Clare Fm - Podcasts

The South East Clare Show is making a comeback! The event will take place in Bridgetown on Sunday, 27th July. After last year’s cancellation, this year will be the 32nd edition of the show. Aside from horse, cattle and dog shows, there will be entertainment for the children and lots more besides. To chat about the South East Clare Show, Alan Morrissey was joined by a member of the Organising Committee, Rosemarie Stewart. PHOTO CREDIT: South East Clare Show via Facebook

In April 2021, Jennifer Poole’s life was tragically and violently taken from her by a man she once trusted, someone whose long history of violence remained hidden from her, and from a system that should have protected her. This tragedy compelled her brother, Jason Poole, to stand up, not only for Jennifer, but also for every woman in Ireland who lives in fear behind closed doors. Her death triggered the launch of a national campaign for “Jennie’s Law”, which represents a powerful call for systemic and fundamental change to Ireland’s approach to domestic violence. Jennie’s Law would essentially establish a Domestic Violence Register if it becomes legislation and is modelled of Claire’s Law which already exists in the UK since 2014. A motion calling for the legislation to be published has passed at the latest meeting of Clare County Council this week. Clare FM’s Daragh Dolan was there for the historic moment and spoke to Mayor of Ennis Cllr Mary Howard who represents Rape Crisis MidWest on the Clare

A short film on Ennis’ Post Office Field will be screened tomorrow (Friday, 18th July) evening. The film screening at Maria Assumpta Hall is being hosted by the protest group, "Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field." They are opposed to the plans for the Post Office Field contained in the Ennis 2040 plan. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Hilary Tonge, Social Democrats Candidate at the last General Election, Founder of Mná Ag Gaire Ennis Women’s Shed and Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle, Clarecastle Sinn Fein Councillor.

Hotels are warning prices will rise, customers will be lost and jobs threatened if proposed water charges go ahead. They're to rise by 9.8 per cent from October for all hotels, pubs, SME's and schools. The hike was approved by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael Vaughan, Vaughan’s Lodge Lahinch and Sean Lally, Hotel Woodstock Ennis.

It's claimed Lahinch's stormwater system needs to be reviewed to prevent potentially avoidable beach closures. A bathing prohibition is currently in effect in Lahinch after elevated levels of bacteria were detected in the water. Clare County Council says the likely cause is agricultural run off following the weekend's heavy rainfall. Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty says town's drainage system also has its problems.

Ennis traders have secured a resolution to a dispute with Dunnes Stores which saw trucks prevented from carrying out deliveries. Two weeks ago, an electronic barrier was erected by the supermarket at the entrance to its loading bay which also serves businesses on Cook's Lane and O'Connell Street. Following a blockade of the barrier by the Retailers of Ennis Group as well as a meeting with Dunnes Stores management, a system has been established whereby business owners that use the loading bay can call a number to have the barrier lifted. John O'Connor of Custys Music Shop and Retailers of Ennis says it shows the power of engagement and dialogue.

Managers Views - 2025 Clare SFC Round One Clare FM Commentary Games Eire Óg v Cratloe; Kilmihil v Lissycasey; KIB v Miltown

The Clare branch of the Irish Farmers Association believes any reduction in agriculture funding at EU level would be devastating for Clare. It comes as the European Commission is to propose merging Common Agricultural Policy funding with other funds from the start of its next budgetary cycle in 2028. CAP is believed to be worth €96 million to Clare annually. Feakle farmer and Chairperson of the Clare branch of the IFA Stephen Walsh says given the climbing age profile of farmers here, funding needs to be increased rather than slashed.

Shannon is the location for a big sports day and soccer tournament tomorrow (Thursday). The event, which is being hosted by the Shannon Brothers of Charity, will take place at Wolfe Tones GAA club (11:30am). For more on this, lan morrissey was joined by Wayne Barry, Support Worker and Declan O’Dwyer, Service User.

The Tulla Music Festival will take place later this month. Dr. Daly Park will host three days of music from the 25th – 27th July. High Stool Prophets, ABBAesque, Marty Guilfoyle and All Folked Up are headlining across the three days. To give us the full rundown on what we can expect, Alan Morrissey was joined by Aoife Murphy, Festival PRO.

A Clare centenarian, one of Ireland’s oldest men, has passed away. Michael Hannon, late of Main Street, Killaloe died last Sunday at the age of 104. He would have been 105 years-old next February. Michael, who was pre-deceased by his wife Nancy and daughter Geraldine (Purcell), is survived by his daughter Anne, son John, and extended family and friends. Michael will be buried following funeral mass around now (11am, Wednesday) in St. Flannan's Church, Killaloe. To remember Michael and his remarkably long life, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tony O’Brien, Killaloe Fianna Fail Councillor.

A Clare TD says the neglect of women with endometriosis must be urgently ended. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has called on the government to support her party’s Dáil motion seeking to improve access to endometriosis care for thousands of women affected across the state. Sinn Féin’s motion was moved on Tuesday. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donna McGettigan, Shannon Sinn Fein TD and Nikita. PHOTO CREDIT: airdone from Getty Images

A motorsport talent from County Clare is featured in the official launch of the European Motor Show. Broadford’s Laura O'Connell is part of the launch for the show, which will take place at the RDS in Dublin from 31st January – 1st February 2026. Laura joined us on Morning Focus last December, to talk about competing in the first-ever Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers in Dubai. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Laura O'Connell once again! PHOTO CREDIT: European Motor Show

A heavy goods vehicle driver in Clare has to replace his mirrors at least twice a year due to obstructions from overgrown vegetation. Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor and Owner of O'Callaghan Fuels, Alan O'Callaghan has called for roadside hedges to be exempt from the wildlife act in order to combat a serious road safety hazard. Clare County Council will now write to the Department of the Environment to see what can be done. Clare FM's Daragh Dolan was speaking with Councillor O'Callaghan. Meanwhile, councillors, farmers and hauliers across the county have voiced their discontent over the restrictions of the wildlife act and the window for hedge cutting on road safety. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Burke, Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor and Joe Killeen, Corofin Fianna Fail Councillor.

Funding is being demanded for a West Clare national secondary road labelled a "danger to life". Independent Councillor Ian Lynch is calling on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to provide "immediate" funding for "urgent repairs" to the N68 between Ennis and Kilrush. A three-year rolling plan outlining intended maintenance on the route is also being requested. Councillor Lynch believes it's a matter of time before serious loss of life is seen.

Hospitals in the MidWest are facing significant pressure to retain blood stocks amid the hot spell. It comes as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is holding donation clinics at the West County Hotel in Ennis from ten to 5 until ten past 8, both tonight and tomorrow night. Last year, Clare's donations helped over 12,000 patients, many of whom were undergoing chemotherapy and childbirth, while others were victims of serious accidents. Broadford based IBTS Donor Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says every donation is vital at this time of year.

Landowners in Clare could soon be allowed to cut roadside hedges all year round. The local authority is set to approach the Department of the Environment to see if this county's roadside vegetation can be exempted from the Wildlife Act. Under the legislation, hedges can only be cut between September and February to avoid disturbance to nesting birds. Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan however says it's posing a serious road safety issue.

Clare's County Dog Warden is urging dog owners to control their pets following a violent incident in Kilrush this week. It's understood a labrador-greygound cross attacked and killed a smaller dog while biting a woman who attempted to rescue her pet. The attacking dog has since been destroyed and Gardaí are believed to be investigating the incident. Frankie Coote insists the only ways to exercise control over a dog are to keep it at home or to have it on a lead.

A young girl from Co. Clare has been chosen as a member of Airfield Estate’s 2025-2026 Youth Board. 16-year-old Sarah Treacy, from Whitegate is one of 10 teens that have been selected by the sustainable food hub and educational charitable trust to help inform and shape the future of sustainable food in Ireland. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sarah Treacy. PHOTO CREDIT: airfield estate

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on Lisdoonvarna And County Clare 150 Years Ago If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.