Clare Fm - Podcasts

This Saturday, the 17th of August, Cuimhneamh an Chláir’s Paula Carroll – who is also one of the presenters of The West Wind here on Clare FM - will host a live recording of the Clare Oral History Podcast. The public interview with Kitty Leyden from Tulla is part of Heritage Week 2024. It will take place at Cnoc na Gaoithe Comholtas Cultural Centre in Tulla. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM's Paula Carroll and Kitty Leydon.

Natalya Serova and her daughter, like many of their compatriots, have fled the war in Ukraine and sought refuge in Ireland. She is seeking alternative housing, due to the negative effects their current accommodation is having on her daughter. To discuss this further, Natalya Serova and Mariya Nikashanova joined Alan Morrissey, on Monday's Morning Focus.

It is time to bring you another weird and wonderful tale, which means it is time for another edition of Seanchaí Corner. Seanchaí Corner sees the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster Eddie Lenihan regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. In our latest installment of Seanchaí Corner, Eddie Lenihan brings us the story of the boy in WWI.

Pat Murphy has undertaken a huge challenge: to travel the length of the country from Malin Head to Mizen Head...on a tractor! He isn’t doing this onerous and time-consuming challenge for no good reason, though. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Murphy. If you would like to donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/malin-to-mizen-charity-tractor-run-for-concern Photo (c): Pat Murphy via GoFundMe

Safety improvement works have been taking place at the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walking trail. The works are in response to health and safety concerns being raised. The concerns come in the wake of recent tragic deaths, with specific fears centering around the 14-kilometre Cliff Edge walking route, which links Doolin and Liscannor to the world-famous tourist attraction. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fine Gael Councillor, Joe Garrihy and the CEO of Clare Local Development Company, Doirín Graham. Photo (c) Visit Clare

A Regional Health Forum West member says unacceptable overcrowding has become the norm at University Hospital Limerick. The HSE took the decision last Wednesday to defer scheduled care at University Hospital Limerick as well as Ennis, Nenagh, St. John's and Croom Hospitals due to spiralling overcrowding following the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Trolley numbers reached as high as 127 last week compared to 80 on the same day last year. Regional Health Forum Committee Chairperson and Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says the facility is in crisis response mode day in day out.

Aer Lingus has come under fire from a Clare Senator for it's decision to wind down cargo service at Shannon Airport. The hub will close in the coming months following 55 years of operation and currently employs 18 people. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has requested a meeting with Aer Lingus to discuss the future of the service and alternative options for the workforce. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway believes the airline's focus should be to expand operations at Shannon rather than reduce.

Reaction From Clonlara, Clooney Quin And Crusheen After Opening Round Of Clare SHC

A popular walking spot in West Clare has been named Ireland's favourite tourist destination. Kilkee Cliff Walk can proudly called itself the nation's best-rated tourist destination as new Trip Advisor research shows the attraction has the highest number of 'excellent' reviews of any Irish tourist site. Only places with 100 reviews or more were considered and the rankings show the Cliff Walk has received 514 reviews - 91.8% of which are 'excellent'. Clare County Council Head of Tourism Deirdre O'Shea is hopeful the accolade will drive tourist traffic going forward.

Over 700 Clare companies availed of upskilling supports last year. New figures from Ireland's workplace talent agency Skillsnet show there was a 17% increase in the number of employees participating in training courses last year, with over 2,700 doing so. More than half of participating businesses in Clare were micro businesses with between 0 and 9 employees, while services, agriculture and technology were the most popular sectors for upskilling. Skillsnet Communication and Policy Director Tracey Donnerry says businesses in Clare are keen to stay ahead of the curve.

Dereliction in Clare is said to be "at the lower end of things" compared to other counties while "room for improvement" has been noted. New figures from GeoDirectory show roughly 5% of residential building classed as derelict in Ireland are located in this county. The figures also show just 88.2% of dwellings here are occupied - with the remainder either vacant or in temporary use as holiday homes. GeoDirectory CEO Dara Keogh says while dereliction is a matter of concern in Clare, it's not as serious here as it is in other parts of the country.

Large crowds descended on East Clare today to pay their respects to the late literary great, Edna O'Brien. The Tuamgraney native was remembered as a worsdmith, extraordinary women and fabulous mother at her funeral mass this afternoon. The voice of Edna O'Brien speaking in 2015 where outlined her fearless approach to her 1963 debut novel "Country Girls" which would epitomise her legendary career to come. The book was initially censored in Ireland and denounced by the Church for highlighting taboo social issues. Throughout the course of her over 60-year vocation, O'Brien penned over 30 texts and was described during her funeral mass as someone who gave courage and spoke for those who were rendered dumb. Chief Celebrant Fr Donagh O'Brien said she was a wordsmith and a truth teller who paid the price for her bravery. St.Joseph's Church in Tuamgraney was packed to capcity for the service, with many more paying their respects watching from screens outside. Those in attendance included President Michael D.Hi

The Chair of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association in Clare is urging co-ops to ensure dairy farmers are "properly paid" this month. The ICMSA is calling for the price of July milk to be increased to 45 cent per litre amid claims farmers' cashflow has "never been as tight". The most recent analysis from the ICMSA shows the median price paid to suppliers for milk at co-ops was just over 41 cent. O'Callaghan's Mills farmer Martin McMahon believes the vital contribution of dairy farmers must be acknowledged and they must be given their due.

Clare FM's Derek Dormer speaks with managers and players involved in this weekends opening round games in the Clare LGFA senior club championship

The deferral of scheduled care at Ennis Hospital, UHL and other Midwest facilities this week has been described as "completely unacceptable". It's now two days since the HSE took the decision to cancel elective and day surgery as well as outpatient appointments for an indefinite period of time across UL Hospitals Group facilities. The Emergency Department in Dooradoyle remains open 24/7 while Injury Units and medical assessment units at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's are all operating as normal. Irish Hospital Consultant Association President Gabrielle Colleran has been telling me the people of the Midwest have been abandoned "by virtue of what their postcode is".

An Ennis principal says he wants to see a secondary school admission process similar to what operates in the county town rolled out to south-east Clare. Education Minister Norma Foley has confirmed a centralised admission process for post-primary schools will be introduced in several high-pressure towns and suburbs for the 2025 school year. The system is already in place in Ennis and Limerick City where parents submit one form on which they indicate their preference of the local second-level schools instead of making individual applications. Ennis CBS Primary School Assistant Principal Colm Davoren says towns and villages on the Clare/Limerick border would benefit greatly from such a system. [CLIP] Additional first year places have been created for September in the likes of Greystones, Maynooth and Cellbridge, and it's believed these will be among the areas where a centralised admission process will be first introduced. Former INTO President and Corofin Fianna Fáil Councillor Joe Killeen believes the sy

It is time for the ninth episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Energising Clare. This new feature will be about educating you, the listener, on renewables. On this week’s episode, Alan Morrissey was joined by Policy Manager with Wind Energy Ireland Caoimhe McCarthy, to discuss offshore wind energy.

It is time for the twenty-fifth episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Village Tour, where Alan Morrissey paid a visit to Ballyvaughan. With the Village Tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county. By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener.

The Clarecastle Show will take place this coming weekend. The popular event will be held on Sunday (11th August). To fill us in on what we can expect, Alan Morrissey was joined by Susan Finnerty. Photo (c): The Clarecastle Show via Facebook

Aer Lingus is being urged to reconsider its decision to close its cargo base at Shannon Airport. The IAG group has confirmed it will cease operations at the facility at the end of the year. It’s understood around 18 people are employed at the facility and the International Airlines Group says it will commence a consultation process with staff representatives to explore options. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe and SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser Niall Phillips. Photo (c): Pat Flynn