Clare Fm - Podcasts

An election candidate claims Clare has been held back from long term progress due to legacy politicians prioritising their careers. It follows renewed frustration over a proposed sewerage schemes for Broadford and Cooraclare which were first promised under the rural towns and villages initiative and water services investment programme respectively in 2002. Both villages then received a new commitment as part of a €50m pilot programme last December, however no ground has been broken on either site to date. Tuamgraney based Rabharta candidate Barry O'Donovan says parish pump politics has led to a lack of vision.

Coming up on the show, we look forward to Eire Óg and Wolfe Tones bids for Munster football final appearances as they both go up against Tipperary opposition. We will hear from the West Clare Cycling club as they run the latest round of their new Gravel League, the Clare Oscar Traynor team are in must win territory this weekend, and we will hear from one of Clares All Ireland winning heroes too.

The HSE is facing calls to provide an urgent update on children's respite facilities in Clare amid whats been described as "a seriously challenging" period for families. According to the most recent census, there are 881 children aged up to 15 in this county, living with a disability to a great extent. Although not all of these will require respite care, it's understood the vast majority are availing of the Brothers of Charity's service at the former Hazelwood House in Ennis and Rehabcare's centre in Clarecastle. Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy believes the HSE needs to step up to the mark.

It's claimed the physical and mental health of Asylum Seekers in South-East Clare is deteriorating, while living in tents over the cold snap. In a statement to Clare FM, The Department of Integration says it's prioritising the wellbeing of residents in tented accommodation at Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre in Meelick amid the adverse weather conditions. The International Protection Applicants were provided with extra blankets as temperatures plummeted in recent days and, ahead of Storm Bert's arrival tomorrow, a contingency plan remains in place that will see them moved indoors if necessary. Doras CEO John Lannon says it's a completely unacceptable situation.

Cabinet Ministers have been given a stark warning about the potential damage to our economy because of the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Senior officials have drawn up the starkest warning yet about the dangers to Ireland's prosperity due to factors outside our control. Outgoing Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris admits the economy could face a real shock. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Assistant Professor of Social Policy at UCD, Dr Micheál Collins and Professor of Politics at DCU, Donnacha Ó Beacháin. Photo (c) jordan_rusev from Getty via Canva.com

Today, 1,550 Clare children are wearing their favourite pyjamas while raising vital funds for worthy causes. The 22nd of November marks National Pyjama Day, with participating children nationwide helping to raise funds for charitable causes that support babies and children across Ireland. National Pyjama Day is an initiative from Early Childhood Ireland. To find out more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, Teresa Heeney and Deputy Manager of Clonlara Community Childcare, Lisa Griffin. Photo (c): GMVozd from Getty Images Signature via Canva

Celtic Waves Swimming Club will host a novice swimming gala at the Swimming & Leisure Centre in Shannon on the 30th of November. To learn more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Chairman of Celtic Waves Swimming Club, Declan O'Reilly. Photo (c): Clare FM

The third and final general election debate was held at the Clare County Council Chambers in Ennis. Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil Candidate, Rita McInerney, Fine Gael Candidate, Joe Cooney, Independent Candidate, Kevin Hassett, Independent Ireland Candidate, Eddie Punch, Green Party Candidate, Róisín Garvey, Social Democrats Candidate, Hilary Tonge, and Independent Candidate, Paddy Murphy. Photo (c): Clare FM

Met Éireann is warning of "extremely wet" conditions along with high winds in Clare tonight. With Storm Bert expected to make landfall tonight, a Status Orange Rain warnings has been issued for Clare along with Waterford, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim. Met Éireann warning intense falls of rain over a short period of time here, with surface flooding, river flooding, very difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility all possibilities. The warning comes into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in place until 10am tomorrow, while a separate Status Yellow Wind and Rain warning applies to this county from 10pm tonight and will also expire at 10 on Saturday morning. Met Éireann Forecaster Liz Walsh says Clare will be hit hard by wet conditions tonight and this may continue across the weekend.

Clare's Green Party candidate insists her party's policies will make electric vehicle ownership realistic in rural communities. In August, six GAA clubs in this county were deemed eligible for fully funded EV charging infrastructure under the Shared Island initiative. Despite this, the grants for purchasing a new EV fell by €1,500 in the last year, which the Green Party contends was a decision made based on budgetary constraints that favoured investment in local link routes instead. Inagh Senator and Green Deputy Leader Roisín Garvey says their ideas are making a difference, but need greater buy in.

Christmas is said to have come early for families across East Clare today following the unveiling of two multi-million euro housing developments. The keys of 33 new social homes have officially been handed over to their occupants today, marking the completion of an €11.2m direct build scheme by the local authority. The properties are a mix of one-bed, two-bed and three-bed units, all with A energy efficiency ratings, 18 of the houses will become the Droichead Nua Estate in Scariff, with the remaining 15 making up the site of Baile Uí Loideán in Sixmilebridge. Mayor of Clare, Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan, says it's a vital step forward for the region.

Motorists in Clare are being warned of "treacherous" driving conditions this morning following heavy snowfall overnight. Clare, Limerick and Tipperary remain under a Status Orange snow and ice warning until midday today, meaning very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, disruption and delays to public transport, difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues are all possibilities. Separately, the entire country is under a Status Yellow warning for frost and icy stretches which it's understood could lead to hazardous conditions on roads and paths as well as travel disruption. Senior Engineer with Clare County Council Cyril Feeney says conditions will be very challenging for all road users today.

As you have been hearing in our news bulletins throughout the morning, motorists in Clare are being warned of "treacherous" driving conditions this morning following heavy snowfall overnight. Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary remain under a Status Orange snow and ice warning until midday today, meaning very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, disruption and delays to public transport, difficult conditions underfoot, and animal welfare issues are all possibilities. Gardaí say roads in West Clare are particularly bad, especially the N68 from Daragh to Kilrush, and are advising motorists to avoid travel if possible and for those who must head out on the roads to slow down, drive with extra care, and allow plenty of extra time for journeys. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Senior Engineer at the Roads, Environment, and Water Services Department at Clare County Council, Cyril Feeney. Quilty 21/11/2024. Photo (c) Clare FM

Betty, a lecturer at the University of Technology in Sydney, uncovered a treasure trove of information about her Polish father, who had abandoned her and her mother, from his wartime exploits in the Polish resistance and his incarceration in the Auschwitz concentration camp to his attempt to start a new life Down Under. She also discovered his past and clues to why he’d abandoned his Australian family to return to Poland and another family there. Betty will be giving Clare Roots Society’s latest lecture, "Finding My Father: from Traditional Methodologies to the Domestic Space as an Archive," which takes place in Ennis this evening. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by author, workshop and retreat facilitator, Betty O'Neill, and Chairperson of Clare Roots Society, Jane Halloran Ryan. Photo (c): Clare FM

We already know how lucky we are to live in Clare, and the rest of the world now knows it too! That’s because Co. Clare has been included in Condé Nast Traveller's list of the 25 best places to visit in Europe, alongside destinations such as Marseille, Vienna, and Albania. Condé Nast Traveller has an impeccable pedigree; it’s a long-running travel publication that taps into the opinions of expert contributors from around the world to unearth hidden gems. To chat more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by co-founder and co-CEO of Common Knowledge, Fionn Kidney, Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, Sean Lally, and Robbie McCauley of Homestead Cottage in Doolin. Photo © Pat Flynn

The second general election debate was held at the Clare County Council Chambers in Ennis. Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil Candidate, Timmy Dooley, Fine Gael Candidate, Tom Nolan, Independent Candidate, Violet Anne Wynne, Irish Freedom Party Candidate, Michael Leahy and Sinn Féin Candidate, Donna Mc Gettigan. Photo (c): Clare FM

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Canadian chef and owner of Randaddy’s in Lahinch, Randy Lewis. This week, Randy shared a delicious recipe for his Canadian Butter Tartlets. This is real comfort food at it’s best. At this time of the year, in fact starting from Canada Day in mid-October, Canadians start to enjoy this delightful and traditional Canadian sweet treat. With a medley of eggs, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of vanilla, these delectable custardy treats are crowned with the rich goodness of pecans. And if you really want to make things easy for yourself, you can buy ready-made pastry from the supermarket. So, let the weather be as it may, for these Canadian Butter Tarts are here to warm our hearts and satisfy our sweet treat cravings. Ingredients: 2 eggs, 225 grams unsalted butter, 1 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons of good quality maple syrup, 250 grams brown sugar, 50 grams crushed pecans and 1 roll puff pastry. Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°.

The North Clare Historical Society will present its next talk on Monday November 25th. The Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon will be the venue for the talk. The talk will be given by Rita McCarthy and based on the topic of The Devil, the Law, and the Country House Dance: The Last of the Country House Dances. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Rita McCarthy. Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/oldkilfarboysociety

The Clare branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning that hospitals are still struggling for blood supplies amid the cold weather spell. A Clinic will be taking place in Ennis this evening from 4:50pm to 8:10pm at Treacy's West County Hotel.The IBTS is hoping to avoid an Amber alert , where a lack of blood supply can lead to cancellations of scheduled care. Broadford based Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says it's vital those unable to make their slot due to the weather give advance notice, so their appointment can be offered to someone else

Clare's motorists are advised to remain cautious and alert on the roads as temperatures gradually lift throughout the day. A nationwide Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning has been extended until midday tomorrow, and Met Éireann says any lying water or snow on roads will freeze overnight.Storm Bert is expected to hit Ireland tonight with the forecaster predicting strong winds and rain. Clare County Council says conditions on the county's roads network are improving but Corkscrew Hill remains an "area of concern". Senior Engineer with Clare County Council's Roads, Environment and Water Services Department Cyril Feeney has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons this weather event thankfully hasn't led to any significant damage but all road users should continue to exercise caution.