Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's feared ongoing industrial action coupled with a lack of forward planning would leave Clare in serious disarray in a sudden or extreme weather event. It follows accusations from elected representatives that this county has shown no signs of learning lessons from Storm Éowyn.

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 East Clare Greats, with assistance from Mary McNamara.

Clare Youth Service will join Youth Work Ireland and youth services nationwide in celebrating Oíche na hÓige today (November 21st). This new initiative by the Department of Education and Youth is a night to recognise the transformative impact of youth work in Ireland and honour the creativity, connection, and confidence that youth work brings to young people and communities across Ireland. On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Margaret Slattery, CEO Clare Youth Service Photo (c) Hub Na nÓg

It's feared Clare's response plan would fall victim to a number of critical errors if an extreme weather event struck again. Councillors have warned the local authority this week that communities are none the wiser since Storm Éowyn. The storm which brought winds of 180km/h down on the county, left over 44,000 people here without power. It's since emerged that Clare has been denied funding to enhance facilities at community response hubs, while concerns have also been raised that emergency council crews wouldn't be readily available to fell trees or clear debris due to ongoing industrial action. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan has been getting the mood of North and West Clare Councillors, beginning with Lisdoonvarna's Joe Garrihy. Photo (c) Clare FM

The Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon is the venue for next Monday’s latest talk presented by the North Clare Historical Society on the 24th November at 8pm. The talk, titled Stories in Stone: Exploring Doolin's Ancient Landscape, will be given by Kate Lavender-Duncan. Alan Morrissey spoke to Kate on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) The Burren College of Art

Luca Luigi Aschieri, a resident of Ballyvaughan, has created a project called ‘Stories for Peace’. The project to give a voice to the children and youth who have fled war and are living in a refugee camp in Uganda. To find out more, Luca joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus.

Plans to build a sewerage treatment plant on a scenic tourist attraction in Kilkee are being met with opposition. Uisce Eireann is proposing to build the plant just 100 metres from the Kilkee Cliff Walk, which research last year revealed was the most-loved Irish tourist spot by users of Tripadvisor. Local residents are taking a judicial review against the utility’s plans. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with local resident and member the of Save Kilkee Cliff Walk Group, Joanne Dillon. Image (c) Visit Clare

The authority responsible for the Limerick to Scariff Greenway has pledged to bring all East Clare residents with it as it progresses the project. The 43-kilometre greenway, which will be carried out in five stages, is being delivered by Waterways Ireland in partnership with Clare County Council and Limerick City and County Council. Public consultation on the first section, which spans from Blackbridge to Errina Bridge, is set to take place in the first half of next year. Speaking after a presentation to Killaloe Municipal District, Waterways Ireland Western Regional Manager Brian Treacy says locals will have the opportunity to make contributions before any section goes to planning.

Clare Gardaí are warning road users to take all necessary precautions amid "challenging and dangerous" road conditions. Temperatures fell below zero across the county overnight resulting in widespread frost and icy stretches on the roads network. While no weather warning is currently in place in Clare, Superintendent with the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division Eddie Golden is warning motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to exercise caution when embarking on journeys. He's been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that colder weather coupled with an increased number of vehicles on the road makes for treacherous conditions.

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 Tony McMahon, with the help of Jack Talty.

Danny Lynch, Chef at Le Cheile, Barefield was back again with Alan Morrissey on Thursday’s Morning Focus. This week, Danny treats us to delicious pork belly with a lemon & lime cheesecake for desert.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, the County Arts Officer Siobhan Mulcahy highlighted some of the numerous Christmas markets that will be taking place around County Clare. A Christmas market will take place in Tulla. To find out more about what we can expect from it, Fran Torpey was live in-studio on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Tickets are available at the Silver branch wine bar and christmas fair in Tulla.

Joe Queally, an author and local historian from Fanore, is launching his new book in Ennistymon in the 21st of November. The North Clare launch of ‘Tragedies of Clare’ will take place at the Courthouse Gallery from 8pm. To tell us more, Joe and Tom Scales joined Alan on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Glór will host the Cantare Christmas Choir next month. The concert on the 19th of December will be in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and in memory of Olivia Tuohy, who passed away in Edinburgh last May. Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Kieran Tuohy, father of Olivia Tuohy, Carmel Honan of Cantare Choir, Musical Director Michael Hennessy & Soprano Helen Catherine Ball.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Sharon Barrington, General Manager of IFF Plastics based near Cree in West Clare. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

The Government wants to find a balance to ensure remote working suits employers and their employees. The right to request a remote working arrangement was introduced as part of last year's Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. The Department of Enterprise has now launched a public consultation to monitor if the arrangement is working for all parties. Employer groups and high profile business owners have come out against remote working but Minister of State Alan Dillon says everyone's voice has to be heard. Director and Founder of Careerwise Recruitment, Joe Robbins joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Marek Levak from Pexels via canva

Gill Moses joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to talk about a very interesting event she will be holding in Ennis next month. Chapel Lane Community Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre will be the venue for the Death Café on Sunday, 14th of December.

The folks at Clare Comhairle na nÓg must be in good spirits, following their great performance at the recent IPB Pride of Place Awards. They were named runner-up in the Community Youth Initiative category in recognition of the leadership shown by their young members as agents of change on issues such as mental health, discrimination and inclusion. The group developed a creative project on discrimination, which led to the introduction of the ‘Free Period Products’ initiative. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Isabel Gurare, member of Clare Comhairle na nÓg and Brian McManus, Clare Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator. Photo (c) Clare Youth Service Facebook

Health insurance costs are set to go up again in April of next year. The Government levy on health insurance premiums that supports the community rating system is set to increase by around 10 per cent. That allows people to buy policies regardless of their age, health status and other risk factors at the same price. The Health Insurance Authority says the stamp duty levy for adults will increase by 48 euro from next April, while it will increase by 16 euro for children. It will affect advanced plans which account for more than 90 per cent of the private health insurance market. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Kay Murphy, Former Active Retirement Ireland President and Shannon resident and Larry Hally, Vice Chair of the Clare Older People’s Council on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Pixabay

A Clare Airbnb host says she feels unfairly scapegoated for the wider housing crisis. Miltown Malbay mother-of-hour Lorna Cahill has spoken of her experience as a small-scale host in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The committee is currently reviewing the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill which was approved by the Government in April and requires hosts to register their property with Fáilte Ireland if they are letting it for 21 nights or less. Lorna says her property isn't suitable as a long-term residence.