Clare Fm - Podcasts

Heart of Gold, Family Carers Ireland’s national fundraising campaign, is underway. Heart of Gold, which aims to provide vital support to family carers in Clare, takes place this Thursday (13th June). With an estimated 12,122 family carers in Clare this campaign aims to recognise their invaluable contribution and raise vital funds. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fiona Hartigan, Support Manager for Family Carers Ireland in Clare.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare artist Noel Donnellan. Noel discussed his work that's been showcased during London Craft Week, including a unique piece co-created with Mike Byrne and another on display in a gallery on Pimlico Road. Don't miss this insightful conversation about his creative journey and artistic inspirations! Picture (c) Noel Donnellan

A Clare architect fears there will be more safety scandals in the housing sector unless mandatory construction inspections are urgently introduced. It comes as the Irish Society of Chartered Surveyors is predicting the government's bill for compensating homeowners impacted by Pyrite, Mica and apartment defects will surpass €7bn. In 2022, Clare County Council inspected just 12.1% of new buildings it was notified of, which was the fourth-lowest total of any local authority nationwide. Clare Social Democrats Chair and Ogonelloe based Architect Gary Miley believes some bad actors are taking advantage of the system.

The future development and expansion of Ennistymon is said to be dependent on the provision of sorely-needed parking. It's as a planning application has been submitted for streetscape enhancements in the North Clare town which will consist of footpath upgrades, resurfacing, new street lighting and street furniture among other improvements. The development on Parliament Street, the Square, Church Street and McInerney's Lane has been made possible by a €495,000 government investment in the town's regeneration which was announced at the end of April. Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty says while all improvements are welcome, parking is what the town's residents and visitors require.

Fine Gael's Joe Garrihy retained his seat in the Ennistymon Local Electoral Area, with the election of former Cllr, Lahinch's Bill Slattery, seeing the party double its representation in the region. Migration was among the biggest election topics in North Clare, with Ukrainian arrivals currently comprising 12.5% of the region's population. Cllr Garrihy says host communities and the new arrivals need to see a fully resourced and fair transition plan for the future.

The new and existing councillors elected to Clare Council for the next five years having been setting out their out stall. After a dramatic weekend of highs and lows at the Ennis count centre, six new councillors and 22 existing and former public representatives will take seats in Arás Chontae An Chláir. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan Reports === The first full council meeting of the new term will take place on July 10th, with councillors and the new Mayor to be formally ratified at an AGM later this month. Co-opted to the council after Cooraclare Bill Chamber's retirement last November, Fianna Fáil Doonbeg Cllr Rita McInernery topped the poll in West Clare, with 1,340 first preference votes. She says improving healthcare services must be to top priority for the new council term.

The new and existing councillors elected to Clare Council for the next five years having been setting out their out stall. After a dramatic weekend of highs and lows at the Ennis count centre, six new councillors and 22 existing and former public representatives will take seats in Arás Contae An Chláir. The first full council meeting of the new term will take place on July 10th, with councillors and the new Mayor to be formally ratified at an AGM later this month. Co-opted to the council after Cooraclare Bill Chamber's retirement last November, Fianna Fáil Doonbeg Cllr Rita McInerney topped the poll in West Clare, with 1,340 first preference votes. She says improving healthcare services must be to top priority for the new council term. Fine Gael's Joe Garrihy retained his seat in the Ennistymon Local Electoral Area, with the election of former Cllr, Lahinch's Bill Slattery, seeing the party double its representation in the region. Migration was among the biggest election topics in North Clare, with Ukra

There were contrasting pictures in the counts for the Shannon and Killaloe Local Electoral Areas over the weekend. South-east Clare has seen a considerable shake-up with familiar faces departing and new ones being ushered in while in East Clare, continuity was the word on everyone's lips. A very different-looking Shannon Municipal District will be representing the region over the next five years as a result of how its electorate voted on Friday. It was certain that at least two new faces would be elected there following the retirements of Councillors Pat "Mace" McMahon and Gerry Flynn. Although Pat "Mace" won't be on the scene, Newmarket-on-Fergus residents can rest easy that they'll have a representative for the foreseeable future. First-time candidate David Griffin caused a massive upset by securing over 1,500 first preference votes, thus electing him on the first count. The 28-year-old Fianna Fáil councillor-to-be says he couldn't possibly have predicted such a positive reaction on his first time out

Clare FM's Alan Morrissey is joined by Derrick Lynch, Tommy Guilfoyle and Kevin Sheehan to review Clare's loss to Limerick in the Munster SHC final along with casting an eye over Clare's games in the All Ireland camogie and ladies football championships

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrisssey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, Tom gave listeners advice on roses - how to enjoy spectacular summer blooms and fabulous fragrance from Roses in your garden. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

This coming weekend will be a big one for the local community in Quin. On Saturday their reimagined community space An Tearmann – or The Sanctuary – will be officially opened. The event is being described as a celebration of the Quin community. To find out more about what will be in store, Alan Morrisey was joined by Gabriella Hanrahan, Chair of Quin Tidy Towns.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co. Solicitors, Ennis in our weekly legal slot. This week, Sharon discussed what to do when someone dies: who is in charge, what decisions can they make, what responsibilities do they have? If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us on focus@clare.fm

Three mountaineers from Ireland will attempt to climb the five highest peaks in Ireland and the UK in memory of Caitríona Lucas. The group of climbers will include the late Irish Coast Guard volunteer’s husband, Bernard Lucas. Bernard began the annual challenge, which is named after his late wife, to raise vital funds for the Burren Chernobyl Project. Caitríona Lucas, a mother of two, lost her life in September 2016 at the age of just 41 - the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to die on duty. Bernard will be joined by another Clare native on the expedition – Deirdre Linnane – along with Cormac Coyne, who hails from the Aran island of Inis Oírr. Bernard, Deirdre and Cormac joined Alan Morrissey, on Monday's Morning Focus, to discuss the climb. You will be able to track the climb live, from Saturday evening here: https://share.garmin.com/Cormac You can donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/TheCaitrionaLucasChallenge2024

Clare Manager Brian Lohan After Munster SHC Final Loss

Clare LGFA Manager Wayne Freeman After Win Over Offaly

Fr Brendan Quinlivan presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief which has a missionary theme with an interview with Fr. Martin Mareja from Tanzania who is currently visiting the Killaloe parishes as part of the annual mission appeal. He shares his story of how he was educated and encouraged by Irish missionaries and now works in Thurles with the Pallotine fathers. Fr Brendan also chats with Nita Enright from Quin about the Apostolic Work Society and their exhibition in the Ennis Parish Centre next weekend.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan leads our Sunday Prayer for today 9th June 2024 the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Electric car sales in Clare have dropped by over 40% so far this year. New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry have revealed that in the first five months of 2024, just 139 new electric vehicles were sold in this county compared to 242 over the same period last year. This represents a 42% decrease, while the nymber of petrol electric hybrid registrations in Clare has risen by just 2% and car sales here generally are up by 4%. SIMI Director General Brian Cooke claims the trend nationally seems to indicate that this years electric vehicle sales figures will be more in line with 2022 than last year.

On this podcast: Clare FM's Derrick Lynch is joined by former Clare captains Tommy Guilfoyle & Pat O'Connor, 2013 All Ireland winner Colin Ryan and Limerick sports journalist Tom Clancy to look ahead to Sunday's clash of Clare and Limerick in FBD Semple Stadium.

Clare's Returning Officer for the local elections is urging voters to mark their ballot clearly when they go to the polls today. Voting for the Local and European elections has been underway since 7 this morning, with members of the public having their say on the next county councillors. In Clare, 28 seats are up for grabs across five electoral areas, with 7 candidates to be elected in both Ennis and Shannon, 5 each in Killaloe and Kilrush and 4 in Ennistymon. Clare County Council CEO Pat Dowling says voters shouldn't rush through their ballot and that every single preference will make a difference.