Clare FM

Cathal Fitz is an Irish singer-songwriter whose music bridges intimate acoustic storytelling with modern pop influence. Eight years sober, his work reflects resilience, clarity, and self-belief, creating a signature sound rooted in honesty and emotional depth. Cathal started releasing music in January 2025, and has had a very successful breakout year, opening for Darren Kiely, Skinny Living and Jack L, while also performing at his first festival - Greenfields - this year.

Eimear Quinn returns to Ennis this Christmas for a magical concert at St Columba’s Church on December 12th. Her renowned ethereal vocals, joined by the Mamisa String Quartet and guitarist Robbie Overson, promise an unforgettable evening in one of the county’s most atmospheric venues. The newly formed Clare youth chamber choir LOINNIR will also perform on the night, following their recent success at the Derry International Choir Festival. Eimear Quinn, Irish singer and composer, Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 and Robbie Overson, guitarist joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus for a chat and a very special performance.

A resident of a heavily-trafficked Ennis backroad fears he wouldn't be able to get out of his driveway in the event of a medical emergency. Homeowners on the link road between the Quin Road and the N85 are calling for "joined-up thinking" from Clare County Council regarding alleviating traffic congestion on the route. Known locally as the Old Bog Road, the Kilbricken Road is the Quin Road's only connection to the dual carriageway. Oliver Plunkett, who's been living on the road for 30 years, says he's often unable to leave his house because of the build-ups outside his gateway.

A Shannon family has delivered a very special Christmas gift to the sick children of Temple Street Children’s Hospital, after raising close to €16,000 (€15,736) in memory of their late son. 10-year-old Dylan Coady-Coleman passed away from serious injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle at Purcell Park in Shannon in February 2024. The fundraiser carried out by Dylan’s mam Laura Coady, his sister Zoe, and his brother Shane has been described as an extraordinary act of love and generosity at a time when many families are facing their own challenges. Laura, who organised the fundraiser with her two children, is urging people to continue supporting Temple Street and to keep Dylan’s memory alive through kindness. Joining Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus was Laura Coady, Mother of the late Dylan Coady Coleman, from Shannon. Photo (c) Temple Street Hospital Facebook

Christmas festivities will be in full swing in Ennis tomorrow. Ennis Chamber will be hosting an Artisan Crafts and Food Market in the courtyard of the Temple Gate Hotel from 10am until 3pm, with all goods on offer produced locally. While on O'Connell Street, a Christmas Fashion Show co-ordinated by renowned model and designer Celia Holman Lee will take place from 12pm until 2pm. Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O'Brien has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that the artisan market will be particularly special. Image (c) Clare County Council

Drinkaware has launched its new Christmas campaign, “Gift Yourself Tomorrow,” encouraging adults to drink more mindfully over the festive season so they can wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy the moments that matter. New research from the Drinkaware Barometer shows a growing appetite for healthier drinking habits in Ireland — especially among younger adults — but awareness of the HSE’s low-risk drinking guidelines remains very low. The campaign aims to bridge that gap with practical tips, alcohol-free options, and tools to help people stay in control during the busy party season. Alan Morrissey had a chat with Maedhbh Firmino da Silva, Deputy Manager at Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre on Friday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Drinkaware LinkedIn

Clare FM’s annual busking event is around the corner! Chris, who presents Good Vibrations on Clare FM, has once again organised the initiative in aid of Clare Haven Services. It will be taking place on Saturday, the 13th of December. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Chris Hanrahan and Dr Siobhán O'Connor, Manager of Services, Clare Haven Services.

A new national report has found that 90% of Ireland’s EU-protected habitats are in poor condition, with over half continuing to decline. The assessment—published every six years under the EU Habitats Directive—highlights major pressures from agriculture, drainage, pollution and invasive species. But there is some good news: over half of protected species are in favourable condition, with otters, bats, many plants and even whale populations showing stability or improvement. Conservation efforts such as bog restoration and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan are also making a real impact. These findings will now help guide Ireland’s biodiversity and nature restoration plans in the years ahead. Ray Ó Foghlú, Hometree's Engagement and Education officer was on Friday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Irish Wildlife Trust

Following the untimely passing of firefighter Joe Crosse, a group of friends and colleagues has set up the Joe Crosse Benevolent Fund to support his family, particularly his children’s future education. Inspired by the generosity of the community and guidance from Deirdre Foran — who faced a similar loss — the fund aims to provide long-term support for Joe’s family, with donations invested to grow over time. So far, the initiative has received strong backing from local businesses, contractors, and individuals wishing to honour Joe’s legacy of goodwill. On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Brian McMahon, firefighter based in Ennistymon fire station and was a friend and colleague of the late Joe Crosse and Deirdre Foran, who lost her late husband, Ollie due to a sudden death, almost 21 years ago. Photo (c) Clare FM

Leonardo La Pietra is the founder of Leo at Home, a small artisan food business based in Doonbeg. This is where he prepares authentic Italian dishes to finish at home, bakes fresh bread and focaccia, and crafts a selection of traditional desserts. This year, Leonardo’s work earned national recognition when he won Gold at Blas na hÉireann for his handcrafted panettone in the Christmas Cake category. He’s also the first person to produce artisanal panettone in the west of Ireland, and one of only a handful making it entirely by hand nationwide. With panettone now one of the most beloved Christmas desserts around the world, Leonardo is proud to share this tradition with the community in West Clare. Leonardo joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus.

Short-term traffic congestion mitigation measures are being sought on a road being used as an unofficial "bypass of Ennis". Residents of the Kilbricken Road, known locally as the Old Bog Road, which links the Quin Road and the N85 Relief Road, are said to be living in a "nightmare situation" due to frequent bottlenecks and tailbacks. The route is too narrow to accommodate two lanes of traffic and as a result, drivers are often forced to pull into the nearest driveway or gateway to allow oncoming traffic to pass. After Mayor of Clare, Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy, raised the issue at a meeting of local representatives this week, Ennis Municipal District said possible short-term solutions include vehicle weight or length restrictions and implementing a one-way system. Clare FM's Seán Lyons spoke to Councillor Murphy about the issues on the road before meeting with a number of frustrated locals.

The Government is being pressed on the timeline for the construction of a Shannon Airport rail link. Speaking at the Clare base recently, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said he'd like to see a rail connection at the facility but gave no commitment to funding the project. The project was included in the All Island Strategic Rail Review published last September. Responding to Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan in the Dáil, Finance Minister Jack Chambers says it's up to Minister O'Brien to give updates on the development.

Chef Danny Lynch form Le Chéile joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus for the last of Taste of the Week for 2025. This week, Danny introduced us to a Christmas alternative which all the family can enjoy. It is black pudding and goats cheese bonbons.

A couple, previously featured on Atlantic Tales, are opening an exciting new space in Ennis that combines a pottery teaching school, yoga studio, and craft/wellness outlet. The new centre, called Potadóir, aims to be a creative and wellbeing hub for the Clare community, offering a wide range of classes starting in January. The doors open to the public this Saturday (13th December), with the full schedule of classes kicking off in the new year. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Kevin Keane, from Potadóir.

Ireland’s teacher recruitment and retention crisis is not a temporary fluctuation but a system challenge that threatens the quality of education and equity for young people. This was the message conveyed to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education by ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie on Wednesday. Mr Christie referenced recent ASTI and RedC research which found that the teacher supply crisis is impacting on every part of the school system, including 75% of schools advertising posts for which no applicant applied, and many second-level schools relying on non-qualified, out-of-field, or casual teachers. The ASTI is calling for a number of measures to address the current teacher supply crisis. To talk about this was Cathal Crowe, Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Education and Meelick Fianna Fail TD and Geraldine O’Brien, Former ASTI President and teacher at St Joseph’s Kilkee Community College on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Aflo Images via Canva

Clare Pickleball has been established with the support of Clare Sports Partnership to give adults across the county the chance to try one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. The fun game blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The sport is quickly gaining popularity for its accessibility, social atmosphere, and easy learning curve. Alan Morrissey was joined by the Chairperson of Clare Pickleball, Brian Moore. Photo (c) Clare Pickleball

The Ennis Lions Club is bringing festive cheer back to the town this weekend with the return of its annual Santa Project in The Square. Santa and his helpers will be on hand this Sunday, December 14th, from 11am to 5pm. Tom Carey, Project Leader of the Remembrance Tree joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to share more.

Hauliers say they may go on strike if TII doesn't allow them discounts they're entitled to at the toll booth. Industry representatives met with the Taoiseach on Wednesday to highlight the issue. They've accused toll oper­at­ors of mak­ing it delib­er­ately dif­fi­cult for truck­ers to claim dis­counts when pre-paying for the toll. To find out more, Alan Morrissey spoke with Eugene Drennan, Former President of the Irish Road Haulage Association.

Public Health doctors in the Mid West are calling on parents of eligible babies to avail of the free RSV immunisation as the catch-up campaign enters its final week. The programme for babies born between March 1st and August 31st ends this Friday, and there are concerns that some families may miss out on the protection before winter illnesses peak. Clare mother Lynsey Duhig, whose twins Aaron and Avery have already received the immunisation, is urging other parents to do the same. Lynsey joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to discuss this further. Photo (c) by Kameleon007 from Getty Images Signature

Morning Focus listeners have been getting in touch with us to highlight their concerns over the cost of blister packs. From the 1st of January, the State will stop funding weekly blister-packed medicines. Charges of €2.50 per tray will follow, even for medical card holders, meaning the disabled and OAPs will be required to pay between 10 and 25 euro for the service. There are concerns that this could create extra hardship for those already struggling with rising costs and could even lead to confusion over medication management among older patients. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by the President of the Irish Pharmacy Union, Tom Murray. Image (c) PublicDomainPictures from pixabay via Canva

What could be provided for Clare if it was funded to European norms? It turns out just 8% of public spending in Ireland occurs at a local government level, compared to 23% across the EU. This was raised in a council motion from the Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle, who spoke with Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus. Alan was also joined by Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, for more on this topic. Photo (c) Clare County Council

The Health Minister is being urged not to "water down" HIQA's recommendations on the urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Midwest. The HSE Mid West Regional Patient and Service User Council has met with Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to discuss the recommendations of the review published in September. During the meeting, the council explained that it favours options A and B of the review which would see bed capacity at UHL increased along with the extension of the campus to a second site under a shared governance and resourcing model. The minister is due to make a decision on the recommendations before Christmas, and Lahinch-based HSE Mid West Patient Advocate John Wall says there's "no reason" why construction can't begin next year.

Ennis Municipal District says there's a "diverse range of opinions" on the pedestrianisation of the county town's main street but claims "a lot of the public" are in favour of it. A survey on future access, traffic flow and pedestrianisation of O'Connell Street is running until January 4th and can be accessed on Clare County Council's website. Physical copies of the survey are available in council buildings including libraries and the findings are to be released in the new year. Ennis MD Acting Senior Engineer Paddy Tiernan says the goal is to find out what level of pedestrianisation people want on the street in order to formulate a plan for its future.

It's hoped the scourge of widespread illegal dumping will soon be effectively tackled in Clare. It comes as the local authority has given a commitment to elected representatives that it will have legislation in place to install surveillance at black spots within the first quarter of next year. In November alone, Clare County Council received 39 complaints in relation to illegal dumping. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says action is long overdue.

Health Officials are urging parents in Clare to bring their children to one of four free-of-charge flu vaccine clinics over the next ten days. It comes amid a surge in flu cases across Clare, Limerick and Tipperary with more people, including children, being admitted to hospital with the virus. HSE Midwest is holding a clinic at the Primary Care Centre on Station Road in Ennis next Wednesday, December 17th from 12 noon until 6pm, while there will be three other clinics in Limerick on the 13th and 18th and in Thurles on the 16th. Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Breda Cosgrove says the vaccine can protect your child against a nasty illness and prevent them from passing it on to elderly or vulnerable family members over the Christmas period.