Clare Fm - Podcasts

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Petrina O’Halloran for Parenthood in Focus. Petrina is the founder of Mama’s Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com. This week, Petrina spoke about the reduction of public health nurses, and the issues arising from this.

The Bank Holiday weekend in Kilrush promises to be a good one. That’s because the south-west Clare town will play host to Sound Out, a weekend of arts events. It is a celebration of spoken word, story and song. With workshops, talks and performances, there’s something for everyone. To discover more about what will be happening, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lily De Sylva, of Silverwood events. Photo (c): Clare FM

This year’s Trick or Treat for Sick Children campaign will be fronted by a little girl from County Clare. Four-year-old Meabh Lynch has been chosen as this year’s face for the important campaign. Meabh, who attends the naíonra at Gaelscoil Donncha Rua in Shannon, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Meabh's mother who is also the Principal of St Caimin’s Community School, Maria Sheehan. Photo (c): Maria Sheehan

Occupants of Abbey Court on the Limerick Road say they're living frightened every day, following a major escalation in incidents of anti-social behaviour. Residents claim gangs of youths have been congregating in an obscured area near the entrance to the estate, which is hidden from public view by greenery, trees and bushes to drink, take drugs and set off illegal fireworks. But last week the incidents reportedly hit a new low for residents as it's understood a household bin was stolen and set alight and required the urgent attention of a kind local business owner who provided a fire extinguisher, a delivery driver who alerted people to the blaze and the fire brigade who put the fire out before it spread to the nearby ESB pillar box. The residents fear the worst of the behaviour is still to come though on Halloween night, as Clare FM's Daragh Dolan has been finding out from two locals who chose to remain anonymous. Photo (c): Clare FM

It's claimed all post offices in Clare are at risk amid the closure of a prominent Ennis branch. An Post has confirmed its Market Street office will shut for the final time at 4pm on October 31st, as it has been unable to fill a vacancy arising from the retirement of the outgoing Postmaster. It marks the seventh post office closure in Clare since 2018, with, Broadford,Cree, Craggagh-Fanore, Doonbeg, Lissycasey and Kilfenora all having lost their institutions in recent years. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor and Postmaster Tom O'Callaghan says the current operating model is flawed.

Council Aims To Deliver Homes Countywide As Doonbeg Development Contracts Signed by Clare FM

Separately, the scarcity and unaffordability of housing in Clare is said to be keeping many families in Clare in a cycle of emergency accommodation. The Simon Communities of Ireland's latest Locked Out of the Market report has found that just 33 properties nationwide were available to rent within the discretionary rate of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme in October, which is ten fewer than in June. The most recent Government figures show 75 people are currently availing of emergency accommodation in Clare, while a total of 182 children are homeless in the Midwest region. Regional Accommodation Manager with Midwest Simon, Jonathan Shinnors says even when rental properties are available in Clare, they're beyond the reach of many struggling families.

The Burren Food Fayre & Burren Beo Winterage Festival will take place this October bank holiday weekend. The annual food themed event is a chance to showcase the amazing produce of the Burren through workshops, food stalls, competitions, chef demonstrations and more. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ryan Fitzpatrick of Wild Catering, Martyn White of Glas Restaurant and CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network, Jarlath O’Dwyer. Photo (c): Clare FM

We were joined by Ennis actor, screenwriter and playwright, Mark O’Halloran recently, to chat about the collaboration between him and his niece. Those plays – Trade and Mary Motorhead – can be seen as one-act operas at Glór this evening. Prior to that, musician and writer Ushmush has been working with members of Clare Poetry Collective to create poetry inspired by Trade and Mary Motorhead. Members of the Collective will perform their writing in Glor's foyer before the performances of Trade and Mary Motorhead from 6.50 – 7.10pm with an accompanying soundscape. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Deborah Ryan McFarland and Oisin Ó Cualáin. Photo (c): Clare FM

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service has warned the public of the dangers associated with burning waste in illegal bonfires. The warning comes in advance of the Hallowe’en period, a time when illegal bonfires have been used to dispose of waste. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Clare Fire and Rescue Service, Kieran Greene and Executive Engineer of Clare County Council, Maria Carey. Photo (c): Clare FM

Storm Ashley made its impact on County Clare over last weekend, with thousands of homes being left without power, as well as fallen debris on many roads. Burren Animal Rescue was also impacted, with the storm destroying its haybarn! They are seeking the public’s help on this. To find out the extent of the damage and what can be done, Alan Morrissey was joined by Board Member, Sheena Twist. Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/BurrenAnimalRescue/

The CEO of Ryanair says Shannon Airport is not the solution to Dublin's passenger cap woes, but insists the airline remains committed to growth in the MidWest. The Irish Aviation Authority has ordered Dublin Airport to reduce its summer cap to below 25.2 million passengers, although this week, numerous airlines including Ryanair have been granted leave to challenge the annual cap in the High Court. Shannon Airport Group CEO Mary Considine meanwhile has confirmed Clare's airport has the capacity to take 5 million passengers per year, rising to 10 million with a terminal upgrade. But speaking at a Shannon Chamber event in Dromoland Castle, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson says its not a numbers problem.

A former Clare member of the National Bus and Rail Union has issued a scathing criticism of the Transport Minister for his stance on a police force for the sector. SIPTU has recommended such a service as part of its 'Travel Safe' plan, in order to quell what it's described as a growing number of on-board anti-social behaviour incidents across the country. In response, Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan has stated he doesn't think a separate police force is the best option and believes improved community policing is the solution. Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor and former NBRU member Tony O'Brien says Minister Ryan is miles off the mark.

Concern has emerged that figures documenting a rise in domestic abuse incidents in Clare are just the tip of the iceberg. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has revealed the number of domestic abuse incidents in the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division more than tripled over the past decade, from 719 in 2014 to 2,423 in 2023. The figures, compiled from the results of a search of the Garda PULSE system last May, also show there were 607 such incidents recorded in the first quarter of this year alone. Clare Aontú General Election Candidate June Dillon believes many more incidents go unreported and she insists the provision of adequate services as well as the promotion of societal change needs to be prioritised by Government. Clare Haven, meanwhile, has recorded an 86% increase in those seeking refuge over the past seven years and a 182% increase in the number of those availing of non-refuge supports such as legal support, mental health support or counselling services. Acting Manager of Service, Brenda Breathnach has

A Clare teachers' representative is pleading with the Department of Education to provide young teachers with better job security to weaken the lure of going abroad. A new survey has found at least 951 teaching posts in primary and special schools are vacant at present, with the number expected to treble in the months to come. It's a problem that's been acutely felt in Dublin and other urban areas in Ireland for quite some time, but it's now rearing its head with a vengeance in rural Ireland. New research by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, carried out in partnership with the Catholic Primary School Managers Assocation and the Irish Primary Principals' Network, has shone a light on the scale of the teacher shortage crisis in Ireland. The study shows that 745 unqualified teachers have been brought in to fill vacant teaching posts in the first five weeks of the school year. That's because 951 posts remain unfilled nationwide, 195 of which are permanent, with 756 being long-term temporary or substi

Hector Ó hEochagáin is off on his travels again, and this time he’s packed his flip flops, short-sleeved shirt, Bermuda shorts and straw hat! Ireland’s favourite explorer is making his way back to the Caribbean for his new travel series, Hector Caribbean. The premiere of Hector’s latest Caribbean adventure series airs this Thursday on TG4. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Hector Ó hEochagáin. Photo (c) Facebook, Hector Ó hEochagáin

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Clarke Browne for the regular tech slot. Pat runs Munster Business, based in Shannon. This week, Pat gave us all the insight into Elon Musk's Optimus Bot.

Fans of rock legends Queen would do well to make their way to Glór this coming weekend. On Saturday, Qween – that's Queen with a ‘w’ - described as “Europe’s best tribute show”, will bring the magic of Freddie Mercury and co. to Ennis. The band have picked up some big names from the world of music as fans, as well as playing to large crowds! To find out more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lead Singer of Qween, Brian Keville. Photo (c): https://glor.ie/events/qween-featuring-the-dublin-gospel-choir/

Frank McDonald believes Dublin Airport doesn’t need to dominate because the sky is much clearer out west Frank, who is a former environmental editor of The Irish Times, has said in an opinion piece in the Irish Independent that Shannon Airport can play a greater role in Irish air travel. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Frank McDonald. Photo (c) Shannon Group

The National Organic Awards 2024 took place in the Bord Bia Global Hub in Dublin on the 17th of October. The National Organic Awards, held in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, celebrate the achievements and high standards of the increasing number of organic growers, producers, and manufacturers in the country. Among the winners on the day was county Clare’s Burren Smokehouse, which took home the Best Irish Organic Product Award for its Burren Smoked Irish Organic Salmon. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Birgitta Curtin of the Burren Smokehouse. Photo (c): burrensmokehouse.com