Clare Fm - Podcasts

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 Michael Mahony, with the help of Joe O’Connor.

Fergal O’Keeffe, Creator, Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast and Ennis native was back on Tuesday's Morning Focus with Sally-Ann Barrett to chat to us on unusual places to stay in Ireland such as Trinity College, Ballygarry Estate and many more. Photo (c) Travel Tales With Fergal

Ger O’Donnell, hailed as one of Ireland’s finest folk singers and multi-instrumentalists, will be bringing his talents to Lahinch later this week. The Cratloe man will play in Kenny’s Bar in Lahinch on Thursday the 13th November. He spoke with Sally-Ann Barrett and performed his new song 'Prove A Man'. Photo (c) Kenny's Bar Facebook

Mary Crawford has been elected as the first female Chair of Fianna Fáil’s Clare branch The Inagh woman’s appointment comes amid rising frustration over Micheal Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil, in the wake of the Presidential election... Mary was live in-studio with presenter Sally-Ann Barrett on Tuesday's Morning Focus.

What is the impact of organ donation and how can that message be transmitted to the wider public? That’s just one of the questions facing healthcare professionals, donor families, and transplant recipients who recently gathered for the 2025 National Organ Donation Conference in Galway. The theme for the conference was “Conversations That Matter”. At the event John Burns, the former Deputy Principal of Rice College gave a talk on donor family experience. His younger brother benefitted from two liver transplants, while his older brother was an organ donor. John joined Sally-Ann Barrett on Tuesday's Morning Focus to share more on this.

A pop-up shop aimed at supporting sustainability will come to Miltown Malbay this coming weekend. The event will take place at Miltown Malbay Community Centre on Saturday, the 15th of November from 10am-5pm, and will feature over 32 stands selling pre-loved Womens, Mens and Childrens clothes and accessories. For more on this, Sally-Ann Barrett was spoke with two of the organisers, Fiona Whyte and Emer McCarthy.

The Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has announced Government approval for the drafting of legislation which will allow for information sharing between The Gardai and schools in relation to violence in the home. The aim is to strengthen protection for children impacted by violence by creating awareness around the situation and support for school children. To discuss this further, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Clare Haven Manager of Services Siobhán O’Connor and Assistant Principal at CBS Primary Ennis Colm Daveron. Photo (c) JasonDoiy from Getty Images Signature via Canva

The trial of four gardaí and a retired Superintendent, charged as part of a major corruption investigation, is due to begin today, Tuesday 11th November. Between the five, they face a total of 42 charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice over fixed charge penalty points notices. The charges cover various dates from the 9th of October, 2016, to the 6th of September, 2019 in locations in the Mid West region. Sandra Quinn, Senior Court Reporter with the Limerick Leader & Limerick Live joined Sally-Ann Barrett on Morning Focus to discuss this further. Photo (c) Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels via Canva

Clare County Council has formally congratulated Catherine Connolly ahead of her inauguration as the 10th Uachtaráin na hEireann today. Connolly will officially become the third female President of Ireland in a special ceremony at Dublin Castle this afternoon. It will be another Presidency retaining strong Clare links to Áras an Uachtaráin, with her husband Brian McEnery hailing from Ennis. Michael D Higgins, meanwhile, received a standing ovation in the council chamber after his term in office concluded last night. A past pupil of Ballycar National School and St Flannan's College alumnus, Higgin's was honoured with a civic reception in 2012, before becoming a Freeman of Ennis a year later. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says he was an incredible ambassador for the county.

It's claimed the need for the construction of a new hospital is the 'general consensus' of the Midwest's elected representatives. It follows a meeting, oranised by Fine Gael, regarding Midwest healthcare which was the second of its kind since the publication of HIQA's review into emergency capacity in the region. Shannon Sinn Féin TD, Donna McGettigan, says members of the opposition attended the meeting to put forward the viewpoint that all three of the health watchdog's recommendations be implemented. She says they were reassured the region's elected representatives are all pulling in the same direction.

Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM's Derrick Lynch and Joe Garrihy to review the weekend fixtures. Games Reviewed: Munster Club SFC Quarter-Final: Eire Óg v Rathgormack (Waterford) (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg) Munster Intermediate Club Football Quarter-Final: Corofin v Stradbally (Sunday, Corofin) Munster Club JFC Quarter-Final: Killimer v Clonmel Óg (Saturday, Kilmihil)

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre was back for her usual slot on In The Garden and gave us lots of great advice on winter flowering shrubs that benefit the bees.

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 Michael Falsey, with the help of Joe O'Connor

The Clare County Chair of The Irish Farmers Association is encouraging bird owners to take steps to protect themselves along with their flocks. A National Housing Order for all poultry has come into effect today, following a bird flu outbreak at Fota Wildlife Park last month and a number of recorded cases in commercial turkey flocks in Carlow and Meath last week. The order means all flocks must be confined so they don't have access to other captive or wild birds, while poultry bred for meat will retain their free range labels for 12 weeks, with this extending to 16 weeks for eggs. Clare IFA County Chair and Feakle farmer, Stephen Walsh has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady that owners can impliment a number of changes to housing to best accomodate free range birds.

A Clare based Lecturer has branded the Taoiseach's comments ahead of COP 30 as "nothing short of disgraceful." The thirtieth Conference of Parties is taking place in Belém, Brazil this week with 60 Irish delegates in attendance. Speaking at a climate summit in Brizal prior to COP 30, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Ireland's development of Liquified Natural Gas plants can't happen fast enough. Futureproof Clare Spokesperson Dr Sinéad Sheehan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that she believes its a contradictory and harmful stance.

Phil Coulter is coming to Clare! The legendary songwriter, artist and producer will pay a visit to Glór on the 28th of November with Tranquility by Candelight. The show will see the Derry native bringing a new and updated take on his classic 1983 album, Classic Tranqulity. Alan Morrissey spoke with Phil on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) National Concert Hall

The Attic at Hotel Doolin will play host to a tribute to Luke Kelly later this month. The tribute show in honour of The Dubliners’ legend, featuring Trevor Sexton and friends, will take place on Saturday, the 22nd of November. The concert is brought to you by the folks at Cuppa Tea TV... On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Damian O' Rourke, of Cuppa Tea and Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Áine Tyrrell.

Almost one in five young people say they vape every single day, according to the new Healthy Ireland Survey. Half of vapers aged between 15 and 24 use disposable vapes, with over 80 per cent claiming they use fruity flavours. Meanwhile, a tax on e-liquid was introduced last week, driving the price of reusable vapes from 6 to 12 euro. Chief Medical Officer Mary Horgan says they'll be bringing in new measures that will specifically target young people's vaping habits. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by local GP Dr. Christina McDonnell.

Ruan native, Sharon Shannon has certainly enjoyed a remarkable journey since she began her own recording career back in 1989. Two years ago, she released Now and Then to celebrate 30 years at the forefront of Irish Music. Sharon Shannon joined Alan Morrissey on Monday’s Morning Focus to chat about her upcoming show at Glór on Saturday, November 22nd. Photo (c) Glór

Clare County Council has announced that the Annual Irish UNESCO Global Geoparks Forum 2025 will be hosted by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. The Forum will take place on the 26th and 27th of November at Hotel Doolin. This year’s forum, themed ‘Natural Capital Unpackaged – How UNESCO Global Geoparks Can Play a Role’, will bring together leading experts, community groups, and stakeholders to explore the vital role of natural capital in sustainable development and environmental policy. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr. Eamon Doyle, Geologist with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Visit Clare