Clare Fm - Podcasts

A state owned commercial building in Shannon that had been tipped for use as International Protection Applicant Accommodation will be repurposed. The Department of Transport has confirmed that Unit 153 in the Shannon Business Park will become the site of its new vehicle registration and motor tax office. Previously, plans had been drawn up to provide up to 70 bedrooms in the building, but in the coming months it will instead be fitted out for driver and vehicle computer services. Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that the facility was wholly unsuitable for Asylum Seekers.

A protest taking place in Ennis this weekend will push for greater community consultation on a development which organisers of the demonstration have deemed "insane". A group of retailers, local representatives and community activists are highlighting their opposition to the proposed Abbey Street development as part of the Ennis 2040 Spatial and Economic Strategy. The 'Save Ennis Town' Group, which was formed last May, will be holding the demonstration on Saturday afternoon from 2 o'clock in the Square in Ennis. A key bugbear of the group is the proposed construction of multi-storey mixed-use development on the Abbey Street Car Park, which it's claimed will lead to a loss of a vital civic space, as well as much-needed car parking spaces. According to Ennis 2040 DAC, the development will consist of "a large retail space at ground and first floor levels together with office accommodation on the upper floors" in a building which will "respect and integrate with the existing historical development of Ennis".

Clare's longest ever serving politician insists preventing the decline of rural Ireland should be the greatest priority for future governments, as his career comes to a conclusion. PJ Kelly attended his final meeting of Clare County Council on Monday after a fifty year tenure, which spanned ten council terms and 114 colleagues. The Lissycasey Fianna Fáil veteran was first elected in 1974 and in his most recent contest in 2019, he topped the pole in West Clare after exceeding the quota by 500 votes on the first count. Cllr Kelly says that for communities to benefit most going forward, power needs to be stripped from Dublin and given to local authorities.

One of Ireland's longest running food festivals makes a return in North Clare this weekend. The Burren Slow Food Festival makes its anticipated return this Sunday at the Pavilion in Lisdoonvarna, with the theme of "Wellness in the Burren" It offers a wide variety of nutritious cullinary delights ranging from artisanal cheeses to freshly caught seafood alongside their respective local producers to share stories behind their products. The festival includes a selection of free diverse yoga classes for all ages and Instructor at Limestone Yoga, Colette Nagel says the festival will be the perfect day out for mind and body.

To talk about metabolic health and why it is so important, on Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Smaranda Maier. Smaranda is the owner and Founder of Authentic Health, a Qualified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a Background in Healthcare. Cooking for life masterclass, which focuses on metabolic health, is taking place on the 25th of May, in Bia Innovator, Athenry. To find out more visit: https://smaranda-maier.mykajabi.com/25th-may-metabolic-health?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR23tezzKYu0l8jnhaKXGZ-fd3Miq2w3QG7oMaRsxtv9Vk6srq45qL6NVL0_aem_AXokcFo1yezhdSpOVg4kA1jjR7sNm7qOswoYviT8CKpc6Hkk1ZPTezr6dqadZESII2-C7UhBNWYtcq7wk962xzcV or Whatsapp Smaranda on 085 196 8088.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Clinical Child Psychologist, Dr. Toby Sachsenmaier about Neurodiversity.

On ‘Clare Women in Business ‘ this week, Pat Flynn chats the founder/owner of the Shannon Estuary Way Retreat and Academy Rosie McMahon.

Lark in Ennis, which aims to be the premier summer camp in Ireland for adult players of traditional Irish music, will begin with orientation this coming Sunday, the 19th of May with classes starting on Monday, the 20th of May. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Danese Cooper, Organiser of Lark in Ennis.

Noel McInerney is a filmmaker from Killaloe. He has worked in the film industry over the past six years, rubbing shoulders with some Hollywood heavy hitters. Noel has directed a short film, called Baps and Buns, which won an award at this year’s Chicago Irish Film Festival. He is now taking Baps and Buns to the Fastnet Film Festival in Cork! To tell us more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Noel McInerney live in studio.

The US Justice Department told a federal judge on Tuesday that Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed it to avoid criminal prosecution after those two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft. To find out how significant a development this is, On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Naoise Ryan.

Over €1.2m in funding has been secured for the development of two affordable housing schemes in Ennis. The grant will support the delivery of 11 homes at Acha Bhile on the Lahinch Road by the end of the year and a further 10 homes at Doire na mBláth on the Tulla Road by June 2025. The properties will be sold at rates beginning at €280,000, but as they're affordable units, the local authority will retain up to a 22% stake , which will have to be repaid within forty years. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy says it's a step in the right direction.

The Department of Integration has confirmed it's considering an offer of accommodation for International Protection Applicants at the Abbey Hostel. It comes almost two weeks after 50 Ukrainian refugees, residing at the Ennis Hostel for up to two years, received letters from the Department, telling them to prepare for relocation. Some of these residents have been living in the town and attending local schools since the outbreak of war in 2022 and according to the Department, they will all be transferred by the 24th of this month. Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara fears people will be uprooted from their new communities.

A decision by the council executive to defer a meeting of the Ennis 2040 board has been slammed by an outgoing public representative. Ennis 2040 DAC, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Corrigan was due to appear before the council on Monday, but the engagement was cancelled by Council CEO Pat Dowling as it clashed with the visit of Minister Heather Humphrey's. Councillors expressed concern the meeting would not take place until after the local elections, but it has since been rescheduled for next Wednesday. Former Mayor of Ennis and Fine Gael Councillor Johnny believes the episode was an erosion of democracy.

Clare's Shane O'Donnell insists the squad are taking nothing for granted ahead of this weekend's pivotal clash with Waterford in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. The Banner come into the contest with no new injury concerns after a three-week respite from their second round victory over Cork in Páirc Uí Caoimh, and needing a win to boost their hopes of qualification. Waterford currently lie second in the round-robin table and will be searching for their first provincial victory over Clare since 2016. Eire Óg clubman and GAA Hurler of the month for April, O'Donnell says their only focus is the task that lies ahead. Throw in on Sunday is at 2pm in Cusack Park with commentary on Clare FM with Matt Waters Clare fruit and Veg Market Turnpike Road and Healy’s Spar and Off-licence Turnpike, Ennis

A Clare business fears new supports for small and medium enterprises are merely "plugging a hole" in the short-term. Grants of up to 5,000 euro for small retail and hospitality firms are among a package of supports announced for small retail and hospitality firms today.

There's a push for the level of public transport connectivity at Shannon Airport to be brought in line with that of other international airports. Clare County Council is currently engaging with Irish Rail on the possibility of including a rail stop at Shannon Airport in the Ennis to Limerick service. The National Transport Authority has also recently put forward a proposal to split the 343 bus service into four separate routes, with three of these serving Shannon Airport. Ardnacrusha native and Fianna Fáil local election candidate Rachel Hartigan says improving public transport accessibility at the Midwest base is crucial to econimic growth in this region.

A countywide series of mental health promotion events are taking place across Clare this afternoon. As part of the nationwide 'Hello How Are You' campaign, launched by Iarnróid Eireann and Mental Health Ireland, communities will be encouraged to reconnect in safe spaces to promote open connversations on health and well-being. This afternoon, the Clare Local Development Company will be inviting members of the public to attend its function at the Old Ground Hotel from 2 o'clock until 5. CLDC Social Inclusion Coordinator Darina Greene outlines what people can expect.

On this week’s Sport in Focus, we are taking a trip to Cooraclare to the West Clare Sports and Fitness Club. The club boasts a cross county running course along with a covered sprinting track, with plans in the pipeline for further development in the coming months. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke with club secretary Dermot Galvin and treasurer Geraldine Donnellan to find out more.

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 on how to recognise financial fraud.

The Cliffs of Moher will play host to a special charity event later this month, where much needed funds will be raised for three County Clare organisations. Sláinte an Chláir, Brothers of Charity Services Clare and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) Clare Branch have been chosen as the beneficiaries of the Cliffs of Moher Charity Fun Day. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Melanie Lennon, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Cliffs of Moher Experience and Clare Tourism West & Northwest and Deirdre Fahey, a breeding dog volunteer for the Irish Guide dogs for the Blind, Clare Branch.