Clare Fm - Podcasts

Dog owners in Clare are being urged to control their pets during hedge cutting season in order to avoid accidents. Heavy good vehicles have been visible on the county's rural roads in recent days with the arrival of hedge cutting season which begins on September 1st and concludes at the end of February. Due to the high likelihood of dogs being startled by such machinery, Clare's County Dog Warden is issuing an advisory to dog owners to protect their pets from any potential injuries. Frankie Coote insists keeping them on a short lead is the best way to guard against unwanted incidents while ensuring hedge cutting operations aren't disrupted.

A new piece of public artwork is expected to enhance the appeal of a North Clare village for both locals and tourists while celebrating one of the region's most iconic figures. Kilfenora Tidy Towns has secured planning permission to erect a mural of 17th century aristocrat Máire Rua O'Brien on the east-facing wall of the Burren Sonas Steiner Kindergarten which is located on the village's main street. Liscannor-based artist will paint the mural which is expected to be in place before the end of the year. Edel Barry of Kilfenora Tidy Towns expects the impact it will have on the village to be significant.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch previews the weekends TUS Clare SHC quarter finals and relegation playoffs with Tommy Guilfoyle & Kevin Sheehan

The Ultras a new Irish Indie Rock Band. Built around loud guitars, louder drums, and an unshakable urge to swap instruments mid-set the band features Jay O’Donoghue shouting beautifully at the front, Bernard McDonnell hitting drums, playing guitar and backing vocals, not all at once lol, Jack Kelly doing the absolute most on strings or sticks, Luke Whearity slicing through the noise on lead guitar, and brand new bassist Matthew Gaffney figuring it all out in real time. They’ve already played a packed out Workman’s cellar in May and the main room in June like they owed them money and now they’re back live, with their debut single, ‘’With the Sound’.

The Government is said to be at risk of "wiping out" post offices in Clare unless it moves towards a sustainable operating model for the postal service. The contracts for both Shannon and Carrigaholt's post offices have gone to tender following the resignation of their postmasters. In a statement to Clare FM, An Post says it has "two opportunities to partner with An Post in providing post office and financial services to the people of Shannon and Carrigaholt". The vacancies, it says, "arise out of the resignation of the current Postmasters", and its hopes to "attract suitable candidates for both contracts". It's not the first time the threat of a post office closure has loomed for a Clare community this year. Five months ago, doubt was cast over the future of Lahinch Post Office until local business owner Robert Kennedy stepped in to take the postmaster's reins. With Shannon and Carrigaholt now in a similar position, concerns have been raised that if the two facilities closed, it could result in job los

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 5ú lá de mí Mheán Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1986 bhí buachaill aois 14 ar bannaí an oíche roimhe de bharr gur rinne sé mórdhíobháil choirp do chailín aois 7. I 1999 bhí na daoine a raibh ag déanamh an Ardteistiméireacht arís chun pionós a ghearradh orthu faoi mholadh nua. I 1980 tháinig comhairle spórt clarecastle amach le plean nua chun áis comhaimseartha nua a bheith acu sa bhaile. I 1999 dúradh go mbeadh an costas chun glantachán a dhéanamh san Abhainn na Sionainne níos mó ná 80 milliúin punt. Sin Lou Bega le Mambo No5 – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1999. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1968 chuaigh The Doors chuig an Bhreatain don chéad uair agus chuaigh siad ar Top Of The Pops agus chan siad Hello I Love You. I 1981 chuaigh Stevie Nicks chuig uimhir a haon lena halbam Bella Donna le hamhráin air cosúil le Stop Draggin My Heart Around, Leather and Lace, Edge of Seventeen agus After the Glitter Fades. Agus ar d

A Clare Economist is warning we shouldn't expect any "giveaway budget" this year. Ahead of Budget 2026 next month, the Government has already ruled out one off supports such as electricity credits, social welfare and child benefit lump sums. The latest exchequer returns, meanwhile, show while income tax and VAT receipts increased, corporate tax takings fell by 43% last month. Ennis Economist and Assistant Professor of Social Policy at UCD Micheál Collins says it's likely the government will be preparing for a rainy day.

It's hoped the addition of a new world leading technology firm to Shannon will be the catalyst for hundreds of jobs in the near future. Galway firm Mybryonics has confirmed it's lease of Block R in the Shannon Airport Industrial Estate, which will be used as an advanced manufacturing plant. The company will also be creating 125 jobs at a new manufacturing facility in Galway which will have initial capacity to produce 500 units of its flagship proudcut 'starcom' each year, it's envisaged Shannon's plant will have capacity for 5,000. Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman says its a huge vote of confidence for the region.

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch. Games Previewed: TUS Clare SHC Quarter-Finals: Ballyea v Clonlara (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 3pm) Kilmaley v Sixmilebridge (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 5pm) Clooney Quin v Feakle (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg 3pm) Éire Óg v Inagh-Kilnamona (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 5pm) TUS Clare SHC Relegation Semi-Final: Newmarket-on-Fergus v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Saturday, Tulla, 1pm) Corofin v Scariff (Sunday, Tulla, 1pm)

There’s some great acts lined up to perform at Kenny’s Bar in Lahinch over the coming weeks. Alan Morrissey was joined by our very own Sean Lyons and Eoghan Neff. The two lads will both be performing next Tuesday (9th September). Photo (c) Kenny's Bar

Calls are being made for the installation of bus stops in what is described as a busy part of Shannon. Shannon resident Lynsey Casey Prenderville is among those criticising the perceived lack of bus stops in the town. Lynsey Casey Prenderville, Shannon resident joined Alan Morrissey.

Ryanair has expanded its underseat bag allowance by 5cm for travellers this summer. Starting Thursday, September 4, the new maximum size will be 40 x 30 x 20cm, compared to the previous 40 x 20 x 25cm. The update follows an EU ruling that requires airlines to provide a minimum free luggage allowance of 40 x 30 x 15cm. In response, Ryanair has increased the height by 10cm while slightly reducing the depth by 5cm. The move has been welcomed by passengers, as Ryanair previously offered the smallest underseat bag dimensions of any major airline flying from Cork, Dublin, and Shannon airports. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Gearoid Mannion, Ennis based travel counsellor. Photo (c) Shannon Group

Clare Outdoor Club is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. The Club, founded in 1985, now has over 100 members who hike across Clare, Tipperary, Connemara and Kerry, as well as taking part in cycling, climbing, kayaking and overseas trips. To mark the anniversary, members will come together for a special hike and BBQ on September 6th. New memberships for the 2025/2026 season will open on National Walking Day, September 28th. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Andrew Killeen, Clare Outdoor Club Chairman. Photo (C) Clare Outdoor Club

St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla is preparing to celebrate a very significant milestone. On this day week (Friday, 12th September), the school will mark its 75th anniversary. To fill us in on the school’s history, and just how its 75th will be marked, Alan Morrissey was joined by Juliet Coman, Principal of St Joseph's in Tulla.

There’s big news from two of County Clare’s post offices. The contracts for the local post offices in both Shannon and Carrigaholt are up for tender. This situation has arisen, due to the resignation of the current Postmasters. This will be concerning for locals in both Shannon and Carrigaholt, particularly those who rely on the post and financial services provided by their local post office. To discuss this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, Chairperson, Independent Postmasters of Ireland, Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor. An Post Statement: “We have two opportunities to partner with An Post in providing post office and financial services to the people of Shannon and Carrigaholt. The vacancies arise out of the resignation of the current Postmasters, and we would hope to attract suitable candidate for both contracts.”

It's hoped the Public Expenditure Minister's visit to the MidWest Region's main hospital will bring positive change for service users. Jack Chambers visited University Hospital Limerick yesterday and met with HSE Mid-West Regional Clinical Director, Dr Catherine Peters, in a week where the facility has averaged 117 patients on trolleys every day so far. In addition to HIQA's review to determine if another emergency department is needed in the region, Budget 2026 is also on track to be published in the coming weeks. Ennistymon based MidWest Hospital Campaign Spokesperson Marie McMahon says the direction of both should be clear.

A Clare artist claims her sector is "at a crossroads" and is calling for an extension of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has published a report based on two years of data which reveals the experience of the 2,000 recipients of the pilot scheme launched in 2022. Among the findings are that recipients were able to spend more time on their arts practice, reported higher financial investment in their arts practice and were able to produce more pieces of work than the control group. A total of 54 people currently in receipt of the weekly payment are living in Clare, and Lahinch-based artist Maeve Stone, who's a member of the National Campaign for the Arts Steering Committee, says a decision must be made on its future ahead of Budget 2026.

A Clare disability rights activist had dismissed a new Government strategy for providing better accessibility for disabled people as a "glossy document" and a "distraction". The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, which is a five-year strategy providing a policy framework for the Government's approach to disability issues, has officially been launched. The strategy contains 23 commitments which are under the pillars of learning and education, employment, independent living and active participation in society, wellbeing and health, and transport and mobility. Ennistymon-based disability rights activist Ann Marie Flanagan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons she believes the plan lacks the required legal framework for it to have any impact.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 4ú lá de mí Mheán Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1971 ghortaíodh dhá dhuine agus trí Gharda nuair a tharla pléasc I mBéal Feirste. I 1980 tháinig sé amach go mbeadh na líne fón idir Baile Átha Cliath agus an chuid eile den tír níos fearr tar éis an Nollaig. I 1980 leag páiste a chuaigh chuig Coláiste St Flannan's in Inis nuair a bhí siad ag dul ar ais chuig an scoil agus chuaigh sé chuig Ospidéal Count's agus tháinig biseach iomlán air. I 2010 tháinig sé amach go raibh plean nua gnó ann de bharr an thobthitim den sceideal ag Aerfort na Sionainne le bliain anuas. Sin Olly Murs le Please Don't Let Me Go – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2010. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1976 chuaigh The Sex Pistols ar an teilifís don chéad uair nuair a chuaigh siad ar an chlár teilifís So It Goes. I 2007 chan The Police a chéad dáta sa Bhreatain ar a teacht le chéile nuair a chan siad dhá oíche I Birmingham. Agus ar deireadh breithlá da

Energy regulator warns of ‘historic’ arrears as electricity credits end and prices climb Thousands more households could fall into arrears on their energy bills this winter, even as the numbers are already “trending at historically high levels”, the energy regulator has warned. The situation is exacerbated by the fact government electricity credits cease this winter and electricity prices could rise further in the coming weeks. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Áine Thompson from Kilrush Credit Union.