Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's claimed the Government's early childhood care and education scheme is failing children with additional needs in Clare. Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has been requested to visit a creche in Shannon to observe the plight of one child who has been cut off from accessing essential equipment and daily supports. The ECCE scheme allows qualifying parents to avail of free pre-school service for children aged from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and six months. But there's one slight catch; participating children must reach the age threshold before enrolment on September 1st. Alex in Shannon, who began her term aged 2 years and 5 months, is just outside the cut-off point. Alex is also living with cerebral palsy and requires a wide array of additional supports, as she cannot sit unattended and requires specialised seating to keep her head and upper body in place, along with a walker. As Alex cannot qualify for ECCE, she's also not eligible for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIMS), which would provide

Gardaí in Clare claim they've caught motorists here watching movies while driving. With Road Safety Week now underway, members of an Garda Síochána are aiming to draw attention to the main causes of crashes on Irish roads which are driving under the influence, while distracted and at speed. 144 people have been killed in road traffic collisions in Ireland so far this year which is 10 up on the same period last year. Ennis-based Superintendent John Ryan says if you're not giving the road your full focus, you've putting your own life and the lives of others at risk.

If you are ready to start your fitness journey, then you could do a lot worse than head in the direction of Lisdoonvarna. This week has seen the start of a “Steps to 5k” programme in Lisdoonvarna’s Pavilion Park. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by class instructor at Doolin Yoga and Fitness, Tricia McDonnell and running coach, Sean Urquhart. Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=569526088732867&set=a.293107869708025

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, Eddie told a strange tale about the navvy's widow.

Hotel Woodstock will be representing Clare in a big way at this year’s Family Business Awards. The Ennis hotel is a finalist in not one, not two, but three categories for the prestigious awards. The three categories are Innovative Family Business of the year, Hospitality Business of the year and Best In Customer Service To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock, Sean Lally. Photo (c): https://www.hotelwoodstock.ie/us/

The head of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau has been awarded for her contribution to Mid-West economy at this year’s Businesswoman of the Year Awards. Network Ireland’s annual Awards celebrate the success of women in business across eight categories. General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Karen Ronan received the ‘Judges’ Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Networker of the Year’ category. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Karen Ronan. Photo (c): Brownes Photograph

Today is World Dyslexia Day, with the entire month of October designated as Dyslexia Awareness Month. For Dyslexia Awareness Month, Dyslexia Ireland is focusing on the urgent issue of the lack of extra time in exams for dyslexic students in Junior and Leaving Cert exams. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Blossom4life founder, Una Buckley. Photo (c) Facebook, Blossom4life

Seamus O’Rourke brings his latest show to Glór called Indigestion tomorrow evening. Indigestion has been described as sensitive, hilarious, intelligent, absolutely compelling and refreshingly forthright. It is a story full of hope, where laughter and tears join hands and race the viewers through fifty years of a life. To find out more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Seamus O’Rourke. Photo (c): https://glor.ie/events/indigestion-written-and-performed-by-seamus-orourke/

The IFA has successfully secured funding to deliver the National Farmer Health Checks Project. This is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and carried out in partnership with Croí (Heart and Stroke Charity). The FREE Health Check will be coming to Ennis Mart on Thursday, the 10th of October at 10:30am. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare IFA Farm Family Chair, Caroline Lynch. Picture (c) Getty Images via Canva

The Clare branch of the Green Party claims it's the "end of the road" for the proposed Ennis Data Centre. Following a legal challenge, An Bórd Pleanála has admitted it "erred in law in failing to adequately consider the environmental effects" of the planned development by Art Data Centres Limited at Tooreen on the Tulla Road. As a result, the planning authority states it no longer stands over its decision in April the uphold Clare County Council's granting of planning permission for the development. Ennis-based Green Party representative Brigid Ginnity insists the debacle should serve as a teachable moment in terms of taking the environmental considerations seriously.

It's hoped the return of management teams on the ground at University Hospital Limerick will significantly speed up patient care reforms. It's understood UL Hospitals Group management have relocated to the UHL campus this month after spending the last two years working from offices at the Raheen Industrial Estate 2km down the road. The issue has been a major point of controversy amid the overcrowding crisis, and last month a HSE report into UHL determined that a Hospital CEO, Director of Nursing and Clinical Director are required on site to lead the organisation. Friends of Ennis Hospital Chair Angela Coll says it's a crucial step forward.

The solicitor for the family of tragic Shannon teenager Aoife Johnston says they have been failed by the state for a second time following the outcome of the Clarke Report. It comes as the family is demanding a public inquiry into sixteen-year old Aoife's death at University Hospital Limerick in December 2022, amid discontent with the findings of a recently published investigation into her death. Justice Clarke was not allowed to resolve conflicting evidence given by nurses and doctors on the night, to make adverse findings or to even make findings of fact. Solicitor for the Johnston Family Damien Tansey believes that due to its limitations, the Clarke Report was pointless and insists a public inquiry is the very minimum required to produce answers for the Johnston family.

It's claimed rampant property price rises in Clare are due to the county becoming a victim of it's own success. The latest quarterly report from Myhome.ie shows the median cost of a four-bed home here has increased by over €50,000 in the last year, to now command an asking price of €295,000. Over the last twelve months, the number of homes on the market in Clare has increased by 10%, despite this, the rate of annual house price inflation in this county is 15%, which is double the national average. Managing Director of Myhome.ie Joanne Geary has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that having huge employment hubs such as Ennis, Shannon, Limerick and Galway on our doorstep, is causing unprecedented demand.

In the latest helping of our new series – Colum Tries Stuff on The Colum McGrath Breakfast Show, Colum tries his hand at designing a bathroom! He was invited by George to his family business The Tile Hub in Ballycasey to try things out! Check out how it all went!

The Clare branch of St Vincent De Paul is appealing for compassionate and driven people to join its volunteering ranks. The organisation is hosting an information meeting in the Temple Gate Hotel at 7:30pm this Wednesday following a record number of calls in 2023. In Clare alone, SVP received over 5,000 calls for assistance last year and helped over 1,500 households by spending more than €5,000 on food, heating, electricity and education. Secretary of Clare SVP, Cyril Treanor says the organisation is dependent on volunteers and helping out in this capacity can be a very rewarding experience.

The new owners of a renowned Ennis hotel claims its strategic location made it a logical purchase. Dermot Kelly and John Gavin of Kelvin Hotels Limited have acquired the Temple Gate Hotel following the Madden family's 28-year ownership of the property. The pair are also the proprietors of the award-winning Shannon Springs Hotel and successfully raised it from a two-star to a four-star facility within the space of four years. Dermot Kelly, who's also the Shannon Region Chair of the Irish Hotels Federation, says they hope to capitalise on the tourism potential in the region.

In the latest helping of our new series - Colum Tries Stuff on The Colum McGrath Breakfast Show, Colum tries his hand at working in a coffee drive thru! He was invited by Mary to her family business Route 85 Coffee Drive Thru in Inagh to come try his hand at being a barista! Check out how it all went!

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 in relation to a range of shrubs and trees for a wow display In winter and autumn. Picture (c) Keane's Garden Centre

The Clare branch of SVP - the Society of St Vincent de Paul – is actively recruiting new volunteers in the Ennis area. This follows the record number of calls they received for their help in 2023 – the largest number of calls in its history. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Secretary of Clare SVP, Cyril Treanor. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 discussed On the Boards Book Launch in Ennis, Burren Annual in Ballyvaughan and much more! Photo (c): Clare FM