Clare Fm - Podcasts

Emma Fogarty, Ireland’s oldest living person with the rare skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), has never let her diagnosis define her. In her powerful new memoir Being Emma, with an introduction by Colin Farrell, she shares her remarkable story of courage, friendship and resilience, proving that even with “butterfly skin,” she can still live her best life. Alan Morrissey spoke with Emma on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) TheBookshop.ie

Maria Doyle Kennedy is set to perform at a special candlelit concert at Hotel Doolin. The acclaimed actress and much-loved singer-songwriter will be joined by her husband and musical collaborator, Kieran Kennedy, for an intimate evening of music and storytelling. Photo (c) Doolin Arts

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 9ú lá de mí Dheireadh Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1981 tháinig sé amach go mbeadh sé 60 punt gach seachtain chun dul chuig an ollscoil an bhliain sin. I 1992 dúradh go raibh dhá imreoir san fhoireann Éireannach Sacar ag streachailt chun sáraigh na gortuithe agus iad ag fáil réidh dá gcluiche leis an Danmhairg. I 1971 bhuaigh an Chláir I gcoinne Chiarraí sa chéad bhabhta sa chluiche liathróid láimhe I mBaile Mhic Eileagóid. I 1981 tháinig sé amach go mbeadh níos mó ná 200 dochtúirí ag dul chuig an chruinniú den cheardchumann leighis in Inis an tseachtain tar éis. Sin Kylie Minogue le Can't Get You Out Of My Head – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2001. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1993 shroich Nirvana uimhir a haon sna cairteacha lena halbam In Utero agus bhí sé a tríú halbam agus a albam deireanach. Tháinig sé amach go raibh Kurt Cobain ar iarradh an teideal a bheith I Hate Myself And I Want To Die. I 1999 chan Euryth

Kilkee and Ballyvaughan continue to have raw sewerage discharged into their waters on a daily basis. The Environmental Protection Agency's Urban Wastewater Report for 2024 shows they were among 15 towns and villages doing so, due to a lack of connection to a treatment plant. Kilmihil, meanwhile is being classed as a priority area as mistreated wastewater is causing harm to lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters, while plants at Lahinch and Killaloe failed to meet standards. EPA Drinking Water and Wastewater Enforcement Inspector David Shannon has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that Uisce Éireann must urgently expedite its work.

The housing market in Clare is said to be stabilising as first-time buyers look elsewhere for their ideal home. MyHome's latest report shows the average asking price for a property in the county in the period of July to September was €285,000, meaning it was unchanged from the same period last year. Three-bed semi-detached homes were going for €275,000 during this stretch while the median asking price for a four-bed semi was €295,000. Managing Director of MyHome, Joanne Geary, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons while it's good news that the market is "righting" itself, scarcity of supply remains a concern.

Moneypoint Power Station recently marked its 40th anniversary, celebrating its people, its history, and its future. The event brought together local community representatives, past and present staff, and industry partners to reflect on four decades of contribution to Ireland’s electricity system. From its commissioning in the 1980s to its evolving role today, Moneypoint has remained a cornerstone of national energy generation and a source of pride for the region. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Stephen O’Mahoney, Moneypoint Station Manager on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) ESB Archives

A new creative project is inviting the people of Clare to share their memories of life along the coast. Seaweed Stories, led by Maeve Stone and Alex Gill of Cracking Light Productions, is gathering local recollections of harvesting, drying, cooking — and even trading — seaweed around the county. From family recipes to seaside traditions, it’s a celebration of Clare’s coastal heritage. If you'd like to share your story, email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Anya Matushkina

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Mary Kate Bolger, a marine biologist, skipper and director of DolphinWatch Carrigaholt. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

The Ennis Trad Festival returns from November 6th to 10th for its 31st edition — bringing together some of the biggest names in Irish traditional music alongside emerging talent. With concerts, sessions, and celebrations filling every corner of the town, it promises another unforgettable weekend of music, song, and community spirit. David Stone, Chairperson of the Ennis Trad Festival told us more about this years Tradfest on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Ennis Tradfest

The Taoiseach has been apologising to his party faithful over the handling of the presidential election campaign. Micheál Martin addressed the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night, to answer questions over the exit of Jim Gavin from the race on Sunday. The Fianna Fail leader told the meeting he can 'sometimes get things wrong,' adding he was 'devastated' by Jim Gavin's hasty withdrawal. Some within Fianna Fáil are calling for change. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey discussed this issue with FF councillor Alan O’Callaghan and FF councillor Rita McInerney. Photo (c) Fianna Fáil

The 2025 Marty Party drew to a close in Calpe last evening with the last of the six evening shows, which was headlined by Tommy Fleming. Along with the big Clare crowd in attendance to enjoy the event, there is also an all Clare backroom team behind the scenes. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke Feakle's Matt Purcell who is responsible for making sure everyone sounds as good as they can, Snamhai Sasta founder June Curtin, and the man himself, Marty Morrissey, to reflect on a brilliant week of music in the sun.

John Keane is the new Chairman of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland. The Doonbeg man was appointed at the group’s AGM in recent days. To find out more, John spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Amateur Drama Council Ireland Facebook

Planning permission has been granted for a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick — the second such development on the site. The decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála marks another step toward increasing hospital capacity in the Midwest, though campaigners say it’s far from a long-term solution to chronic overcrowding at UHL. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Angela Coll, Friends of Ennis Hospital and Deirdre Culligan, Friends of Ennis Hospital.

A Clare senator is calling on the Public Expenditure Minister to clarity the measures in Budget 2026 that will assist those with disabilities. The Disability Federation of Ireland has described this year's package as a "devastating setback for disabled people unable to work", claiming they'll "see their incomes fall with the removal of vital social protection supports". A €619 million increase in funding for disability services has been announced this week, with disability allowance rising by €10 to €254. Speaking in the Seanad, Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway advocacy groups haven't minced words when expressing their dissatisfaction with the measures unveiled.

Water supply disruptions in Ennis are expected to be less common going forward following improvement works. Uisce Éireann has completed the replacement of over 300 metres of aged water mains with new modern pipes on the Gort Road. The water utility says Ward and Burke Construction Limited will begin reinstating the permanent road surface in due course on behalf of Uisce Éireann in partnership with Clare County Council. Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Jack Cronin is thanking locals for their cooperation throughout the project.

Doora/Barefield manager Donagh Vaughan claims their TUS Clare Senior Football Final appearance is 'five years in the making'. The Parish will contest their first decider in 13 years when they take on reigning champions Éire Óg on Sunday afternoon in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg. After coming through the group phase with just one point, wins over Kilmurry Ibrickane in the quarter final and Cratloe in the last four saw them through to the big game. Vaughan says there's a great buzz around the parish going into the game and that his players are determined to deliver a performance. Meanwhile, Éire Óg star, Mark McInerney, claims they're well aware of the threat Doora/Barefield pose to their crown. The Townies needed extra time to overcome the same opposition in the Cusack Cup final earlier this year. McInerney, says their sole focus is on what they can control, heading into Sunday. Throw in on Sunday is at 3:30pm with commentary thanks to Brian Pyne Tiles Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis.

The penultimate show of the 2025 Marty Party in Spain takes place tonight, with a huge Banner contingent enjoying a week of brilliant entertainment in the sun. Among them are plenty local talent also, coming from the East and West of the county. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch is in Calpe and spoke with Feakle's Kate Purcell and Kilbaha's Patrick Roche who are just some of the many acts taking part in this year’s event. Photo (c) Killester Travel

A large Clare crowd is among the contingent currently enjoying the 2025 Marty Party in Calpe, Spain. The event is in its second year overseas and has already proven to be a huge success for the Banner's own Marty Morrissey. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch has also headed to the Costa to catch up with the Clare crew and hear from some of those involved. Photo (c) Killester Travel

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 8ú lá de mí Dheireadh Fómhair, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1982 tháinig sé amach go raibh Éire I ngéarchéim eacnamaíochta mór agus de bharr sin bhí a lán daoine an smaoineamh chun dul ar imirce go dtí an Astráil. I 2004 dúradh go mbeadh níos mó ná 35 míle duine chun dul chuig Páras go dtí an cluiche cáilithe Corn Domhanda a fheiceáil d'Éire. I 1976 chuaigh níos mó ná 340 duine chuig léacht a raibh ar siúil faoi phleanáil clainne. Bhí Dochtúir Kevin Hume an léachtóir san ionad pobail in Inis. I 2004 chuaigh an fhéidearthacht de ráille iarnróid leis an chostas 60 milliúin euro ón tSionainn chuig Luimneach níos faide an tseachtain sin mar go ndúirt an Roinn Iompair go raibh siad ábalta pleanáil a dhéanamh. Sin Eric Prydz le Call On Me – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2004. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 2006 shroich The Killers uimhir a haon sa Bhreatain lena halbam Sam's Town. D'fhan siad ann ar feadh trí sheachtain. Bhí sé a dar

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Daragh Dolan was joined live in studio by Tommy Corbett, Carey Corbett Financial Solutions to talk on Budget 2026 and how best for people to tackle the new measure introduced. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm