Clare Fm - Podcasts

The issues of social and affordable housing and Ennis 2040 dominated the first of Clare FM's Local Election debates. With just over a week to go to polling day on June 7th, candidates are competing for 28 seats across 5 electoral areas. The 13 candidates in the Ennis Local Electoral Area have taken part in the first of six debate specials taking place in the Council Chamber at Áras Contae an Chlár over the coming week.

It is time to bring you another weird and wonderful tale, which means it is time for another edition of Seanchaí Corner. Seanchaí Corner sees the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster Eddie Lenihan regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. In our latest installment of Seanchaí Corner, Eddie Lenihan brings us a strange tale of the man and the barrel.

The Local and European Elections will take place on the 7th of June. No doubt there are some of you out there who have questions in relation to whether you are registered, how to check whether you are, what kind of voter ID you need, how to find your polling station and many more besides. To discuss the upcoming elections and to provide essential voter information, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tim Carey, Head of Electoral Operations with An Coimisiún Toghcháin on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Picture (c) electoralcommission.ie

The head of Clare's Garda Division is assuring the public that "significant work" is underway to bring those responsible for recent burglaries to justice. Property crime remains on the rise in Clare, with figures from yesterday's Clare Joint Policing Committee meeting showing burglary has risen by 31% in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. The meeting also heard that 144 thefts from shops and 32 thefts from vehicles were recorded by Clare Gardaí between January and April. Chief Superintendent of the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division Aileen Magner insists in spite of how the figures look, Gardaí here have a proven track record of tackling crime of this nature.

A Clare election candidate believes he's not at a disadvantage despite living in another county and admitting he's not up to speed with local issues. Stonemason, Michael Loughrey from Gort is running for the newly formed "Irish People" party in the Ennistymon electoral area. In August, some current members of the party, including Loughrey caused controversy during a protest against a library book in East Clare when they erected a banner on the 12th century monastic tower at Holy Island, which is a protected structure. Loughrey insists he has what it takes to tackle problems in North Clare though.

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On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrisssey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, Tom gave listeners advice on companion planting and helping plants grow together. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

Jazz lovers are advised to make their way to Doonbeg for the June bank holiday weekend. The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival, taking place from the 31st of May to the 3rd of June, will feature 11 bands and 27 performances across four days. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Philippa Siegrist on Monday's Morning Focus. Picture (c) Doonbeg Jazz Festival

Hope has been expressed that an agreement can be reached to secure the future of Dealz in Shannon. The discount store is slated for closure on June 18th, with managment confirming in a social media post online that all deliveries have been stopped. Tesco is taking over the unit currently occupied by Dealz in the Shannon Town Shopping Centre and talks have been underway to relocate the discount store to a new unit. A spokesperson for the Shannon Town Shopping centre is reassuring that talks are ongoing and Cathaiorleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says she hopes a resolution can be found.

There are calls for tailored supports to be provided for businesses impacted by ongoing road works in Ennis The €11.5m streetscape and public realm enhancement of the county town is currently in its third phase and will see sections of Parnell Street and O'Connell Street closed to traffic until October 2025. In April, contractor Shareridge LTD recruited a night shift to speed up the High Street phase of the works. Ennis Independent local election candidate Jacek Kwasny (Yad-cek Ka-vosh-neh) claims the works are leading to a surge of anti-social behaviour incidents.

A European election candidate for this region believes Ireland's annual increase in defence spending should be redirected to healthcare instead. In Budget 2024, the Government allocated over €1.2bn to the defence forces, which was an increase of €21m. Last November, the HSE was forced to extend its recruitment embargo to all grades of nurses and doctors, due to funding shortfalls. Ireland South Independent Candidate Graham De Barra says EU laws must all be enforced to ensure MidWest hospital staff are not working in abnormally pressurised conditions.

Edwina Donnellan, CEO of Centra Ennis, was recently announced as this year’s winner of the Image PwC Family Businesswoman of the Year Award. To find out more about her success and the PwC Family Businesswoman of the Year, Alan Morrissey was joined by Edwina on Monday's Morning Focus.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Avril Collentine of Cahir & Co. Solicitors, Ennis in our weekly legal slot. This week, Avril provided advice on Succession & Wills and Implementing a Farm Transfer.

Comedian Bernard Casey will be making his way to Clare later this week. The Kerry native, whose online comedy videos have over 15 million views and have garnered him over 130,000 social media followers, will be appearing at the Killaloe Hotel & Spa on Friday May 31st. To find ourt more ahead of the show, Alan Morrissey was joined by Comedian, Bernard Casey on Monday's Morning Focus. Picture (c) Bernard Casey via Eventbrite

Michael McTigue, the man behind a new sculpture in the Temple Gate Courtyard, has installed a new piece of art to mark the 50th anniversary of Fleadh Nua in Ennis. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with sculptor, Michael McTigue on Monday's Morning Focus.

Questions are being raised over the future of Barrington’s Hospital. The Government had been called upon to acquire Barrington’s Hospital for use as a second A&E in the Mid-West, as a way to alleviate pressure on University Hospital Limerick, following a motion brought by Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy, Councillor Shane Talty, and Councillor Alan O'Callaghan. The 53-bed facility, located on George's Quay in Limerick City, is on sale with a guide price of €12.5m. To find out more, on Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare Independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne.

Sixmilebridge residents are reportedly living in fear of a "major accident" due to the lack of traffic calming in the south-east Clare village. This month's meeting of the Shannon Municipal District has heard a call from Independent Councillor PJ Ryan for traffic control measures to be implemented at the lower square in Sixmilebridge, due to the volume of traffic having increased "drastically" in recent years. The original wording of Councillor Ryan's motion suggested traffic lights or a mini roundabout could be installed at the junction, but he was asked by the Senior Executive Engineer prior to the meeting to withdraw this suggestion as it was felt such a proposal could interfere with plans for a footbridge across the O'Garney River. The Sixmilebridge representative remains adamant, however, that an effect solution must be found as a matter of urgency.

It's claimed a major lack of youth amenities has led to a decline in mental health and increase in anti-social behaviour in Ennis. According to Pobal's deprivation index, over 400 young people in the town are growing up in a very disadvantaged area. The analysis also showed that amongst this group, 23% are unemployed and only 14% are attending third-level education. Ennis Independent local election candidate, Ruairí Keenan says services urgently need to be provided to improve opportunities for young people in the town.

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