Clare Fm - Podcasts

The Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey, having generated over 5 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity through its on-site hydro-electric turbine. Installed seven years ago, the system was designed to power the hotel’s operations in an environmentally responsible way. To date, the energy produced is equivalent to powering more than 1,200 Irish homes for a year, marking a substantial reduction in the hotel’s carbon footprint and positioning it as a leader in green tourism in the region. To tell us more, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Michelle McManus, Sales & Marketing Manager at The Falls Hotel.

A new community group in Clare is aiming to tackle the growing issue of social isolation by helping people connect through shared activities and local events. The Clare Social Group, set up by local mum-of-four Laura Garam, offers a space for residents to arrange everything from hikes and coffee meet-ups to play dates and sporting events. The idea is simple but powerful, to create more chances for fun, friendship, and meaningful connection in everyday life, right here in Clare. To discuss this further, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Laura Garam, organiser of the group.

This Sunday, the community in Miltown Malbay is coming together for a special event at the Armada Hotel called Gather for Gaza. Organised a Palestinian man originally from Gaza and now living and working here in West Clare, the fundraiser aims to support families in Gaza who are in urgent need. To find out more, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined in-studio by Mohammad Alloh, Proud Palestinian and Isabelle Brennan, a friend of Mohammad and a friend of Palestine.

Clare is set to benefit from a boost to its Garda numbers but not as many as had been expected. There's been a mixed response to the news that six of the latest 154 Gardaí attested at Templemore will be allocated to Ennis Station. However, an earlier announcement at the end of July predicting an additional 15 Gardaí for the Shannon division now seems to have faltered To discuss this further, Sally-Ann Barrett was joined by Timmy Dooley, Tulla-based Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tony Mulcahy, Shannon Fine Gael Councillor.

A prominent homeless charity claims families in Clare are staying in emergency accommodation for as long as two years. New figures from the Department of Housing show 73 adults here were accessing emergency accommodation in the week of July 21st to 27th. Across the same period, 147 families in Clare and Limerick were availing of such supports. Midwest Simon CEO Niall Garvey says these lodging were never intended for long-term residency.

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for today the 31st August 2025, the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 11th Sunday after Trinity. The Reader is Sean Dunleavy

Andrew Grimes is an emerging indie folk singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, known for his introspective lyrics, warm acoustic sound and authentic storytelling. He writes music from the heart hoping it will connect to others in their own way Since launching his music career in 2024, he has steadily built a loyal following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He takes inspiration from bands such as Mumford & Sons, Kingfishr & Amble and blends their elements together to create a unique sound.

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A Clare disability activist claims some schools need to be "more proactive" in assisting children and parents with the "frustrating" assessment of need process. With the 2025/26 school year now in full swing, new figures from the HSE have revealed that just 19 children in Clare received an assessment in the first six months of this year. An assessment of need is an evaluation carried out by the HSE for children or young people with a disability. The process identifies a child's health needs and what health services are required to meet these needs. While the HSE frequently emphasises that an assessment of need isn't necessary in order to avail of health services, it can make it easier to access supports. New HSE data released to Sinn Féin shows just 19 children in Clare received an assessment of need between January and June, which accounted for just 11% of its cases. Of those assessed, a whole 16 were found to have a disability. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan believes a shortage of the a

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday's Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch. Games Previewed: TUS Clare SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final: Miltown v Doonbeg (Saturday, Kilmihil, 5pm) TUS Clare SFC Relegation Semi-Final: Kilmihil v Kildysart (Friday, Cooraclare, 7:30pm) Clare IFC Relegation Semi-Final: Ennistymon v Liscannor (Saturday, Quilty, 5pm)

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 chats with James Rambaud about the work Teagasc is doing in Clare around monitoring CO2 emissions in agriculture. Ours to Protect brought to you by Clare FM, the IBI and funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

A shop is Sixmilebridge is behind an interesting initiative, aimed at looking after children who find themselves in difficulty. O'Flynn's Centra has offered itself as a safe haven for children in case of emergencies. To tell us more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ollie Cahill, Store Manager at O'Flynn's Centra in Sixmilebridge.

Noirin Lynch is the Director of the FCJ Spirituality House in Spanish Point. To tell us more about the house, and the courses and programmes they have on offer Alan Morrisey was joined by Noirin on Friday's Morning Focus.

Sheils Motor Group have been recognised with a prestigious European award. The Ennis dealership was the recipient of the Ford Presidents Award, which recognises dealerships for exceptional customer satisfaction and sales performance. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Eddie Rynne, General Manager of Sheils Motorgroup.

The Clare Association Dublin will honour its award recipients for 2025 in early September. Mary Considine will receive the award for Clare Person of the Year for 2025. The Lissycasey native announced her departure from the Shannon Airport Group after over 30 years working at the Clare base earlier this month. She is due to become the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann later this year. Meanwhile, Professor Michael Kerin, from Kilnamona, and Chair of Surgery at the University of Galway, Clinical Director of the Saolta Cancer Academic Network, and Vice-President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. They will be honoured at Clare Association Dublin’s Annual Awards Dinner at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon on the 6th of September (Saturday). To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ciarán O’Connell, Chairperson of the Clare Association Dublin.

Previously on Morning Focus, we have heard from people taking on challenges to travel across the whole or parts of the country via bicycle, or on foot. However, Becky Gilmour has surely cornered the market with the form of transport she will be using: a skateboard! Becky has been traveling the entire Wild Atlantic Way — on her skateboard. The death by suicide of a close friend inspired her to take on the 2,500km route along the western edge of Ireland to raise vital funds for Samaritans. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by Ireland’s answer to Tony Hawk, Becky Gilmour. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this interview, please contact; the Samaritans on 116 123 or; Pieta House on 1800 247 247

Just nineteen Clare children received an assessment of needs between January and June. The HSE aims to deliver an assessment of needs and report the relevant results to families within six months, however only 11% of its cases in this county have fallen within the timeline this year. According to a parliamentary response issued to Sinn Féin, 16 of the children assessed in Clare were found to have a disability. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor and HSE Regional Health Forum West Member James Ryan says it's unacceptable.

A Clare MEP claims the Irish beef sector and the environment will be among the biggest losers of a highly controversial EU trade deal. The EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, which was agreed in principle last December, would remove import duties on 91% of EU imports from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, while allowing 99,000 tonnes of beef from these countries into the EU each year. An event entitled 'Mercosur - The Implications for Ireland' is taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Ennis Road on the Clare-Limerick border tonight at 8pm and will feature the Director of Meat Industry Ireland, Dale Crammond. Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara, who's chairing tonight's event, says there's very little in it for Ireland.

Thursday’s Morning Focus broadcasted live from the Killaloe library as part of Clare FM’s Summer Tour. Alan Morrissey kicked off the show with his first guest, Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner and Coordinator with the Killaloe Municipal District. Brian provided an overview of the district, explaining how the Killaloe MD operates. Fresh doubt has been cast on the project as the Friends of the Irish Environment launched a new High Court challenge over the wastewater connection granted by Uisce Éireann. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly shared his view that the challenge should be dismissed, while environmental activist Tony Lowes, one of the directors of the Friends of the Irish Environment, joined Alan Morrissey for a further discussion. Local heritage was celebrated with Arlene White, Chair of the Killaloe-Ballina Local History Society. Alan highlighted tourism in the area with Margaret O’Donnell from the Killaloe Tourist Office. A meeting took place between the Midwest couple Melanie and Barry Cleary a

School secretaries in Clare claim they feel “dismissed” by the Department of Education as they join their colleagues nationwide in industrial action today. It’s the first day of indefinite strike action by school secretaries and caretakers amid a long-running row over access to the public sector pension scheme. As children and their teachers across the country filed through the school gates this morning after the summer break, secretaries and caretakers remained outside with placards raised. The Fórsa trade union, which represents school secretaries and caretakers, confirmed yesterday evening that after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission failed to reach a resolution, indefinite industrial action would begin this morning. The dispute centres around the access that teachers and other Department of Education employees have to public sector pensions and other entitlements; access that isn’t enjoyed by secretaries and caretakers. Parents dropping their children off at Scariff Central National School