envy and insecurity in favour of support, e

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch. TUS Clare SHC Semi-Finals: Kilmaley v Éire Óg (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 4:30pm) Ballyea v Clooney Quin (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 3:30pm) TUS Clare SHC Relegation Final: Corofin v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Sunday, 1pm) TUS PIHC Quarter-Finals: Ruan v Tulla (Friday, 5:30) Tubber v Clarecastle (Saturday, 2pm) TUS IHC Relegation Final: Scariff v Newmarket-on-Fergus (Sunday, 12pm) TUS IHC Q-Final O'Gonnelloe v Éire Óg (Sunday, 12pm) O'Callaghans Mills v Kilmaley (Sunday (1:30pm)

A new tourism centre in East Clare is expected to provide an economic boost to surrounding towns and villages. The Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience on the outskirts of Mountshannon has been officially opened by Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley today. The €4.3 million project includes an interactive visitor experience, outdoor seating in the restored Old Rectory gardens and public realm improvements to Mountshannon village. Minister Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Sean Lyons, that Mountshannon as well as other nearby settlements will enjoy increased tourist traffic for years to come thanks to the development.

Support continues to pour in Joe Slattery, as locals prepare to turn out in force at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg next weekend for a special fundraiser titled "Jerseys for Joe." Hundreds of Clare jerseys and iconic gear from across the decades will be up for grabs at a pop-up shop during the County SHC Semi Finals, with all proceeds going towards the Joe Slattery Fund for Future Care. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was in-studio by Michelle Moroney, Office Manager and Deirdre Murphy, Head of Operations Clare GAA. Photo (c) Smith O'Briens GAA & Cammogie Club Facebook

The Central Bank has criticised the Government's spending plans describing its package for Budget 2026 as unnecessarily big. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis Economist, Micheál Collins and Ennis Estate Agent, Diarmuid McMahon on Friday's Morning Focus. Image (c) by claudiodivizia via Canva

Marcin Piotrowski is a Polish sociologist, journalist, cultural animator, and humanitarian activist. He is also the founder of the Folkowisko Humanitarian Foundation, which since the first days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has delivered thousands of tons of humanitarian aid and coordinated hundreds of volunteers on both sides of the Polish–Ukrainian border. Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Marcin Piotrowski on Friday's Morning Focus.

We have previously spoken about the close connection between Ennis and the German town of Langenfeld on Morning Focus, The two towns have shared a close friendship since becoming official Twin Towns in October 2013, with lots of events and initiatives being held. This year, the Ennis–Langenfeld Twinning Board will host its third Oktoberfest celebration on Culture Night this Friday (19th September, from 7pm to 10pm) at the beer garden in Fawl’s Bar, O’Connell Street. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dara Glynn, Secretary of the Ennis-Langenfeld Twinning Board and Councillor, Mary Howard on Friday's Morning Focus.

A young woman from North Clare, who is living with a chronic stomach condition, has claimed she spent five weeks “begging” for help at University Hospital Limerick, but the appropriate treatment was not forthcoming. 23-year-old Sarah O’Reilly, from Dough, Lahinch was diagnosed with Gastroparesis three years ago, following an 18-month wait for a scan. HSE Mid West Response: HSE Mid West is unable to comment on individual cases as we are obliged to protect our patients’ confidentiality. We have been linking with the patient on this matter, and continue to provide support. Alan Morrissey was joined by Sarah on Friday's Morning Focus to find out more. Picture (c) Clare FM

Shannon's TD is calling for an end to be brought to the use of the town's airport as a US military stopover. Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan has claimed removing the triple lock mechanism would further damage the country's neutrality which she says is already "undermined" by the US military's relationship with the Clare base. In the first three months of this year, 71 permits to land in Shannon were granted for aircraft carrying munitions of war. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McGettigan insists the facility requires "ethical" funding instead of increased militarisation.

It's believed it's "only a matter of time" before a serious road traffic accident takes place on one of the main approach roads to a Clare village. Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman is calling for a flooding issue to be addressed at Cappa South in Sixmilebridge. It's claimed the road, which he describes as "one of the busiest" in the Shannon Municipal District, floods every time it rains which forces cars to drive on the wrong side of the road. Councillor O'Gorman says it's an unsustainable situation.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 19ú lá de mí Mheán Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1975 beir na póilíní ar bean darbh ainm Patricia Hearst – bhí sí an bhean a bhí siad ag féachaint I gcóir don am is faide. Beir siad uirthi I San Francisco. I 1989 ghlac Gerry Collins an leithscéal ón IRFU ar an chonspóid as an Afraic Theas. I 1989 chuir na Gardaí fear poist ón tSionainn sa phríosún de bharr gur rinne sé camastaíl. I 1991 tháinig Cill Chaoi amach ar barr sa Tidy Towns an bhliain sin. Sin Rod Stewart le Sailing – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1975. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1998 fuair Robbie Williams a chéad uimhir a haon tar éis a d'fhág sé Take That. Tháinig an t-amhrán Millennium óna dara halbam I've Been Expecting You. I 2004 chuir Celine Dion níos mó cheolchoirm ar siúl I Las Vegas do bhliain eile. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh Jimmy Fallon I Meiriceá I 1974 agus rugadh amhránaí Nile Rodgers I Meiriceá ar an lá s

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 18ú lá de mí Mheán Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1970 bhí leictreoir I mBaile Átha Cliath sáinnithe do dhá uair a chloig faoi ardaitheoir a thit air. I 1992 tháinig Taoiseach Albert Reynolds amach ag rá go raibh níos mó ná 5,000 post nua chun a bheith ann de bharr go raibh comhlacht Meiriceánach chun teacht isteach. I 1987 dhún dhá uachtarlann I Darragh agus Cill na Móna síos de bharr Golden Vale. I 1992 d'oscail Taoiseach Albert Reynolds an tionscadal Aeraspás na Sionainn. Sin The Shamen le Ebeneezer Goode – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1992. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1993 chuaigh Meat Loaf chuig uimhir a haon sa Bhreatain don chéad uair lena halbam Bat Out Of Hell 2. I 2009 thit Leonard Cohen ar an stáitse I rith ceolchoirm sa Spáinn agus chuaigh sé chuig an ospidéal. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh Jada Pinkett Smith I Meiriceá I 1971 agus rugadh aisteoir James Marsden I Meiriceá

Separately, Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin has called for an audit of areas across the MD, such as Shannon Town Park, that are illegal dumping blackspots and would benefit from the installation of CCTV. The local authority's Environment Section has pledged to undertake a "comprehensive audit" of public complaints relating to illegal dumping in public areas. Once the review is complete, the Environment Section says it will "assess and determine any necessary actions to address the issues identified". Councillor Griffin believes it "makes a mockery" of the legal system if illegal dumpers aren't penalised.

Elected representatives in Shannon have expressed confusion around why cameras in place in one of the town's most prominent public areas aren't in use. Shannon Municipal District has confirmed this week that CCTV cameras are installed in the Shannon Town Park but aren't activated because the legal basis for this isn't in place. CCTV surveillance was a dominant topic of discussion at this week's Shannon Municipal District meeting as no fewer than two councillors tabled motions relating to its use. Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy called on the relevant bodies, namely the Gardaí and Clare County Council, to come together and endeavour to reactivate the existing camera network in the Shannon Town Park. In response, Shannon MD has stated that the cameras installed in the vicinity of the park aren't currently activated because "the legal basis for their activation is not in place". It's emphasised that under the current legislation, an application can be made by the local authority of the Gardaí to have the