Clare FM - Podcasts

Fr Gerry Kenny presents our Sunday Prayer and is assisted by pupils of Moyasta N.S. in West Clare who lead us in prayer on this 4th Sunday of Advent

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Carol Service with carols, readings and messages from our Bishops.

Coming up on the show: We have two very special guests lined up to take us through on the final show of the year, with details for you on how you can support Clare's hurling and camogie teams for 2026, along with chatting to one of the counties favourite sons.

Gráinne is a 23-year-old Irish singer -songwriter based in Dublin. Her music offers a candid glimpse into her world, with honest lyrics that offer a look at the chaos of early adulthood. She's got a quiet confidence you find in artists who've maybe strayed away home and lived a little, and it shows on her debut single, "Twentysomething". Gráinne's journey to this moment is as unique as her sound. A native of Wexford, she spent the last four years studying music in Finland, where she started putting her thoughts and experiences to paper, writing her first original songs. She has collaborated with many talents, including songwriters and producers from Elements Music on EDM-inspired projects- some of which have been recently released. It might seem like a world away from her current sound, but those sessions were valuable-honing her songwriting skills. Now, back on home turf, Gráinne is ready to share her own story with a voice that is both vulnerable and powerful. She's not just hoping to make a mark; she's here to connect with a generation that's still figuring it all out, one song at a time. “6ftunder”is a reflection on the invisible string that connects us to the past- the habits, beliefs, and traditions passed down through generations. How much of what we do each day comes from those who came before us? How many of our ideas about what life should mean are inherited, outdated, or in some ways haunting us? Rooted partly in Ireland's rich and complicated history, yet stretching far beyond it, 6ft Under explores the pull between tradition and progress- between honouring what's been and questioning what still should be. It's a song for grey, misty days- for wandering through fields and up hills, or just down to the pub, past the old graveyard with it's ivy-covered gates.

Kieran Keating was elected unopposed for his fifth and final term as chairman of Clare GAA at this weeks' Annual Convention. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke with the Naomh Eoin clubman to reflect on his time in the role and look ahead to the 2026 campaign. Photo (c) Clare GAA

Over 8,000 people will pass through Shannon Airport today as the facility welcomes scores home for the festive season. The Christmas spirit is in the air at the facility which is seeing a 10% boost in its passenger numbers this Christmas. It's one of the busiest days of the festive period for the Clare base which is seeing 125,000 come through its gates in the few days before and after Christmas. It marks a 10% increase in Christmas traffic for Shannon which has seen significant growth in the past year. Passengers coming home for Christmas were greeted in the arrivals lounge by the sounds of the St Flannan's College choir.

One of Clare's most uplifting musical events is set to return early next year, as the Ennis Choral Festival comes back to Ennis from January 30th to February 1st, 2026, bringing three days of competition, workshops and community singing under the theme “Spring Into Song.” With choirs travelling from across the country and beyond, it promises to be a real celebration of choral music in the county. Speaking to Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus was Carmel Honan, Director of the Ennis Choral Festival, Peter Murphy, Head of Marketing & CSR at Ei Electronics and Margaret O' Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber. Photo (c) Ennis Choral Festival Facebook

Jack O'Dea is a volunteer with Clare Civil Defence and was named their Volunteer of the Year recently. He was honoured with the John Cuddihy Volunteer of the Year Award for 2025 for the pivotal role he played in saving the life of an old age pensioner. Alan Morrissey was speaking with Jack on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Clare Civil Defence Facebook

This Christmas, a long-running partnership between Brady Family and FoodCloud is helping ensure thousands of families across Ireland can sit down to a festive meal. For the fifth year running, premium ham and turkey joints are being donated to charities and community groups nationwide — at a time when demand for support has never been higher. To tell us more about how this food reached local communities and the impact it has on the ground, Alan Morrissey was joined by Siobhán O'Driscoll, Head of Operations at Obair on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Obair

As homes across Clare get ready for Christmas, the county's fire service is urging people to take simple precautions to avoid unnecessary emergencies over the festive period. December is one of the busiest months for fire crews, with call-outs often linked to chimney fires, overloaded sockets and unattended candles. On Friday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer with Clare County Fire Service, was in-studio with some important advice on how to stay fire-safe and enjoy a safer Christmas. Photo (c) Clare County Council

Seanchaí Corner sees Eddie Lenihan, the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. This week, Eddie told us the strange tale of Three Candles in Bouleavan.

The Killaloe/Ballina Christmas day swim will take place at Two Mile Gate and is raising vital funds for the Brothers of Charity Killaloe–Ballina, supporting people in the local community. With a new service building recently opened and a growing need for assistive communication technology, the swim aims to make a real difference — and everyone is invited along to cheer on the swimmers and enjoy a warm cuppa on Christmas morning. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by organiser Jonathan McGrath and Service Manager at Killaloe Ballina Brothers of Charity, Camille Nolan. Image (c) Killaloe/Ballina Christmas Day Swim via Facebook

According to the latest figures from Focus Ireland, almost 290 children in Clare and Limerick will face Christmas without a home this year — part of a record 5,274 children now homeless across the country. As the charity renews its Christmas Appeal and No Child Without A Home campaign, it's calling on the Government to act and urging the public to support families in crisis. Alan Morrissey was joined by Lorraine Toner, Head of National Community Fundraising with Focus Ireland to discuss this further.

Clare County Council is set to explore interventions to improve the national secondary road network. It comes amid persistent calls for upgrades to be carried out on the N68 connecting Ennis to Kilrush, and for the completion of the realignment project on the N85 which connects Ennis to Ennistymon. In a statement to Clare FM, the local authority has confirmed that the proposed works which include alterations to the N67 have all undergone various environmental and design assessments. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says a major investment is needed.

Catherine Ryan from Clare Sports Partnership joins me in studio. She told us all about the showcase of her collection of cribs that will be taking place at De Valera Public Library here in Ennis this Saturday, the 20th of December, 11am-4pm. Catherine was live on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey.

Unsightly and unhealthy – mould, damp and condensation problems are common in our homes. As temperatures drop, condensation becomes a critical issue for homeowners across the country. Left untreated, this moisture transforms into mould, which is known to exacerbate respiratory infections and allergy symptoms. To educate us all on this was Jerry Galvin, Damprite provides services in Clare who spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Chris Steer Getty Images via Canva

A Clare farming representative is urging the Government to follow through on its pledge to oppose a deal which it's feared could jeopardise livelihoods across the county. Feakle-based chairperson of the Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association Stephen Walsh is one of thousands who've taken to the streets of Brussels today to oppose the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. The deal would give South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay unprecedented access to EU markets, allowing 99,000 tonnes of low-tariff beef into Europe. Stephen has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the viability of communities in Clare is dependent on the deal being rejected.

Anne Donnellan recently launched her latest collection of writings in Ennis. De Valera Public Library was the venue for the Clare launch of the Ennis native's newest collection, ‘If Only We Could Bottle It'. To find out more about the collection and the launch , Anne joined Alan Morrissey live in-studio.

On Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey Jo, a Crisis Helpline therapist with Pieta based here in Clare. Pieta is urging communities to get involved in its Light Up the Darkness appeal, taking place today (Thursday, 18th of December), as the charity prepares for one of its busiest times of the year. With demand for support rising over the Christmas period — and more than 300 people expected to reach out on Christmas Day alone — Jo spoke to us about what the festive season is like on the helpline and why compassionate, round-the-clock support is so vital at this time of year. Photo (c) Pieta House Facebook

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Áine Gleeson, founder and leader of the Wowwee.ie. In 2004, she set about designing elegant Christmas stockings, hand-embroidering each one with children's names. Áine later launched Co Clare's first e-commerce website and introduced her personalised gifts to the window of the world.

Club Clare memberships are now open for 2026, with all funds raised going toward supporting Clare's hurling and camogie teams for the coming season, from adult to underage levels. To discuss this and more, Clare senior hurling manager Brian Lohan joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Ahead of the Christmas season, Rothaíochta na Sionnaine presented a timely gift to Down Syndrome Clare. Proceeds from the fourth annual Odd Socks Cycle totalled €21,723, warmly received by Down Syndrome Clare. A record 350 cyclists took part at the end of March. Participants completed 50km and 100km routes, starting in Shannon and taking in scenic East Clare. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Committee member of Down Syndrome Clare, Seán McKillen outlined the details of the event. Photo (c) Club Rothaíochta na Sionnaine via Facebook

HSE Mid West's REO says the location of a new hospital for the region will be up to the Government. It follows confirmation from the Health Minister that the Government has accepted all three recommendations from HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest. After meeting with Clare's Oireachtas members, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed that work will begin in the new year on expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, developing a second site for UHL, and progressing plans for a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department for the region. On Thursday's Morning Focus, HSE Mid West REO Sandra Broderick spoke about the pathway for the future of healthcare in the region. Photo (c) Alan Place

A Shannon resident is calling for urgent action to improve safety at a junction at Purcell Park after a frightening near-miss involving two young children. Dara Gough says the incident happened during the evening rush hour, when limited visibility at the junction meant she narrowly avoided colliding with two boys on scooters. She believes the layout of the junction makes it extremely dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians, and that it's only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Dara spoke of her concerns about road safety in the area. Photo (c) Dara Gough

The Health Minister says expanding health services in Ennis will benefit the entire Midwest. It comes as Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has this week committed to boosting capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the campus to a second location and developing a new hospital with an emergency department in the region. The Minister has also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to increasing beds at Ennis, Nenagh and St John's, following former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's announcement of 48 new beds at Ennis in May of last year. Addressing the Seanad, she says the more services are available in Ennis, the less pressure there'll be on other facilities the region.

Residents of a West Clare town are being offered financial incentives to stop smoking. The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme has launched the Financial Incentives to Stop Smoking Programme pilot in Kilrush as well as in targeted areas of Limerick city. Through the scheme, eligible medical card holders over the age of 18 can earn up to €400 in gift vouchers across a 12-month period. Health Promotion and Improvement Officer in Health and Wellbeing at HSE Mid West, Niamh Keating, says smoking is a particular concern in Kilrush.

A new local initiative is aiming to cut down on disposable cup waste in Clare. Joining us are Mary Howard, Ennis councillor, and Siobhain Landy of Sweet N Green, to talk about the launch of Cupa An Chláir, a new reusable cup project involving Ennis Tidy Towns and several local cafés. On Wednesday's edition of Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Mary Howard, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor and Siobhain Landy, Co-owner of Sweet N Green in Ennis were live in-studio to chat more on this.

A West Clare woman is hoping to be a voice for under-represented communities in her region on a new forum focused on community safety issues. Kilmurry McMahon community nurse and West Clare Aontú representative June Dillon has been appointed by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership. The LCSP, which has yet to convene, will act as a successor to the now-disbanded Joint Policing Committee and will facilitate discussions on local crime-related between between elected representatives, community members, Gardaí, the HSE and others. June has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that many people in the west of the county don't know where to turn when crime strikes.

Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was in-studio to chat about his thoughts on the Irish economy over the last year and his expectations for the economy going forward for the new year in 2026. Tommy spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

As Christmas approaches, many families across Clare are facing increasing financial pressure. Joining Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus was Denis Carty, Area President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Clare, who is appealing to the public for support this Christmas. Denis gave us an update on this year's Christmas appeal and shared what SVP volunteers are seeing on the ground, including the growing number of people reaching out for help compared to previous years. Photo (c) SVP

As winter brings a rise in respiratory illnesses across the Mid West, staying well and out of hospital has never been more important. Carmel McInerney, Respiratory Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Ennis Hospital, is urging people to take simple, practical steps to protect their lung health in the coming weeks. Alan Morrissey spoke to Carmel about a range of topics from flu and COVID-19 vaccination to managing asthma and COPD and knowing when to seek help.

An internal party review has found that senior figures within Fianna Fáil were aware of a potential issue involving former general election candidate Jim Gavin weeks before he was officially selected, yet no further action was taken at the time. The controversy later forced the former Dublin senior football manager to withdraw from the campaign just ten days before polling, and the review is now calling for much stricter vetting of future candidates. Meelick Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe says he believes the "blame" lies on many members as he joined Alan Morrissey to discuss what the review reveals and what changes Fianna Fáil plans to make.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has told Clare's Oireachtas members that all three options recommended by HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest have been accepted. The Government will begin work expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the UHL campus to a second nearby site, and developing a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department in the region, in the new year. Founder of the Midwest Hospital Campaign says option C has been "effectively kicked down the road" without commitment of a site, timeline or funding. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Culligan from Friends of Ennis Hospital and Hillary Tonge, founder of the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group.

The Health Minister has told Clare's Oireachtas members that the development of a new hospital with an emergency department in the Midwest will be progressed "in conjunction" with other approved measures. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has met with TDs and senators from this region after confirming that all three options recommended by HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest have been accepted. It means the Government will begin work on expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the UHL campus to a second nearby site, and developing a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department in the region, in the new year. Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says while the long-awaited new facility won't be delivered in the short-term, it won't be left on the long finger.

Clare County Council has refused planning permission for a second wind energy development in West Clare in two weeks. Plans for a wind turbine of 150 metres in height in the townlands of Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Drumbaun and Lackamore have been rejected by the local authority. It comes after the Swiss-owned Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited failed to get approval for a project which would've seen five 492-foot turbines in Tooreen, Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Lackamore and Drumbaun constructed. Over 200 objections were made to each development, and Laura McMahon of the 'Miltown Locals Say No to Windfarm' group she was opposed to the projects for very personal reasons.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch with Clare's Diarmuid Ryan at launch of Coop Superstores Munster SHL

Local author and historian Colm Liddy was back in the studio for the final segment of the year. This week, Colm brought us back to Christmas in Clare, 100 years ago.

There's a call for a south Clare town's services and infrastructure to be improved in line with its growing population. Clare County Council has granted planning permission to Datcha Construction Limited for the construction of 79 homes on the Shannon Road in Sixmilebridge. The town's population grew by 8% between 2016 and 2022, and is set to rise further with several housing developments at various stages of construction. Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the town requires significant investment to cater for its new arrivals.

Clare Animal Welfare has had its busiest year on record, with more dogs taken in and rehomed in 2025 than ever before. So far this year, the charity has cared for 275 dogs, continuing a steady rise in demand for its services over recent years. To talk about what's behind these figures and the work being done on the ground, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Brigid Molloy, volunteer with Clare Animal Welfare.

The County Clare Skills Competition is set to kick off this Thursday, the 18th of December, at Tulla Primary School. The event promises to be an exciting showcase of young talent in football and hurling, aimed at improving standards and encouraging positive involvement at the grassroots level. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Micheál Duffy, Games Development Administrator at Clare GAA. Photo (c) Stephen Barnes Getty Images via Canva

For the final legal advice segment of the year, Sharon Cahir, of Cahir & Co Solicitors, reviewed the year's legal developments, focusing on property, employment, succession, and capacity law.

Christmas can be an especially challenging time for vulnerable women, both in the home and while out socialising. Clare support services are advising those who witness domestic violence to "name it" and address the problematic behaviour. To discuss the realities of domestic violence at this time of year, and to offer advice and support for those affected and for concerned family members, Alan Morrissey is joined by Dr Siobhán O'Connor, Director of Services at Clare Haven and Siobhán O'Leary, Director of Rape Crisis Midwest. Clare Haven 24 Hour Confidential Helpline 065 6822 435 Rape Crisis Midwest 24 hour National Helpline: 1800 77 8888 Background Image (c) by Kotenko Oleksandr from Kotenko via Canva

Clare County Council is inviting landowners across the county to put forward lands that could be suitable for new housing, as part of efforts to accelerate housing delivery and plan for future growth. A non-statutory public consultation, now open until this Friday, the 19th of December, is seeking proposals for residentially suitable lands in towns and villages — including greenfield, brownfield and regeneration sites — in line with national housing targets. To explain what the council is looking for, who can make a submission, and how this process will help meet Clare's housing needs, Clare County Council Senior Planner, Helen Quinn joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus. Image (c) Clare County Council

Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns has teamed up with local Transition Year students to help the community better prepare for severe weather and emergencies. Members of Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns, Brian Dowd and Sharon Donnelly recently spent an afternoon with students from Mary Immaculate, kicking off a new Severe Weather Preparedness Project that will see practical guides created for homes and businesses ahead of future storm seasons. Brian ans Sharon joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus to talk about the project, the student involvement, and why community preparedness is so important. Image (c) Lisdoonvara Tidy Towns via Facebook

New figures show a sharp rise in drug-driving cases, with prosecutions up 37% nationally so far this year and a staggering 105% increase in Clare. More than 2,050 people have appeared before district courts for drug driving in the first ten months of 2025 alone — the highest level on record. 39 people before the Clare district court system on drug driving charges during that period. Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú says these cases are just the tip of the iceberg and is calling for tougher enforcement and expanded roadside drug testing this Christmas. Alan Morrissey was joined by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to discuss the growing dangers on our roads and what needs to be done to tackle it. Image (c) RSA.ie

The amount of funding for school repair works to be carried out in Clare during the Summer months has dropped by over a million euro since 2020. New figures obtained by Sinn Féin shows this county received just over €336,000 under the programme last year. There were 42 applications for works in Clare last year, but just 9 were approved. Shannon TD and Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education Donna McGettigan says it's not good enough.

Over 50 environmental groups and almost 500 individuals has signed an open letter to the Minister for the Environment expressing their opposition to an LNG terminal in Clare. Gas Networks Ireland announced plans last month for a strategic gas emergency reserve at Cahiracon on the Shannon Estuary, with the development expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction and roughly 50 while operational. Futureproof Clare has initiated an open letter to Minister Darragh O'Brien calling for the plans to be abandoned and so far, 55 groups, 491 individuals and nine political representatives have lent their support. Ennis-based Futureproof Clare spokespeson Emanuela Ferrari doesn't believe Ireland's gas supply is as vulnerable as the Government makes out.

This year's Rice College Christmas Concert is just around the corner! Glór will host the showcase for the impressive talents of the young people who attend the Ennis secondary school this Wednesday the 17th December at 7:30pm. On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was delighted to chat with Clare FM's Joan Hanrahan along with Cian Moroney, Kate Howard, Síofra Hogan, Emilia Geraghty, Cailean Rynne, Robbie Whelan, Aoibhe Lecathelinais and Doireann Egan who are some of the students involved in the concert.

A local historian from Ennis, Anthony Dargan, is reaching out to anyone with connections to a particular family from Ennistymon. He's asking anyone with any information to get in touch. Anthony joined Alan Morrissey to explain what he hopes to discover on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Synthetic - Exposition from Getty Images via Canva.

On Monday's edition of Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, we had Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre for In The Garden. This week, Judy told us about rhubarb and the low-maintenance and the high-reward from growing it. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Tomás Meade is the organiser of the upcoming Light The Way tractor and truck run. The event is due to take place at Doora-Barefield GAA grounds this coming Saturday (20th December). It is in aid of Slainte an Clár and Pieta House. Tomás was live in-studio on Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Light The Way Facebook