Clare Fm - Podcasts

Kilkishen is preparing for a brilliant weekend of creativity and flavour as the Artisan Craft & Food Festival returns to the Cultural Centre on the 29th and 30th of November. Live in-studio on Friday’s Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey were event organisers Caroline O’Riordan and Bernadette Ballarin.

Doonbeg is set for a big day of festive community spirit this Sunday at Doonbeg Hall all in aid of Clare Haven. To find out what to expect, Alan Morrissey spoke with the organiser Karen McInerney. Photo (c) Karen McInerney

There’s growing concern this week following the confirmed spread of the invasive Demon shrimp across several locations along the River Shannon and Lough Derg. After the species was first detected below Lough Derg, further surveys have now identified it in Killaloe, Dromineer, Garrykennedy, Terryglass, Rossmore, Mountshannon, Portumna and even as far as Lough Ree. The predator species poses a serious risk to the ecology of local freshwater systems, prompting fresh warnings for communities and water users. On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Cllr Pat Burke, Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor. Photo (c) Clare County Council Facebook

The Mayor of Clare has claimed that commercial rates have been raised “for the greater good of the county”, although Cllr Paul Murphy did say the decision hasn’t been taken lightly. The controversial measure, which will see the property tax on commercial premises increased by 8%, is included in Clare County Council’s largest-ever revenue budget of €204 million, which has been adopted by elected members at a special meeting this week. It's the third time the local authority has taken such a measure, and has been backed by its Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise Noeleen Fitzgerald, who explained on Thursday’;s show that over 75% of businesses will see an increase of under €6 in their weekly amount owed. However, Ennis Chamber highlighted their opposition to the increase on Wednesday’s Morning Focus, with its president Diarmuid McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, believing a reduction in rates is in order, rather than a hike. To hear from some of the businesses in this county on the commer

Landowners in south-east Clare have agreed to facilitate the construction of a footpath and pedestrian crossing at a junction where children are said to be risking their lives each day. Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman and Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe have called for the measures to be installed at Cappa Cross in Sixmilebridge in light of concerns raised by locals.

Clare-based Artist Edelle Costelloe is hosting an art exhibition in memory of her late son Dylan while also raising awareness of charities and causes close to his heart. Dylan Costelloe passed away tragically following an accident while travelling in Bali in April 2024. “Brushstrokes for Dylan” will take place at the De Valera Library, Ennis from Friday November 28th to Friday December 19th. For more on this, Edelle Costelloe joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus. Image (c) Edelle Costello via Clare County Council on Facebook

Cathy O’Byrne is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist from Shannon, who is now based in Limerick. She recently won an award for "Most Positive Impact" at the Female Founder Awards of The Club Women's Network in Cork. Alan Morrissey was joined by Cathy to find out more about her work and success. Photo (c) The Swallow's Trail Parenting Support via Facebook

Morning Focus listener, Ashley O’Toole airs her frustration over delays on Dublin Coach’s service from the University of Limerick to Ennis. Ashley lives in the County Town, is a regular user of the UL to Ennis service, for work purposes. Ashley has issues with the service, claiming it’s frequently late. Alan Morrissey spoke to Ashley on Friday's Morning Focus to find out more. Statement from Dublin Coach: “On behalf of The Green Bus we understand that there have been issues regarding times, but we are operating 100% services and unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the heavy traffic in Limerick and of course the heavy traffic on the M7 as this also impacts services coming from Dublin at peak times. The peak times in limerick being 15.30-18.00 Monday to Friday are difficult in the city with school's colleges and workers finishing during these periods. However, we are not able to change this and as we have a live tracker on our website people can see in real time where the bus located. Overall, we will co

The Health Minister is to make a decision on a new model 3 hospital in this region in the new year. Following a meeting with the Midwest's Oireachtas members this week, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has committed to progressing options A and B recommended by HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the region which refer to expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick and extending the campus to a nearby second site, respectively. Reports from the meeting claimed the minister has described the third option, which would involve the development of a new model 3 facility in the region, as a "live option". Speaking in the Seanad however, Minister Carroll MacNeill says no commitment has been made in this respect and this option will be examined in the new year.

Killaloe is set to become the latest town to embrace the festive spirit with the lighting of its Christmas tree this evening. The first joint Christmas lights ceremony between Killaloe and Ballina will get underway from 5:15pm on the Old Killaloe - Ballina Bridge with the tree lighting taking place from 6pm. The local youth choir will provide the backdrop with Christmas carols, while Santa and his elves are set to make a special appearance. Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O’Brien, is hopeful the event will draw a big crowd to kickstart a new tradition for both towns.

Ennistymon Community School has just completed a vibrant and ambitious ThinkLanguages Week. It was packed with cultural workshops, primary-school outreach, local business partnerships, university engagement, and the launch of two new Erasmus+ projects. The celebration, led by Transition Year students, showcased the many languages and cultures within the school while highlighting the growing opportunities for students who continue with language learning. To tell us more about the week’s success, Alan Morrissey was joined by Joanne Hession, German, Spanish and Media teacher. Photo (c) Languages Connect

Barry Donnelly, is the driving force behind the Clare Ladies Minor football team, serving as both manager and coach during what has been an extraordinary season for the young squad, which won the All-Ireland title last July. The upcoming Clare Minor Ladies Social, which takes place at the Bellbridge House Hotel this Saturday (29th November) forms part of a wider effort to honour their journey, highlight their accomplishments, and celebrate the role of mentorship in shaping future champions. Barry spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Last week, we heard the Christmas song being released by the Kilfenora Ceilí Band. Their festive tune, “A Boston Christmas”, certainly got us in the Christmas mood! Kilrush musician Teresa Carrig is also adding her voice to the festive season with the release of her brand-new Christmas single, Here With Me.

Clare's Minister of State insists a public meeting taking place today in relation to a proposed infrastructural project on the Shannon Estuary is just the start of the consultation process. Gas Networks Ireland is hosting a public information event in Kildysart Community Hall from 4pm to 7:30pm regarding its plans for a strategic gas emergency reserve in Cahiracon. The project will provide a temporary natural gas facility in the event of a disruption to Ireland's gas supply and is expected to create 300 to 400 jobs during construction as well as 40 to 50 each year when operational. The announcement of the public information event was only made on Wednesday afternoon but Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley says there will be plenty of engagement in the coming weeks, months and years.

Construction is underway on a new multi-million Community Care Centre in Shannon, marking a major milestone in enhancing community services across County Clare. Funded by Clarecare, alongside Ei Electronics, JP McManus Pro-Am 2022, the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, the project marks a significant investment in the region. The new facility will be located at Tullyvarraga, adjacent to Shannon Garda Station, with completion expected by March 2027. Once operational, the state-of-the-art Centre will provide a comprehensive range of services. In studio to tell us more about it was Catriona Lavelle, Clare Care Chief Executive Officer and Martina Monogue, Social Enterprise Development Officer on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Clarecare

Milford Care Centre’s annual Light Up a Memory ceremony will take place early next month. The event will be held on Sunday, the 7th of December at the earlier time of 4pm. For the first time, the ceremony will be held outdoors on the grounds of Milford Care Centre, adjacent to the Reception area. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey spoke with fundraising manager, Anne Marie Hayes on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Milford Care Centre

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Gwen Culligan, co-director of County Boutique in Ennis, founded in 1966 and the longest serving women’s fashion boutique in Clare. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

It’s time for Parenthood in Focus. We are joined, as ever, by Petrina O’Halloran. Petrina is the founder of Mama's Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com. This week Petrina is going to talk to us about Christmas Shopping, Managing Expectations & Traditions. Petrina was live in-studio for a chat with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Mamas Boobie Box

The Health Minister has revealed her intention to recommend a new-build hospital in the Midwest. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill spoke to the region's 14 TDs and senators at a meeting organised by Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney on Wednesday, in relation to the recommendations of the HIQA review of emergency care capacity in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. Minister Carroll MacNeill says she will pursue both Option A and Option B, meaning further expansion of University Hospital Limerick campus as well as the extension of the campus to a second nearby site, while confirming she will keep Option C, which involves the development of a new Model 3 hospital in the region, as a "live option". Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris said during his visit to Clare last week that the Midwest will “ultimately” need a new hospital and claims the HIQA review provides a “roadmap” on fixing the overcrowding crisis. On Thrsday's edition of MorninG Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Joe Cooney, Bodyke Fine Gael TD and

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, we heard tributes paid to former Clare Fine Gael TD Donal Carey, who has passed away at the age of 88. Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris led the tributes to the Clarecastle native, who, during a long political career, served as a local councillor, Senator and TD. His reposal will take place at Clarecastle Church on Friday from 4.30 pm, with funeral prayers at 7 pm, before Funeral Mass on Saturday in Clarecastle Church at 11 am. To explore Donal Carey’s life and legacy further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Madeline Taylor Quinn, Former Clare Fine Gael TD and Senator, John Callinan, Partner of Berwick Solicitors LLP and former Irish sportsperson, and Paschal Russell, Clarecastle community activist. Photo (c) Simon Harris via Facebook