Clare Fm - Podcasts

A Clare member of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors' National Executive Committee insists the new Garda Commissioner must bring "stabilisation" to the force. Dublin native Justin Kelly has been appointed as successor to Drew Harris following a decision by Cabinet. The former Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance has been a Garda for over 30 years and previously served as Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Serious and Organised Crime. Ennis-based Detective Sergeant Brian Howard believes the new appointee has a job of work to do to restore confidence in management among Clare members.

Clare minor ladies football vice captain Aisling Kelly claims the familiarity amongst the backline is a major reason behind the team's defensive stability. Clare secured a Munster and All Ireland double with a four point defeat of Sligo, conceding just three points from play during the game. Eimear Burke and Abbie Cahill joined Cooraclare woman Kelly in the full back line, and have played as a unit since they were part of under 12 development panels. She says the backs provided the platform for the forwards to thrive off.

A new exhibition launching soon in Kilkee that captures the beauty, mood, and memory of West Clare through a uniquely reflective process. To speak more on this, Derrick Lynch was joined by Pauline Dunleavy, a much-loved artist, art teacher, and community advocate from Kilrush. Her new exhibition, titled Painting Through The Lens, opens August 4th at the Cultúrlann Sweeney Gallery, with an official opening evening on August 8th.

Ballyea manager Robbie Hogan says his side will have to dust themselves down and take the positives from their performance in the first game of the TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship. His side fell to a one point defeat to Kilmaley leaving them on the back foot in Group 4 ahead of their crucial second round clash with Scariff. The 2022 county champions had looked set to open their account with a win as they held an 11 point lead at half time, after Tony Kelly netted twice in first half. Hogan's been telling Clare FM's Derek Dormer that their inability to get on breaking ball in the second period let them down. Meanwhile, Clooney Quin Boss Fergal Lynch is lauding his sides staying power as they kicked off their campaign with a win. A late surge saw them claim a three point victory over Broadford to sit second in Group 2, with leaders Inagh-Kilnamona providing the opposition in the next round. Lynch says his players have finished strong in every game they've played this year.

The ongoing shortage of qualified substitute teachers is putting major pressure on primary schools across the country. Deputy Joe Cooney, Fine Gael TD for Clare, has urged the Minister for Education to consider allowing ECCE graduates to step in as substitutes for junior and senior infant classes, where their training in early childhood care could make a real difference. To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Joe Cooney.

There’s a unique night of performance and purpose coming up in Kilkee. The FullMoon Cabaret on Saturday, August 9th, suppors both local heritage and global need. From jazz to dance, poetry to sand animation, it’s shaping up to be something really special. To tell us more about it, and the causes behind it, Derrick Lynch was joined by Rita McCarthy and Rob Hopkins.

We’ mentioned earlier that a very special occasion is coming up in Ruan this Sunday, the 3rd of August, as the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, will be paying a visit to officially launch Ruan GAA's fundraising campaign. The club is working towards completing their Astro Turf area and Wall Ball, a major step forward for facilities in the community. To find out more, Derrick Lynch was joined by two proud Ruan GAA members, Donal Ó hAinifín and Cyril Lyons, who told us more about the campaign, the importance of the President’s visit, and how the local community can get involved.

The All Ireland Currach Regatta is coming up next week in Doonbeg. Hosted by the West Clare Currach Club, the event takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th of August, with races starting at 11am from Doonbeg Pier. It’s a great day out for the whole family and a fantastic celebration of maritime heritage on the West Clare coast. To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Shaunie Honan, Chairman of West Clare Currach Club. PHOTO CREDIT: Doonbeg Currach Club. via Facebook

Growing Up in a Lighthouse is the title of an upcoming talk at Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Theatre, Kilkee, on 30th July 2025 at 8:00pm. With deep family roots in Kilcredaun Lighthouse near Carrigaholt, Stephen Rowan offers a rare and personal glimpse into the world of lighthouse keeping, its history, and how the role has evolved over generations. To find out more, Derrick Lynch was joined by Stephen Rowan, Former Lighthouse Attendant.

Lahinch Golf Club was the scene of unforgettable emotion and sporting triumph this past weekend. Local schoolteacher Jonathan Keane made history as the first home winner of the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Championship in 57 years, overcoming a career-threatening injury and edging a dramatic one-hole victory over Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty. There were cheers, tears, and unforgettable scenes as Keane pulled on the coveted green blazer — a moment decades in the making. For more on this, Derrick Lynch was joined by Jonathan Keane, 2025 South of Ireland champion and Martin O’Sullivan, Captain of Lahinch Golf Club.

The framework trade agreement which the United States and the European Union signed on Sunday is worse than the trade deal that the United Kingdom reached with the US earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said. It introduces a 15% import tariff on most EU goods being exported to the US, which is half the 30% rate US President Donald Trump had threatened. This baseline tariff will apply across the board, including for Europe's crucial car manufacturing sector, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Tommy Corbett, Financial expert at Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.

Two Clare businesses are set to benefit from an available funding pool of almost 19 million euro for what's been described as "groundbreaking projects." The Department of Enterprise has made the allocation under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, which is specifically targeting three ICT and Health & Well-Being initiatives. Among the company's to benefit are the Shannon based Hooke Bio LTD and Provisio which are working on advanced cancer treatments and advanced driver safety assistance systems respectively. Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy says it's a huge vote of confidence.

Shannon Airport says it hopes to be able to make an announcement regarding new routes in the coming weeks. The Clare base expects to see almost 60,000 passengers pass through its gates this August Bank Holiday Weekend which is 10% up on the same period last year. Ryanair recently announced a fourth based aircraft at the facility along with new routes to Lapland, Madeira and Madrid. Shannon Airport Group CEO Mary Considine says they're always working to find ways to fly to new destinations.

Clare's Player of The Match from Saturday's All Ireland Final is hopeful that success can be the springboard to securing club championship glory, which gets underway this evening. It comes just four days on from Saturday's clash with Sligo, which saw Clare take home All Ireland Minor B honours for the third time. Rhea Meaney and her sister Nessa formed part of a seven strong contingent from Fergus Rovers on the panel, while their mother Patricia was involved in the backroom team. The Joint-Vice Captain says it's a huge achievement for both the club and her family.

Broadford manager Paddy Meehan says he's sickened by the last minute goal that sentenced his side to defeat in the first round of the TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship. Having struck two goals of their own in the opening half, Broadford looked set to take at least a point from the game as they led by two points with seven minutes to play. However, super sub Darragh McNamara raised a 60th minute green flag to turn the game on its head, while Martin and Peter Duggan added late points to finalise a three point win for Clooney Quin. Meehan says their opponent's quality players shone through in the dying stages. Meanwhile, Éire Óg boss Gerry O'Connor says he's impressed by the manner of which his players controlled the game once they hit the front. 13 points from Danny Russell alongside goals from Marco Cleary and Darren O'Brien helped The Townies to a 2-24 to 1-18 win over Newmarket in their Group 3 encounter. O'Connor says the boost they got from their bench saw them over the line to record the victo

A North Clare firefighter, GAA Coach, Tradesman and Charity fundraiser extraordinaire who passed away following a tragic accident last week has been described as "the salt of the earth at his funeral mass". Clouna Church in Ennistymon was packed to capacity today to say goodbye to their own Joe Crosse.

A Clare MEP believes uncertainty for the pharmaceutical sector in the Midwest will continue as a result of the framework trade agreement signed by the EU and US. The deal signed yesterday imposes a 15% import tariff on the majority of EU goods including pharmaceuticals which it was hoped would be exempted. The outcome of talks has been welcomed across the Government with the Taoiseach claiming it will bring "clarity and predictability" to the trading relationship. Scariff Independent MEP Michael McNamara has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the US President appears to have got what we came for and may come back for more.

To review the sporting fixtures, Derrick Lynch was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derek Dormer and Kevin Sheehan Games Reviewed: TUS Clare SHC: Friday: Group 1: Clonlara v Sixmilebridge (Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog) Group 3: Newmarket-on-Fergus v Éire Óg (Clarecastle) Saturday: Group 2: Clooney Quin v Broadford (Shannon) Group 4: Kilmaley v Ballyea (Sixmilebridge) Group 1: Crusheen v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog) Group 3: Feakle v Wolfe Tones Shannon (Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog) Group 4: Cratloe v Scariff (Broadford) Group 2: Inagh-Kilnamona v Corofin (Gurteen) Premier IHC: Friday: Group 1: Killanena v O'Callaghan's Mill (Scariff) Saturday: Group 2: Clarecastle v Whitegate (Bodyke) Sunday: Ruan v Sixmilebridge (Cratloe) TUS IHC: Sunday: Group 1: O’Callaghan’s Mills v Broadford (Clonlara) Inagh-Kilnamona v Scariff (Clooney) Group 2: St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield v Smith O’Briens (Broadford) Newmarket-on-F

If you’ve been out and about around Clare this summer, you might have noticed a very handy little shuttle bus making its way through some of the county’s most scenic and historic spots. It’s called the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Explorer Shuttle Bus, and it’s been ferrying both tourists and locals around to and from the Cliffs of Moher, and around to places like Corofin, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan and Miltown Malbay — giving people a chance to explore without needing a car. It’s all part of a campaign to promote sustainable travel in the Burren Geopark, support local businesses, and help us all slow down and soak up what’s on our doorstep. To tell us a bit more about how it all works, and why it’s not just for visitors, Colum McGrath sat down with Siobhán King — she’s the Projects Officer for County Clare with Fáilte Ireland.

A mother and daughter went the extra distance – vertically! - to raise money for a very worthy cause. Ramona Greene and her mum, Marie took part in a skydive earlier this month, to raise vital funds for Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland.