Clare Fm - Podcasts

On this week's episode of Atlantic Tales with Pat Flynn, we’ll hear about sustainability and biodiversity and the issue of climate change. We’ll meet some people working hard in their communities to protect their environment.

A Clare Councillor Elect is calling for smart technology to be employed to reduce the number of unnecessary spoiled votes. It comes just over a week after voters cast their ballots in this county's local elections in which 571 invalid votes were recorded across Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Shannon. It's understood that in some cases, votes were invalidated as ballot papers had not been punched appropriately, despite voters marking their preferences clearly. Newmarket-On-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor Elect David Griffin says it shouldn't happen in this day and age.

A Clare opposition TD claims children in this county are missing important milestones due to growing up in unsuitable homeless accommodation. The latest homeless figures indicate 79 people are currently availing of emergency accommodation provided by Clare County Council - 38 of which are classed as dependents. Children's charity Barnardos has recently warned the Government that the 4,206 children classed as homeless in Ireland are at risk of stunted development. Kilrush Independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne believes a homeless shelter is no place for a child to live and flourish.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan leads or Sunday Prayer for today the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Stephen Fletcher presents this week's Beyond Belief which begins with a coffee and chat with Fr Gerry Kenny as they discus election blues and sporting highlights. There is also an interview with Mulugeta Dejenu the Regional Programmes Coordinator for Tearfund Ireland in Ethiopia who explains how the charity is building thriving communities through women’s economic empowerment, and teaching climate resilient farming methods. They are doing this by setting up Self Help Groups SHGs which enable people to become self sufficient and no longer dependent on aid. You can find out more at ⁠www.tearfund.ie Stephen also features some music recorded at a concert in St Columba's church in Ennis by the University of Michigan Women's Glee Club Choir and talks to the Co Conductors of the choir Benjamin Gaughran and Katherine Rohwer about the choir. There is also reaction from the Musical Director and Organist at St Columba's Nigel Bridge.

The CEO of Ryanair says that in order to expand it's route offering at Shannon, the Dublin Airport passenger cap must be lifted immediately. The cap, which has been in place since 2007, currently restricts Dublin Airport to handling 32million passengers per year. Last summer Ryanair based a third aircraft at Shannon, allowing the airline to increase frequency on six routes. Speaking in response to Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe at the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary says they want to boost services at Shannon by 50% over the next six years.

Clare's Green Senator claims a disingenuous narrative pushed by opposition and coalition partners prevented environmental candidates from getting over the line in the local elections. It comes as the number of seats won by the party has fallen by more than half since 2019, with just 23 councillors elected nationwide last week. In the run-up to the elections, the Greens bore the brunt of government criticism for increases to carbon tax and excise duty, as well as controversial farming issues such as the nitrates derogation. Addressing former President Mary Robinson in the Seanad, Inagh Green Party Senator Roisín Garvey says the situation is alarming.

Farmers in Clare are being advised to rein in their dogs while silage is being cut over the next few months. Silage season is now well underway with more than 19 million grass bales expected to be made in Ireland this summer. The Road Safety Authority has recently issued advice for driving agricultural vehicles at harvest time - including that the driving mirror must provide an adequate view of the road to the rear, and that an escort vehicle should be considered by those driving larger vehicles to warn other road users. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote insists keeping dogs away from farm machinery at this time of year is in the interest of the dogs and the drivers.

Clare FM Sideline View Friday June 14th

This week on Where In Clare, Colum checked in with Patricia at Wilde Irish Chocolates in Tuamgraney! Tune in to find out how you can build your own bar!

Clare's first MEP in 35 years insists fighting for health, farmers rights, offshore energy development and robust data-protection laws will be his top priorities when he takes his seat in Brussels. Having been an unsuccessful candidate in the Ireland West Constituency in 2009, Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara took the third seat in Ireland South last night, after amassing over 92,800 votes on the twentieth count. The last MEP from Clare was the late Paddy Lane who was elected to the European Parliament in 1989 and served until June 1994, in what was the then Munster constituency. Before Mr Lane, the late Defence and Environment Minister Sylvester Barrett served as an MEP between June 1984 and June 1989, also in the Munster Constituency. Although a by-election will be required within six months to fill Deputy McNamara's Dáil seat, the Scariff man expects the Government will call a general election for October instead. The first sitting of the new EU Parliament will be July 17th and the Clare TD's n

A Clare campaign group which is taking a judicial review against the proposed Ennis Data Centre is holding its first monthly public meeting on matters of the climate this weekend. Futureproof Clare is hosting its first climate café on Saturday between 11am and 1pm in the Record Break Café in Ennis, where people are invited to raise their concerns regarding the climate crisis and discuss the environment more generally. The group has this week submitted its grounds for judicial review against Art Data Centres Limited's planned development on the Tulla Road in Ennis to the High Court. Group member Sinead Sheahan hopes more campaigns will arise from the monthly climate cafés.

It is time for the very first episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus: Energising Clare This new feature will be about educating you, the listener, on renewables. For the very first episode, Alan Morrissey was joined by Jerry McEvilly, The Head of Policy in Friends of the Earth to discuss renewable energy.

This is a very special week for Clarecastle Day Care Centre. The centre, located in the village of Clarecastle, offers its elderly clients a program of social engagement and activities in a safe, supportive and friendly environment under the supervision of a team of fully trained and experienced staff who are on hand to assist with any medical concerns or support clients may require. This week is special, because it sees the Centre celebrating its 25th anniversary. The centre, which opened in 1999, will be holding its official celebrations from 11am this morning. Ahead of those celebrations, Alan Morrissey paid a visit to Clarecastle Day Care Centre to chat with some of the staff and clients, to find out more about the Centre and just what makes it so special.

Ennis Tidy Towns is gearing up for its Best Kept Garden Competition. With the Best Kept Garden Competition, the County Town – Ireland's Tidiest Town in 2021` – aims to recognise the importance of native biodiversity. To find out more about the competition, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard. Photo(c): Facebook, Ennis Tidy Town

A Clare Autism support group is calling for a major overhaul of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services following a damming report into patient experiences. A new survey by advocacy group 'Families for reform of CAMHS' found that 70% of parents with autistic children said their child's health deteriorated while on a waiting list. The report also found 42% of parents reported their autistic child was turned away while experiencing suicidal ideation. Ennis Voices for Autism Secretary Gearóid Mannion says the situation is deeply concerning.

A Clare candidate who was unsuccessful in his European election bid says those chosen to represent Ireland South must prioritise issues of disability, mental health and imbalanced regional investment. With the 18th count due to get underway at the Nemo Rangers Count Centre in Cork, Clare TD Michael McNamara remains in contention to take a seat. Cratloe's Eddie Punch made it to count 14 before being excluded, having received a total 26,167 votes in the process. The final tally left the former General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association in 13th position of the 23 candidates in the race. His transfers benefitted his fellow county man significantly though, with 6,690 of his votes going to Clare Independent candidate Michael McNamara, who now lies in third position, with five seats on offer. As things stand, the Scariff Deputy looks likely to take a seat, which would trigger a bye-election and this, by law must be held within six months, unless there's a General Election. But Eddie Pu

The Kilrush Art Group was founded in the early 1970’s, making it one of the most established local art groups around. Kilrush Art Group will be holding its annual exhibitions over the summer. For more on the group and their summer plans, Alan Morrissey was joined by member of Kilrush Art Group Caroline Wilson and new member Breda Latham.

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 breakfast taco's.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Clinical Child Psychologist, Dr. Toby Sachsenmaier about what it is like to be a teenager in modern Ireland.