Clare Fm - Podcasts

Earlier this year, (June 30th) Jenny Brien from Scarriff travelled to Malta to celebrate her 50th birthday. Tragically, she suffered a brain aneurysm during her trip and passed away without regaining consciousness. In the days that followed, Rachel and her family received vital assistance from The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a charity dedicated to helping families bring loved ones home with dignity. To find out more about Jenny’s life, the work of the Trust, and an ongoing fundraising effort in their honour, Alan Morrissey was joined by Rachel O’Hagan, Jenny’s sister and Kaitlyn Brien, Jenny’s daughter. You can donate to Jenny's GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-jenny-brien

A rich celebration of local history is coming to Quin later this month. On Saturday, August 16th, the Quin Heritage Group will host a full day of events at Quin Community Centre and Saint Fineen’s Parochial Hall. To tell us more about the event and what’s in store, Alan Morrissey was joined by co-organisers Siobhán O’Sullivan and Michael Houlihan.

Congratulations are in order for Clare’s own Garry Shannon, who has been named the 2025 Ard-Ollamh, the highest honour awarded at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Garry received the award at a special celebration in Wexford on the evening of August 6th, recognising his outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music. To talk about the honour, his musical journey, and what lies ahead, Alan Morrissey was joined by Garry Shannon, recipient of the Ard-Ollamh award. Photo Credit: Munster Comhaltas via Facebook

Last week, we spoke about the Tour de Munster, the incredible four-day charity cycle supporting branches of Down Syndrome Ireland which wrapped up yesterday, Sunday, August 10th. Today, we’re joined by a family who knows first-hand just how important fundraisers like this are. Bernie and Crohan O’Kennedy, from Lissycasey, are parents to two-year-old Pippa, their ‘long-awaited miracle’ after years of unexplained infertility and a successful round of IVF in 2022. Pippa was born with Down syndrome, and her journey has been one of strength, joy, and resilience. Bernie O’Kennedy, Pippa’s mom joined Alan Morrissey on Monday's morning focus.

Could Donald Trump's plan to impose a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors serve to derail Clare and the Mid West? Last week, the US president again threatened to announce separate tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports “within the next week or so”. Mr Trump also made particular mention of Ireland in doing so during an interview with CNBC. That's despite confirmation from the White House that the 15% tariff agreed between the European Union and the United States includes pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Analog Devices, Microchip and Onsemi are huge employers in the MidWest and also produce huge volumes of semi-conductors. What affect would such a hike have, if President Trump carries out his threat? To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Clarke Browne, Owner-operator at Munster Business in Shannon.

The number of people in Clare in receipt of some form of unemployment benefit has risen by more than 8% in a month. A total of 4,018 Clare residents were on the Live Register in July compared to 3,702 in June. The surge of 8.5% between June and July is notably larger than the 5% increase seen here in the same months in 2023. Ennis Chamber President Diarmuid McMahon claims plenty of jobs are available for workers with the right skillset.

Concerns have been raised over the ongoing issue of dog fouling in Clare's public parks and play areas. It follows a large volume of complaints relating to pet owners violating bye-laws at Lee's Road in Ennis. Of particular concern is unleased dogs fouling on the skate parks and the all weather playing pitches. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote says its a serious issue.

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer on today the 10th August 2025, the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 8th Sunday after Trinity. The Gosoel is read by Sean Dunleavy and the singer is Anne Brady

Sulk Hogan is an emerging indie band based in Galway. Inspired by the CMAT and the Cranberries, and their respective country and dreampop genres, Sulk Hogan's songs have been described as full of wit and humour, which focus on queer joy and growing up in Catholic Ireland. They recently had a headlining gig in Massimos in Galway's West End to celebrate the launch of their single.

Villages in west and north Clare are said to be "suffering" with no means of retaining their young population. An action plan is being sought following the publication of new data revealing two of the county's five local electoral areas aren't experiencing population growth. In the Ennistymon LEA, 176 births and 173 deaths were recorded in 2022, giving it an almost neutral increase rate of 0.2. The region is often purported to be at the coalface of construction constraints, with the lack of adequate wastewater infrastructure as well as prohibitive planning legislation creating obstacles to development in many settlements. Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty claims it's especially difficult to build one-off homes along the Wild Atlantic Way.

To preview the sporting fixtures, Peter O'Connell was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derek Dormer.

Now to a truly inspiring journey unfolding across Clare and beyond this week — it’s the annual Step by Step Walk to Knock, raising funds and awareness for the incredible work of Mary’s Meals. The walk began on August 7th and will continue right through to the 15th, with walkers making their way step by step across the country — passing through places like Clonlara, Killaloe, Feakle, and now heading toward Scarriff and Tuamgraney. To learn more about the walk, how to support it, and the impact of Mary’s Meals Peter O'Connell was joined by walker and organiser Ger Silke. Photo Credit: Ger Sike

A major new healthcare study has recommended that a Model 4 hospital be developed in Ennis, County Clare, as part of efforts to ease ongoing pressure at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The study was unveiled this summer at the prestigious International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC) in Boston, where it was recognised as a vital contribution to global healthcare planning. Led by Irish researcher Sinéad Madden, the work uses advanced simulation to examine future demand for emergency and hospital care across the Mid-West (MW) region. The model, called MIDCARE (Midwest Integrated Demand and Capacity Analysis for Regional Emergency-care), is the first of its kind in Ireland. It uses real-world data to simulate hospital needs over time, considering population growth, demand for emergency services, and workforce shortages. Peter O'Connell spoke with Sinéad Madden, and she began by explaining what the MIDCARE study is all about.

Cassidy’s bar and restaurant in Carron, a landmark that dates all the way back to 1796, is now under new management, giving fresh hope to locals and visitors alike that this historic spot will thrive once again. With deep roots going back to the Cassidy family, who have run the pub since 1830, this venue has seen centuries of change — from a Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks to one of Clare’s most famous watering holes. To tell us more about its future, Peter O'Connell was joined by the new owner Kiril Marinoff.

Women and girls across County Clare are being invited to step outside, try something new, and embrace all the outdoors has to offer, as HER Outdoors Week returns for its fifth year. Running from August 11th to 17th, the national initiative aims to boost female participation in outdoor sports and recreation. In Clare, there’s a packed schedule of events to get involved in, from surfing and snorkelling to hiking and cycling. To talk more about what’s happening locally and why this campaign continues to grow in impact each year, Peter O'Connell was joined by by Jessica O’Keeffe, Outdoor Recreation Officer with Clare Sports Partnership.

A brand-new chapter begins for families in the Shannonbanks and Westbury area this week, as the Seanchoill Playground is officially opened to the public this Friday afternoon. Located within the Seanchoill Sports Complex, the playground has been a much-anticipated addition for local children and families across Parteen, Ardnacrusha, Clonlara and beyond. The opening will be marked with a community celebration. To hear more about how the project came together, Peter O'Connell was joined by James Ryan, Westbury Sinn Fein Councillor and Tom Buckley, from Seanchoill Sports.

A local electoral area in Clare is among 15 nationwide which had more deaths than births in 2022. A new analysis of data by the Central Statistics Office shows the Kilrush local electoral area experienced the fifth-largest natural decrease rate in the country in the year in question. The Kilrush LEA recorded 190 births and 213 deaths in 2022, giving it a natural decrease of 23, translating to a natural decrease rate per 1,000 of population of -1. This makes the area one of just 15 in Ireland where there were more deaths than births in 2022. The Ennistymon LEA's natural increase was close to neutral, with 176 births and 173 deaths occurring, resulting in a natural increase rate of 0.2. The Ennis, Shannon and Killaloe areas all recorded natural increases with Ennis having the highest at 3.5. The findings are in contrast to those of 2021 when each of the five LEAs in Clare experienced natural increases.

A vacant building in the heart of Shannon Town Centre is to get a new lease of life as a student accommodation complex. UGP Shannon SC Limited has been given the green light to convert Phoenix House - formerly the Shannon Development building - to student accommodation. The development will consist of 95 bedspaces as well as common rooms, laundry facilities, toilet facilities, waste storage and a proposed 96 bike parking spaces. Shannon TD and Sinn Féin Further and Higher Education spokesperson Donna McGettigan says it'll be music to the ears of those attending Shannon College of Hotal Management.

Inagh Kilnamona and Clooney Quin will be looking to put one foot into the quarter finals of the TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship when they face off this weekend. The top two in Group 2 meet in the first of a double header in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg on Sunday afternoon. The Combo racked up 31 points in their opening round success over Corofin, while Clooney/Quin shook off the challenge of Broadford late on to register their win. Clare FM analyst Kevin Sheehan, says while Inagh/Kilnamona will have been happy to get minutes under the belts of returning players, the game represents a step up in competitiveness. Throw in on Sunday is at 3pm, with commentary on Clare FM with The Body Hub online recovery and wellness store, and weight loss coaching expert

Doora Barefield's Amy Lenihan says the squad are hoping use their league title as a stepping stone going into the championship. The Parish begin their tricky Group B campaign on Sunday afternoon as they face Miltown in Gurteen from 3.30pm. Doora Barefield were defeated by Kilmurry Ibrickane in last year's decider, but exorcised the demons of that defeat by claiming league honours over the same opposition earlier this year. Lenihan says the group is motivated to go one better this time around.