Clare Fm - Podcasts

There's been growing discussion around proposals to cover the Fair Green track in tarmac, but concerns have arisen regarding the suitability of the surface for athletic use. Clare County Council said the project to resurface the Tim Smyth Park running track has been paused following concerns raised by local clubs. Victor O'Loughlin from Clare Athletics believes tarmac may not be the ideal choice for a running track. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Public Relations Officer to the Clare County Athletics Board, Victor O’Loughlin. Photo (c): Clare FM

The long-awaited opening of the new De Valera Library and Cultural Centre in Ennis finally arrived on Friday. The 2,221 square metre facility consists of a over 73,00 books for all ages, in excess of 2,700 CDs, DVDs and audio books, sensory resources, an 80 square metre gallery space as well as an accessible bathroom and various IT services. Coming in at a total cost of €17 million, the project has been funded through a variety of Government streams as well as €12 million of Clare County Council's own resources. Taoiseach Simon Harris was present to officially open the new building, and Clare FM's Seán Lyons made the short trip over to cover the event. Photo (c): Clare County Council

Ennistymon will welcome an acclaimed author for a book signing event later this week. On Wednesday, Felicity Hayes-McCoy will pay a visit to Banner Books. She is promoting her latest novel, The Bookseller's Gift. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Felicity Hayes-McCoy.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about the Kilfenora Roadshow, Ennis Eccentric Music Society, Line Dancing in Kilmihil and much more. Photo (c): Clare FM

The Ennis Players are gearing up to present their Supper Theatre later this month. The drama group will perform two one-act plays at the Old Ground Hotel from the 25th to the 29th of November. This much-loved event promises plenty of humor, charm, and top-notch performances. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by PRO, Bernie Harten, Conor Lynch, who plays the hapless love-struck Pat and Edel Halliday, who plays the diva who cannot remember her lines. Photo (c): Clare FM

The West County Hotel in Ennis will host an extraordinary celebration later this week. On the 23rd of November, the "People with Passion" group will mark its fifth anniversary with what is described as a "spectacular" event filled with art, music, dance and more. With performances from musicians, dancers, and filmmakers, alongside art exhibitions and even a fashion show, the event promises something for everyone. To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by founder of People with Passion, Katarzyna Dąbrowska. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 how to make the most of caring for the birds this winter - picking the right feed & feeders for your favorite song birds. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Plans for a first ever Daniel O'Connell festival in Ennis are being considered by the local authority. The event would take place next August to mark the 250th anniversary of 'The Liberators' birth in 1775. O'Connell led the Catholic Emancipation movement in Ireland during a repressive period of British rule governed by penal laws, and became the first Irish Catholic to sit in parliament in over 140 years after winning his seat in the Clare constituency in 1828. Clare County Council Memorial Committee member Cllr Mary Howard believes the celebration would bring major benefits.

It's feared Clare's homegrown athletes will flee to countries better equipped to support them if the right facilities aren't in place here. It comes as local opposition is growing to Clare County Council plans to cover the existing cinder running track in the Fair Green with tarmac, which it's claimed would the risk of injury to those who use it. In a statement to Clare FM, the local authority says the project has been "paused following concerns raised by local clubs" and that "Active Ennis will consider options to address the condition of the track, while also improving accessibility". Public Relations Officer to the Clare County Athletics Board Victor O'Loughlin says Clare is at a crossroads when it comes to retaining its athletic talent and insists the proper training amenities must be accessible.

Each councillor in the Shannon Municipal District has been granted €49,000 to put towards community initiatives. It comes as the region's seven elected members have approved a collective General Municipal Allocation (GMA) of €343,000 for the coming year. The funds are distributed at the discretion of each elected member for projects of their choice and predominantly support small scale traffic-calming measures, sports clubs, schools, charities and other organisations. Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman says it can pave the way for crucial local developments, that otherwise wouldn't see the light of day.

A new strategy is set to enhance infrastructure in one of Clare's fastest growing settlements when it comes to fruition. It comes as the Killaloe Municipal District is considering a funding application to provide a mobility plan for Crusheen , which would involve new footpaths, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes and bus shelters near the future railway station. According to Census 2022, over 650 people are living in the village, which has an average age of 33 years old, making it the second youngest in the county. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says investment is urgently needed.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets singer, musician and teacher Edel Vaughan. As a solo artist, Edel has performed with many musicians and composers and was lead vocalist with the world famous Kilfenora Céilí Band for a number of years.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents this Beyond Belief and talks to Chris McElhinney from Trocaire about their work in the trouble spots of the world and hears about their Christmas Appeal

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 very poignant as one of the kids in the service has a heart condition. Siobhán says government funding should be in place for equipment such as this, especially given the underlying condition of one of the kids in her care.

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 the same product. In the case of a 2litre vehicle registered in 2011 for example, the premium comes to €270, but it will cost a motorist paying in stages another €34. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker Bashua says the model needs to go.

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 FM if such a facility is recommended, he'll work "day and night" to deliver it. Speaking on a visit to Ennis, Simon Harris says while he'd prefer if action could be taken on Midwest healthcare earlier, the next step must be guided by clinical advice.

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

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 initial showdown. We will also be hearing from Kilmihil's own Eimear Considine after her decision to retire from rugby and a few more bits also

A Clare Fianna Fáil candidate has admitted the Government needs to cut the red tape in order for small businesses to survive. It follows industry criticism over the €4,000 power up grant introduced in the Budget, which only applied to firms who received the Increased Cost of Business payment , distributed in October. So far this year, over 760 retail firms and restaurants have closed nationwide, and in its manifesto, Fianna Fáil has pledged to develop a new cost of business advisory forum to oversee new supports for the sector. Doonbeg General Election Candidate Councillor Rita McInerney insists the groundwork is already in place to tackle issues.

Clare County Council has expressed confidence Ennis now has a library that's the envy of other counties. The highly anticipated new De Valera Library and Súil Gallery on the Causeway Link in the county town have been officially opened by Taoiseach Simon Harris. Coming in at a total cost of €17 million, the facility contains over 73,000 books in addition to CDs, DVDs, audio books and other materials, and boasts an 80 square metre gallery space along with a variety of other amenities. Outgoing Clare County Council Chief Executive Officer Pat Dowling says in a year of great success for the county, the library's opening ranks highly.