Clare Fm - Podcasts

Clare is said to be a prime location for an "expansion-minded" farmer looking to purchase land at a reasonable price. The Irish Farmers Journal's annual Agricultural Land Price Report has found the average price of land in Clare last year was €9,076 which was up almost 5% on 2022. 3,154 acres went on the market in this county in 2023 which resulted in 23 transactions ranging from €1,315 to €28,125. Author of the report and Agribusiness and EU Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Paul Mooney has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that lower intensity of demand from dairy farmers in Clare means holdings can be acquired here more affordably.

Our new series, ‘Clare Women in Business’, seeks to showcase the accomplishments of women in business, foster gender equality, and inspire future generations of female leaders. This week, Pat Flynn meets Orlaigh Meere from Meere’s Pork Products which will celebrate five decades in business next year.

A major cycling event making its return to North Clare this year is expected to reveal some of the region's hidden gems. After a five-year hiatus, the Tour de Burren is back on June 22nd and is expected to bring over 2,200 cyclists to Clare's iconic heartland. The event is family-friendly and provides a choice of routes suited to participants at all stages of their cycling journey. John Moloney of the Burren Cycling Club insists "it's not just a cycle; it's an experience".

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmer’s Association General Secretary, Eddie Punch has announced his intention to run in the upcoming European Parliament elections on June 7th. The Cratloe-based farmer, who has worked for 25 years at the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) has confirmed that he will run as an independent candidate in Ireland South. For more on this, Eddie Punch joined Peter O'Connell, on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Last August, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fergal Lynch and Pat Ryan to chat about the Cycle4Des initiative. Participants travelled from Quin to Athenry, with an aim to raise funds for the oesophageal cancer fund. Carmel Doyle, the CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, will be at Clooney Quin GAA this Saturday, March 16, at 4 p.m. to accept a €53,000 cheque from Fergal Lynch, Clare Hurler, and their family in remembrance of their father Des Lynch, who passed away in September 2021. For more on this, Fergal Lynch joined Peter O'Connell on the show.

It is time for another wonderful tale from the one and only Eddie Lenihan, which means it is time for Seanchaí Corner. Seanchaí Corner sees Eddie, the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. This week, Eddie tells us a strange tale about a man who interfered with a fairy fort.

It is time for the fifth episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus: Village Tour. With The Village Tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county. By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener. During each episode of Village Tour, Alan Morrissey chats with three people from a particular village or townland in Clare: from locals and business owners to those involved with local sports clubs and community representatives. Let’s listen to our fifth episode of The Village Tour, in which Alan paid a visit to Clarecastle.

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Peter O'Connell was joined by Bernard Dilger, Chairman of the Ennis Langenfeld Twinning Board and Darragh McAllister, from the Ennis Brass Band to chat about their trip to Lagenfeld, the carnival festival and more.

The Tour de Burren will take place on June 22. Cyclists from near and far are invited to join the the Burren Cycling Club in Barefield to embark on cycles of various levels through the Burren Geopark and along the coastal roads of North Clare. The Tour de Burren brings together cycling enthusiasts from across the globe on an annual basis, uniting over 2,000 participants in a shared passion for exploration and adventure on two wheels. For more on this, Peter O'Connell spoke with John Maloney and Gearóid Howard from the Burren Cycling Club.

It's claimed blame is being unfairly put on short-term accommodation providers in Clare for housing shortages. The Irish Self-Catering Federation has welcomed Clare County Council's decision to ask the Government to pause the proposed roll-out of the Short-Term Tourist Letting Register. It follows a motion put forward at this month's meeting of the local authority which called for its introduction to be suspended until "adequate consultation and clarification" takes place amid alleged "fears, anxiety and misinformation" around the issue of short-term lets. 1,502 properties in Clare are currently listed on Airbnb, but Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan claims these "niche tourism businesses" are being unjustly singled out as contributors to long-term accommodation scarcity.

A Clare Auctioneer believes the Government needs to prioritise renovation and refurbishment supports to get vacant properties back on the market. Census 2022 identified 5,369 unoccupied dwellings in this county, but so far just 611 tax returns have been filed here under the vacant homes tax. It's charged at three times the rate of local property tax, meaning a house worth 300 thousand euro that's unoccupied for more than 30 days would incur an annual charge of €945. Douglas Hurley from DNG O'Sullivan Hurley in Ennis says many property owners are finding ways to avoid the tax.

It's claimed Clare is at crisis point when it comes to the state of local and rural roads across the county. The local authority is set to write to the Department of Transport to seek emergency capital funding to tackle widespread road disrepair. It's understood Clare County Council has €16.4m in its coffers for the maintenance and improvement of local roads throughout the county. However if all of this funding was invested in the county's 232km road network, it would strengthen and resurface just 6% of the route. The Department of Transport recommends that 10% of a county's roads should be maintained on an annual basis. The Mayor of Clare believes the local authority will have to consider taking out a loan if emergency funding is not granted by government as many roads here have become impassable. Bodyke Fine Gael Councillor Joe Cooney says the situation has reached crisis point. A Councillor in the South East of the County claims Clare's motorists are getting nowhere near their value for money when i

The Mayor of Ennis is urging Clare's TDs & Senators to appear before a special meeting of the local authority. It comes amid concern over funding allocations proposed for the municipal district schedule of road works. Just €5,000 has been allocated for works at Clareabbey roundabout , which despite being one of the busiest junctions in the county; linking Clarecastle to Ennis, has no cycle lane or pedestrian crossing. Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly says serious safety issues at the site have been going on far too long.

It's feared something's going to give for Clare businesses small and medium businesses if the VAT rate isn't restored to the lower level. It comes as the small and medium enterprise enterprise association ISME have joined forces with trade organisations to launch a nationwide campaign to address soaring labour costs. The slogan of the campaign is "Save Jobs - Sign The Pledge" and it's demand a permanent 9% VAT rate for the food service, entertainment, experiential and grooming sectors along with greatr representation fo rsmall b usinesses on the Labour Economic Forum and Low Pay Commission. Managing Director of the Burren Ailwee Experience and ISME Council Member Nuala Mulqueeney says businesses can't be expected to continue increasing their prices.

The finishing touches are being put on parade floats and marching routines across Clare as communities gear up for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. While politicians and dignitaries are setting off to various parts of this world to present Clare this weekend, parade organising committees are indicating that the real fun and festivities will be here at home. Community spirit and embracing traditions appear to be the common threads running through St. Patrick's Day plans in Clare communities this weekend. In West Clare, Doonbeg's float procession will kick-off at 3:30pm on Saturday at the footfall field while walkers and marchers are being advised to gather at the school at the same time. Music and entertainment will be provided by the likes of the Tulla Pipe Band and a 40-piece Swiss marching band who'll be celebrating their 50th year in existence. The theme of the parade is 'back to our roots', and member of the organising committee Rita McInerney says it'll be the perfect way to begin the tourist season.

Today (Wednesday, 13th) is a historic day for sport in Coláiste Muire in Ennis, as their girls’ team will contest the Munster Schools final. It is the first year that the school has entered a girls rugby team, and today they take on Sacred Heart of Clonakilty in the Munster Senior Cup final in Virgin Media Park. Teacher and coach Gemma Hassett along with players Lyndsay Clarke and Sally Kelly, joined Clare FM's Derrick Lynch to discuss the upcoming game.

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O’Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. On this week’s Travel Tales, Fergal spoke about his recent trip to India, his experiences visiting New Delhi, Jaipur, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Himalayas, the Ganges, and many more locations that are worth the visit.

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan spoke with some of the main organizers of the St Patrick’s Day parades that are set to take place around the county and beyond. Alan found out what we can expect from a number of the parades that are planned in the banner county in towns and villages such as Doonbeg, Kilrush, Killaloe, Kilkee, Sixmilebridge, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Gort and Doolin.

The Ennis 2040 DAC is facing urgent calls to clarify how it will repay its €10m loan approved by Clare County Council in 2021. So far, €2.2m of the fund has been drawn down for design and planning of projects at Abbey Street, Francis Street, Harvey's Quay and the Post Office Field. Currently, the Ennis 2040 DAC possesses fixed assets valued at just over €14,000 along with €1m in cash and is owed €1.3m from its debtors. Fianna Fáil Lissycasey Councillor PJ Kelly believes without a clear repayment plan, spending could spiral out of control.

A Clare childcare provider is standing firm in his view that nothing short of an "overall review" of the childcare industry will make it a viable pursuit into the future. It comes as the Government has revealed almost €7.5 million in subsidies were paid to Clare childcare providers in 2023 under the National Childcare Scheme as a means of easing the burden on parents and guardians. 3,807 children in this county benefitted from the scheme last year and the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth has committed to increasing the minimum hourly subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14 in September. Despite this, Noel Mulderrig, who'll be closing the doors of his long-running creche Kidz Haven in Shannon in June, insists the sector can't survive without the issue of staffing being meaningfully addressed.