Stephen Fletcher presents Beyond Belief which this week features an extended conversation with Colm Flynn, the former Vatican correspondent for EWTN, now International correspondent for EWTN based in Washington DC. Colm and his wife Paola moved to Washinton DC earlier this year and he talks about the move and the work he carries out for different broadcasting organisations.

Stephen also catches up over coffee with Fr Gerry Kenny to talk about what is happening around our dioceses.

Coming Up...

Another action packed show as always as we'll have an extensive preview of the All Ireland senior Hurling Final between Limerick and Galway.

The John Hynes Cup finals take place on Saturday evening in Cusack Park, we'll recap Clare's u16 ladies football All Ireland success and Alan troy will join us for Greyhounds in Focus.

Genevieve is an Irish musician and vocalist who grew up in Killeeshil, County Tyrone, creating music rooted in family, harmony, and a shared love of storytelling through sound.

Working closely with her dad and brother, Genevieve blends warm vocals with rich musical arrangements to craft songs that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Their music is shaped by years of playing together, drawing inspiration from Irish traditions while weaving in modern influences and heartfelt lyricism.

At its heart, Genevieve’s music is about connection: family, feeling, and the simple joy of creating something meaningful together.

With recent releases "My Little One", "It Won't Be Long" and "The Child We Knew", “A Walk in Your Shoes” and "Hand in Hand (The Marriage)" , this is just the beginning, with more music to follow soon and Genevieve's album "While You're Away" only months away.

Cusack Park is set to once again set to play host to this year's John Hynes Cup Finals tomorrow evening.

This year sees the third iteration of the tournament since its rebirth in 2024 and is held in memory of John Hynes who was one of the founding members of Ennistymon Hurling Club.

They'll be hoping to get their hands on the cup for the first time when they take on Clonbony at 7pm, while Kilkee/Bealaha and Inagh-Kilnamona face off in the shield final from 5pm.

Treasurer and PRO of Ennistymon Hurling Club, Kieran Harvey, says it's a great opportunity to promote the game in the west of the county.

Clare's Minister of State claims ramping up wastewater infrastructure towards the end of this year will move the Government closer to its housing targets.

With the Dáil summer recess now underway, attention is turning to the successes and failures of the Government since last September.

A former Clare Senior Hurler who passed away tragically in the United States has been remebered as a natural leader and the life of the party everywhere he went.

40 Year-Old Anthony 'Sconey' Kilmartin died following a fall in New York last Sunday, where he'd been living for over a decade.

A revered member of Newmarket-On-Fergus GAA Club, Sconey as he was affectionately known stood out from an early age.

A versatile operator who could play in almost any position, Anthony won underage hurling titles at all levels with Newmarket, played for the Clare Seniors in 2007 and even won a Féile football title with the Blues.

He was loved and respected even more though for his presence off the field, where he was known as a constant source of positivity, fresh ideas and motivation.

Former Coach Bob Enright says every time you left Sconey, you always looked forward to the next encounter.

Having lived and worked in New York for over a decade , Sconey came on board with the Clare New York Hurling Club as a manager this year.

Clare New York Chairperson Seanie Dilger says he was a fantastic individual who will be deeply missed by everyone.

Morning Focus was broadcasting live from Bunratty Castle for stop three of Alan Morrissey's Summer Tour.

Firstly, Alan spoke to Suzie Clifford, Senior Executive Officer, and Caimin Dillion, Acting Senior Executive Engineer, from Shannon Municipal District about what the MD does and how it benefits residents.

Fianna Fáil's Timmy Dooley and Sinn Féin's Donna McGettigan discussed how the Dáil has done so far this year ahead of their summer recess, and what needs to be the main priorities when they return.

Alan was then joined by John Strand, Executive Engineer, Pat Kearney, Senior General Services Supervisor, and Taryn de Vere, Creative Places Coordinator, about the improvements to Shannon MD that people have been enjoying, including the popular new Shannon Dog Park.

Aidan Acheson, Technician, Patricia O’Neill, Staff Officer, and Michael Keane, Supervisor, continued telling Alan about the developments in Shannon MD, and how community groups could get their ideas made reality.

Kevin O’Connor, Chairman of the Bunratty Economic Development Association, and Mike Rohan, Vice Chairman of the Bunratty Economic Development Association, spoke to Alan about the Bunratty Economic Development Association, and how they're continuing to develop Bunratty's famous tourism trade.

Alan, Mark O’Shaughnessy, Head of Operations at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, and Erin Malone, Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager at

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park discussed what makes the area's historical sites so special.

Alan remembered the life and legacy of the late Anthony "Sconey" Kilmartin with Bob Enright, Anthony’s former coach, and Seanie Dilger, Chairman of New York Clare Hurling Club.

Our Friday Panel (Mike Glynn and Maurice Walsh) discussed the Government's performance so far, the new Sex For Rent legislation, the unusally warm weather you might have noticed, and should we stop automatically supporting every team who plays against England.

Finally, to take us into the weekend, Alan learnt about a Clare submission to the Galway Film Fleadh from Douglas Reddan, Movement Artist, Choreographer, and Director from Quin.

Image (c) Clare FM

The Dáil has risen for its summer recess, bringing to a close a politically eventful first half of the year.  

 

From the ongoing housing crisis and rising living costs to renewed controversy over the National Children's Hospital, fuel protests and heated exchanges across the floor of the Dáil, the Government and Opposition remain sharply divided on the country's direction.  

 

So, at the halfway point of this Government's term, is Ireland seeing real progress, or are the biggest challenges still unresolved?  

 

Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss the Government's report card and what's in store when the Dáil returns in September were Minister of State Timmy Dooley of Fianna Fáil and Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan.

Photo © Oireachtas.ie

A leading Irish charity has described progressing legislation that would enable the construction of an LNG terminal in Clare as "nonsensical and morally indefensible".

Trócaire is arguing the passage of the bill that would facilitate the development of a strategic emergency gas reserve in Cahiracon near Kildyart is at odds with Ireland's climate obligations.

A 2024 study found that liquefied natural gas, would is intended to be the fuel of the reserve, emits 33% more greenhouse gases than coal in terms of its 20-year global warming potential.

Trócaire Climate Justice Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Sinéad Loughran, believes Ireland needs to take its climate obligations more seriously.

Uisce Éireann says it expects to see "gains" over the weekend in Clare and that it doesn't foresee further water restrictions here.

Overnight restrictions came into effect in Ennistymon, Lahinch, Liscannor, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Ballyvaughan, Kilfenora and Kilshanny last night at 10pm and lapsed at 8am this morning.

The restrictions will be in place during the same hours each night until Sunday, with the water utility due to make a decision potential further measures on Monday.

Uisce Éireann Operations Manager in Clare, Darragh Conneely, claims it's unlikely they'll ask customers to restrict water beyond this point.