Clare Fm - Podcasts

On this podcast: Clare FM's Derek Dormer speaks with Clare manager Wayne Freeman, captain Caoimhe Harvey, and players Amy Sexton & Siofra ní Chonaill ahead of their showdown with Roscommon.

On our weekly series 'Ours To Protect', we take a closer look at biodiversity and sustainability in Co Clare. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a very broad brief that includes responsibilities around the management, maintenance and development of State-owned National Parks and Nature Reserves. The service also promotes awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues through education, outreach to schools and engaging with stakeholders. This week, Pat Flynn visits the Burren National Park to meet William Cormacan from the National Parks and Wildlife Service

The MidWest Hospital Campaign claims the Government's new proposals to alleviate overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick will only offer "sticking plaster " relief. It follows a visit by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to UHL yesterday to announce a suite of measures aimed at tackling patient capacity issues in the MidWest.

The MidWest Hospital Campaign claims the Government's new proposals to alleviate overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick will only offer "sticking plaster " relief. It follows a visit by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to UHL yesterday to announce a suite of measures aimed at tackling patient capacity issues in the MidWest.

The Clare Older People's Council is raising concering over rapidly rising healthcare premiums for pensioners. It follows a new analysis from the Central Bank which shows that despite public liability claims falling by 41% , the price of health insurance for those aged over 65 has risen by 43%. There are currently over 20,000 people in this age bracket in Clare. Clare Older People's Council Chair Maurice Harvey says while prices have been soaring, the services on offer are declining aswell.

A Clare suicide support volunteer claims the delayed rollout of a government package for charities is putting pressure on essential services. Its comes as charities are warning that vital services are at risk due to a pay deal awarded to staff last year being allocated in what is described as a "chaotic" way by the Government. The agreement for Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 workers was reached last October, just hours before scheduled strike action, involving 5,000 workers across 17 voluntary and community sector organisations. Volunteer with Clare Suicide Bereavement Support, Dan O’Connor, says the slow 'case by case' checks are unfair are unfair on the charities who vitally need the support.

The acclaimed singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey will be paying a visit to Clare next week. The Dubliner, who, according to Hot Press, has earned his place amongst the all-time greats of Irish music”, will play Glór on Saturday, the 13th of April. On Friday's Morning Focus. Damien joined Alan to discuss his upcoming performance in Clare next week. picture (c) glor.ie

Last December saw Mary Heeran White publish Wild Atlantic Way Anthology: Characters Along Ireland’s Majestic Coast Volume 1., a collection of short stories from 1960s Ireland. Mary is an author who has been based in Clare for over 40 years. To chat about the book and what's next, Mary joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus.

FASD Ireland, a support service, based in Ennis, people living in Ireland with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder recently celebrated its first birthday. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) results when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body. To find out more about the support service and this significant milestone, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tristan Casson Renie, CEO of FASD Ireland.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and HSE Chief Executive Officer Bernard Gloster attended University Hospital Limerick. The Health Minister and HSE CEO met various management figures, including Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick, and inspected the 96-bed block in construction, which is due to be opened by the middle of next year. A group of protestors were waiting at the facility to voice their belief that these new measures are too little, too late. Clare FM's Seán Lyons was at the scene of the proceedings. To discuss this further, on Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr. Conor Reidy, a member of the Midwest Hospital Campaign. Picture (c) Sean Lyons Clare FM

The vice chair of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels Federation has expressed concerns over the rising costs of insurance premiums within the sector. Irish hotels and guesthouses reported a 24% increase in the price of their premiums between 2020 and 2022. A survey carried out by the IHF found that 84% of hoteliers reported concerns about the impact of insurance costs on their business. Co-owner of the Shannon Springs Hotel, Dermot Kelly, says rising premiums are detrimental to all facets of the hospitality sector.

A key member of the Clare Senior Hurling squad insists their focus is securing early season silverware this weekend. Clare last claimed National Hurling Honours in 2016 after overcoming Waterford in a replay at Semple Stadium. The Banner will now renew hostilities with Kilkenny in a clash that comes just two weeks before the opening round of the Munster Championship against All-Ireland Champions Limerick. Eire Óg's David Reidy who's struck nine points for Clare in the campaign so far, says their immediate priority is to win the league.

A former National league winner with Clare believes the strength in depth of the current squad is a huge asset ahead of their National Hurling League final with Kilkenny. The Banner can boast no major injuries, while both Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell could be set for a return to the squad for Saturday's decider. Brian Lohan's side will take on The Cats in Semple Stadium in Thurles at 7:15pm, looking for a first Division 1 title since 2016. Sean Stack, who twice captained Clare to league success, says the priority remains to have a fully fit squad ahead of their Munster Championship campaign.

The Manager of the Clare U-20 hurlers believes an opening round championship derby will be the perfect test for his squad. Clare begin their Munster round-robin campaign tonight with the visit of Limerick to O'Garney Park in Sixmilebridge. The Banner fell to Cork at the final hurdle of last year's competition but will benefit this season from the addition of a number of last year's All-Ireland Minor Hurling winning squad. Whitegate's Terence Fahy is confident his new recruits will step up to the plate. Throw in on Friday is at 7pm with live commentary on Clare FM in association with Oliver Foudy Motors towing breakdown and mobile tyre service.

The manager of the Clare ladies footballers insists his side will not be short of motivation in this weekend's National League Final. Clare will face Roscommon in the Division Three decider on Saturday where they will be hoping to avenge a defeat by the minimum in last year's final against Kildare. The sides have already met in this season's group stages, with the contest finishing in stalemate at Cusack Park on a scoreline of 1-7 apiece. Clare boss Wayne Freeman says securing league silverware will be a vital springboard for championship. Throw in at St.Brendans Park Birr is on Saturday at 4pm with live commentary on Clare FM in association with Fanny O'Deas Bar and Restaurant Lissycasey,

The Health Minister has announced a timeline for additional bed capacity and the extension of service opening hours in Clare. Speaking at a visit to University Hospital Limerick this afternoon, Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed 20 permanent step-down transition and rehab beds will come on stream at Cahercalla Community Hospital between July and September of this year. Separately, the opening hours of the Medical Assessment Unit at Ennis Hospital will be extended to 8am to midnight by September while the service will be made 24/7 by December. With the first of two 96-bed blocks to be opened at UHL early next year, Minister Donnelly claims the new beds in Ennis will offset capacity issues for the time being.

“The HSE is on its knees; reopen our three A&Es” is the call echoing around University Hospital Limerick this afternoon. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is visiting the region’s main hospital today and protestors from across the Midwest have turned up the make their voices heard. Although he made an unannounced visit to the Midwest facility last night, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is at University Hospital Limerick once again today. It comes on a day when 101 admitted patients were left waiting on trolleys during morning rounds, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. While Minister Donnelly has been inspecting the facility, protestors from the likes of the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group have been reiterating calls for change. Ennistymon native and group member Marie McMahon, whose husband passed away on a trolley at UHL in 2018 believes the visit is nothing more than a public relations exercise. The Minister has previously stated his opposition to reopening the A

A Clare Autism expert insists a major change in public behaviour is needed across this county and beyond to enable those with the condition to thrive. It follows a new report from national charity AsIAm which found over 50% of Autistic people don't believe the education system is inclusive. While 90% were of the opinion that they did not have the same opportunities as non-autistic people in everyday life. Autism Expert, Dr Susan Crawford from Miltown Malbay says its society's loss.

Our new 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 meets Kilrush based holistic healer Eileen Clair.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Canadian chef and owner of Randaddy’s in Lahinch, Randy Lewis. Randy discussed his recipe for a springtime burrito bowl!