Clare Fm - Podcasts

A tournament is being held this weekend in memory of a Clare woman who it's claimed was a pillar of sport and inclusivity. The inaugaural Lynch Cup will run on Saturday in Tom Clifford Park in Limerick as a tribute to Shannon native Sarah Lynch who passed away suddenly in December 2023. The event, which kicks off at 11am, has been organised by Sarsfield Rugby Club of which Sarah was a member and features over 350 players from across the country. Sarsfields PRO Elysha Folan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons Sarah's contribution to the club was immense.

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch.

Killimer will celebrate its parish saint, St. Imy this coming Monday, the 18th of August. Killimer Choir have produced a CD of music as part of the celebrations. To find out more, Alan morrissey was joined by John Mulqueen, Local Historian and Brid O’Mahony, Member, Killimer Choir. Image (c) St. Imy's Church via https://www.killimerparish.com/our-parish/churches/st-imys-church/

The assistance of the Morning Focus listeners is being sought to find a treasured Padre Pio medal, lost a number of months ago. The medal, on a gold chain, holds huge sentimental value for a young boy who is currently unwell. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Catherine Taafe, Owner of the medal.

National Heritage Week will run this year from the 16th to 24th August. As we heard on Wednesday’s Morning Focus, a major programme of events is taking place in Clare next week to celebrate this county's unique culture. Part of that programme includes two Heritage Week events that are being hosted by the Restore Ballymacraven River Association. Both events will take place in Ennistymon. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ruairí Ó Conchúir, Senior Community Water officer with Local Authority Waters Programme for the South West region and volunteer with Restore Ballymacraven River Association.

On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Elaine Walsh, who is a film producer from Kildysart. Elaine is the producer for The Parting, a new short film that is due to be shot in County Clare. They are seeking to fill three roles for children with some young talent from the Banner County. Alan was also joined by Patricia Vaughan, Principal of Furglan National School in Lahinch.

Sporting projects in Clare are set to receive a welcome boost following a significant funding announcement. It comes as the Clare Local Sports Partnership has been granted €91,500 under the Dormant Accounts Fund. €41,500 will go towards developing the North Clare Atlantic Community Sports Hub, €20,000 for volunteer supports, with the €30,000 remaining to promote disability sports inclusion. Clare Local Sports Partnership CEO John Sweeney says it's a very exciting project.

HSE MidWest's Regional Executive Officer says the Government must ensure this region has parity with the rest of the country. It comes as the HIQA review of emergency capacity in the Midwest, which will examine the case for a second emergency department here, is due to be published next month. HSE MidWest's submission to HIQA during the public consultation process stated that any further expansion of UHL beyond the current inpatient bed capacity plan would raise "significant challenges and complications". Speaking during a visit to Clare, HSE MidWest Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick says the situation here will improve if continued investment is provided along with staffing increases.

Thursday's Morning Focus broadcasted live from Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience in Mountshannon as part of Clare FM’s Summer Tour. Alan Morrissey spoke with community leaders, local business owners, and residents about the village’s cultural vibrancy, tourism potential, and ongoing environmental and development projects. To discuss digital infrastructure and public works in East Clare, Alan was joined by Jackie Dermody, Analyst Developer at DigiClare and Declan Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer with Killaloe Municipal District. Tourism came under the spotlight in a discussion with Maurice Walsh, Vice Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum. Maurice shared his concerns about visitor numbers and the need for increased investment in the sector. Mountshannon Community Council’s Paul Bugler and Inis Housing Association CEO Emer Watson discussed local housing and community development. Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer, spoke about creative spaces and upcoming arts events in the region, while Frank Bouch

A Clare charity which provides free therapy to children with special needs has been described as an example of "best practice" at a national level. Government funding of €300,000 for the Clare Crusaders Clinic in Barefield has been announced during a ministerial visit to the facility today. Set up in 2007 by former Independent Councillor Ann Norton along with a group of parents, Clare Crusaders is a self-financing charity that gives more than 450 children with special needs in the county access to free therapy and specialist treatment. The organisation's management has long lamented the fact that it receives no State funding and instead has to raise upwards of €250,000 each year through a busy calendar of fundraising events. Today represents a significant milestone in the clinic's journey, however, as for the first time, a Government funding allocation amounting to €300,000 has been announced. It's understood the money will go towards information and communications technology as well as related equipment

It's claimed a lack of direct flights to the West Coast is compouding tourism challenges in Clare. Last year, Dublin Airport handled 85% of all international traffic into Ireland and according to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, up to 40% of passengers ended up travelling to the Wild Atlantic Way. However, the ITIC is now warning of a double digit decline in tourist numbers, unless the Dublin Passenger Cap is lifted and the 9% hospitality VAT rate is restored. Clare Tourism Advisory Vice-Chair Maurice Walsh claims however that flight options need addressing.

It's claimed Bill Chambers will leave a lasting legacy of a caring and trusted gentleman who was dedicated to his people. The former West Clare Councillor, who served for over 38 years following his first election in 1985 passed away peacefully last night. The Cooraclare native was also the first from his village to become Mayor of Clare, holding the office of first citizen in 2016. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes served alongside him for 24 years, he's been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that Bill had a positive impact on all who knew him.

Residents in east Clare are being encouraged to share their knowledge on the location of invasive plant species, as part of efforts to improve biodiversity and water quality in the county. Invasive plant species are to be tackled under a new partnership agreement between Clare Local Development Company and Waters of LIFE over the coming three years. Waters of LIFE is active in the east of the county as an EU-funded programme to protect and restore water quality and it's hosting a public meeting focused on protecting east Clare's natural heritage in Flagmount next Wednesday from 7.30pm. Waters Of LIFE Communications and Stakeholder Relationship Manager, Ross O'Donoghue says local knowledge is the starting point in tackling the issue.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn visits Creegh Village in West Clare meet the owner of Riverside Hair & Beauty, Sarah Gould.

The HSE's growing spend on agency staff at Ennis General has been slammed as unacceptable. New figures show the Health Service Executive spent over €2.7m to provide outsourced personnel in the county town last year, which is up 13% on the sum recorded in 2021. Over €21m was spent on providing agency staff at University Hospital Limerick last year, which is a rise of 9% in the last twelve months. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says the situation is out of control.

The Clare branch of Aontú is leading calls for the resignation of Simon Harris over the handling of a case of a young boy with life-threatening scoliosis, who died last month. 9-Year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt only underwent urgent spinal surgery last November, after waiting two years and having been previously removed from a waiting list without his parent's knowledge or consent. The Tánaiste had promised in 2017 during his tenure as Health Minister that no child suffering from scoliosis would wait more than four months for treatment. Clare Aontú Rep June Dillon says improvements must start with accountability.

On 'Ours To Protect', we take a closer look at biodiversity, sustainability and the broader issue of Climate Change as it relates to Clare. This week, Pat Flynn visits St Mary’s Church in Quin to hear about the ‘Return to Nature Church Project’.

A Clare football star is hailing the appointment of Paul Madden as the county's new senior football boss. The Ennis native will take the reins on a three-year term, succeeding Peter Keane in the role, who departed last week. Madden had been seen as a strong contender, since the departure of Mark Fitzgerald last year, having guided Éire Óg to three of the last four Clare Senior Football Championships. Former Clare Captain Garry Brennan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he's looking forward to seeing the new setup in action.

A Clare travel counsellor says it's full steam ahead for holidaymakers in spite of wildfires raging across Europe. The blazes are continuing unabated in parts of Greece and Spain, with high temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions creating a perfect storm for many regions. A total of 4,850 firefighters as well as 33 planes have been mobilised across Greece since dawn after 15 firefighting personnel were taken to hospital yesterday. Ennis-based travel counsellor Gearoid Mannion has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons those heading to affected countries should do their research and heed advice.

A Clare football star is hailing the appointment of Paul Madden as the county's new senior football boss. The Ennis native will take the reins on a three-year term, succeeding Peter Keane in the role, who departed last week. Madden had been seen as a strong contender, since the departure of Mark Fitzgerald last year, having guided Éire Óg to three of the last four Clare Senior Football Championships. Former Clare Captain Garry Brennan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he's looking forward to seeing the new setup in action.