Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare's senator is calling for a "stress test" of State sports funding structures to ensure people with disabilities aren't being excluded. Senator Martin Conway has once again requested a debate in Seanad Éireann on the steps being taken to include all willing participants in sport. The primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations is the Community Sports Facilities Fund - the aim of which is "to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities" according to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Conway says everyone deserve to be as active as they physically can.

Last week on Morning Focus, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group spoke about them being chosen as National Finalists in this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards. The Kilrush based group, Ireland’s leading cetacean conservation charity dedicated to the protection, research, and welfare of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, were shortlisted in the Heritage category. The great news for the Group is that they ended up winning their category! Alan Morrissey was joined by Gemma O'Connor, coordinator of the IWDG Live Stranding Network on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Julia Iredale

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

The ancient farming tradition of Winterage will be celebrated in the Burren this October Bank Holiday weekend, 24th to 26th October 2025. The weekend will include a packed programme of guided walks, workshops, storytelling, music, the Burren Food Fayre and the iconic Burren Winterage Cattle Drive. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by the Head of Burren IFA, Michael Davoren and the host of this year's Winterage Cattle Drive, Frank McCormack. Alan was also joined on the line by Robbie McCauley of Homestead Cottage in Doolin and Siobhán Ní Ghairbhith of St Tola Goats cheese. Image (c) Burren Winterage

Ferns Wellness, a Family run Health Food Store in Ennis is set to close by the end of October. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by James Ferns of Ferns Wellness. Picture (c) Ferns Wellness via Facebook

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sharon Cahir and Joanne Mitchell of Cahir & Co. Solicitors to discuss family disputes and wills.

Calls are being renewed for seasonal clock changes to be scrapped. The clocks will go back by an hour on Sunday the 26th of October, marking the end of daylight saving. It has kickstarted the debate at the European Parliament on abolishing the practice of moving clocks back and forth every summer and winter. MEPs will question senior EU officials on the issue in Strasbourg this week. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Ireland South Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly to discuss this further. Image (c) Alexas Fotos from Pexels via Canva

A new three-year €1.5 million fund that will directly impact communities in County Clare has been launched. The Clare Communities Fund is a collaboration between Rethink Ireland, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) via the Dormant Accounts Fund. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey discussed this news with Tanja Buwalda, Business Development Director at Rethink Ireland. Photo (c) ReThink Ireland

This week is National Brain Tumour Awareness Week, October 20th-26th 2025. To mark the week, Brain Tumour Ireland has developed a guide for members of the public on identifying brain tumour symptoms in children and teenagers. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Paediatric Oncologist at CHI Crumlin, Dr Noelle Cullinan. Image (c) braintumourireland.com

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will bring draft legislation to cabinet, which will see those convicted of the crime publicly named. Jennie's Law is named in honour of Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021. Jennifer's brother, Jason, has been campaigning for the legislation for years. To discuss this further, Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services at Clare Haven and Siobhán O’Leary, Executive Director of Rape Crisis Midwest spoke with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Counter Currents

Clare's opposition TD claims she's angered by the government's lack of action on the defective concrete block crisis. It follows a motion put forward in the Dáil by Donegal TD Charles Ward last week calling for the crisis to be declared a national emergency. Over 1,000 properties in the county are believed to be impacted by the defective mineral pyrite, with the maximum payout under the grant currently capped at €462,000. Shannon Sinn Fein Deputy, Donna McGettigan, says it's 'shameful' to see the government overlook the lived experiences of those living in Pyrite affected homes.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is being urged to conduct a safety assessment of the M18 in Clare amid a "concerning" spike in the number of crashes taking place on the road. Several road traffic collisions have occurred on the motorway in recent weeks, resulting in injuries varying in severity as well as traffic congestion and detours. Among these was a multiple-car collision between Junction 10 Newmarket-on-Fergus and Junction 11 Dromoland last week, while emergency services dealt with two incidents on the route on the same day in late September. Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin says the cause of the incidents has to be determined.

On Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Clare FM's Derrick Lynch and Tommy Guilfoyle discussed a busy weekend of sporting fixtures. Games Reviewed: TUS Clare PIHC Final: O'Callaghan's Mills 2-19 Clarecastle 1-16 (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosóg) TUS IHC Final: Inagh-Kilnamona 1-20 Smith O’Brien’s 2-18 (Sunday, Sixmilebridge) Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Final: Truagh-Clonlara 1-14 Inagh-Kilnamona 2-14 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosóg) Soccer: Bridge United V Avenue United 1-0 Newmarket Celtic V Tulla United 3-1 Fairgreen Celtic V Moher Celtic 6-4 Ennis Dons V Bunratty Cratloe 2-0

There's a call for the Government to allocate Clare County Council additional funding to ensure road markings meet safety standards. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua claims many markings in the county town are "faded, worn or barely visible" which she fears "compromises road safety" for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Ennis Municipal District says it conducts a quarterly review of all road markings in the region but admits "it can be difficult" to prioritise them because they are "expensive in terms of cost and labour". Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the dangers are especially prominent at nighttime.

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre, Ennis was back on Monday's Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries. This week, Judy spoke about feeding the songbirds in your garden. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer was back in studio on Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey to talk about some of the many events happening in Clare.

The very first recognition ceremony honouring our diaspora either living with or lost to HIV/AIDS will take place later this year. It will happen in London on the 1st of December, which is World AIDS Day. Clare’s very own own Bernard Lynch, who, through his roles over forty years as a priest, author and activist, has worked for the rights of LGBT people... Bernard spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus.

Hundreds of local residents have signed a petition calling for urgent safety upgrades on the main road linking Ennis to West Clare. It follows a serious road traffic collision which occurred just outside McNamee's Londis on the N68 last Friday, which left one person hospitalised. Since 2007, four people have been killed in road traffic incidents along the 2km route between Darragh's North Cross and Bansha Cross. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan visited McNamee's Londis and spoke to a number of local residents. Photo (c) Clare FM

We’re delighted to announce a brand-new feature starting today on Morning Focus, which will also broadcast each evening on The West Wind for 26 days. The feature, titled “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 first part of “Traditional Greats”, Therese pays tribute to Pac

As Halloween approaches, new research from Ireland’s leading dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, has revealed that more than half of dogs (55%) show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. To help pet owners prepare for the spooky season, Alan Morrissey chatted to Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland. Photo (c) Dogs Trust via dogstrust.ie