Advertise on podcast: Clare FM

About 10-20% of homes in Ennis have very poor or no attic insulation. Even though the grants cover most of the cost, barriers exist. Ennis Environmental Action Group and Clare Local Development Funding and an anonymous donor have come together to remove all those barriers. - Advertisement - To find out more about the free attic insulation scheme, member of the Ennis Environmental Action Group, Bridget Ginnity joined Alan Morrissey in-studio. Photo (c) MediaProduction from Getty Images Signature via Canva

This Thursday on Morning Focus, our series ‘The Future of Disability Services’ focuses on Housing & Independent Living. Pat Flynn meets Jean Coleman,the Irish Wheelchair Association's National Housing Programme Manager.. This feature, 'The Future of Disability Services' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

St. Tola Goat Cheese in Inagh has picked up an impressive five awards at the 2026 Irish Cheese Awards, including Best New Cheese and two Best in Class awards.  Alan Morrissey was delighted to be joined by St. Tola owner Siobhan Ní Ghairbhith to hear about the award-winning cheeses, the story behind St. Tola, and what these honours mean for the team. Photo (c) The Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers

Joining Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus were three international mediums. Rosemary Phelan, Leona Mc Nama and Jeremy Turner-Welch who are coming to Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis for an Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday, October 6th.  They’ll be sharing messages and personal experiences from the spirit world, with the aim of bringing comfort, connection, and reassurance to audience members.   Alan found out more about what happens at an evening like this, how the three mediums work, and what people can expect if they come along. Image (c) Ennis Evening of Mediumship

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey looked ahead to the 32nd Ennis Trad Festival, which returns from November 5th to 9th, bringing five days of concerts, sessions, masterclasses, céilí, album launches and plenty of traditional music to venues across Ennis.    Joining Alan to tell us more were David Stone, Chairperson of Ennis Trad Festival, and Seán Lyons from the festival committee. Photo (c) Clare FM

Women’s Health Week 2026 is running this week, with a packed programme of events taking place across Clare until October 4th.  This year’s theme is “Strong at Every Age – Strong Bones, Strong Hearts, Strong Minds”, with activities focusing on physical health, mental wellbeing, nutrition, exercise and healthy ageing.   Alan Morrissey has been speaking with Professor Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Bon Secours Hospital, Limerick, who provided clear and accessible information about periods, menstrual wellbeing and the importance of cervical screening. Photo (c) scyther5 from Getty Images via Canva

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was talking about road safety and traffic management in Quilty, following a motion from Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon calling for a review of speed limits and traffic arrangements in and around the village.     With increasing tourism, proposed housing development and the potential future Greenway, Cllr Shannon says the area needs to be properly prepared for changing traffic and pedestrian demands.   Alan was joined by Cllr Michael Shannon to discuss his concerns and what he would like to see happen. Photo (c) Efe Burak Baydar from Pexels via Canva

Anthony is an acclaimed tenor and member of The Irish Tenors, who is coming to Ennis for a special concert at St Columba’s Church on Saturday (10th October) at 8pm.  Anthony will be joined by the Quin & Tonics Choir, conducted by Carol O’Neill, along with violinist Hughie Connolly and pianist David Wray.    The evening promises a wonderful mix of tenor favourites, Irish music and much-loved classics. Photo (c) Anthony Kearns via anthonykearnstenor.com

New research from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has highlighted concerning attitudes towards sexual violence in Ireland, with almost half of men under 25 surveyed believing there are “a lot” of false rape allegations.    The research also found that fear of not being believed remains a major barrier for survivors seeking help.  To discuss the findings, the impact of victim-blaming and how we can challenge harmful attitudes around sexual and gender-based violence, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Director of Services at Clare Haven. Image (c) Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Community Foundation Ireland

With Budget 2027 just around the corner, there’s considerable speculation about possible tax changes for homebuyers, including changes to stamp duty and the Help-to-Buy scheme.    But there are concerns that putting more money into buyers’ hands without increasing housing supply could simply push prices higher — while the uncertainty itself may be causing some buyers to pause.    To discuss the situation here in Ennis and the wider Clare property market, Alan Morrissey was joined by Diarmuid McMahon of Sherry FitzGerald McMahon Auctioneers and Doug Hurley, Managing Director of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley. Photo (c) Jakub Zerdzicki from Pexels via Canva

The opening date for the new haemodialysis unit in Ennis has been revealed. The HSE has confirmed the satellite unit will become operational on Monday, December 7th. The facility, located at Clare Technology Park on the Gort Road, will provide 120 treatment slots each week. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly says the unit will bring an end to decades of stress for patients requiring dialysis treatment.

Shannon Airport says it's optimistic it can build on the growth it has seen in 2026, with passenger traffic up by more than 10% this year. The latest report from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation found Shannon's 8.8% increase in passenger numbers compared with 2025 was the highest of any Irish airport. Meanwhile, Shannon's 10.9% passenger growth year-to-date is more than double the growth recorded at Dublin Airport in 2026. Airport Director Niall Kearns says works are underway to facilitate future growth.

Clare's MEP has criticised the decision to overlook local reed harvesters during the latest thatching works at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Clare County Council has confirmed reeds from Eastern Europe were imported to complete the repairs. Scariff Independent MEP Michael McNamara says reed cutters from Limerick have supplied Bunratty with reeds from the Shannon Estuary for more than 50 years. He says overlooking local producers could signal the end of the tradition in Ireland.

On Atlantic Tales this week we continue our series ‘Music Makers’ - musicians who also make musical instruments. Pat Flynn meets Pete Spelman whose journey to making musical instruments differs somewhat from our previous guests. He began making instruments after retiring. That’s Atlantic Tales, Sundays at 6.00pm or catch the Replay on Wednesdays at 6.00pm.

A Garda investigation is underway following an aggravated burglary at a domestic residence in Sixmilebridge. The alarm was raised at around 11.45 last night, following an incident at a home in Cappa Lodge. It’s understood a number of individuals entered the property armed with implements, threatened the female occupant and made their escape in the occupant's car. There are no reports of injuries. Sixmilebridge-based Local Community Safety Partnership Chair PJ Ryan, has described the incident as "disturbing" and is encouraging people in the local community to ensure their doors are locked.