Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's claimed Clare could overcome its homeless problem by accommodating people in vacant properties. At the end of March, there were approximately 79 adults along with 36 dependents in this county living in emergency accommodation. While outside of holiday homes, GeoDirectory research shows that 5,091 properties here are currently unoccupied. Clare based Uplift campaigner Leigh Brosnan believes local politician should be taking action on the issue.

It's feared this county's economy will suffer if further childcare closures are seen. It comes as the Federation of Early Childhood Providers has launced a new publication asking the Government to implement measures to protect the sector from the cost-of-living crisis. In the past two weeks alone, 28 childcare providers have indicated their intention to close their doors. This means over the last 14 months, approximately 150 nationwide providers nationwide have ceased operating. The concerns of struggling providers have been captured in a new report entitled "United We Stand" from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers. This examines the "dire" situation many members are finding themselves in and asks Government to boost the level of funding being given to the sector to insulate providers from inflationary pressures. Noel Mulderrig is the manager of the Kidz Haven creche in Shannon and will begin the process of closing his business next month. He says the greatest problem facing providers is attra

The Health Minister is to initiate a review to determine if a second Emergency Department is needed in the MidWest. HIQA has been asked to lead the review which will commence after the independent investigation by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke into the death of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston at UHL in December of 2022 has been published. Accident and Emergency Departments at Ennis, Nenagh and St.Johns were closed as part of a reconfiguration in 2009 which favoured a centre of excellence at University Hospital Limerick. UHL has consistently been by far the most overcrowded facility in the country since then and remains the only model four hospital in the country without a supporting model three hospital in the same community healthcare organisation area. The announcement has received a broad welcome including from the Friends of Ennis Hospital, Clare members of the Oireachtas Health Committee; Meelick TD Cathal Crowe and Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Clar

Our series, ‘Clare Women in Business’, seeks to showcase the accomplishments of women in business, foster gender equality, and inspire future generations of female leaders. This week, Pat Flynn chats with Shannon based HR and Business Consultant Elaine Ryan.

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 with a delicious recipe for Pork BBQ with Mexican Kimchi (fermented cabbage).

It is time for the thirteenth episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Village Tour, where Alan Morrissey paid a visit to Cratloe. 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. During each episode of Village Tour, Alan chats with three people from a particular village or townland in Clare: from locals and business owners to those involved with local sports clubs and community representatives.

In addition to the more than 130 providers who have closed their doors for good since March last year, 28 childcare providers have notified parents that they intend to close over the past two weeks. Childcare providers say they feel bullied by the Department of Children. The Federation of Early Childhood Providers has launched a new publication asking the Government to boost funding and protect businesses from the cost-of-living crisis. This must be extremely worrying news for parents, childcare providers and their staff. To discuss all of this, including the implications of these closures, Alan Morrissey spoke with Noel Mulderrig, owner of creche Kidz Haven in Shannon and Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood providers. Picture (c) by wragg from Getty Images Signature via Canva

The Local and European Elections will take place in a month’s time; on Saturday, the 7th of June. To discuss the upcoming elections and to provide voter information, Alan Morrissey was joined by Art O’Leary, CEO of An Coimisiún Toghcháin on Thursday's Morning Focus. Picture (c) electoralcommission.ie

Protestors at Clare County Council buildings have called for actions instead of words from Government in relation to the ongoing bombardment of Gaza. The demonstration, which took place yesterday, was organised by a group called People of Clare Against Genocide in response to Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing on the border between Gaza and Egypt. It comes as Rafah's largest hospital has ceased operations and the World Health Organisation is warning the city's remaining healthcare facilities only have three days of fuel left. Ennis native and People of Clare Against Genocide member Sarah Geraghty believes every councillor must urge Government representatives to take stronger action.

A long-awaited third MRI scanner for University Hospital Limerick will not be installed until 2026. Fine Gael Minister of State, Alan Dillon confirmed the news in the Seanad during a discussion over lengthy waiting lists for radiology diagnostics at UHL. Currently, there are just two scanners at the MidWest region's main hospital, but its understood that only one is operational at the moment. Inagh Green Party Senator Roisín Garvey insists the MRI deficits at Dooradoyle are directly contributing to poor patient outcomes in the ED.

Concern has been expressed that the livelihoods of West Clare residents are being severely disrupted due to persistent flooding. It comes as the local authority has been requested to carry out river widening works in the Shragh and Mountrivers areas of Doonbeg to alleviate pressure on farmers, properties and roads. Clare County Council has stated though that the Doonbeg River does not fall under it's remit or the Office of Public Work's and that therefore the possibility of remedial works going ahead is "remote". Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says central government needs to take the issue on board immediately.

Clare FM Preview Of Local Soccer Fixtures

A Clarecastle councillor insists there's "no apology to be given" for comments he made in relation to fellow councillors' alleged conflicts of interest. It follows a discussion at yesterday's meeting of Ennis representatives, which centred on funding given by councillors to community and voluntary organisations. A seemingly trivial matter snowballed into a war of words between councillors at this week's Ennis Municipal District meeting, after Councillor Tom O'Callaghan suggested several members present should have withdrawn from a previous meeting due to undeclared conflicts of interest. The comments were in relation to General Municipal Allocation funding which some councillors had given to organisations in which they are personally involved. Each of the seven councillors in the Ennis area has this year been granted €49,000 in GMA funding which can be given to local charities, sports clubs, festivals or other organisations of their choosing. Since 2014, almost €2.5 million has been doled out by Ennis's

A Clare Member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee insists government must now hold the feet of RTÉ management to the fire following new reports into governance and work practices at the broadcaster. The two reports outlined 116 recommendations for future spending and oversight, while a third report found a number of barter transactions RTÉ now have six weeks to put an action plan in place which include measures such as pay bands for on-air presenters and bringing the organisation under the supervision of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Mountshannon Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that any scandal within the national broadcaster is an erosion of public trust.

It's claimed bus management and parking solutions need to be trialed in North Clare as a matter of urgency in order to tackle legacy traffic issues. It comes as an integrated traffic and transport plan is currently being developed for the region by the local authority. Among the measures suggested the plan is introducing a one-way system on the R477 Fanore coastal road in order to manage high volumes of visitor traffic en-route to the beach, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Colum O'Leary from Fanore Community Development says the proposals must be trialled as soon as possible. Clare's Green Party Councillor meanwhile is hopeful that as the plan has heavy input from community groups that it will have a meaningful impact for local residents. In Cliffs of Moher 2040 Strategy , there were 232 public submissions made over traffic congestion in the area. The major problems noted included noise pollution, air pollution, speeding and day-trip bussess. Lahinch Councillor Liam Grant whose previously called for a

A south-east Clare councillor is calling for the strongest possible penalties to be inflicted on perpetrators of rural and agricultural theft. Its after a John Deere was stolen from the Clare-Galway border over the weekend before being recovered over 200km away in Wexford. In 2023 alone, there were 72 reported incidents of vehicle and related thefts in Clare, which was an increase of over 76% from the 41 recorded the year before. Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan insists a zero tolerance approach is needed to send a strong message to criminals.

Clare minor football manager Dermot Coughlan says his side will have regrets about their slow start after defeat to Cork in the Munster semi final. A scoring spree of 1-5 without replay in the opening quarter proved to be the match winning period for the Rebels, as they went on to record a 1-13 to 0-8 win. Clare played two thirds of the contest with 14 men following a straight red card for midfielder Aidan Weaver, but battled bravely in the second period. Coughlan says while the numerical disadvantage ultimately made the difference, attentions will soon turn to their All-Ireland series.

Clare Sports Partnership is running its annual Bike Week initiative over the coming days, with a host of activities and workshops planned. To find out more about it, Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke with program manager Pat Sexton.

A very special evening is in store in SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis this coming weekend. Cantare Choir and Orchestra present Vivaldi’s Gloria and Summer from The Four Seasons plus a selection of your favourite classic string pieces on Saturday, the 11th of May. The concert, which will raise money for Pieta and Slainte an Chláir, will also feature a variety of soloists, including renowned sopranos, Regina Nathan and Helen Houlihan. To tell us what you can expect on Saturday, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael Hennessy, Helen Houlihan, Des Ryan and Carmel Honan.

Transition Year students from Rice College have presented their vision for Ennis in 2040 at Clare County Council. Months of research and action planning went into the presentation to a panel of judges as part of the Ennis 2040 DAC education programme. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by Kevin Corrigan, the Chief Operating Officer of Ennis 2040 DAC and by TY Students from Rice College: Kelly McMahon, Sanjida Rahman, Ania Rog and Isabelle Keane.