Clare Fm - Podcasts

Google Maps is facing calls to physically map defibrillator locations in Clare. There are over 9,000 Automated External Defibrillators in Ireland, but even the National Ambulance Service acknowledges that many are never used as there wherabouts are unkown. Accessible data bases are available for the NAS and HSE paramedics, but no list exists for the general public. Newmarktet-On-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin believes there would serious benefits in doing so.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief for 16th November 2025. He talks to David O'Hare from Trocaire abour their work and their Christmas appeal. He also talks to Denis Carty from the Clare branch of the Society of St Vincent De Paul about their work.

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for this Sunday 16th November 2025 the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 2nd Before Advent.

It's feared there could be copycat judicial reviews unless the Clareabbey Wastewater Treatment Plant is urgently upgraded. It comes as the Friends of the Irish Environment is attempting to take a High Court Action to prevent the new Banner Plaza from getting a public sewerage connection, with the Clareabbey Plant is currently operating above capacity. It's sparked concerns for future housing developments in the area and for the future of the new Lidl store due to open on the Clare Road. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly says Uisce Éireann must get their act together.

Clare's Aontú rep is urging the Irish Vintners Association to lend its support to a sexual harassment safety initiative. The Ask for Angela campaign acts as a codeword to help victims of sexual harassment and assault safely seek assistance in public venues. As the festive period rolls around, a higher volume of people will take to pubs and clubs for Christmas parties. Kilmurry McMahon native, June Dillon, says awareness of the campaign can be raised in a number of subtle ways.

Coming up on the show: We will be looking ahead to a huge weekend for Clare club hurling with O'Callaghan's Mills and Eire Óg hoping to reach Munster finals. Three Clare teams are looking to advance to the next stage of the Munster Junior Cup, and we will wrap up the weeks Greyhound Racing too.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch was on Friday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey to look ahead to a busy weekend of GAA fixtures. Games Previewed: Munster Club SHC Semi-Final: Éire Óg v Loughmore-Castleiney (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 1:15pm) Munster Club IHC Semi-Final: Tallow (Waterford) v O'Callaghan's Mills (Sunday, Mallow, 1:15pm) Clare U21 A Football Championship Munster Junior Cup

Common Knowledge hosts Crónán on Friday, 14 November. The intimate evening celebrates tradition, heritage, and the natural world, with beautiful soundscapes and a shared finale on the dancefloor. Then on Sunday, 16 November, the Land & Lore Festive Feast offers a farm-to-fork dinner by chef Andy O’Halloran. To chat more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Aoife Hammond, of Common Knowledge. Photo (c) Common Knowledge

Permanent memorials are set to be erected at four unmarked graves in Ennis. The burial plots in the St Brigid's section of Drumcliffe Cemetery are denoted with wooden crosses, but now Irish Natural Stone in Tubber have been tasked with putting memorials in place. It's understood all of the deceased which include three men and one woman were recovered from the sea in the last decade and to date there remains have never been identified despite extensive efforts. Mayor of Ennis Mary Howard says it's an important action to take.

Here is 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 Peadar O’Loughlin, with the help of Geraldine Cotter.

Brendan Fanning has been involved in rugby all of his life as a player, coach and journalist. Brendan is an accomplished journalist and author on all matters rugby-related, having been reporting on the game since the mid-1980s. He has written a new book on Irish rugby: from where it’s been, where it’s at, and, with the 2027 World Cup getting ever closer, where it’s going. The book is called Touching Distance: Irish Rugby's Battle with Great Expectations. He joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Bookstation

Parents across the MidWest have breathed a long awaited sigh of relief as a new respite centre for the region officially opened this week. Children and Disabilities Minister Norma Foley cut the ribbon at Hazeldine in Barefield, which will employ 24 people and provide 1,400 nights of respite care per year. The state of-the-art facility contains two sensory gardens, a sensory room, playroom, four bedrooms, en suite accessible bathrooms, a play area and a self-contained living apartment. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan was in attendance for the opening and began by speaking to Parents Leanne Tracey and firstly Janet Sheehy. Photo (c) Clare FM

The Government’s published its latest action plan for housing called ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’. It aims to deliver 300 thousand homes by 2030, which includes 72 thousand social homes and 90 thousand starter homes. To get the sectoral perspectives, Alan Morrissey was joined by CEO of Midwest Simon, Niall Garvey and Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon, Diarmuid McMahon. Photo (c) Studio-Pure from Getty Images Pro via Canva

The Government has published its latest action plan for housing called ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’. It aims to deliver 300,000 homes by 2030, which includes 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter homes. As part of the plan, €24 billion will be invested in key transport programmes, €12 billion will be allocated for the water sector and three billion for energy projects. The Government also aims to bring 20,000 derelict homes back into use via the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Alan Morrissey spoke to Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan and Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe to get their reaction to the latest action plan. Photo (c) Brian A Jackson via Canva

Three members of the Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross recently undertook a parachute jump. The jump was one of the many fundraising activities the branch organizes to help them continue their vital work. Alan Morrissey spoke with James Lafferty, the Honorary Treasurer of the Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross about his jump. Photo (c) Helen Nagle

A Clare mother of a child with multiple intellectual disabilities says she can finally get a nights sleep following the opening a new respite centre. Children and Disabilties Minister Norma Foley travelled to Clare today to officially open Enable Ireland’s Hazeldine facility in Barefield The moment Minister Foley officially cut the ribbon at Hazeldine, the centre located on the outskirts of Ennis, will provide 1,400 nights of respite care to families across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary every year. The facility itself a state of the art former B&B, which contains two sensory gardens, a sensory room, a self contained living apartment, three bedrooms and multiple accessible ensuite bathrooms. For the families at the heart of Enable Ireland's support services in Clare, today is a momentous occasion. Leanne Tracey's son Max has been using Hazeldine for the last three months. An Ennis mother meanwhile says the new centre will finally enable her to get at least one night's sleep a week. Janet Sheehy is

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 Paddy Canny, with the help of Eimear Coughlan.

Clare County Council has requested an independent safety review of two "notorious" junctions on the M18. It comes amid a heightened focus on the Clare stretch of the motorway following a spate of recent collisions. Much of the focus of late has been closer to the south of the county, with five collisions last month occurring between Cratloe and Dromoland. But two junctions further up have consistently been the scene of near misses and road crashes and have prompted the council to call for an independent review. These are the slip roads and exits respectively at Junction 13 Tulla and Junction 14 Barefield, with multiple motorists raising concerns that the stopping distance is too short for exiting and when attempting to merge. Ennis Councillor Antoinette Baker Bashua says it's particularly dangerous for tourists and day visitors. Another elected representative meanwhile believes average speed camers are needed on the N18 specifically to garauntee safe driver behaviour. Cratloe Councillor Pat O'Gorman sa

Ennis Players will celebrate a significant milestone later this month. The drama group will bring the 40th edition of their annual Supper Theatre to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. The run of performances, which will include three productions, will take place from the 24th – 28th of November. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by PRO, Sinéad Clancy along with the performers from the One-Act play ‘The Dandy Dolls’, Bernie Harten & Joe Varden.

With the flick of a switch on the 22nd of July 1929, Ireland was changed forever. When President W.T. Cosgrave turned on power at Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Station, it kickstarted an exciting era for the new state. Inside the heart of Ireland’s industrial revolution lies a story of extraordinary human achievement. A new book, entitled "Powerful People", unveils the remarkable lives of those who built, operated, and sustained the Ardnacrusha power station. For more on this, author Dan Danaher joined Alan Morrisey in-studio.