Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis man Peter Dooley, lead singer with indie rock band The Buzzmonkeys.  

 

Peter’s life changed dramatically in September 2020 when he suffered a major stroke.  

 

Since then, he has worked incredibly hard on his recovery and is now using his experience to raise awareness about stroke prevention and life after stroke. 

This Culture Night, Peter is launching a new song as part of the EEMS show at Lucas’s Bar, with all proceeds from downloads going to St Camillus’s Community Hospital in Limerick, which played an important role in his recovery.

Photo (c) Clare FM

It's hoped a major infrastructure project in Ennis can progress quickly following the appointment of a design team for the Ashline Link Road. Clare County Council has confirmed Punch Consulting Engineers have been appointed as Civil and Structural Engineering Consultants, while Rogerson Reddan & Associates Ltd have been appointed as Quantity Surveyors for the project. It's hoped that, upon completion, the road will provide access to almost nine hectares of zoned land at Ashline, with the potential for approximately 300 new homes. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly says the project should progress quickly, given the importance of the route.

It's claimed a 'landmark' redevelopment of a Clare luxury hotel will benefit the entire county, not just the local area. Plans have been announced for a €55m redevelopment of Dromoland Castle, the largest such project in the hotel's 63 year history. As part of the project an additional 29 guestrooms will be delivered, increasing the maximum capacity to 121 bedrooms. Dromoland Castle General Manager, Mark McSorley, says the development will secure the next fifty years of the hotel's future.

Coming up on the show, we will reflect on the draws for the 2026 senior and intermediate football quarter finals, review a dramatic weekend of ladies football action, begin our build up to the Amgen Irish Open and we will head to Scariff for the latest stop in our More Than A Club series

Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch joined Alan Morrissey on Monday’s Morning Focus to review the weekend’s sporting action.

~ TUS Clare Senior Football Championship ~ 

-Corofin v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Friday, Clarecastle) 

-Eire Og and Doora Barefield will go head to head in the last eight of the 2026 TUS Clare senior football championship. 

-It's a repeat of their final clash from 12 months ago, with the Townies coming out on top of a tight encounter to seal a historic double of hurling and football crowns  

-Doora Barefield booked their last eight spot with a dramatic two point win over Corofin after extra time in their playoff tie. 

-They led by five points at half time  

-In what is a derby filled quarter final draw, Kilmurry Ibrickane take on Doonbeg, Miltown go up against Ennistymon and Lissycasey face Ennistymon 

-All those games are set to be played in two weeks time

~ Clare Ladies Senior Football Championship ~ 

-Kilmihill v Fergus Rovers  

-Liscannor v St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield  

-Kilmurry Ibrickane and Banner each topped their respective groups and progress directly to the semi-finals  

~ Clare Ladies Intermediate Football Championship ~

-Cuil Gaels v Crusheen

-St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay v Kilrush

-Cooraclare and Doonbeg each topped their respective groups and progress directly to the semi-finals

~ Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship ~ 

-Defending champions Inagh-Kilnamona v Clarecastle-Ballyea in Fr McNamara Park.

-Kilmaley would join them in the semi finals if they can overcome Newmarket, who need to win to keep their progression hopes alive, and they meet in Clareabbey.

-In Group Two, Tulla face Truagh Clonlara in Feakle while St Joseph's meet Scariff Ogonnelloe

Image (c) Clare FM

There’s been plenty of excitement around Clare band The Awning since they burst onto the music scene in late 2024. 

After selling out their debut headline show and appearing at festivals including All Together Now, Ireland Music Week and Other Voices, the band are continuing their rapid rise. 

Their latest single, ‘Home’ is a deeply personal song exploring childhood, family and the devastating impact of addiction. 

Alan Morrissey was joined by Evan Flaherty and Darragh Purcell from The Awning to chat about the new track, their journey so far, and what’s next for the band.

Photo (c) Clare FM

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre, Ennis was back on Monday’s Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries.

This week, Judy told us about all the amazing fruits you can grow as the days get shorter.

If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964.

Image (c) Clonroad Garden Centre

It’s a big week for golf in County Clare, with the Amgen Irish Open taking place at Doonbeg and the Walker Cup heading to Lahinch. And the excitement is being felt right across the county, including at East Clare Golf Club, where membership and visitor numbers have been on the rise. 

The club has also seen a huge surge in junior membership, with numbers now reaching 175, while its greens have been receiving glowing reviews from golfers both at home and abroad.   

Alan Morrissey was joined by East Clare Golf Club representative Nick Ryan to learn more.

Photo (c) Clare FM

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey shone a spotlight on female entrepreneurship in Clare and a programme helping women turn business ideas into reality.  

ACORNS is now inviting applications for its 12th cycle, supporting women in rural Ireland who are in the early stages of starting their own businesses. 

Joining Alan were two Clare entrepreneurs who know the programme firsthand — Breige Grogan of Little Rock Digital and Carina Roseingrave of Burren View Farm.  

We heard about their experiences and why they’re encouraging other women to take that next step.

Photo (c) Vlada Karpovich from Pexels via Canva

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy.

Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County.

Photo (c) Clare FM