Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's claimed the eyesight of hundreds of Clare children is deteriorating due to a lack of professionals available to treat disorders. New figures obtained by Aontú show that 718 children in this county are waiting up to a year for Ophthalmology appointments. Currently, Clare has 13 optometrists contracted to provide medical card services, which has led to calls for them to play a greater role in providing non-surgical care to curb the backlog. Cooraclare based Aontú General Election candidate June Dillon believes it would make a major difference.

A Clare MEP insists a primary goal of evaluating the State's response to Covid-19 must be to determine if a decision was made that "some lives are worth more than others". The Cabinet has signed off on the terms of reference of a long-awaited examination of how the Government handled the Covid-19 pandemic, with work expected to begin in the coming weeks. It's been stressed that unlike what took place in the UK, it will be an "evaluation" rather than an inquiry, meaning it won't have statutory powers to compel witnesses or evidence. Scariff-based Independent Member of the European Parliament Michael McNamara, who was the Chair of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response when it was in place, says if decisions were made that directly led to people's deaths, the facts must be laid bare.

The Liam McCarthy Cup is on its way to the USA! Clare’s All-Ireland Champions will be heading across the Atlantic Ocean soon, with Boston being one of their stops. Brian Lohan, Tony Kelly and Co. will pay a visit to the Irish Cultural Centre in Massachusetts. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by President of The Board of Directors with The Irish Cultural Centre in Massachusetts, Martina Curtin. Photo (c): Clare FM

Human-caused climate change has worsened all 10 of the deadliest weather events in the past two decades. That’s according to a scientific study by the International Disaster Database, with scientists finding it's contributed to more than half a million deaths. It comes as severe weather conditions have been witnessed in Valencia this week; it's the worst natural disaster to hit Spain in a century. Questions have been raised in Spain about how one of the world's most developed nations failed to respond adequately to extreme storms likely to intensify as climate change accelerates. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Valencia resident, Elly Nolan, who lives nearby Valencia and Alex Whyatt of Global Action Plan Organisation. Picture © Pixabay

Clare entrepreneur and founder of Pressed Flowers by Nell, Nell Stritch, has been chosen as a finalist in The Pitch ’24, an initiative led by Brown Thomas Arnotts to support local talent and champion Irish businesses. Nell, who hails from Clonlara, will showcase her exclusive pressed flower artwork at the renowned Arnotts Christmas Market from November 14th through early January 2024. Nell is one of only five finalists, and the only business from Munster, chosen from over 200 applicants. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Nell Stritch of Pressed Flowers by Nell. Photo (c): Clare FM

Business owners in Ennis have been pretty vocal in expressing their discontent over the ongoing public realm works in the County Town. The project is being delivered in phases in order to “minimise disruption” to business activity and traffic flow. However, the works have resulted in various arteries of the town being closed off at present, with local business owners criticising the speed at which the enhancements are moving. Another person who is unhappy over the public realm works is coach driver, David Grey. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by David Grey. Photo (C) Clare FM

Clare County Fire Service is reporting a much quieter Halloween night than previous years. Fire crews attended just two Halloween related incidents overnight; one small bonfire and an outdoor fire. One of the county's Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officers has attributed this to a number of proactive measures taken by Clare County Council in relation to waste collection, community fire safety talks held by fire cews at schools and community work by Gardaí. Angela Naughton says the results speak for themselves and she's commending the good community work by everyone involved.

It's claimed a lack of young people entering farming coupled with the nitrates derogation has caused land prices to soar in Clare. New data from the Central Statistics Office shows the average price of a hectare of farm land in the MidWest rose by 35% to over €25,300 last year ,which is the greatest increase nationwide. This is despite a sharp decline in the number of transactions across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, with just 476 land sales taking place last year, compared to 556 in 2022. Clare Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association Chair Martin McMahon says farmers are either selling for retirement or buying to keep their herd count, leading to price hikes.

The Clare-based Chair of SADAKA insists a change in US policy on Israel is needed in the wake of the presidential election. It follows Israel's decision this week to ban UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA from operating in Israel and the Palestinian territories, amid claims it has links with militant group, Hamas and last year's October 7th attacks. Chair of SADAKA, the Ireland Palestine Alliance, Éamonn Meehan says the trickle of aid going into the Gaza strip is at it's lowest point since October 2023, with hundreds of thousands of people on the verge of starvation. The Kilmaley native, who's visited Gaza as part of his work with charitable organisations, says it's unlikely the US will do anything that will impact the action's of Israel before Tuesday's presidential election, but ideally movement would be made after that.

Clare's Dog warden is urging the public to keep their dogs locked inside the home tonight and away from trick or treaters. With Halloween festivities getting underway from after dark, incidents of anti-social behaviour, including the discharge of illegal fireworks are widely expected tonight. The activity can cause significant distress for pets and livestock , and can cause dogs and cats to become startled and run from home in panic, while in more severe incidents, animals can suffer miscarriages. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote it's also crucial to ensure dogs are not in a position to bite unexpected visitors.

A Clare Restaurateur is warning there will be significant job losses in this county's hospitality industry over the Winter period unless the Government takes action to curb spiralling costs. It follows the publication of a new IBEC report, which shows 29% of businesses are less confident about their ventures than they were six months ago. According to the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, labour costs and increased overheads are now the greatest risk to closure for firms in the experience economy. In Clare, the tourism industry contributes over €250m to the county's economy every year and IBEC's report shows the sector contributes over €4bn nationwide and supports 300,000 jobs. The survey targeted consumer facing services such as restaurants and bars and one Clare hospitality provider claims all small businesses are hanging on for survival in the current climate and is urging politicians to take action to prevent job losses. Co-owner of Henry’s Bistro in Ennis Rony Barobhuiya says they've ha

Ennis Tidy Towns have joined forces with the Ennis healthy food cafe Sweet’n’Green on an interesting new initiative. They are launching a campaign around reusing coffee grounds. They are also working on plans to make Ennis a disposable cup-free town. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis Fine Gael Councillor and member of Ennis Tidy Towns, Mary Howard and Siobhain Landy of Sweet’n’Green. Photo (c): Clare FM

Today is the 31st of October, A.K.A. Halloween! We’re getting into the spooky spirit now on Morning Focus. Alan Morrissey was joined by Operator of Ollie’s Tours, Ollie Gleeson and Clare-based self-employed storyteller and filmmaker Tommy Lanigan. Photo (c): Clare FM

Ennis is set to come alive once again with the sounds of traditional Irish music as the Ennis Trad Fest makes its eagerly awaited return! The 2024 edition will mark the 30th year of the hugely popular annual festival. A stellar lineup of musicians, workshops, and cultural events is in store for festival goers. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by festival chairman, Blackie O'Connell and Ennis Municipal District Senior Engineer, Seán Lenihan. Photo (c): Clare FM

Cusack Park will play host to a very special game this weekend. 2024 All-Ireland champions Clare will play a selection of the TUS Club All Stars on Sunday (3rd November, 1pm). Funds raised from the game will go towards the costs of a holiday for the Banner’s All Ireland winning heroes. To find out more about the game, Alan Morrissey was joined by two-time All-Ireland winning manager Ger Loughnane, two-time All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly and All-Ireland winner Brendan Bugler. Photo (c): Getty Images via Canva

The man behind the TUS Clare intermediate football champions claims their success has ensured the club is back playing at the level it needs to be. Wolfe Tones capped off an impressive season for the club and will contest the senior ranks of both codes in 2024. The Shannon outfit followed up their hurler's success at the same grade a week previous with a four point win over Naomh Eoin in Cooraclare at the weekend. Manager Johnny Bridges says given the size of the town, the club is back at the stature it deserves.

The manager of the TUS Clare senior hurling champions claims the weight of expectation on his team meant they were never going to come away with anything other than a victory. Canon Hamilton returned to Feakle after a 36 year hiatus, following their 1-17 to 0-13 win over Sixmilebridge in Sunday's decider. Despite a first half penalty save at the hands of Bridge goalkeeper Derek Fahy, along with numerous other spurned goal chances, Owen McGann finally raised a green flag to provide the safety blanket for the east Clare men. Feakle manager Ger Conway says his side weren't going to be denied from fulfilling their lifelong dreams.

A new creative recovery circle has begun at Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre. The meetings, which are open to everyone in recovery from alcohol, drugs, or other addictions, take place at the Ennis centre on a weekly basis. Participants are invited to sing a song, play music, read a poem or simply participate by listening. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by facilitator and community musician, Bríd Kivneen. Photo (c): Africa images via Canva

Clare has its first ever World Muaythai Champion! Mason Marshall tasted success at the recent ISKA World Championships in Austria. Mason trains at Spartan Fitness in Ennis, which is owned by his dad, John Marshall. To get the full story, Alan Morrissey was joined by World Muaythai Champion, Mason Marshall and Mason's father, who is also the owner of Spartan Fitness, John Marshall. Photo (c): Clare FM

It's claimed countless people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction in Clare are missing out on treatment due to a lack of support services. A new survey carried out by Sinn Féin has found that two-thirds of community addiction services have received no funding increase in the last decade, while 50% of employees have considered leaving their posts in the last three months. In 2023, there were 81 cases of people being treated for cocaine use as a main problem in Clare, which was a 26% increase in the space of a year. Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election candidate Donna McGettigan says greater investment is urgently needed.