Clare FM

From the rugby pitch to television, radio and now children’s books, Donncha O’Callaghan has certainly embraced life after professional rugby. His latest Disaster Dad adventure, Animal Antics, is out today, while his new RTÉ series, Donncha’s Away Games, sees him swapping the rugby pitch for some very unusual sporting challenges around the world. Donncha joined Alan Morrissey to chat about the new book, the new series, and what life is like when you’re no longer playing by the rules of rugby! Image (c) Jenny Taylor (Illustrator)

This weekend, Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla will be celebrating the rich musical heritage of East Clare, with a special series of events marking the 80th anniversary of the Tulla Céilí Band and 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. There’ll be archive recordings, live music, storytelling and tributes to some of the great musicians who have shaped the Tulla tradition. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Chairperson of Cnoc na Gaoithe, Breda McNamara. Image (c) Cnoc Na Gaoithe, Tulla

Music has always been a powerful way of bringing people together, and a new RTÉ series, Ceol le Chéile, explores exactly that — bringing Irish traditional musicians together with performers from cultures around the world. One of those musicians is Lissycasey’s Jack Talty, who features in the four-part series, creating new music and connections with artists from diverse backgrounds. With the first episode airing tomorrow on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Jack joined Alan Morrissey to chat about the experience and the music behind Ceol le Chéile. Image (c) Clare FM

One Day, Many Voices – A Nation Connected By Radio. As part of One Day, Many Voices, a historic nationwide radio event bringing 23 independent radio stations across Ireland together with Learning Waves Skillnet, we shine a spotlight on diversity, inclusion and belonging in our communities. In this panel discussion, Disability Activist & Founder of Disabled People of Clare, Ann Marie Flanagan, Community activist & Former PRO of the Clare Older People's Council, Madge O’Callaghan and Coordinator of Clare Traveller Community Development Project, Bridgie Casey spoke about community, inclusion, disability, ageing and the travelling community. One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na...

One Day, Many Voices – A Nation Connected By Radio. As part of One Day, Many Voices, a historic nationwide radio event bringing 23 independent radio stations across Ireland together with Learning Waves Skillnet, we shine a spotlight on diversity, inclusion and belonging in our communities. In this conversation, Youth Worker with Clare Youth Service, Moya Hannigan spoke about the work of Clare Youth Service, focusing on the importance of access to information, inclusion and equality, and the work being done to create safe and welcoming spaces where young people feel heard and supported. One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún n...

A Clare TD says fuel protesters should wait until the budget is revealed before deciding to take to the roads again. It comes as The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices group are set to meet this weekend to discuss the possibility of further protests. There are calls on the Government to permanently cut the tax on petrol and diesel. It comes as the excise reductions on fuel, introduced in April, are now expected to remain in place until spring. The extension is part of ongoing budget negotiations, while the Tánaiste earlier this week indicated there will be a c...

This week is Simon Week, with the focus this year on the growing number of people experiencing homelessness on their own. Despite Ireland’s commitment to work towards ending homelessness by 2030, more than 17,000 adults and children are now living in emergency accommodation. So, what needs to change, and can Ireland turn its commitments into meaningful action? Alan Morrissey was joined by Niall Garvey, CEO of Midwest Simon, to discuss the homelessness crisis and the call for a major push to tackle single-adult homelessness. Photo(c) Facebook, Mid-West Simon Community

It's feared Clare school bus routes could be subject to safety risks if landowners fail to trim roadside hedges. It comes as a motion has gone before the Killaloe MD calling for enforcement measures to be taken against those failing to do so. The Killaloe Municipal District has confirmed its intention to complete the job on all regional roads in the electoral area depending on funding availability. Councillors have now raised the alarm, however, over the prospect of regional link roads and others serving school busses being omitted from the final plans. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says t...

One Day, Many Voices – A Nation Connected By Radio. As part of One Day, Many Voices, a historic nationwide radio event bringing 23 independent radio stations across Ireland together with Learning Waves Skillnet, we shine a spotlight on diversity, inclusion and belonging in our communities. In this conversation, we explored Clare Local Development Company (CLDC)’s work in promoting inclusion, equality and sustainable development, while supporting local people, communities and enterprises to thrive. CEO of Clare Local Development Company, Doirin Graham joined Alan Morrissey to share her insight into the organisation’s work and the importance of building strong, connected communities. One Da...

As part of One Day, Many Voices, a historic nationwide radio event bringing 23 independent radio stations across Ireland together with Learning Waves Skillnet, we shine a spotlight on diversity, inclusion and belonging in our communities. In this conversation, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Marie Connolly, an Ennis native and retired Director of Human Rights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (HREDI) at the University of Limerick. Dr Connolly shares her expertise and insight into what it takes to build communities where everyone feels welcome, valued and included, exploring the importance of equality, representation and creating a genuine sense of belonging for...

A cancer diagnosis can bring enormous physical and emotional challenges, but it can also have a major financial impact on patients and their families. New figures from the Irish Cancer Society show that people affected by cancer can lose thousands in income while facing significant additional costs for medical expenses, travel, parking and prescriptions. John Wall from Lahinch is living with stage 4 cancer and is also a patient advocate on the HSE Mid West Programme Improvement Board. John Wall joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to talk about the real cost of cancer and the supports that patients and...

A Clare fuel protest coordinator says talks are continuously ongoing about the potential for further demonstrations in this county. The group behind the nationwide protests in April will convene this Sunday evening in Westmeath, with reports stating further protests could be seen from as early as next week. Following April's protests reductions on the tax on and and diesel were introduced, with these due to be phased out from November. Ballynacally-based bus company operator Cathal O'Donoghue claims some people don't realise the extent they benefitted from the original protest.

It's feared Clare school bus routes could be subject to safety risks if landowners fail to trim roadside hedges. The Killaloe Municipal District has confirmed its intention to complete the job on all regional roads in the electoral area depending on funding availability. Councillors have now raised the alarm , however, over the prospect of regional link roads and others serving school busses being omitted from the final plans. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says traditionally these routes have never been left in any doubt.

On Atlantic Tales this week we continue our series ‘Music Makers’, musicians who also make musical instruments. Pat Flynn travels to Slieve Callan to meet musician and bodhrán maker Ben March. We’ll also hear from professional percussionist, Brian Fleming, who plays more than one of Ben’s instruments.

This week on Morning Focus, our series ‘The Future of Disability Services’ focuses on Employment & Opportunities. Pat Flynn visits Ennistymon to meet Trish McNamara. This feature, 'The Future of Disability Services' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

A group of women poets known as The Seven Sisters are coming together for a series of readings across Clare, with the performances raising funds for Record Break café and vinyl record store in Ennis.  Following a successful first event at Shannon’s literary festival, the second reading takes place this Saturday at Easi Artists Studios, with a third event planned for Ennistymon in October.  Alan Morrissey was joined by Ruth Marshall, poet, storyteller and founding member of The Seven Sisters, to tell us more about the group, the fundraiser and what audiences can expect. Photo (c) Clare FM

Ennis is celebrating after retaining its Purple Flag accreditation, recognising the town’s safe, vibrant and diverse evening and night-time economy.    Assessors praised everything from its cultural venues and traditional music to its public spaces, with the De Valera County Library, Súil Gallery and Glór all singled out.    To discuss what the accreditation means for the town and how Ennis can continue to develop its evening offering, Alan Morrissey was joined by Cllr. Tommy Guilfoyle, Chair of Ennis Purple Flag Committee and Mayor of Ennis, and Cora Gunter, County Librarian De Valera Library Photo (c) Eamon Ward

Obesity can be a difficult and complex issue, involving not just physical health but also our relationship with food, our bodies and our own self-worth.     A weekend workshop taking place in Ennistymon next month will explore the latest medical evidence around obesity alongside the emotional and psychological challenges people can face.    Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Brendan O’Shea, Assistant Adjunct Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin, who is one of the facilitators of the “Beyond the Scales” workshop at the Falls Hotel. Photo (c) Africa images via Canva

This Sunday, people across Clare will come together as part of Walk in Our Shoes 2026, a grassroots initiative calling for a family court system that is transparent, trauma-informed and trustworthy.  In Ennis, participants will walk from Ennis Cathedral to Ennis Courthouse, carrying children’s shoes as a symbol of the childhoods affected by family court decisions.  Joining Alan Morrissey to explain the initiative and why families across Ireland are taking part was Anna Kavanagh, a coordinator with Walk in Our Shoes. Photo (c) Jens Mahnke from Pexels via Canva

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke about a growing concern for young people across Ireland — the decision of whether to stay or seek opportunities abroad. New research from the National Youth Council of Ireland finds that 68% of 18 to 24-year-olds are considering moving abroad, with housing, the cost of living and employment among their biggest concerns.  To hear what that looks like in real life, Alan was joined by four young people with very different experiences: musician Fionn Hayes from Sixmilebridge; Thomas Earle from Lissycasey, who moved to England at 18; Mae McConigly from Killaloe, now studying in the Netherlands; and Kat...