Clare Fm - Podcasts

Coming up on the show We look ahead to Clare's Munster football semi final showdown with Kerry, and look back on a busy week of U20 action We will preview the action for Clare's handballers this weekend, look ahead to a busy weekend of local soccer, hear about the Mick Egan road race in Doonbeg and Alan Troy will have Greyhound Focus

Morgan Gray is 22 years old, and music is all he has ever known. Long before he understood what he wanted to be, he knew how it felt to disappear into a song — to find meaning, comfort, and chaos in sound. Morgan says ‘’Growing up, music was not just something I loved; it was how I understood myself and the world around me.’’ Morgan’s songs come from that place — late-night thoughts, quiet moments, and the constant pull to turn feelings into something you can actually hear. Morgan says ‘’I am drawn to honesty in music, the kind that feels a little exposed but real enough to connect with someone else’s story too.’’ Morgan Gray’s debut album, “Let Me Break Tonight,” released on February 17th, and Morgan says ‘’it feels like the first true snapshot of who I am as an artist right now — the risks, the emotions, and the start of a journey I’ve been chasing my whole life. This is only the beginning, but it is the most honest introduction I can give: I make music because I do not know how not to.’’

On Friday's Morning Focus, Clare FM's Derrick Lynch sat down with Alan Morrissey live in-studio for our sports slot to look ahead to a busy weekend of sporting fixtures. Games Previewed: Munster SFC Semi-Final: Clare v Kerry (Saturday, Ennis, 2pm) Munster MHC Round 3: Clare v Waterford (Friday, Sixmilebridge, 7pm)

Calls are being made for an urgent enforcement campaign at Shannon Airport to ensure the US military is not violating international law at the Clare base. New figures show there's been an 80% increase in US troops transiting through Shannon since the onset of the Iran War. In March, 3,604 troops travelled through Shannon, according to The Irish Times. Shannonwatch Co-Founder Edward Horgan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he believes Ireland is complicit in war crimes in the Middle East.

On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Killaloe singer-songwriter Oscar Blue, who’s just released his debut album Birds In Winter. Written between London’s East End and the west of Ireland, the record is a reflective collection that finds meaning in everyday moments. Photo (c) oscarbluemusic.com

A County Clare traditional music group has taken home the top prize in this year’s Siansa Gael Linn competition, one of the most prestigious showcases for young Irish musicians. AISTEAR impressed judges and audiences alike with a standout performance at the National Concert Hall, earning them first place in a fiercely competitive field. To tell us more, musicians Kieran Brennan and Clodagh Kennedy joined Alan Morrissey in the studio.

A creative project in North Clare has been bringing science, art and environmental awareness together in a very hands-on way. Pupils from Clooney National School have teamed up with CÚRAM researchers and environmental artist Evelyn Sorohan to create striking wildlife artworks made entirely from recycled plastic waste. The project aims to highlight the impact of plastic on the environment while encouraging sustainable thinking from an early age. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Evelyn Sorohan and pupils at Clooney school, Heather Broderick and Heather Harrison. Photo (c) Evelyn Sorahan

A new report has found that just 14 properties across the entire country were available to rent within Housing Assistance Payment limits last month, highlighting the growing gap between rent supports and real market prices. The findings come from the latest Locked Out of the Market report by the Simon Communities, which warns that more and more people are being pushed out of the private rental sector. Joining Alan Morrissey on Friday's edition of Morning Focus was Niall Garvey, CEO of Midwest Simon. Photo (c) Charlie AJA from Getty Images via Canva.com

Ireland is set to enjoy a spell of warmer-than-average weather, with temperatures climbing as high as 21 degrees today and plenty of sunshine expected into the weekend. High pressure is dominating, bringing mostly settled conditions—but there are a few warnings in place for coastal areas too. To take us through what we can expect over the coming days in Clare, Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus was joined by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather. Photo (c) m-gucci Getty Images via Canva

As April marks Autism Awareness Month, a new book is calling for a fresh approach to how we support children with developmental disabilities and their families. Early Childhood Intervention by Ballina-based psychologist Martin O’Connor brings together the voices of parents, professionals and policymakers, offering what he describes as a more compassionate, practical and family-centred way forward. For more on this, Martin joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) amazon.ie

A special milestone is approaching for one North Clare community, as Clouna Church prepares to celebrate 180 years at the heart of parish life this June. But alongside the celebrations, there’s also a major effort underway to restore and preserve the building for future generations. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Fr. Robert McNamara, parish priest of Ennistymon, Lahinch and Clouna, along with Patricia Vaughan, Principal of Furglan National School on Friday's Morning Focus. You can donate via the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/clouna-church-restoration-fund Photo (c) www.gofundme. com

Clare County Council is stepping up its efforts to tackle dereliction and boost housing supply, with plans to compulsorily acquire 20 long-term vacant and derelict properties across the county. The move is part of a wider strategy to bring more homes back into use and revitalise towns and villages. To discuss what this means in practice, Alan Morrissey was joined by Director of Service for Housing, Alan Farrell, and Senior Executive Officer with Clare County Council, Carmel Greene on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) by MemoryCatcher from pixabay via Canva

Calls have been for made for HIQA to have more control of Clare's International Protection Accommodation Centres. It follows successive damming reports into conditions at Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre in Meelick, with the latest identifying major fire, privacy, health and safety risks. Of the 208 residents living there, 61% have been granted refugee or protection status in Ireland, but cannot leave due to a lack of alternative accommodation. Clare Immigrant Support Network Manager Simon Ó'Treasaigh says much greater oversight is needed.

Shannon Airport is investing €40 million across its operations this year. The Clare base is seeking to upgrade its immigration area and baggage hall as well as deliver enhancements to taxiway infrastructure and carry out a "facelift" to the outside of the terminal building. The facility's 2025 annual report reveals it generated €78.4 million in turnover last year, resulting in €30.5 million profit. Shannon Airport Group Interim CEO Ray O'Driscoll says the improvements will support jobs and future growth in the region.

A new project intending to prevent young people from becoming involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour has been launched in East Clare. Operated by Foróige, the DERG Youth Diversion Project has been set up to deliver supports to families and support young people in East Clare and North Tipperary in making positive choices. It will operate from two bases in Killaloe and Nenagh, serving a catchment area of almost 63,000 people. Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien says being given access to wholesome outlets can be lifechanging for a young person.

Independent radio stations across the country say a dramatic hike in broadcasting fees has sent shockwaves through the sector. They're calling on Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan to intervene, over a 39 percent increase in the broadcast Levy used to fund the independent regulator 'Comisiún na Meán'. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland say it represents a hike of tens of thousands of euro for stations already battling tight margins. To flesh this out, Michael Kelly from IBI Chief Executive joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) avdyachenko Getty Images via Canva

Students from Knockanean National School have been crowned champions at the Analog Devices Primary Schools Robotics Competition Final 2026. The competition saw over 100 students from across Munster design, build and battle their own sumo-style robots in a test of teamwork, creativity and engineering skill. Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by teacher, Conor O’Loughlin and students; Adam Maguire, Donnacha Mockler and Orla Brookes.

On this week's episode of The Future of Work, we focus on Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners. Today, Pat Flynn visits Lahinch to meet entrepreneur Adam Coleman. This feature, 'The Future of Work' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Atheist Ireland says children's rights not to attend religious education in school are not being observed. The group says families and children's constitutional rights are not being applied in the real world. Atheist Ireland appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Public Petitions yesterday. Jane Donnelly, from Atheist Ireland, says some schools are ignoring students' right not to attend religious classes To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fr Ignatius McCormack, Former Principal of St. Flannan’s College Ennis and Robert Bennett, Ennistymon native and member of Midwest Humanists, former board member of the national parents council for education. Photo (c) ibreakstock Getty Images Signature via Canva

Chapter 24 is the new gastro pub at the Temple Gate Hotel. The name reflects a new era for the Temple Gate, following its acquisition by John Gavin and Dermot Kelly. To find out what you can expect from Chapter 24, John and Dermot joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus .