Clare Fm - Podcasts

Elected members of Clare County Council are defending their decision to hike commercial rates. As part of the €204 million Revenue Budget agreed on Wednesday evening, the property tax on commercial premises has been increased by 8%. 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's explained that over 75% of businesses will see an increase of under €6 in their weekly amount owed. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Enterprise and Investment at Clare County Council and Mayor of Clare, Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy. Image (c) Pat Flynn

The Health Minister has revealed her intention to recommend a new-build hospital in the Midwest. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has spoken to the region's 14 TDs and senators at a meeting organised by Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney 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". Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe believes it's a very positive result.

The children of Ennis are to take centre stage at the official turning-on of the Christmas lights in the county town this evening. Proceedings get underway at 5pm in the Abbey Street Carpark with music from the Circus Ponies before the town is illuminated for the festive season at 6:45pm. Alcohol-free punch will be available to attendees who bring reusable cups while Santa himself is expected to make an appearance as funds are raised for Temple Street Hospital. Mayor of Ennis, Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard, says in a departure from the tradition of local celebrities pressing the big red button, the spotlight will be on the town's younger population this time.

Ennis business owners are divided on whether the town's main street should remain pedestrianised into the future. From today, all routes in the town centre are open to traffic with the exception of O'Connell which is to remain pedestrian-only until February 16th. Clare County Council is seeking views from the public on future access, traffic flow, and possible pedestrianisation options for the street, with an online survey to go live on the Clare County Council website from December 8th. A new survey conducted by Retailers of Ennis meanwhile has found that 55% of local businesses are in favour of blending pedestrianisation and traffic flow on O'Connell Street, while the majority of respondents are calling for an increased Garda presence on the thoroughfare. Clare FM's Seán Lyons has been speaking to a number of concerned stakeholders including Retailers of Ennis chairperson and owner of Custy's Music Shop, John O'Connor. Photo (c) Clare FM

he Tánaiste is leading tributes to former Minster of State and Clare TD Donal Carey, who passed away overnight, at the age of 88. The clarecastle native was first elected to Clare County Council in 1974 and served as a TD for the Clare constituency from 1982 to 2002, while he also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 1981 to 1982. In 1995, he was appointed by the Rainbow Government on the nomination of John Bruton as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for western development and rural renewal and Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, holding the posts until the change of government in 1997. His son Joe Carey was a Fine Gael TD for Clare from 2007 to 2024, while his daughter Leonora Carey ran for Fine Gael in last year’s General Election. Fine Gael Leader, Tanaiste and Minster for Finance Simon Harris says Donal Carey’s “legacy of service and his contribution to Irish public life and t

New changes could see those seeking asylum here have to pay a contribution towards their living costs. Proposed changes to the International Protection system will go the cabinet for approval today. One of those amendments could see IP applicants who are in work, pay towards the cost of their State provided accommodation. Changes will also be made to the system that allows refugees be reunited with their families here, and how long those who've been granted asylum will have to wait before applying for Irish citizenship. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Simon Ó Treasaigh, Clare Immigrant Support Centre Manager. Photo (c) Heads Up Clare

A mother is renewing her appeal for her son, who has been missing for ten months. 27-year-old Luke Price was reported missing from Mount Kennett in Limerick city on Tuesday, the 14th of January last. He was last seen around 9pm that same day. Investigators and Luke’s family have previously expressed concerns for his wellbeing, with Gardaí urging anyone with information to make themselves known. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Luke's mother, Pauline. Photo Luke Price

The Clare Leader Forum will host an event at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis next week. People Power: Disabled Activism and Allyship in Driving Change, Inclusion, Equality and Combating Ableism, which takes place on Wednesday, 3rd December, will bring together activists, allies, volunteers, community workers, organisational representatives and public representatives from across Ireland to discuss the importance of grassroots leadership and collective action driving social change. Alan Morrissey was joined by a long-time campaigner and founding member of the movement in Clare, Dermot Hayes and Communications and Public Advocacy Officer, Ann Marie Flanagan.

Members of Clare County Council are set to vote on the 2026 Budget later this afternoon. However, a proposal to increase commercial rates by 8% is being greeted with dismay by Ennis Chamber. The Chamber is describing the proposed rates increase as a “hammer blow to businesses, especially those operating in Ennis.” On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Diarmuid McMahon, President of Ennis Chamber, Allen Flynn, Co-owner of Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, and Margaret O’Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber.

Clare GAA has published a tender valued at €2 million for an all-weather pitch at its Centre of Excellence. The board is seeking a contractor to construct a synthetic GAA pitch with floodlighting, fencing, a perimeter walkway and associated site services at the facility in Caherlohan outside Tulla. December 6th is the deadline for tender submissions for the project which is supported by a €487,000 Sports Capital Grant. Clare GAA Head of Operations Deirdre Murphy says it's an exciting time and is confident the pitch will be up-and-running next year.

Gerry, who hails from Ogonnelloe, is known to us as the former landlord of The Churchill Arms in Notting Hill, London. During his 32-year tenure as landlord there, Gerry served a host of famous faces from the world of politics, sport, and further afield, including Bertie Ahern, Prince Edward, and a host of professional rugby players. Gerry recounted all of this in his book, ‘Raising A Glass to the Churchill Arms.’ Gerry has a new book which he is launching this weekend, called ‘Gerard (Gerry) O’Brien: My Story.’ Saturday’s launch will take place at the Parish Hall in Ogonnelloe (29th November, 7pm), with all proceeds from the sale of the book going to support the new community centre at the local GAA grounds. Gerry joined Alan Morrissey live in-studio to tell us more.

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. 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 latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Pat Costello, with help from Joan Hanrahan.

Motorists are being advised to steer clear of a rogue deer spotted in a residential part of Ennis in recent days. There have been several sightings of the animal, who it's understood originally lived in the Lee's Road area, in Hermitage and Cloughleigh in the last two weeks. Unsuccessful attempts have been made by Clare's County Dog Warden along with members of An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to capture the deer and return him to the wild. Frankie Coote says he poses a significant threat to vehicles.

Securing a place in the WNBF Bodybuilding World Championship in Los Angeles is a “dream come true” for former Killaloe minor hurler Dylan Nolan. Sligo-based Dylan Nolan earned his place among the world’s best after winning his category at the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships (WNBF) Ireland national competition. Alan Morrissey spoke to Dylan to find out how he got on. Photo (c) WNBF Ireland Facebook

The role of artificial intelligence in business and next year’s economic outlook for Irish SMEs will be the key topics at the annual Business Networking Morning hosted by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare later this week. The event takes place at the Future Mobility Campus Ireland in Shannon this Friday (28th November) from 10am to 1pm. The half-day gathering brings together entrepreneurs, startups and small business leaders from across Clare to discuss innovation, share knowledge and make new contacts before the festive season. Alan Morrissey was speaking with Theresa Mulvihill, LEO Clare’s Senior Enterprise Development Officer, and President of AI Ireland, Mark Kelly, who will deliver the event’s keynote address on how AI can transform not only startups but also established businesses. Photo (c) Local Enterprise Office

Calls are being made for CCTV cameras in Shannon Town Park to be switched on. While the cameras are in place, they cannot be activated until Part 5 of the Digital Recording Devices Act 2023 is commenced. That requires the Garda Commissioner to submit a code of practice to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan. To discuss this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Shane Doody, Shannon Sinn Féin representative. Photo (c) Clare FM

Áine Mae Crowley is the writer behind Episode 51 of Maddie and Triggs, titled 'Sound Tennis'. The Lahinch native, who lost her eyesight due to diabetic retinopathy, uses her episode to promote sports inclusion and to encourage greater understanding of impairment and sight loss among young children. The series, which is also available on the BBC, forms part of a broader effort to support education and awareness through engaging storytelling for smallies everywhere. Áine Mae Crowley joined Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to tell us more. Image (c) Maddie + Triggs Character Design by Laura Perkins

The Tánaiste and newly-anointed Finance Minister was in Clare on Friday. On invitation from Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, Simon Harris visited Kilkishen where he had the honour of turning on the village's Christmas lights. The Wicklow native was treated to musical entertainment courtesy of children from Kilkishen National School before he attended a meeting of local Fine Gael branch members. Clare FM's Seán Lyons was at the event where he had the opportunity to speak to the Tánaiste on a number of local issues.

Fans of The Chase should make their way to Sixmilebridge later this week! St. Finnachta's National School will host The Chase Is On this Thursday, 27th of November at 7:30pm. It is modelled on the hugely popular TV game show hosted by Bradley Walsh, where contestants play against a professional quizzer, known as the "Chaser", who attempts to prevent them from winning a cash prize. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Gareth Heagney, Principal at St. Finnachta's National School in Sixmilebridge and Aoife Keogh, parent & member of the organising committee. Image (c) St Finnachta’s N.S. Sixmilebridge

A new report from Social Justice Ireland says the cost of living is continuing to have a substantial impact on older people and those in low-income households. The data in their Poverty Focus 2025 report highlights how core essentials have risen sharply, with families having to make impossible choices on everyday items. This comes as the cost of home-heating oil is surging as the winter sets in. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare Social Democrats Chair, Fiona Levie. Alan also spoke with with Deborah Kett, a mother living in Crusheen. Image (c) Social Justice Ireland