Clare Fm - Podcasts

On ‘Clare Women in Business ‘ this week, Pat Flynn chats the founder/owner of the Shannon Estuary Way Retreat and Academy Rosie McMahon.

Lark in Ennis, which aims to be the premier summer camp in Ireland for adult players of traditional Irish music, will begin with orientation this coming Sunday, the 19th of May with classes starting on Monday, the 20th of May. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Danese Cooper, Organiser of Lark in Ennis.

Noel McInerney is a filmmaker from Killaloe. He has worked in the film industry over the past six years, rubbing shoulders with some Hollywood heavy hitters. Noel has directed a short film, called Baps and Buns, which won an award at this year’s Chicago Irish Film Festival. He is now taking Baps and Buns to the Fastnet Film Festival in Cork! To tell us more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Noel McInerney live in studio.

The US Justice Department told a federal judge on Tuesday that Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed it to avoid criminal prosecution after those two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft. To find out how significant a development this is, On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Naoise Ryan.

Over €1.2m in funding has been secured for the development of two affordable housing schemes in Ennis. The grant will support the delivery of 11 homes at Acha Bhile on the Lahinch Road by the end of the year and a further 10 homes at Doire na mBláth on the Tulla Road by June 2025. The properties will be sold at rates beginning at €280,000, but as they're affordable units, the local authority will retain up to a 22% stake , which will have to be repaid within forty years. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy says it's a step in the right direction.

The Department of Integration has confirmed it's considering an offer of accommodation for International Protection Applicants at the Abbey Hostel. It comes almost two weeks after 50 Ukrainian refugees, residing at the Ennis Hostel for up to two years, received letters from the Department, telling them to prepare for relocation. Some of these residents have been living in the town and attending local schools since the outbreak of war in 2022 and according to the Department, they will all be transferred by the 24th of this month. Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara fears people will be uprooted from their new communities.

A decision by the council executive to defer a meeting of the Ennis 2040 board has been slammed by an outgoing public representative. Ennis 2040 DAC, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Corrigan was due to appear before the council on Monday, but the engagement was cancelled by Council CEO Pat Dowling as it clashed with the visit of Minister Heather Humphrey's. Councillors expressed concern the meeting would not take place until after the local elections, but it has since been rescheduled for next Wednesday. Former Mayor of Ennis and Fine Gael Councillor Johnny believes the episode was an erosion of democracy.

Clare's Shane O'Donnell insists the squad are taking nothing for granted ahead of this weekend's pivotal clash with Waterford in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. The Banner come into the contest with no new injury concerns after a three-week respite from their second round victory over Cork in Páirc Uí Caoimh, and needing a win to boost their hopes of qualification. Waterford currently lie second in the round-robin table and will be searching for their first provincial victory over Clare since 2016. Eire Óg clubman and GAA Hurler of the month for April, O'Donnell says their only focus is the task that lies ahead. Throw in on Sunday is at 2pm in Cusack Park with commentary on Clare FM with Matt Waters Clare fruit and Veg Market Turnpike Road and Healy’s Spar and Off-licence Turnpike, Ennis

A Clare business fears new supports for small and medium enterprises are merely "plugging a hole" in the short-term. Grants of up to 5,000 euro for small retail and hospitality firms are among a package of supports announced for small retail and hospitality firms today.

There's a push for the level of public transport connectivity at Shannon Airport to be brought in line with that of other international airports. Clare County Council is currently engaging with Irish Rail on the possibility of including a rail stop at Shannon Airport in the Ennis to Limerick service. The National Transport Authority has also recently put forward a proposal to split the 343 bus service into four separate routes, with three of these serving Shannon Airport. Ardnacrusha native and Fianna Fáil local election candidate Rachel Hartigan says improving public transport accessibility at the Midwest base is crucial to econimic growth in this region.

A countywide series of mental health promotion events are taking place across Clare this afternoon. As part of the nationwide 'Hello How Are You' campaign, launched by Iarnróid Eireann and Mental Health Ireland, communities will be encouraged to reconnect in safe spaces to promote open connversations on health and well-being. This afternoon, the Clare Local Development Company will be inviting members of the public to attend its function at the Old Ground Hotel from 2 o'clock until 5. CLDC Social Inclusion Coordinator Darina Greene outlines what people can expect.

On this week’s Sport in Focus, we are taking a trip to Cooraclare to the West Clare Sports and Fitness Club. The club boasts a cross county running course along with a covered sprinting track, with plans in the pipeline for further development in the coming months. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke with club secretary Dermot Galvin and treasurer Geraldine Donnellan to find out more.

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 how to recognise financial fraud.

The Cliffs of Moher will play host to a special charity event later this month, where much needed funds will be raised for three County Clare organisations. Sláinte an Chláir, Brothers of Charity Services Clare and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) Clare Branch have been chosen as the beneficiaries of the Cliffs of Moher Charity Fun Day. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Melanie Lennon, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Cliffs of Moher Experience and Clare Tourism West & Northwest and Deirdre Fahey, a breeding dog volunteer for the Irish Guide dogs for the Blind, Clare Branch.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day will take place this Sunday. There are approximately 40,000 people in Ireland living with inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sarah O’Connor, from Crusheen who has been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease to discuss World IBD day. Picture (c) worldibbday.org

The Taoiseach insists forward planning is taking place with regard to healthcare bed capacity in the Midwest. It's over a month since the Health Minister announced up to 25 step-down beds would be brought on stream in Clare between July and September of this year but the tender for this project remains open. No clarification has been given from the Government or the HSE as to why Cahercalla Community Hospital was initially named as the location of these beds despite the facility claiming to have no knowledge of any such plans. Responding to Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara in the Dáil, Taoiseach Simon Harris admits increased capacity and improved governance and management are of pivotal importance in this region.

Clare County Council is set to review its procurement policy following a motion inspired by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It follows the formation of a new protest group here, BDS Clare, which has launched a campaign urging local stores to discontinue carrying Israeli products and register as Apartheid Free Zones. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7th according to the Gazan Health Ministry, while in the past week the UN estimates over 450,000 civilians have fled the border town of Rafah. Maghera based Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says the local authority must ensure it's not investing in countries responsible for human rights violations.

The Pope has nominated a Killaloe Priest as Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. Monsignor Séamus Horgan, who will be based in the city of Juba, is also appointed by Pope Francis to the titular See of Árd Sratha - Ardstraw, CoTyrone. A native of Tobarteascáin near St. Flannan’s College where he completed his secondary schooling, Monsignor Horgan entered St Patrick’s College Maynooth in 1987 before being ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Harty in 1994 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis. Commenting on the appointment, Bishop of Killaloe Dr. Fintan Monahan said, "I warmly congratulate Monsignor Séamus Horgan on his appointment by Pope Francis to be Nuncio to South Sudan based in the city of Juba. He is also appointed to the titular See of Árd Sratha - Ardstraw, County Tyrone." Bishop Monahan continued, "Monsignor Horgan brings a wealth of pastoral and practical experience with him to his new role. A conscientious, diligent and prayerful pastor, his engagement with people is marked with

On this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author Colm Liddy to talk about the 1400s and castles in Ireland. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.

An MEP for this region claims the European Union should be held responsible for prolonging Wars in Ukraine in Gaza. It comes as a new front has opened in the North-East of the country after Russian troops were able to make territorial advances due to delays in western military aid reaching Ukraine. While on March 1st, 393 of the 543 sitting MEPs voted against an Israeli arms embargo proposed by the left group. Ireland South Independents 4 Change MEP Mick Wallace believes the EU is not serving the best interests of its people.