Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's hoped a new state of-the-art water sports facility coming to East Clare will be the crown jewel in the region's active tourism offering. Clare County Council has signed the contract with PS Carmody Contractors LTD to commence construction of the €1.2m amenity at Ballycuggaran on the shores of Lough Derg. The new development is expected to be open to the public next August and will offer hot showers, toilet facilities, changing areas, and equipment wash down rooms for scores of visitors and water enthusiasts to come. Mayor of Clare Councillor Alan O'Callaghan says it's a crucial step forward for the county.

A Clare TD has slammed the Government for signing off on a funding boost for the horse and greyhound industry that's over twelve times greater than the budget for the state's dedicated domestic violence agency. It's after the Dáil voted by 110 votes to 19 in favour of a €99.1m horse and greyhound fund for 2025, while Cuan was allocated a budget of just €7.9m to operate for the coming year. The number of domestic violence call-outs recorded in the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division meanwhile has tripled in the last decade, with over 2,400 incidents last year. Kilrush Independent Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne says it's a shambolic state of affairs.

A Clare Architect claims introducing artificial intelligence to the planning system and imposing strict conditions on all state contractors is the only way to catch up with gaping housing, health, electricity and transport deficits. A new report published today by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has found Ireland may need as many as 80,000 construction workers over the next decade to meet demand but that only 20,000 will be required with improved productivity. IFAC also determined the country is lagging behind European counterparts, by not embracing modern building methods such as modular housing, and that uncertainy around planning is leading to delays and increased project costs. Ogonelloe Architect and Lecturer at the Department of Architecture at the South East Technological University Garry Miley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that a housing boom is very possible with the right approach.

Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson admits Ennis General is the "most obvious" location for a Model Three hospital, but has stopped short of a guarantee. The party has devised what it's described as the most ambitious helathcare plan ever produced by a political party, which it would introduce if voted into Government. It’s promising free prescription medicines to all households, 5 thousand more hospital beds and a new Emergency Department for the Midwest. Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinane has told Clare FM's Morning Focus that he believes a second emergency department can be delivered for this region, but that a decision on its location must be guided by clinicians.

Renowned for their innovative and immersive musical experiences, Glas Quartet are set to enchant A Clare audience with their alter ego, After Dark’s Bridgerton Symphonic, a captivating blend of live music from the hit Netflix TV series Bridgerton. The Quartet, known for their mastery in classical and contemporary repertoire, will perform selections from the acclaimed soundtrack of the Netflix sensation, complimented by mesmerizing visuals. Glas Quartet will perform their Bridgerton Symphonic at Glór this Friday November 1st at 8:00pm. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by member of Glas Quartet, Annemarie McGahon. Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/glorennis

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 property investment.

John Moloney is from Tulla. He travels to Ennis regularly and knows every nook and cranny of the town. But for a wheelchair user, even the most familiar streets can present unexpected challenges. Last week, Clare FM's Colum McGrath met John and joined him as he navigated the streets, highlighting the barriers that often go unnoticed. From uneven footpaths to badly parked cars, Colum gained a new perspective on the everyday struggles faced by wheelchair users. Picture (c) Gustavo Fring from Pexels via Canva.com

Lahinch Post Office’s existence now has an expiration date on it. Shane Talty has announced that he has tendered his resignation of contract to An Post for the Post Office. The Ennistymon Fianna Fáil councillor is due to finish as Postmaster in Lahinch Post Office in April of next year. To find out more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Postmaster of Lahinch Post Office, Shane Talty. Photo (c): An Post

The family of a young boy from County Clare who tragically died in a road traffic collision earlier this year will hold a fundraiser in Shannon for Crumlin Children’s Hospital. In late February, 10-year-old Dylan Coady-Coleman passed away from serious injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle at Purcell Park, Shannon. Dylan’s family are holding a Halloween themed fundraising event for Trick or Treat for sick children for the Children's Health Foundation, including Temple Street Hospital, where Dylan was cared for until his untimely passing. On Wednesday's Morning Focus,Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Laura Coady and Garry Coleman. You can donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/Dylanstrickortreat?fbclid=IwY2xjawGO4ExleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbVLiuetT8zXfbE-iKo7Isr9AVCOA_l1yKZerOutbkzYDDRWgeZxArxPVw_aem_7Quk0e5Uauvnkz589_QqAg Photo (c): Laura Coady

A North Clare businessman says he's stopped ringing the Gardaí for certain incidents because of how bad response times have become. Since the merging of Clare and Tipperary's Garda Divisions last August, just one superintendent is now based in the county compared to four prior to the amalgamation. It was revealed earlier this year that Clare has the smallest Garda fleet in the country, with just 50 vehicles based here, 35 of which are stationed in Ennis. Manager of the Nineteenth Bar and Anna and Co in Lahinch Paddy Murphy, who's standing as an Independent candidate in the General Election, says because Gardaí are stretched so thinly, there's "no point" in calling them.

The Government is being warned that the double welfare payments coming this Winter won't end the hardship of struggling Clare families. From next week, over 1.4m households nationwide will begin to receive cost of living lump sum supports announced in Budget 2025, such as double child benefit and a €300 fuel allowance. According to Saint Vincent de Paul, however, the failure to introduce the recommended living wage of €14.75, along with a lack of long-term measures will leave many families in the lurch. Clare SVP President Denis Carty says one-off measures are not the solution.

Clare's All-Ireland winning goalkeeper has drawn parallels between his club and intercounty campaigns in 2024. Eibhear Quilligan was ever present between the sticks for Brian Lohan throughout the Liam McCarthy success and has been nominated for an All-Star based on his performances. He likened Feakle's group stage to Clare's round robin performances in the Munster championship, claiming neither side got up to speed early in the season. However, Quilligan told Clare FM's Derrick Lynch once both sides reached their respective quarter finals, they really started to gather momentum.

One of Éire Óg's main men claims there is enough quality in the side to "make a dent" amongst Munster's club football elite. The Townies have been dealt a home draw against the winners of the Limerick championship, with that game set for November 10th in Cusack Park. Paul Madden's side are no strangers to Munster competition, having reached the semi finals in both previous provincial campaigns. Man of the match in Sunday's final, Colm Walsh-O'Loghlen believes the Éire Óg squad has the ability to shake things up in this years Munster club championship

The captain of the Kilmurry Ibrickane ladies footballers claims 'nothing compares' to their senior county championship success. The west Clare side left no room for regret in their maiden senior football decider as they defeated Doora Barefield 3-10 to 1-8. Captain Chloe Moloney has previously been named in the team of the year in the FAI women's premier division and has scored an international goal at under 19 level against Italy. However, Moloney says their victory was the crowing achievement of her sporting career on a day where conditions on the day suited Kilmurry's style of football

Midwest Simon says although there has been an increase in the number of people exiting homelessness, an equal number of people remain looking to access emergency accommodation. It comes as the latest Department of Housing Homelessness Report has indicated an almost 20% increase in the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Clare in the last year, with 201 child dependants without a permanent home in the Midwest. Nationally, there has been a significant increase in the number of people exiting emergency accommodation, with 862 adults leaving homelessness between July and September of this year. Regional Accommodation Manager with Midwest Simon, Jonathan Shinnors has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady that despite the upward trend in those securing a home, the demand for extra housing units remains prevalent.

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

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O’Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. On this week’s Travel Tales, Fergal discussed his travel experience to Zaragoza in Spain.

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey is joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on England and Ireland in 1649. 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.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Joanne Mitchelle of Cahir & Co. Solicitors to discuss decision making representation orders. If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us at focus@clare.fm

A very special benefit concert will take place tomorrow evening, to raise funds for a woman who has received a devastating cancer diagnosis. The Cairde Olive Benefit Concert & Super Draw in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa will see big names like Sean Keane and Mike Denver performing on the night. It’s all in aid of Olive Page, a 49-year-old mother of three from Woodford in Co. Galway. To tell us more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by PRO of Cáirde Olive, Jamie Flanagan. You can visit the fundraiser page here: https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/cairdeolive Photo (c): www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/cairdeolive