Clare Fm - Podcasts

Can a pair of shoes really change your life? This Christmas, the spectacular rags to riches family pantomime Cinderella will come to University Concert Hall Limerick. Brought to you by the same creative team behind last year’s smash hit Mother Goose, Cinderella has all the traditional elements of a fabulous festive outing to entertain the entire family. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Programming and Business Development Manager in UCH, Jennifer Flewett and actor, Stuart Mackay.

Two Clare women have been named finalists in the Female Founder Awards 2025, hosted by The Club Women’s Network. Sharon Barrington of IFF Plastics Ltd from Creegh is nominated for Business of the Year. Fiona Brennan of Inspire Action Success from Tulla is nominated for Contribution to The Club. On Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Sharon and Fiona were on the show to talk about this. Photo (c) Female Founder Awards

A mother living with multiple sclerosis insists there should be more awareness of hidden disabilities so that people in Clare with conditions like hers do not feel stigmatised. Mother-of-two, Louise Power was diagnosed with MS a decade ago following the birth of her second child, though her symptoms began years earlier. She is encouraging families, schools, book clubs, workplaces and groups of all ages across Clare to get on board and support the MS Readathon, which runs from the 1st of November to the 15th of December. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Louise on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) MS Readathon Ireland

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with entrepreneur, lecturer and consultant Fiona Levie who is based Mountshannon. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

A warning is being issued over illegal disposal of waste and the use of fireworks during Halloween. Clare County Council has once again advised the public not to light bonfires or use illegal fireworks this period. The local authority is highlighting the dangers associated with bonfires, as well as pointing to strain put on the fire services and the environmental impact of such illegal activities. Gearoid Blake, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Clare County Council, was live in studio with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Jameslee from pixbay via Canva

North Clare Historical Society continues its lecture series next week. The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon is the venue for next Tuesday’s, the 28th of October at 8pm talk, entitled The Decline of the Big House in Ireland: Some Further Perspectives. Terence Dooley will be delivering the lecture. Terence is Head of History Department in Maynooth University where he is also Director of the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates. Photo (c) Maynooth University

Last July, Alan Morrissey chatted with Loretta O’Connor who had organised a Drive In Bingo for the U14 Boys side at Ennis Town FC. The aim of the event was to raise funds to enable the lads to travel to Barcelona to compete in a big soccer tournament. The good news is that their trip ended in success!

The Federation for Victim Assistance is a registered charity based in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, which supports many victims of crime and trauma across Clare and Limerick. This Saturday, October 25th, the Federation will have a presence at Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre in Ennis. Alan Morrissey spoke with Siobhán Madden, the Garda Victims of Crime Officer for Clare, who works closely with the Federation to support victims throughout the county. Tom Brophy, Chairperson of the Federation for Victim Assistance, also joined the conversation. To get in touch with Victim Assistance, freephone 1800 277 477. Logo (c) Federation For Victim Assistance

23 people have been arrested after a second night of disturbances outside the IPAS accommodation centre in Citywest in Dublin. Gardaí say the disturbances which flared at around 7 o'clock last night, as well as the accompanying violence was predominantly carried out by teenagers and young adult men. TD for Dublin Bay North, Tom Brabazon, says local people have genuine questions about what's happening in their area. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has praised the Garda response to a very difficult situation. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Ireland South Independent MEP Michael McNamara, Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe and Clare Immigrant Support Network Chair, Eoin Tynan O’Mahony. Picture (c) Clare Immigrant Support Centre

The Tánaiste has confirmed a plane carrying weapons bound for Israel was authorised to stop at Shannon Airport this month. Responding to a parliamentary question in the Dáil, Simon Harris has clarified that a civil aircraft travelling from South Carolina in the US to Athens in Greece on October 12th was given clearance by the Department of Transport to land at the Clare base for a technical stopover. It's understood the flight was carrying the unloaded personal weapons of troops and was allowed to proceed to Athens en route to Nevatim Airbase in Israel. The Tánaiste says it's a matter for the Minister for Transport.

The local authority has confirmed the construction phase of the Ennis Public Realm Works will conclude at the end of next month. From November 26th, traffic will return to all roads apart from O'Connell Street, which will stay pedestrianised until at least February of 2026. A survey running from December 8th until January 4th will allow the public to have their say on access, traffic flow and pedestrianisation for O'Connell Street. Senior Executive Engineer with Ennis Municipal District, Paddy Tiernan, says public input is vital in the future of the town.

An important update has been issued to West Clare residents casting their ballots in the Presidential Election tomorrow. Due to ongoing renovation works at Querrin Schoolhouse, anyone with the school on their polling card will instead vote at Carrigaholt National School. Those whose polling station was Knockanean National School prior to its demolition will go to Fahy Hall in Roslevan tomorrow, while voters in Tubber are being reminded to mark their ballot paper in the new national school building located beside the church. Clare County Registrar and Returning Officer Rita Considine says the location on every polling card is accurate with the exception of those whose card directs them to Querrin National School.

Students of the Technological University of the Shannon's Ennis Campus are among thousands participating in a walk-out today over what they view as a "two-tier education system". The protest has been coordinated across TUS's six campuses in a bid to shine a light on the perceived inequality between technical universities and "legacy" universities. Among their various asks are that technological universities be granted access to capital funding for the construction of purpose-built student accommodation, that postgraduate stipend funding be increased to the full €25,000 and that professorships be fully implemented. TUS Student Union Deputy President for the Midwest Gearóid Folan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons "enough is enough" and the time for parity is now.

An award-winning soprano with Clare connections is returning to Ennis next month for a special Candlelight Concert at St. Columba’s Church. Eve Stafford, President of Network Ireland Limerick, will perform on Saturday, the 8th of November alongside acclaimed Clare composer Fiona Linnane on piano. Alan Morrissey was delighted to be joined by Eve on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was back for Clare FM's Financial Advice slot. On Wednesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Tommy informed us on what the tax deadline means for people.

We’re continuing our brand-new feature on Morning Focus, which will also broadcast each evening on The West Wind. In the third episode of “Traditional Greats”, Therese pays tribute to Micho Russell of the Russell Brothers, which features Charles Monod and Diarmuid De Faoite.

A campaign is underway in County Clare to encourage and support eligible homeowners to apply for fully funded upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS). Across Clare, around 3,000 homeowners are eligible for a fully funded energy upgrade through the SEAI’s Warmer Homes Scheme, but many people who qualify aren’t yet aware of it or haven’t applied. To share more, Bridget Ginnity, member of Ennis Sustainable Energy Community joined Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

53 lives were saved from drowning thanks to the swift and selfless actions of rescuers who have been recognised at Water Safety Ireland’s National Annual Awards. The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, honoured 73 individuals, including a number from Clare, whose bravery prevented water tragedies across Ireland and abroad. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey chatted to Oisín McGrath; one of the deserving Clare recipients. Alan Morrissey was also joined live on the line by Keith McDonagh, Kilkee resident and paramedic and Caoimhe Moroney, 15-year-old from Kilfenora. Image (c) watersafety.ie

Minister James Brown, who has defined it as “unacceptable in a housing crisis”, has brought a memo to Government on Compulsory Purchase Orders at local Council level. Minister Brown’s declaration of war on dereliction follows a warning to Local Authorities from Junior Housing Minister John Cummins that “inconsistency” in tackling vacancy and dereliction is “undermining national efforts”, as he accused some councils of being “too slow to take decisive action”. To delve into this in more detail, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Crowe, Chairperson of Clare County Council's Social Development SPC and Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer of Land Activation, Derelict Sites and Property Management at Clare County Council.

The Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District believes an outer relief road will be needed in Ennistymon within the next decade. It comes as the High Court has dismissed an application for leave to bring a judicial review challenge against the Compulsory Purchase Order for an inner relief road in the North Clare town. The project has been in the works since 2010 and is intended to alleviate long-standing traffic congestion at Blake's Corner. Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery previously lobbied for an outer relief road to be constructed and he believes it could still be required.