Clare Fm - Podcasts

Last November, Joe Slattery’s young life changed irrevocably. On the 21st of November 2024, the Corofin native was training for his local GAA Club when he sustained injuries that will require lifelong care. This Thursday, the 20th of March, a group of local ladies from Corofin will be running a pop-up shop of pre-loved and brand-new women's dresses and women's wear, to raise funds for Joe’s care. To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Catherine Kirby. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1220889416705602&set=a.515775720550312&locale=fa_IR

They will replace the existing policing committees, run by local authorities, which were disbanded last year. The Local Community Safety Partnerships will be headed up by independently appointed chairpersons To learn more about them, Alan Morrissey was joined by Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor who will sit on the LCSP once it’s established, Cllr Pat Hayes. Photo(C): Canva

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy provided Alan and our Morning Focus listeners with advice on market volatility and its Impact on investments.

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about a Publishing Conference in Dromoland, Wordscaping in Ennistymon, Kizumba & much more!

A Clare Green Party representative claims the Government's "holier than thou" approach to fracked gas will only result in greater reliance on US imports. It comes as Shannon LNG, which is seeking to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Shannon Estuary, has been given the green light for a power plant and battery energy storage system.

A Clare TD is demanding action on what's been described as "shocking" primary care waiting lists in this county. In the year to last December, the number of people waiting for appointments in the MidWest grew by 23% to 23,853. Almost half of these patients are waiting for either Physiotherapy or Speech and Language Therapy assessments. Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that she believes a special taskforce is required.

Construction will commence next month on a brand new age friendly housing estate in West Clare. The project which will see twelve new homes delivered at Back Road, Kilrush is expected to be complete by 2026. Custy Construction will deliver the scheme after putting pen to paper with Clare County Council this week. Chair of Clare's Strategic Housing Committee Councillor John Crowe says it will be a gamechanger for the region.

Clare County Council is being accused of abandoning a vital piece of water infrastructure in West Clare. The "model" is a structure in Clohaninchy south of Quilty that funnels water from the Annagheeragh River to the sea. After previously raising issues relating to the model in March of 2024, Quilty native Joseph Woulfe has once again taken to social media where he's claimed the structure isn't fit for purpose. He's calling for a second pipe to be constructed in order to aid drainage.

The Government is being urged to clarify which areas of Clare are now exempt from hosting asylum seekers. According to new state documents, the use of several properties and hotels in Clare, Kerry, Mayo, Dublin and Donegal are being stood down due to local and political feedback, and in some cases violent protests. Over 10% of the Ennistymon Local Electoral Area's population are now Ukrainian Refugees, with the region also hosting the vast majority of the county's 1,010 International Protection Applicants. Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery says local businesses need certainty.

EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen says they are open to negotiations, following US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats. He threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on alcohol exports from the EU to the US. It was in response to Europe's decision to target American whiskey. We’ve seen how things have escalated between the US and Canada – once long-time friends, neighbours and trading partners – on foot of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Could the relationship between the EU and US – which has already been impacted by the US President’s negative remarks about the bloc - deteriorate even further into an all-out trade war? To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey spoke with the Independent Ireland South MEP, Michael McNamara. Photo(C): axelbueckert via canva

Could the late, sadly missed Bishop Emeritus of Killaloe, Willie Walsh become a saint? That’s certainly the hope for Flan Garvey. Bishop Willie passed away in late February, at the age of 90. If Flan, an author from Inagh, who is also a former Fianna Fáil member of Clare County Council, has anything to do with it, we could be talking about Saint Willie Walsh at some stage in the future. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Inagh author & Former Fianna Fáil member of Clare County Council, Flan Garvey. Photo (C): Clare FM

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, Tom gave listeners advice on growing your own tomatoes. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Tuesday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and Syl O’Connor. Games Reviewed: National Football League Division Three: Clare v Laois (Saturday, Portlaoise) Munster U20 Football Championship: Tipperary 0-15 Clare 0-14 (Saturday, Thurles) National Camogie League Division 1B: Clare 3-13 Limerick 1-10 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosiog)

Teresa is a local musician based in Kilrush. It’s a busy time for Teresa, who is fresh from launching her new single, “Cry Me A River” To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Kilrush singer-songwriter, Teresa Carrig.

A Clare GP is urging the Government to accelerate recruitment measures amid a surge in local patient numbers. It follows a new report from the Journal, which shows that on average the population of every catchment area in the country has grown by 100 people. It also shows that Clare has one GP for every 1,470 people living here, which is the seventh lowest ratio nationwide. Lahinch-based IMO GP Committee Member Dr Michael Kelleher has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that special incentives are needed for rural areas.

People with neurological conditions in Clare are said to have been failed by the state through the failure to deliver adequate rehabilitation teams in the Midwest. More than 20,000 people in Clare live with some form of these conditions which include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, aqcuired brain injuries and strokes. Six years on from a government commitment to deliver nine neurological rehabilitation teams across the country the Neurological Alliance of Ireland says this hasn't come to fruition. CEO Mags Rogers says the rehab team is severly understaffed and underfunded.

Clare County Council is considering changes to one of Ennis's most trafficked regional roads. Mayor of Ennis Clare Colleran-Molloy has this week asked for options to be examined around extending the footpath on the northern side of Centra on the Mill Road and has described the current situation as "dangerous". Ennis Municipal District says extending the footpath isn't possible due the presence of a two-storey former corn store built in 1790 which is a protected structure but says it's "confident" proposals in the upcoming Local Transport Plan will solve the issue. Fianna Fáil Councillor Colleran-Molloy says a pedestrian crossing is the most likely solution.

The Bishop of Killaloe insists every road user must play their part to keep the county's roads network safe this weekend. The number of road deaths across the country so far this year stands at 33. Of these, 17 were drivers, eight were pedestrians, four were motorcyclists, three were passengers and one was a cyclist. With the St Patrick's Day Bank Holiday weekend now well underway, Bishop Fintan Monahan says choices can be made by each individual to reduce the likelihood of road traffic collisions.

The State is being urged to invest in Clare's coastal defence instead of acquiring fighter jets. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney has proposed a "strong and modernised coastal defence" consisting of a dedicated Irish Marine Corps, Rigid Inflatable Boats for interception missions, jet ski drones and investment in frigates. Tánaiste Simon Harris has recently expressed interest in Ireland having a squadron of fighter jets which would cost in excess of €700 million. Councillor McInerney believes however the greatest threat isn't from the air but from the sea.

Clare's promotion push in Division 3 of the National Football League is going down to the last day. Peter Keane's side produced a brilliant second half to beat Laois by 2-22 to 1-21 with goals in either half from Aaron Griffin and a third of the campaign by Alan Sweeney. Kildare and Offaly meet today in Tullamore where a win for the Lilywhites will see them promoted, while a victory for the home side means a mini league for scoring difference could decide the final standings next weekend. Clare FM's Joe Garry says the Banner faithful need to get behind the team for the potential promotion playoff next weekend.