Clare Fm - Podcasts

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 attendance as special guests, along with Liam McCarthy himself. The event will be MC'd by Clare FM's own Colum McGrath, with entertainment provided by various local acts including the Circus Ponies and Vocal Ponies as well as local Comhaltas musicians. It's also been confirmed that public realm works in the town will be suspended from November 27th to January 6th, and Mayor of Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy says it's an ideal opportunity to support local businesses.

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 international protection". Among its priorities is to ensure all new IPAS centres are put in what it deems to be "more affluent areas which have the capacity and services to support them". Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says however plenty of consultation will be needed as it's difficult to assess the level of affluence in an area.

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 waiting list for children with scoliosis. Price caps on food and energy, and a four-day working week, feature as part of People Before Profit's election manifesto. Fine Gael remains the most popular political party in the country after the latest opinion poll. To discuss all of this and more, Peter O'Connell was joined in-studio by Independent Candidate, Violet Anne Wynne, Independent Ireland Candidate, Eddie Punch and Independent Candidate, Amanda Major. Photo (c): pixelshot via Canva

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 Damian O'Rourke of Cuppa Tea TV and Ray Fean. Photo (c): 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 Johnson. You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/santas-slog-survival-2024 Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/SantasSlog/

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 FM

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 influence of drugs or alocohol and opening hours will be based on demand. Co-Ordinator Fiona Faulkes who spent five years sleeping rough on the streets of London says it will be a massive boost to the well-being of those who need it most.

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 cases, either the driver of the other vehicle or a pedestrian was killed. Ennis-based Irish Road Haulage Association spokesperson Eugene Drennan believes older people should be offered refreshers courses on the rules of the road.

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 Government announced its intention last week to introduce "significant new powers" to allow secret flash raids of US aircraft suspected of carrying weapons or machinery that could be used in warzones. Speaking outside the new De Valera Library in Ennis today where Taoiseach Simon Harris will be arriving shortly, Mélina Sharp of the People of Clare Against Genocide has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the State has had years to take action and has failed to do so.

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): https://www.facebook.com/irishredcrossclare/

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 confirmed it will shortly be seeking expressions of interests to repurpose or enhance the use of the Market building, which has been widely dubbed a "White Elephant" since opening at a cost of €1.75m in 2016. Clarecastle Fianna Fail Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, says responsibility needs to be taken for past mistakes and the length of time for change to come about, but insists the building still has great potential.

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 made of Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, Coillte, for not continuously maintaining the park. However, a funding application has been sent, with an update expected in early 2025. Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor, Pat Burke, claims that in tandem with the Inis Cealtra Visitor Centre, a renovated Woodpark Forest would bring increased footfall to the locality.

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 says he can’t speculate on when house prices will moderate. The Social Democrats would introduce a three-year rent freeze if elected to government. Meanwhile, Fine Gael is promising to cap childcare costs at 600 euros per month for every family. To discuss all of this and more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil candidate Timmy Dooley, Social Democrats candidate Hilary Tonge, and Independent candidate Paddy Murphy. Photo (c): pixelshot via Canva

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 in studio on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 Year, Cora Nix. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 Ireland. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 place. The parade marks the beginning of ‘Christmas at Bunratty 2024’. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by General Manager of Clare Tourism East, Stephen Hanley. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 love, friendship and the enduring pursuit of freedom. The play, written by Christian O’Reilly and directed by Raymond Keane, leads the way in Irish theatre in its casting of disabled actors. To speak more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by playwright, Christian O'Reilly and actor, Eric Fitzgerald. Photo (c): www.facebook.com/glorennis

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 onion 1L of stock 200ml red wine 20g Thyme 20g rosemary 1 bulb of garlic Method: 1. Season the venison shank with salt and pepper. 2. Brown the shank in a casserole pot on a medium heat. 3. Once brown on all sides, take out and set aside. 4. Add vegetables and brown, once colored deglaze with red wine. 5. Add the shank along with the herbs and garlic back into the pot and cover with the stock. 6. Cover with a lid and cook for 12 hours at 100 degrees Celsius in an oven. 7. Once cooked, remove the shank and begin to reduce the liquid. Use this as the sauce to finish the dish. 8. Serve with either mash or baby potatoes. 9. Garnish with chopped herbs. Photo (c): Clare FM

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 joined by Fr Ignatius McCormack, Principal of St. Flannan’s.