Fr Gerry leads our Sunday Prayer on Sunday 17th November 2024, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Timeبقلم Clare FM

The Taoiseach expects there to be a "road map" for a new emergency department in the Midwest in the new year.The findings of a HIQA report examining the viability of a second ED in this region aren't due until June of this year, but it's now been revealed an interim report will be published in early 2025.Earlier this year, the Taoiseach told Clare …

An Ennis Councillor is urging the next government to call a halt to the current motor tax system amid claims it punishes struggling families.Under the existing structure, road users are charged more based on the age and emissions of their car, and those who pay in quarterly instalments rather than up front will fork out between 10% and 13% more for…

A Shannon creche is set to benefit from the installation of a piece of potentially life saving equipment.Owner of KidzHaven, Siobhán Mulderrig, has confirmed that the creche has recently purchased a defibrillator to be used on site.All staff at the centre are trained first aid responders and the acquisition of the defibrillator is claimed to be ver…

Coming up on the show, we will be looking ahead to a huge weekend for Clare club in Munster action with Feakle, Wolfe Tones and the Banner all hoping to reach provincial finals.It's a case of seconds out, round two for Truagh-Clonlara and Gailtir in the Munster club camogie final as they go at it again, seven days after a dramatic draw in their ini…

The Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross is holding a table quiz this weekend.It will be held in support of the Clare Community Support Services. The fundraising event will take place this Saturday. To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Irish Red Cross Clare Honorary Treasurer & Clare Community Officer, James Lafferty. Photo (c): ht…

A Clare-based haulier insists education at both ends of the age spectrum must be a pivotal part of the solution when it comes to road safety.New RSA data indicates a quarter of drivers involved in fatal road collisions over the past five years were driving for work.Heavy goods vehicles made up 11% of vehicles involved in deadly crashes and in most …

A mass demonstration at Shannon Airport this weekend will hear calls for the Government to escalate its stance against Israel's actions in Palestine.Solidarity groups for Palestine from Clare, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin and Kerry will be descending on the Clare base on Sunday from 1pm to protest the US military's use of the facility.The Governm…

A Clare woman is hoping to revolutionise the care of the homeless in Ennis with a new service.The local authority has given the green light for a state of-the-art mobile shower and changing tent to be erected at Friar's Walk Bus Park , which will be able to withstand winds of 60km per hour.The service will not be accessible to anyone under the infl…

The Luke Kelly Tribute Concert will take place in Doolin this weekend. It’s the fourth year of the tribute to the legendary Dubliners’ singer. Sunday’s show promises a fantastic line-up!To find out more, Peter O'Connell was joined in-studio by Katie Theasby. Photo (c): Clare FMبقلم Clare FM

A businessman from Kirkham in Lancashire will carry 45 kilos on his back from the Cliffs of Moher to Liverpool, all for a number of good causes. Bill Hodgson will carry the heavy load - branded as the magic of Christmas – for this year’s Santa’s Slog Survival.To discuss this further, Peter O'Connell was joined by Bill Hodgson and organiser, Andy Jo…

The Shannon Springs Hotel will be the place to be tomorrow evening. That’s when the late, great Johnny Fean will be remembered in his hometown of Shannon. The “Johnny Fean Stage” will be officially opened to honour the life of the guitarist with legendary 70’s Irish rock outfit, Horslips.. To talk about the event, Peter O'Connell was joined by Dami…

Campaigning is continuing for General Election 2024. The people of Clare will go to the polls on the 29th of November, when they will choose the four TDs to represent the county in the 34th Dáil. Let’s get a flavour of what has been happening on the campaign trail.Sinn Féin says its sceptical about promises by the Health Minister to reduce the wait…

Clare people are being encouraged to bring the festive cheer to the county town's business community this Christmas season. Anticipation is building for the switching on of the Christmas lights in Ennis which will take place on evening of Thursday November 28th, with All-Ireland winning Clare hurling captain Tony Kelly and manager Brian Lohan in at…

A Clare General Election candidate believes communities should have more of a say in the placement of asylum centres but doesn't think anyone should have a veto. Sinn Féin has published its migration policy document entitled 'Fixing A Broken System' which it claims will address what it describes as the Government's "chaotic mismanagement of interna…

It is time for another wonderful tale from the one and only Eddie Lenihan, which means it is time for Seanchaí Corner.Every fortnight on Morning Focus, Seanchaí Corner sees Eddie, the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables.This week, Eddi…

Former St. Flannan’s College President, Teacher and Guidance Counsellor Fr Joe McMahon will be laid to rest today. There is undoubtedly deep sadness within the community of St Flannan’s College, following his passing. Joe was President, teacher and guidance counsellor during his time at St. Flannan’s. To remember Fr. Joe McMahon, Alan Morrissey was…

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by, Martyn Whyte, chef at Glas Restaurant, Hotel Doolin.This week Martyn shared a delicious recipe for braised venison shank, creamy mash, and sauce from braising liquid.Ingredients you will need:2 venison shanks 2 large carrots 2 celery sticks 1 large onion1L of stock200ml red wine 20g Thyme 2…

A play described as a “heartfelt, hilarious and irreverent story of an activist and a celebration of love, friendship and the enduring pursuit of freedom” will make its way to Ennis next week. On Tuesday November 19th, Glór will host No Magic Pill. No Magic Pill is the heartfelt, hilarious and irreverent story of an activist and a celebration of lo…

Bunratty will host the country’s largest Christmas parade later this month. On the 28th of November, 400 parade participants – including Christmas characters, the Tulla Pipe Band and many more - will wind their way through the village to the courtyard of Bunratty Castle, where the annual switching on of the Folk Park’s Christmas lights will take pl…

Today is World Diabetes Day. Diabetes and well-being is the theme for World Diabetes Day. This evening, an event for those with Type 1 diabetes will be held in Ennis from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. To discuss her experience and more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Co-founder of Thriveabetes, Gráinne Flynn who is also a volunteer with Diabetes Irelan…

The Netwatch Clare Family Carer of the Year has been announced. Cora Nix from Meelick is the latest recipient of the prestigious prize. Cora received the award from Family Carers Ireland, now in their 17th year, for dedicating her life to the care of Damien. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Netwatch Clare Family Carer of the …

Janet Buell’s latest exhibition will come to Clare next week. ‘Works in Pastel’ will be hosted in Cultúrlann Sweeney Library Gallery, Kilkee, from November 19th to December 20th. Janet paints almost exclusively with pastels. She finds the highly pigmented personalities of each stick very engaging. For more on this, Janet Buell joined Alan Morrissey…

The various parties and independents are continuing their canvassing and campaigning for General Election 2024. The Clare electorate will cast their votes on the 29th of November, when they will choose the four TD's to represent the county in the 34th Dáil. Let’s get a flavour of what has been happening on the campaign trail.The Housing Minister sa…

It's claimed the local authority has taken it's "eye off the ball" regarding the use of a prominent Ennis amenity. It comes as Ennis Municipal District has committed to a proposal raised at its latest meeting "to focus all efforts" on rejuvenating the Market area of the town, following the closure of its post office last month. In response, the MD …

An East Clare councillor says he's 'certain' the renewal of a walking trail in Mountshannon will attract more visitors to the locality. In a motion at this weeks Killaloe Municipal District, the local authority was called on to engage with Coillte to set in motion the process of renewing Woodpark Forest Park in Mountshannon. Criticisms have been ma…

Concern has emerged that a failure to prioritise rental housing stock in the new programme for Government will compound the rental market crisis in Clare and elsewhere. The latest quarterly report from Daft.ie, published today, has shown the cost of renting a home on the open market in this county has risen by 9% in the past twelve months to 1,400 …

Double social welfare payments are welcome but they're getting wiped out almost immediately by existing bills. Saint Vincent de Paul officials say they want to see a more sustained increase to weekly social welfare payments from the next Government. Thousands received cost of living bonuses last week while the Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be…

Those who died in both World Wars from County Clare will be remembered this coming weekend. The Services of Remembrance for those who lost their lives in World War I, World War II and all international conflicts will take place at the Clare World War memorials at Causeway Link here in Ennis. To get more details on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by…

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.This week, Tommy provided Alan and our Morning Focus listeners with advice on low risk investing.بقلم Clare FM

Can We Speak Whale? is the title of an upcoming talk from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It is an in-person talk aimed at young people as part of Science Week.Friday’s event at Cultúrlann Sweeney Theatre in Kilkee is being held as part of Science Week. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Education and Outreach Officer with the Irish …

The first full week of campaigning for General Election 2024 continues. The election will take place on the 29th of November, when the people of Clare will cast their ballots for which four TDs will represent them in the 34th Dáil. Let’s get a flavour of what has been happening on the campaign trail. The Fianna Fáil leader admits house prices are u…

The West Clare Municipal District has been awarded €441,000 worth of funding which can be used as 'the final piece of the jigsaw' for projects in the area. The funding comes under the General Municipal Allocation and represents the same amount the West Clare MD received for the GMA in 2024. This means that each of the nine councillors will receive …

It's hoped an abandoned 16-acre site in the heart of Ennis can be a silver bullet for the county town's housing woes, after being acquired by new owners. Clare County Council has confirmed that the grounds and property of the former Our Lady's Hospital on the Gort Road have changed hands once again. The former Psychiatric Hospital first opened as a…

Policymakers are being urged to prioritise the survival of Clare's existing towns following the collapse of an ambitious plan for growth in the South-East of the County.It comes as the University of Limerick has withdrawn an application to designate lands to the North of its campus as an economic Strategic Development Zone.one community group is we…

Futureproof Clare claims that the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP, has become a farce, citing that global emissions only having increased since its inception in 1995.The annual climate summit got underway this week with politicians, business leaders and campaigners from around the world gathering in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.The pe…

A Clare woman is among 23 individuals from across the country who have been recognised for their acts of bravery. They were all recipients of National Bravery Awards for risking their own lives to aid others in peril. Mary Noonan received her award for her selfless actions on a July afternoon five years ago. Mary saved the life of a young boy who w…

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey is joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on the scenes of absolute desolation after Cromwell.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.…

To discuss the latest in the entertainment world, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Colum McGrath, on Tuesday's Morning Focus.This week, Colum discussed the I'm A Celebrity 2024 lineup and the MTV EMA's.بقلم Clare FM

Killaloe Male Voice Choir are no doubt celebrating, following their recent success on the European stage. They claimed bronze medals at the recent Praga Cantat International Music Festival in Prague. To talk about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Alan Williamson and Jerome Chambers who are members of the Killaloe Male Voice Choir.Photo (c): Clare…

A Clare man has managed to pull off an impressive feat, completing both a full and a half marathon in the Arctic. Not only that, but Corofin’s Ciarán O’Connell did both in Greenland’s Arctic Circle in just 36 hours! To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ciaran O’Connell.Photo (c): Ciarán O’Connell via Facebook…

We are into the second day of the first full week of campaigning for General Election 2024. The election will take place on the 29th of November, when the people of Clare will cast their ballots for which four TDs will represent them in the 34th Dáil. Monday saw political parties publishing a range of policy papers, while independent candidates out…

There are fresh calls to end United States' usage of Shannon Airport as a 'war port' following the cessation of the 33rd Dáil without passing the Occupied Territories Bill. Concerns have been raised over the transport of United States military personnel and supplies, with claims of the complicity of the Irish Government in genocide in Gaza as a res…

A Clare MEP has raised concerns that the political procedures in place in the European Parliament could lead to the Mercosur trade deal coming to fruition. Scarriff Independent, Michael McNamara, has this week penned a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen requesting an end to the negotiations of the trade deal. Previous trad…

Ambitious plans for the creation of a new town and over 3,500 jobs in South-East Clare have been dealt a major blow. It comes as the University of Limerick as lead agency has officially withdrawn its joint application with Clare County Council for an economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) on lands to the North of its campus. It was envisaged the…

A Clare teaching representative claims the country's educational aspirations can't be realised without input from teachers at a government level.It follows remarks from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who's claimed there are too many former teachers and not enough diversity of professions in government. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is doubling down on…

It’s hoped the newly revamped headquarters of Clare GAA will benefit scores of playing generations to come.The refurbished Clareabbbey facility has now been equipped with two new spacious state of-the-art player and referee dressing rooms, first-aid room, office space and a wheelchair accessible lift.The crown jewel however is the new 75 person cap…

Gladiator II, which is due to hit cinema screens soon, stars Paul Mescal, in what is the Irish actor’s biggest role to date. However, if the Kildare star isn’t available for Gladiator III, then they could do worse than get in touch with Jack Wall O’Reilly! Jack, who hails from Ennis, was named the winner of a Paul Mescal Lookalike competition held …

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan.This week, Tom gave listeners some advice on the benefits, planting and care of bare root hedging plants If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.…