Clare Fm - Podcasts

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Sharon Barrington, General Manager of IFF Plastics based near Cree in West Clare. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

The Government wants to find a balance to ensure remote working suits employers and their employees. The right to request a remote working arrangement was introduced as part of last year's Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. The Department of Enterprise has now launched a public consultation to monitor if the arrangement is working for all parties. Employer groups and high profile business owners have come out against remote working but Minister of State Alan Dillon says everyone's voice has to be heard. Director and Founder of Careerwise Recruitment, Joe Robbins joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Marek Levak from Pexels via canva

Gill Moses joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to talk about a very interesting event she will be holding in Ennis next month. Chapel Lane Community Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre will be the venue for the Death Café on Sunday, 14th of December.

The folks at Clare Comhairle na nÓg must be in good spirits, following their great performance at the recent IPB Pride of Place Awards. They were named runner-up in the Community Youth Initiative category in recognition of the leadership shown by their young members as agents of change on issues such as mental health, discrimination and inclusion. The group developed a creative project on discrimination, which led to the introduction of the ‘Free Period Products’ initiative. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Isabel Gurare, member of Clare Comhairle na nÓg and Brian McManus, Clare Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator. Photo (c) Clare Youth Service Facebook

Health insurance costs are set to go up again in April of next year. The Government levy on health insurance premiums that supports the community rating system is set to increase by around 10 per cent. That allows people to buy policies regardless of their age, health status and other risk factors at the same price. The Health Insurance Authority says the stamp duty levy for adults will increase by 48 euro from next April, while it will increase by 16 euro for children. It will affect advanced plans which account for more than 90 per cent of the private health insurance market. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Kay Murphy, Former Active Retirement Ireland President and Shannon resident and Larry Hally, Vice Chair of the Clare Older People’s Council on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Pixabay

A Clare Airbnb host says she feels unfairly scapegoated for the wider housing crisis. Miltown Malbay mother-of-hour Lorna Cahill has spoken of her experience as a small-scale host in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The committee is currently reviewing the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill which was approved by the Government in April and requires hosts to register their property with Fáilte Ireland if they are letting it for 21 nights or less. Lorna says her property isn't suitable as a long-term residence.

Clare County Council has been asked to "step up to the plate" and acquire lands for a new car park in the east of the county "as a matter of urgency". At this week's meeting of East Clare's local elected representatives, Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien requested an update on the purchase of land known locally as Dean's Field for the provision of a new car park in Killaloe. Killaloe Municipal District responded saying legal issues have resulted in acquisition process taking longer than anticipated. Councillor O'Brien says the local authority needs to move more quickly.

The Kilfenora Ceilí Band are getting into the Christmas spirit! The legendary group have just released their first ever Christmas song ’A Boston Christmas’! Tim Collins, who wrote the song and John Lynch, band leader were in-studio with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

Tommy Corbett, from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was back on Wednesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey to talk on how to look after your Christmas budget.

A South-East Clare community is expressing shock and dismay over the sudden postponement of a hearing that could decide the future of a contentious windfarm development. An Coimisúin Pleanála was due to hear from seven speakers at Treacy's Oakwood Hotel tomorrow regarding aviation safety concerns over Ballycar Green Energy's plans to construct 12 turbines of up 150 metres in height near Meelick. The meeting was suddenly cancelled last night , with ACP stating the developer and AirNav Ireland would be entering into further negotiations, and that the case would be refixed for a date in January. Ardnacrusha Fianna Fáil Councillor Rachel Hartigan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it's not good enough for local residents.

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Tom Carey, with help from Josephine Marsh.

Antibiotics won't help if you have a cold or flu. Tuesday was European Antibiotic Awareness Day, and the Irish Pharmacy Union marked the occasion by urging us not to use them for viral infections, as they can cause more harm than good. It can mean they're less effective when you do need them, and can cause side effects like skin rashes, nausea, or diarrhoea. Alan Morrissey has been speaking about this with Feidhlim Hillery of Hillery's Pharmacy in Shannon town. Photo (c) Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Canva

An information evening on Human Trafficking will be held in Ennis on Thursday, the 20th of November. The Templegate Hotel is the venue for the event hosted by Ennis & District Soroptimists. Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Mary Hanley, President of Soroptimists Ennis & District Club to find out more.

Last May, we heard about incorrect disposal of waste at the recycling centre in Tulla. The issue appears to have reared its head in that part of East Clare once again. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke to Tulla Tidy Towns representative Tim Humphries and Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor, Pat Hayes. Image (c) Clare County Council

Transport Infrastructure Ireland recorded 25 road traffic collisions on the Clare stretch of the M18/N18 motorway between September and October. TII has commenced an investigation into the cause of the incidents and has stated that the 16 crashes recorded in September alone is "far above the monthly average" for the route. A Clare TD, meanwhile, is set to meet with Clare Chief Superintendent Aileen Magner to request a greater Garda presence on the network. Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe says it's a miracle no lives were lost.

There's a call for pressure to be kept on the HSE to re-establish a full-time GP practice on the main street of a Clare village. Newmarket-on-Fergus has been without a permanent general practitioner since the resignation of the previous occupier of the office in May of 2019. Saffron and Blue Medical Centre in Clarecastle currently operates a temporary practice at Carrigoran House which serves a medical card list of in excess of 800 people. Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin claims a "void" is felt by locals.

It’s time for another episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Traditional Greats. Traditional Greats is presented and produced by Therese McInerney. This captivating 26-part series celebrates the enduring legacy of traditional Irish music in our county. Each episode pays tribute to a legendary Clare musician who has passed on, but whose influence continues to inspire generations. Therese speaks with musicians from across the county, exploring how these iconic figures shaped their musical journeys and contributed to Clare’s unique cultural heritage. Throughout the series, the timeless sounds of these greats are brought vividly to life, weaving their legacy into the very fabric of Clare’s musical identity. Listeners will enjoy a rich and heartfelt journey through the melodies, stories, and traditions that define our county’s proud musical history. In the latest episode of Traditional Greats, Therese pays tribute to Seamus Mac Mathúna, with the help of Garry Shannon.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined once again in-studio by local historian and author Colm Liddy. This week, Colm brought us the story about Bishop James O'Shaughnessy. Photo (c) Colm Liddy

William Cahir, from Cahir & Co. Solicitors was on Tuesday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey for our legal advice slot. This week, William spoke various government housing grants in light of housing policy review last week. Photo (c) Cahir & Co. Solicitors

Parents should take care to keep their kids safe with their Christmas gift choices. This advice is coming from CyberSafeKids, Ireland's online safety charity. They have released their new ‘Gadget Gift Guide’. Many children will be looking for smart devices, the guide can help parents make safer and more informed decisions when purchasing these devices for their children. Pat Clarke Browne, Owner of Shannon-based Munster Business spoke with Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) by bankkgraphy from Getty Images via Canva