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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 Che...

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 m...

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...

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 Endocrinol...

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...

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 classi...

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 c...

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 si...

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 tr...

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 r...

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...

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....

The Industrial Development Authority has requested a meeting with the CEO of Daktronics to 'ascertain if anything can be done' to secure the future of the Ennistymon site. In response to a parliamentary question from Clare TD Cathal Crowe, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke confirmed the inward investment agency is seeking cooperation with Daktronics management on the matter. The American multination...

Music Network is celebrating 40 years of bringing high-quality live music to audiences across Ireland, with a special anniversary concert at glór in Ennis this Saturday.  The concert will bring together some of Ireland’s leading traditional, folk, jazz and classical musicians.  Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Moynihan, Head of Programmes at Music Network, and Clare musician Niall McCabe, who...

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy discussed what could be included in this year's Budget. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Tommy Corbett

The Climate Change Advisory Council is warning that Ireland is not preparing quickly enough for more frequent and severe weather extremes, with many flood-relief schemes still years from completion.     Here in Clare, the report also highlights significant flood-insurance gaps and the need for greater community resilience.    Alan Morrissey was joined by Dr Sinead Sheehan, Futureproof Clare spokes...

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 was joined by Aideen Coates-Farrell, Physiotherapist from Youthe...

This Saturday (3rd October), Spanish Point Golf Club will host the Irish Blind Golf Classic, bringing golfers together for a special fundraiser in support of Irish Blind Golf.   The event will also help raise awareness of the opportunities available to visually impaired golfers, with players including visually impaired Clare golfer Paddy Morgan taking part.   For more, Alan Morrissey was joined by...

The ESRI is warning that Irish households have yet to feel the full impact of recent energy price rises, with higher food prices expected in the coming months.  Inflation is forecast to remain above 3% next year, while concerns are also growing over Government spending, housing supply and Ireland’s reliance on multinational tax revenues.    Alan Morrissey was joined by Micheál Collins, Ennis Econo...

Calls have been made for urgent action on a long-standing road safety issue in West Clare. Ennistymon Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery has renewed his call for the installation of a roundabout at the junction of The Square in Miltown Malbay. The issue was raised during the previous council term and dates back to 2015, with the West Clare Municipal District stating that any works on the route are...

Two dogs have been returned to their owner after escaping during a break-in at a property in Ennis over the weekend. Gardaí were called to the scene of the incident at a house where a man was minding the two small dogs for a friend. The dogs escaped during the break-in and were later found by a neighbour, who kept them safe until they could be reunited with their owner. County Dog Warden Frankie C...

County Clare’s oral history is proving to be far richer and more extensive than previously known, with more than 50 significant collections of recordings already identified as part of a county-wide audit.   From recordings dating back to the 1920s and ’30s to interviews held privately in homes, the project is uncovering voices and stories from across Clare and beyond.   Joining Alan Morrissey to t...

Teachers across the country are preparing for industrial action over pay, with both the INTO and ASTI backing action and a work-to-rule due to begin next Monday (5th October).  The INTO has voted 99.5% in favour, while 95% of ASTI members who voted backed industrial action.  Meanwhile, over 98% of members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industr...