Clare Fm - Podcasts

Dr. Marilyn Glenville is one of the UK’s leading Nutritionist specialising in women’s health. Dr. Glenville will be delivering a talk in association with The Health Connection on natural solutions for menopause, perimenopuase & prevention of osteoporosis. The talk will take place in the Old Ground Hotel on Thursday, the 17th of October from 6:30pm to 9pm. To order tickets, please contact The Health Connection on 065 6866597. To learn more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Marilyn Glenville, on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) @marilynglenville and @naturalmedicinecompany

Today is World Animal Day, an international day of action for animal rights and welfare. It is celebrated annually on the 4th of October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Barry Wrafter is an Ennis-based artist who has teamed up with PETA to highlight opposition to lab testing on animals. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Barry Wrafter. Photo (c): Clare FM

There has been a problem with discoloured water in the West Clare village of Doonbeg. To find out more about the situation, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil Councillor, Rita McInerney, resident of Doonbeg, Jennie Drysdale and Angela Fitzpatrick of Doonbeg Community Development. Photo (c) by towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya via Canva

A Clare senator is calling for an inquiry into persisting "cultural issues" at the region's main hospital. The call comes after the publication of former Chief Justice Frank Clarke's report into the death of Shannon teenager of Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick which found health service failure to be the cause of her death. Following the report's publication, six members of staff at the Dooradoyle facility are facing disciplinary action. Speaking in the Seanad however, Tulla Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley says he believes the problems at the facility go beyond six individuals.

The imminent overhaul of Moneypoint Power Station is expected to bring an employment boom to West Clare. It comes as ESB has been granted planning permission to convert the Kilrush plant from a coal burning to an oil burning facility, which will enable Moneypoint to serve as an emergency electricity supplier to the national grid from 2025 to 2029. The process is mooted to create between 90 and 100 jobs and will pave the way for Moneypoint's future as an offshore wind energy hub after 2030. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says it's a vital step for the region.

It's claimed Kilrush is at a standstill due to extensive broadband outages across the town. It's understood a service issue with the Eir network will be rectified by 7pm this evening, but until then over 4,400 people in the catchment area are without coverage. The loss of an internet and landline connection has led to reports of major disruption , with all banks and some businesses forced to close as they cannot access IT systems. Owner of Cocolemon Hair Salon on Frances Street Dawn Bennett has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan a back up system must be put in place to prevent future incidents as the loss to the town today has been detrimental.

A Human Rights Professor at the University of Galway claims Israel has become emboldened to the point where it's disregarding human casualties. It comes as fears of a major regional war breaking out have heightened after Israel promised retaliation to an Iranian missile attack, which was launched in response to the IDF's assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The European Commission has since announced an extra €30m in humanitarian aid for Lebanon amid the IDF's new campaign of air strikes, which have so far claimed over 800 civilian lives. Professor Ray Murphy is warning the situation could escalate to a global conflict without intervention.

Businesses in Clare are expressing fears that they won't be able to absorb the additional cost brought about by the latest increase in the minimum wage. As the dust continues to settle on Budget 2025, those who didn't get what they'd hoped for in the way of supports are assessing the viability of their respective sectors going forward. While many are grateful for measures introduced in the Government's €8.3 billion package this week, not everyone is rejoicing. The announcement that the national minimum wage will increase by 80c to 13.50 per hour may be welcome news to workers but isn't necessarily music to the ears of business owners. Coupled with no reduction to the Hospitality VAT Rate which remains at 13.5% and uncertainty around eligibility for the Energy Subsidy Scheme, many feel there's not much there to ease the spiralling cost of doing business. Owner of Willow in Ennis and CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland Jean McCabe says if the Government wants to move towards the introduction of the Real Livin

Kieran Fanning is the author of Haunted Ireland: An Atlas of Ghost Stories from Every County. Kieran visits every county in Ireland in the book through 32 spooky stories. To find out more about the book and which Clare story has made the cut, Alan Morrissey was joined by Kieran Fanning. Photo (c): https://www.dubraybooks.ie/

On Thursday’s Morning Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by Paul Knapp, The Firefighting Chef, from Killaloe. This week Paul shared a delicious recipe for Vegan Turkish Lahmacun. Sometimes called 'Turkish pizza', this crispy flatbread topped with spiced vegan mincemeat is a popular street food across the Middle East and full of Eastern promises Quick and Simple 2 ingredient Flatbread (or you can use a tortilla/wrap for the more traditional thin and crispy lahmacun Ingredients 180g self-raising flour 120g plant-based yoghurt (I use alpro Greek) Method Mix your flour and yoghurt together until combined, then pop out on to a lightly floured work surface and kneed smooth , a few minutes should do. Now we can roll into a large sausage shape and divide into 8 balls . next we will roll each one out adding flour to prevent sticking , we want them approximately 5mm thick. Vegan Walnut and Lentil Mince Ingredients 160 g canned lentils 80 g walnuts 2 tomatoes, cut into pieces 1 tbsp tomato paste/sun dried tomato p

There are concerns about what is being described as “traffic chaos” at Corkscrew Hill in Ballyvaughan. Rowan McDonagh has been particularly vocal in Lisdoonvarna Community Group about this problem. Alan Morrissey was joined on Morning Focus by Rowan to find out the extent of what has been going on. Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161701061954641&set=g.994738873904617

It’s National Breastfeeding Week which runs until the 7th of October. The theme this year is ‘Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond’. It aims to raise awareness of local support for parents. To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by founder of Mama’s Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com, Petrina O’Halloran, founder of My Holistic Midwife, Christina Lane and gentle birth instructor and pregnancy yoga teacher, Lisa Joyce. Picture (c) Anastasiia Stiahailo from Getty Images via canva.com

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Caroline Rushe, AKA My Crazy Life Caroline. Caroline will be joining us on a regular basis on Morning Focus, to answer your questions and discuss the latest trends! Whether you have a question for Caroline on style, family, women’s issues or whatever you fancy asking her about, send it in by calling; 0818 400 964, text or WhatsApp; 086 1800 964, or email – focus@clare.fm Photo (c): Clare FM

Have you ever heard of underwater hockey? Not only is it a sport, but it’s a sport with Clare interest! Shannon Sharks is the county’s first underwater hockey club. To learn more about Shannon Sharks and the sport itself, Alan Morrissey was joined by committee member, Roisin O'Connell. Photo (c): Clare FM

The Midwest Hospital Campaign claims now is the time for the Government to provide detail on plans for improving emergency care in Clare. Included in the €25.8 billion investment in healthcare in Budget 2025 is a pledge to expand the emergency departments at five facilities nationwide, but University Hospital Limerick hasn't been mentioned on this occasion. The findings of the ongoing HIQA-led review examining the case for a second emergency department in the Midwest meanwhile won't be published until next summer. Ennistymon-based Midwest Hospital Campaign spokesperson Marie McMahon says while politicians getting on board with their cause is welcome, concrete information is what's needed.

A West Clare councillor admits she supports a Sinn Féin proposal for the drawdown system of a popular Government grant to be changed. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Rita McInerney is seeking to increase the amount of money an successful applicant can draw down under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which is currently worth up to €70,000. A long-standing criticism of the grant is that funding can only be drawn down after the applicant has completed the works on the property and Sinn Féin has previously proposed introducing a staged payment process for the grant. Doonbeg Councillor McInerney says feedback she's received has suggested payments under the grant could be made on a phased basis.

Clare FM Preview Of 2024 TUS Clare SHC And IHC Semi Finals With Tommy Guilfoyle And Kevin Sheehan

Clare's TDs have locked horns over whether Budget 2025 will give a helping hand to those in greatest need, or is simply thinly-veiled electioneering. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has claimed the €8.3 billion package will put the country on a "firm footing for the future", but critics have dismissed it as a giveaway as the clock winds down to Election Day. Dubbed the largest Budget since the Celtic Tiger, this year's Budget contains a raft of measures aimed at appeasing various cohorts across society. Included in its record €2 billion social protection package are double payments for some social welfare recpients in October and a €12 increase in the weekly Social Protection payment. Two energy credits of €250 will go to every households on either side of Christmas while the 9% reduced VAT rate on gas and electricity will be extended to the end of April next year. These measures, according to Minister Chambers, are to "support the most vulnerable and ease the financial burden over the winter months"

A new monthly ambient night of music and visuals will be making its way to Ennistymon. It will be running at The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon with lots of great acts lined up for the winter. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sea Area Forecast founder, Simon O'Reilly and performer, Myles O'Reilly. Photo (c): Simon O'Reilly and Joby Hickey via Instagram

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 following Tuesday's budget.