Clare Fm - Podcasts

As thousands of people descend on Lisdoonvarna this weekend for the Matchmaking Festival, those in need, or who are struggling to cope, are being reminded they're not alone. Samaritans Festival Branch will be on duty from Friday night until Sunday morning in the town, offering support to those who look lost in the crowd. Volunteers, who provide a discreet service supported 220 callers last year, including six who expressed suicidal feelings PRO of the Samaritans Festival Branch, Ken Bamford says having the courage to speak with someone when dark thoughts enter your mind, can make all the difference.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Canadian chef and owner of Randaddy’s in Lahinch, Randy Lewis. This week, Randy shared a delicious recipe for a Bangladeshi Mixed Grill.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, with World Alzheimer’s Day taking place on the 21st of September. More than 55,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia. To mark the month, Bluebird Care, in partnership with Dunnes Stores, brought its Dementia Bus to Ennis. The Dementia Bus – a first-of-its-kind virtual simulator, lets people experience the disorientation and memory loss that those with dementia face daily. To find out what the experience is really like, Alan Morrissey decided to board the Dementia Bus.

Dara Glynn is Secretary of the Ennis-Langenfeld Twinning Board. The Twinning Board runs a number of events with a German flavour in Ennis, including a mini Oktoberfest which will be held in Fawls Beer Garden on the 20th of September. They also run the Kaffeklatsch, an informal group of German speakers who meet once a month in Glór.

Episode 9 - Inis Diomáin by Clare FM

The D.I.Y. Academy are bringing their ladies D.I.Y. workshop to Ennis. This workshop gives you the skills and confidence to transform your living spaces through the art of do-it-yourself home improvement. The one-day event will take place this Saturday at Shannonside Homevalue Hardware in the County Town. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with the CEO of The DIY Academy, Martin Glynn. Photo (c): https://thediyacademy.ie/programmes/

The Fergus Beag or Fergus Minor as it's sometimes called is a section of the River Fergus which runs under the Tulla Road and alongside Corrovorrin on the north side of the county town. As maintenance on the section of the river last took place in 2018, locals are complaining that it has become overgrown which makes it an eyesore and is also leading to flooding of nearby homes and gardens at certain times of the year. The issue came to the fore this week as it was the subject of a motion raised by Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly at a meeting of the county town's elected representatives. Clare FM's Seán Lyons went to Corrovorrin to hear residents concern and began by speaking to local man Tom Verling.

Episode 7 - Spéir Rua by Clare FM

Episode 8 - Larthar An Chláir by Clare FM

Aisling Browne is a therapy practitioner, holistic menstrual educator, yoga & embodied dance teacher and women's circle facilitator. Aisling’s Maya Abdominal Massage practice, which helps support women pelvic health, is based in Ennis. She works with women and girls in person, in schools and online.

The Minister for Integration has defended the level of engagement with residents of Kilrush regarding the opening of a new IPAS centre in the town. Last week, elected representatives received a briefing document indicating that up to 27 male International Protection Applicants will be accommodated at the Central B&B in the town in the near future. A timeline has not been provided for the arrival of the Asylum Seekers, and local residents and business owners have voiced strong criticism over the lack of prior consultation and information from the Department. Speaking during a visit to Clare, Green Party Leader Roderic O'Gorman insists clear channels of communication are open.

The CEO of Clare County Council is set to intervene following the closure of sections of the Cliffs of Moher walking trail. Last month, the Clare Local Development Company which manages the trail, took the decision to close 5.5km of the route to carry out urgent remedial safety works, in light of two fatal incidents at the cliffs which occurred in May and June. Local businesses have expressed concerns though that a protracted closure of the trail would be detrimental to the region's tourism product and Council CEO Pat Dowling has confirmed he will engage with the CLDC to discuss the issue. Cliffs of Moher 2040 Board Member and Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty says it's a highly complex situation.

A Government Minister has acknowledged the challenges facing the people of Kilrush. Alan Dillon who's Fine Gael Minister of State at the Department of Housing and Local Government says while the concerns and frustrations of communities are well-founded, he insists a line has to be drawn on any nuances made about the intentions of Asylum Seekers.

The Community Engagement Team of the Department of Integration will meet with Kilrush residents in the coming days to discuss local issues. It's understood the incoming arrivals will have GP appointments handled in Lisdoonvarna or Limerick as per the IPAS system. However, for the residents of Kilrush themselves, they remain with just two-full time doctors to service the needs of their almost 2,700 strong population. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney believes the impending influx to the local community will further highlight local deficits and says the Government must take appropriate action.

A Clare TD claims a "Dublin Centric" government has failed rural communities by placing Asylum Seekers in under-resourced areas. It comes as the second IPAS centre in the space of a year is set to open in what state agency Pobal has determined to be Clare's most deprived urban settlement. It's been exactly eight days since news broke that up to 27 International Protection Applicants will be accommodated at The Central B&B in Kilrush. It will be the second IPAS centre in the town, which is also hosting Asylum Seekers at Corliss House, with both services owned and operated by David English Electrical Rewinds LTD. Clare's opposition TD has heavily criticised the decision, pointing to the fact that 'Urban Kilrush' has been categorised as an "extremely disadvantaged" area and claims affluent areas have not been allocated a fair share of Asylum Seekers due to failures of a "Dublin Centric Government". Daily protests have been organised by the 'Kilrush Says No' group and Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne has moved to ad

Clare County Council claims a planned social housing development in Ennis will go a long way in helping it to achieve its targets for the coming year. The local authority has signed contracts with Coolsivna Construction Limited for the construction of a 20-unit social housing scheme on the Gort Road on the outskirts of the county town. The €4.2 million development will consist of two four-bed homes, four three-bed homes, 12 two-bed homes and two one-bed homes - with construction expected to commence this month and conclude towards the end of next year. With the Government's Housing For All Plan stating 302 as the targeted number of social homes to be delivered in Clare across 2023 and 2024, Director of Service of Clare County Council's Social Housing Directorate Jason Murphy says this scheme is a step in the right direction.

The time for this year’s Clare FM and Ennis Lions Club Radio Charity Auction is edging ever closer! This year’s radio auction will take place on the 18th of October. Proceeds for this year’s event will primarily be donated to Sláinte an Chláir – Clare Cancer Support, in addition to other local charities. To find out more about the auction, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lions Club member, Conor Smith and Clare FM's Head of Programming, Padraic Flaherty. Picture (c): https://ennislionsclub.ie/auction/

Episode 8 - Larthar An Chláir by Clare FM

Last night saw former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris face off in Philadelphia in their first presidential debate. The eagerly-awaited debate – the first time the two had met in person – came as new polls show the race for the White House remains tight, with no clear leader. For more on the debate, Donnacha Ó'Beacháin, Professor of Politics at DCU joined Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

Sinéad Mellett is a woman of many talents. The Clare native is a vet and veterinary herbalist. However, Sinéad is adding some strings to her bow; she is preparing to launch her family-run business at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, while she will also be launching her new book. Photo (c): www.naturalvetco.com