Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's claimed the imminent introduction of student accomodation in Clare won't drastcally shift the dynamic of the county's rental market without a continuous influx of supply. It comes as the findings of the latest Daft.ie quarterly report into the rental market has found the average monthy rent in the county for those moving into a new property has risen over 7% in a year to €1,529. 95 student beds are set to come on stream in Phoenix House in Shannon, which has been touted as having the potential to free up close to 20 properties on the rental market. Economist at Trinity College and author of the report, Ronan Lyons, has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady, that although it's a good first step, more projects of this kind are urgently needed in Clare.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan morrissey was joined on Monday’s Morning Focus by Clare FM’s Tommy Guilfoyle and Derrick Lynch. Games Reviewed: TUS Clare SHC: Group 1 (Saturday): Clonlara v Crusheen Sixmilebridge v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield Group 2 (Sunday): Corofin v Clooney-Quin Inagh-Kilnamona v Broadford Group 3 (Sunday): Feakle v Éire Óg Wolfe Tones v Newmarket-on-Fergus Group 4 (Saturday): Scariff v Kilmaley Cratloe v Ballyea Clare Ladies SFC: Group A: Fergus Rovers v Burren Gaels Kilmurry Ibrickane v Eire Óg Group B: Kilmihil v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield Banner v Miltown

There has been a worrying decline in hospitality employment. That’s according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which represents 3,000 members across restaurants, cafés, gastropubs, and other food-led businesses. The R.A.I. is pointing to the latest Labour Force Survey figures as proof of the economic case for the Government to bring back the reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that, while the data for the first quarter of 2025 suggested growth, driven largely by part-time jobs, the newly published Q2 figures reveal a clear contraction. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Terry O’Connor, Co-owner of Henry’s Bistro in Ennis and Frank Landy, of Sweet N Green.

Cosmic Fest is back! The Inagh-based music festival makes it return with another great lineup. The August edition, which will take place on the 30th of August, will also include a Battle of the Bands. To give us a glimpse of what to expect, organisers Stax and Debbie Green, along with Ferdia O’Sullivan from ‘With The Lights Out’, joined Alan Morrissey on Monday’s Morning Focus.

Almost 60% of people who are blind or vision impaired have been injured by a footpath obstacle. That’s one of the findings in a new survey from Vision Ireland. Their Clear Our Paths Survey 2025 also reveals that 96% of respondents regularly encounter hazards such as wheelie bins, parked cars, and overgrown branches on public footpaths, with the majority saying these obstacles have caused accidents or incidents that reduced their confidence in navigating public spaces. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Claire Cassidy from Ennis, who is visually impaired.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Petrina O’Halloran for Parenthood in Focus. Petrina is the founder of Mama’s Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com. This week, Petrina talked about children going back to school.

The RNLI Charity Cruise makes its return on Friday, the 29th of August. The cruise offers a chance to support the work of the RNLI, who dedicate their time to saving lives at sea along the Clare coast and beyond. To find out more about the RNLI Charity Cruise, Alan Morrissey was joined by Liam O’Brien, Owner of Doolin Ferry Co. and Joe Queally who is involved with the Ennis Fundraising Branch for the RNLI. Photo (c) Kilrush RNLI

North Clare native John Conroy, along with a dedicated team of Clare-based volunteers, spent this summer working in the Jinja region of Uganda. Their efforts supported the initiatives of local organisations including Hospice Jinja, Walukuba West Primary School, and the Nile Óg Cusack’s GAA Club. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Conroy, Volunteer, qualified fitness coach, founder of Fitness4Fun.

In October (5th) Siobhan, who hails from Clare, and her son will undertake a big challenge in memory of her late brother. They will take on Ironman Barcelona in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association to commemorate Siobhan's brother, Michael Carmody. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Siobhan O'Dea, Professional Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Diseases at St. Vincent's Hospital. You can support Siobhan here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SiobhanAndLuke

Two Clare beaches have been deemed to be 'moderately littered' in the latest litter league rankings. That is according to the Irish Businesses Against Litter Coastal Report. IBAL’s report shows both Lahinch and Doolin have fallen short of 'clean to European norms' status. However, Mountshannon managed to attain clean status. To find out more Alan Morrissey was joined by Conor Horgan, IBAL Spokesperson.

Employees at Clare County Council are beginning industrial action today, over what they claim is the management's failure to comply with agreed national dispute resolution procedures. SIPTU members working with the local authority are engaging in a work to rule after grievances were raised over two telematics policies outlined last year. SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Arek Muszynski, claims both policies have been implemented too hastily while also labelling them as 'intrusive'. He says it's a dispute that should have been easily resolved.

Clare secretaries are preparing to begin an indefinite strike after it's claimed the Department of Education has 'shown no interest' in resolving a long running parity dispute. Fórsa is calling for secretaries and caretakers to receive the same entitlements as teachers and SNAs, including pensions and bereavement leave. Industrial action will begin as the school term resumes next week, while a protest is planned outside Dáil Eireann on August 28th. Vice-chairperson and Treasurer of Fórsa School Secretaries Branch on the Clare/Galway border, Rena McGrath, says there has been no meaningful consultation from the Department on the matter.

Clare is set to benefit from a boost to its Garda numbers. It follows confirmation that six of the latest 154 Gardaí attested at Templemore will be based at Ennis Station. It comes just three weeks after a further 15 Gardaí were announced for the Shannon division. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe is hopeful there's more to come.

Two tourists were injured in West Clare when set upon by a dog while out walking. It's understood the dog, which has since been removed from the property, escaped and chased after the pair. Clare's Dog Warden says although there were no bites suffered, the tourists sustained minor injuries during the altercation. Frankie Coote is reminding owners large breeds can still cause damage without biting the injured party.

It's claimed not enough is being done to harness the potential of one of the counties most historically significant tourist spots. Clare's Aontú rep, June Dillon, claims Craggaunowen Castle & Crannóg has the ability to contend with the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle as one of the county's main tourist attractions. Implementing a shuttle service to and from the site, along with installing cafe and playground facilities have been proposed as ways of increasing footfall to the amenity. The Kilmurry McMahon native, says Craggaunowen is hamstrung by its location without functional transport links.

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for today, the 24th August 2025, the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 10th Sunday after Trinity. The reader is Kathleen Fitzpatrick

Galway songwriter Jamie McIntyre has been riding the crest of a wave this past year with his 2024 summer single “Over Galway Town” becoming a viral smash hit amassing over 4 million streams on Spotify sitting amongst some of the world’s biggest artists in the viral charts. Last year, he was selected by Gavin James to join him as support in Paris on his European tour as part of Three’s City Stages initiative which also led to him working with Imelda May and performing at Electric Picnic, followed by performances with Liverpool songwriter Jamie Webster on his sold out shows at 3Olympia in Dublin and The Telegraph Building in Belfast. The success of “Over Galway Town” has seen his music reach to far flung places across the globe and shows no signs of slowing down. 2025 has continued that trajectory with McIntyre’s debut Irish tour selling out shows in Dublin, Limerick and his hometown of Galway. His recent EP, “Chapter 23”, continues to grow his following with songs like “West is Home” and “Grá” quickly becom

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 22ú lá de mí Lúnasa, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1970 cháin na Gardaí na gnólachtaí agus réadmhaoin luachmhar agus iad gan réamhchúram frithgadaíochta a dhéanamh tar éis a tharla gadaíocht ar 19 áit. I 2001 tháinig sé amach go raibh páistí ag fanacht 8 mbliain chun coinne a fháil leis an bhfiaclóir. I 1970 tháinig an nuacht amach go mbeadh praghas chun post a sheoladh chun méadú. I 1989 tháinig oifigigh ón Ghearmáin chuig an chontae. Sin Five le Let's Dance – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2001. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1956 thosaigh Elvis Presley ag obair ar a chéad scannán Love Me Tender. I 2005 bhí 50 Cent ag cur an dlí ar chomhlacht dhíoltóireachta carr I Meiriceá dar bharr gur úsáid siad a ainm I bhfógra gan cead. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh James Corden sa Bhreatain I 1978 agus rugadh amhránaí Dua Lipa sa Bhreatain ar an lá seo I 1995 agus seo chuid de amhrán. Beidh mé ar ais lib

Leaving Cert students in Clare are pouring over their results this afternoon. Over 1,500 young people across the county have been receiving their final grades since 10am this morning. The anxious wait is over for Clare's 1,412 Leaving Cert and 103 Leaving Cert Applied students, who have been receiving their results online and in person at schools across the county today. This year's results are down due to grade deflation, with top grades down by around 2 per cent. It's the first stage of phasing out grade inflation, which was brought in during the pandemic. Close to 100 Ennis Community College/Gaelcholáiste an Chláir alumni gathered in person to see how they fared and these students have been telling Clare FM how they got on. It begins a busy week for the county's outgoing leaving cer students, with the first round of CAO offers issued on Wednesday, before the appeals window opens on Sunday, August 31st. Guidance Counsellor at St Joseph's Secondary School in Tulla, Donna Ní Ghallchobhair, is advising

The Government is being encouraged to act now to make Ireland a better place for the older population of the future. ALONE and Social Justice Ireland have come together calling for the cycle of waiting for a crisis to happen, to end. In their pre-budget submissions they want social care, health and housing needs met, and investment in policies to benefit all ages. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Eugene Philips, Active Retirement Ireland's first Digital Ambassador from Quin.