Podcasts about Kilkee

Volunteers are urgently being sought to train the next generation of Clare's open water lifesavers. The Clare branch of Water Safety Ireland is currently seeking instructors and swim teachers to provide lessons across Miltown Malbay, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Cappa, Ballyvaughan, Kilkee, Labasheeda, Flagmount and Carrigaholt. Open water safety classes in Clare are among the longest running in Ireland, with the tradition now in its 80th year. Clarecastle based Chair of Water Safety Ireland Claire McGrath says it's vital new personnel are trained to keep our recreational water hotspots safe.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deborah Hickie, Kilkee-based retained firefighter. Deborah is leading a powerful national campaign to recruit retained firefighters across Ireland. Since last September, over 560 new recruits have joined the ranks — but many stations still need more hands on deck. Deborah is here to share what life on the front line is really like, why community-based firefighting matters, and how you — or someone you know — could step up and serve. PHOTO CREDIT: Emergency Services/Search and Rescue - Clare via X

Newly approved plans for a wastewater treatment plan in West Clare are expected to be challenged in the High Court. It comes as Uisce Éireann has been given the green light to build a new sewerage plant, along with foul pumping station on a site just 620m away from Kilkee Cliff Walk. An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the project last week, following a successful appeal from Uisce Eireann which maintains the plant is essential to end the discharge of raw sewerage into Intrinsic Bay. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Rita McInerney has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan it's likely to spark a judicial review.

Clare County Council has committed to developing a plan to roll out modular wastewater treatment plants to boost housing in unsewered areas. There are currently 50 towns and villages in Clare without a sewerage connection, while plants in Clareabbey, Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Kilkee. Kildysart and Kilmihil are all at capacity. Following a proposal passed this week, the local authority has now pledged to engage with the Department of Housing with a view to expediting developer led systems as an interim solution. Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says it's urgently needed.

Sean Collins is a singer/songwriter from Dublin with familial connections to Clare. Sean released his debut single ‘A Step Into The Dark' earlier this month. He will play his first headline show in Clare on Saturday, the 31st of May at the Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dublin singer-songwriter, Seán Collins. Photo(C): Clare FM

The Kilkee native, Aoife Ni Eochaidh accepted, on behalf of IPPM, the Award of Physiotherapy Service of the Year 2025 at the All Island, Private Healthcare Excellence Awards, recently in Belfast. Aoife is IPPM's Clinical Specialist in Pelvic, Women and Men's Health Physiotherapy. To discuss this further, Aoife joined Alan Morrissey in-studio on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo(C): Clare FM

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art's Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about Drama in Kilkee, The Attic Sessions in Doolin, Killaloe Music Festival and much more.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Holly Butler, who formerly worked at The Ritz in London and later Adare Manor before establishing her own business in Kilkee.

A group of students from a Kilkee secondary school have gained recognition on the national stage. The young filmmakers, all students St. Joseph's in Kilkee took second place in a national film award – The Right Focus 2025 awards, which were held recently. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by 3 transition year students from St. Joseph's Emma Roberston, Muireann O'Dea, Roisin Kett and their teacher Michelle Morrissey. Photo (c) Mark Stedman

It's feared casual traders could be damaging the viability of permanent businesses in Clare. Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has this week called on the local authority to review of its policy in relations to Casual Trading Licences which are permits granted to the likes of food truck operators and stallholders. There are 12 designated casual trading areas in Clare, namely the Ennis Market area, Ballyalla Lake, Ennistymon Town Centre, Doolin Pier, Fanore, Kildysart Square, Kilfenora Square, Killaloe Car Park, the Square in Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Drumgeely in Shannon and Tulla. Councillor Tom O'Callaghan says he wants to be sure that all casual traders are fully compliant with the law.

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art's Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about Paul McMahon in Kilkee, Barry Wrafter in Scariff, The Killaloe Concert and much more...

We begin today's show with a chat I had with a Morning Focus listener, who is concerned about roads resurfacing in rural Clare. Pádraig O'Cuidighthigh believes the approach to resurfacing roads in the West of the county is more of an indication of ‘madness in the method', than ‘method in the madness.' Indeed, Pádraig has described the road from Kilkee to the Loophead peninsula as defying “all forms of logic”. Earlier, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pádraig O'Cuidighthigh to discuss this further.

Grave concern has been expressed for the future of the West Clare Railway Greenway. It's after Transport Infrastructure Ireland rejected a funding application from Clare County Council to progress the Ennistymon to Moyasta section of the route. TII has granted over €1.3m in funding to advance works along the Kilkee to Kilrush and Ennis to Ennistymon sections this year, and says it will give "consideration" to funding the route to Moyasta in 2026. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says local businesses are depending on the project to be delivered on time.

Bobby visits the Diamond Rocks Café in Kilkee to find out how a seasonal seaside business manages to stay open all year round.Listen here.

The HSE is being urged to end the "unacceptable" practice of unfunded ambulance shifts in Clare. It's understood ambulance cover in Ennistymon on Wednesdays, Scariff on Thursdays and Kilkee on Fridays is primarily secured through overtime or relief staff. The issue has come to prominence again following a number of high profile incidents locally, including reports of a student waiting over an hour for an ambulance after having a seizure at a North Clare school. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says Clare is the poor relation compared to the rest of the country.

Peter O'Connell speaks to people in Kilkee, Co Clare as they enjoy the sunshine and Gerry Murphy, Senior Forecaster with Met Éireann, discusses the unusually warm and sunny weather we're experiencing.

Coming up on the show, we will look ahead to a historic day for women's rugby in Clare as Ennis Kilrush prepare for an All Ireland promotion final. The late Mick O'Dwyer is being laid to rest tomorrow and we will hear from Kilkee's Ger Keane who served with the Maestro as a selector during his time in charge in Clare Clare's minor hurlers and footballers begin their Munster championship campaigns over the next few days so we will check in with both camps; there's a big weekend ahead in Clare soccer and Alan Troy will have Greyhound Focus too

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art's Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about "Small Things like These" in the Children's Theatre in Kilkee, Tuamgraney Harp Festival and much more... Photo(C): Clare FM

Stephen Fletcher presents Beyond Belief this week and talks to Revd Carole Reynold who is the Education Officer for the Connemara National Park. He also talks to Bishop Michael Burrows about his Good Friday Pilgrimate 'From Killal to Kenmare'. Sr Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives her reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent.

It concerns Maura Heffernan (OGorman), a native of Kilkee who lives in Templeglantine in County Limerick. Earlier this month, Maura set off on what should have been the trip of a lifetime: to visit her daughter in Canada. However, Maura's trip took a devastating turn after just six days, when she suffered a brain haemorrhage, from which, sadly, she will never recover. Maura's family are now doing their level best to get her home. To that end, they are instigated fundraising efforts to achieve that aim. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Stephen Curtin, Maura's son-in-law who is speaking on behalf of the family. To fundraise please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-mom-maura-home Photo (c) https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-mom-maura-home

Clare County Fire Service is appealing to landowners to be on the lookout for illegal activity or any behaviour that could lead to the spread of fire on land. It comes as local authority crews from Kilrush and Kilkee have been dealing with a number of blazes in the Moanmore/Shragh areas of West Clare in recent days. A Status Orange High Forrest Fire Risk Warning remains in place across the country until noon on Friday, which means there's a high risk of fires spreading in areas where there's hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, or shrubs like heather and gorse. Clare's Chief County Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly has been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that household rubbish scattered in the Moanmore/Shragh areas, which appears to have been dumped there, may have contributed to the spread of fire.

Stephen Fletcher presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief for 9th March 2025 the First Sunday in Lent. He talks to the Archdeacon of Tuam and Killaloe the Venerable John Godfrey and hears how he gave up a successful career in marketing and sales and trained to be a priest in the Church of Ireland. Stephen also has his usual conversation over coffee with Fr Gerry Kenny about how the churches are celebrating Lent in different ways. Sr Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives us a reflection for the first Sunday in Lent.

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art's Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about The Outrun in Kilkee, Beauty Queen of Leenane in Doonbeg and much more. Photo (C): Clare FM

Clare Arts Office presents Pneuma, a new exhibition by visual artist Jackie McGrath, running at the Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Gallery, Kilkee, from March 3rd to March 29th. McGrath's work explores our deep connection with nature and the ocean, using photography, drawing, and film to examine the fluid narratives that shape our perception of existence. Pneuma, meaning "breath" or "spirit" in ancient Greek, invites viewers to reflect on the unseen forces that connect us to the natural world. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by visual artist, Jackie McGrath.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents Beyond Belief for Sunday 2nd March 2025. He talks to Jane from Trocaire about their Lent Campaign and talks about Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh with Stephen Fletcher over coffee and cake. Sr Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives her reflection on this time of pilgrimage and hope.

A new five-year tourism development plan for West Clare and North Kerry will aim to make Loop Head an internationally iconic attraction. Fáilte Ireland's strategy has also set goals of creating visitor adventure hubs in Kilrush, Kilkee, Cappagh and Carrigaholt and creating a world-class Wild Atlantic Way coastal walk. The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan's main objective is to extend the tourism season and spread the economic benefits to all towns and villages. Fáilte Ireland Regional Tourism Director Paul Keeley says they want to provide a complete offering.

Significant advancements are expected on major flood relief projects in Clare this year. In a written parliamentary response to Meelick TD Cathal Crowe, Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran confirmed a detailed design for the construction of the Kilkee scheme will be completed in the coming months. Additionally, it's anticipated that planning permission will be sought for the €27m Shannon Flood Relief Scheme between October and December. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan says the development is urgently needed.

One of this county's general election candidates claims he is 'holding out no hope' for a resolution to the healthcare crisis from HIQA's impending interim review. A report by the health watchdog analysing the Midwest region's case for a second emergency department is set to be released in the coming weeks. Kilkee native, Dr Tom Nolan, claims HIQA put the nail in Ennis' coffin in 2009 as part of the reconfiguration of the region's hospitals. Nolan, who ran for Fine Gael in the recent general election, says an adequately staffed urgent care unit situated in Ennis would be more than capable of catering for the county's healthcare needs.

Power has been restored to a further 6,000 premises across the Banner County, as just over 16,000 households and businesses brace for a fourth day without power. Supply was restored to properties in the Kilkee, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona areas yesterday evening, taking the total number of restorations seen in Clare to over 28,000 ESB crews have been working to restore power to homes and businesses in Sixmilebridge, Moveen, Lahinch, Quilty, Broadford, and Carigaholt across last night and this morning. The ESB has described Storm Éowyn as "by far the worst storm" it's ever experienced in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage to the network. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin. Despite recent power outages across the county, communities have come together, showcasing remarkable support and resilience. For more on this, Alan was joined by the Manager at Armada Hotel, Bernard Cahill and Principal of St Joseph's Secondary School in Tulla, Juliet Coman. Photo (c): ESB Powerchecker

Power has been restored to a further 6,000 premises across the Banner county, as just over 16,000 households and businesses brace for a fourth day without power. Supply was restored to properties in the Kilkee, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona areas yesterday evening, taking the total number of restorations seen in Clare to over 28,000. ESB crews have been working, meanwhile, to restore power to homes and businesses in Sixmilebridge, Moveen, Lahinch, Quilty, Broadford and Carigaholt across last night and this morning. The ESB has described Storm Éowyn as "by far the worst storm" it's ever experienced in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage to the network. ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin, says crews are still experiencing new faults and damages in Clare and there's still 'a week's work' in fully restoring power countywide.

Approximately 22,000 homes, farms and businesses across Clare, remain without electricity in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. This figure is half of what was seen at the height of the red weather alert, while nationwide 325,000 premises are without power for a third day. Restorations are expected by this evening in parts of Kilkee along with Carrigaholt, Broadford, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona. However, ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin, says it may take until Friday before some customers have power returned.

This week's Visiting Critic is influencer, podcaster, presenter and entrepreneur - James Kavanagh. It being Trad Fest – we sent him to Kilkee to learn the spoons with Tommy Hayes – who has been at the forefront of traditional Irish music for over 30 years. So how did he get on?

The West Clare Cancer Centre Mini Marathon is looming large on the horizon. The annual fundraiser for the Kilkee-based West Clare Cancer Centre usually takes place at the end of January. However, this year's event, marking its 27th anniversary, has been postponed slightly until the 2nd of February. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the chairman of WCCC, Willie McGrath. Photo (C): https://www.facebook.com/westclarecancercentre/photos/-join-us-for-the-27th-west-clare-mini-marathon-%EF%B8%8F-walkers-and-runners-lets-hit-th/923189610008641/?_rdr

County Clare received five awards at the 61st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The Clare winners included projects from students of St Joseph's Community College, Kilkee; Community Ennistymon School and Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna. Photo (c) : https://www.facebook.com/BTYSTE/

The Sweeney Library in Kilkee will be hosting a forthcoming talk by Joe Aston. The talk will take place at 7:30 pm on the 15th of January Joe will be giving away copies of his novel ‘Wavedancing' on the night. To learn more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by author, Joe Aston. Photo (c): Clare FM

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time for the first Arts Slot of the new year with County Art's Officer, Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about a Céilí in Miltown Malbay, The Golden Ticket Panto in Kilkee, line dancing in Clarecastle and much more.

A West Clare primary school is set to benefit from an expansion of its facilities. The Department of Education has granted approval for a new mainstream classroom to be constructed at Doonaha National School. The Kilkee based premises enrolled just 23 pupils last year, which was the tenth-lowest student population in the county. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley says the institution will now be able to grow in a modern environment.

In this week's programme we hear from Juleann Moran, General Secretary to the Irish Synodal Pathway about progress in synodality n both the Irish and Universal Church. Bishop Fintan shares some reflections on his recent visit to Ethiopia as part of a Trócaire delegation and Sr. Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives us a reflection for this Gaudete Sunday.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents Beyond Belief and talks to Denis Carty, President of Clare SVP about their Christmas Appeal. Jesuit Fr Gerry O'Hanlon talks about the report on the Synodical Process. Fr Gerry catches up with Stephen Fletcher for a coffee and chat and Sr Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives an Advent Reflection.

Losing your children, meeting your first kiss, missing your screenings, remembering phone numbers and wonderful times in Athenry!  This and oh so much more listener, Enjoy! This episode contains explicit language and adult themes.  This Podcast is part of the Headstuff Network. Find out more at HeadStuffPodcasts.com This Podcast is sponsored by Key For Her.  The code TIGHT can be used sitewide on your first order at KeyForHer.com Click the link and your 20% discount for all Key For Her products will be applied at checkout.  https://keyforher.com/discount/TIGHT Producer: Laura Greene  Artwork: Alan Bourke-Tuffy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week sees the CEO of Clare County Council stepping down from his position. Pat Dowling assumed the mantle of Chief Executive of the local authority in September 2016. Pat, a native of Limerick who now resides in Kilkee, was initially appointed on a seven-year term. Photo (c): Clare FM

A special event will be held in Querrin, Kilkee on the 8th of December. Querrin Schoolhouse will host the fundraiser, which is aimed at putting money towards hosting well-being workshops in memory of local lad Jonathan Clancy and the schoolhouse renovation project. The event will feature a festive carol performance by Ceol Sionna, a special visit from Mrs. Claus, a delightful bake sale, a raffle, and a Christmas Lights Tractor Run, in memory of Jonathan Clancy. To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Chairman of Querrin Schoolhouse, Robbie Brown. Photo (c): Clare FM

A brisk voter turnout has been reported across Clare's 102 polling stations for General Election 2024. Over 96,000 people in this county are eligible to have their say today on who will represent this county in Dáil Eireann for the next five years. So far, Clarecastle is leading the democratic stakes in the county, where 21% of voters have cast their ballot. Voting is aslo continuing at a steady pace in West Clare, where more than 11% of voters turned out in Kilkee and Bansha ahead of the lunchtime rush. Kilkee resident Manuel Di Lucia is expecting polling to ramp up this evening as the weather improves. Ennis is also in line with the county trend, with 17% of the eligible electorate having cast their ballot. O'Callaghan's Mills is also continuing at a steady pace, where over 11% voters fulfilled their democratic duty before 11am. The polling station in Newmarket-On-Fergus meanwhile has already seen 15% of its registered voters. Voters have until 10pm tonight to decide which 4 Clare TDs they want to represent them in the 34th Dáil. You will not need a polling card going to your polling station, but you must bring ID, , where supports will also be in place for anyone with a visual impairment. Clare's Returning Officer Rita Considine who's taking charge of her first ever General Election in this county is encouraging voters to exercise their democratic right.

On Monday's show, we heard about serious concerns being raised for the health and safety of the residents of Cúl na Gréine in Shannon. We also heard from Sue Egan, a resident of Cúl na Gréine who suffers from COPD, who believes her condition is getting progressively worse because of an ongoing mould problem in her home. However, it seems as if Shannon isn't the only place in Clare where there are homes with issues with mould and damp. Alan Morrissey was joined by Martina, a Morning Focus listener from Kilkee to talk about the issues in her home. Photo (c): Martina, Morning Focus Listener

A revolutionary Clare priest is being remembered as a man who made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young people. Tributes have been pouring in for former Inagh-Kilnamona Parish Priest, former teacher at Ennis Vocational School and founder of Clare Youth Service in 1969, Fr Seán Sexton, who passed away peacefully over the weekend. Today, the service has outlets in Lisdoonvarna, Killaloe, Kilkee, Ennis and Shannon and provides an array of learning supports and full-time education courses to over 3,000 adolescents every year. Clare Youth Service CEO Margaret Slattery says he was a truly inspirational figure who was far ahead of his time.

Janet Buell's latest exhibition will come to Clare next week. ‘Works in Pastel' will be hosted in Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Gallery, Kilkee, from November 19th to December 20th. Janet paints almost exclusively with pastels. She finds the highly pigmented personalities of each stick very engaging. For more on this, Janet Buell joined Alan Morrissey in studio on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c): Clare FM

Can We Speak Whale? is the title of an upcoming talk from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It is an in-person talk aimed at young people as part of Science Week. Friday's event at Cultúrlann Sweeney Theatre in Kilkee is being held as part of Science Week. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Education and Outreach Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group in Kilrush, Claire Kelly. Photo (c): artvizual from pixabay via Canva

Policymakers are being urged to prioritise the survival of Clare's existing towns following the collapse of an ambitious plan for growth in the South-East of the County. It comes as the University of Limerick has withdrawn an application to designate lands to the North of its campus as an economic Strategic Development Zone. one community group is welcoming the news and believes a shift in focus is required to tackle housing shortages, business closures, vacancy and dereliction in Clare's existing towns. Síle Ginnane from Better Ennis believes the SDZ would have led to further urban sprawl and that policy makers need to icentivise measures to get people living above shops and starting small businesses in the likes of Ennis, Kilkee, Kilrush and Ennistymon before they become ghost towns. She says balanced regional development must be prioritised.

A West Clare farmer is hoping to be the "Podge Collins" of keeping jobs in the county. Kilkee native Kevin Hassett will be putting his name on the ballot in Clare in the upcoming General Election, having received 448 first preference votes when running for Independent Ireland in the recent Local Elections. Having long been West Clare's main employment hub, Moneypoint Power Station will soon begin its transition from burning coal to oil, with this process expected to create between 90 and 100 jobs. Hassett, who's now standing as an Independent candidate, fears if swift action isn't taken, the region's jobs could soon be lost to nearby counties.

November is Men's Health Awareness Month. On Tuesday's show, we heard from Wolfe Tones GAA club in Shannon, who are taking part in Movember, the annual event in November to raise awareness of Men's Health issues. Aoife Ní Eochaidh was here to chat to Alan Morrissey about different ways you can treat certain men's health conditions. Aoife, who hails from Kilkee, is a Chartered Physiotherapist Women's and Men's Health & Continence at the Bon Secours Consultant Clinic in Galway. You can access Aoife's Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/pelvicexpert/ Photo (c): Clare FM