Clare FM

Tourism figures for Clare are raising concerns about the number of visitors making their way to East Clare.   While more than 611,000 people visited the county’s seven main attractions in the second quarter of this year, just 1,358 visited Inis Cealtra, despite the opening of a new €5.3 million interpretative centre last September.  So, what can be done to attract more visitors to East Clare and e...

Cocaine use in rural Ireland is becoming an increasing concern, with reports that as many as one in three young farmers in the Midwest may be using the drug.  There are also growing concerns about drug debt, addiction, and the potential dangers of operating farm machinery while under the influence.  To discuss the issue, Alan Morrissey was joined by Jim Finn, retired farmer and Chair of the Mid We...

It's claimed crime has been going unabated in some Clare housing estates due to a lack of co-ordination between agencies. The local authority has been requested to convene an anti-social behaviour and criminality taskforce aimed at bringing individual cases to a final resolution. The working group is intended to consist of the HSE, Clare County Council's Housing Department and An Garda Siochána, a...

Fresh calls have been made in Clare for the total abolition of hospital car parking charges. It comes as the HSE has ordered a review of hospital car parking charges, after €73 million was raised nationally from car park fees since 2020. Figures released last month by the Health Service Executive revealed that annual parking revenue at University Hospital Limerick jumped by 200% between 2021 and 2...

A Clare haulier is calling for joined up thinking in order to prevent overgrown trees and hedgerows impacting on road safety. The Irish Road Haulage Association claims the RSA should lead a campaign to encourage local authorities and landowners ensure any dangerous vegetation are cleared from roadsides. Despite open season only beginning at the start of this month, laws are in place for branches t...

Clare's seasonal beach bye-laws come to an end today. The measures which apply for five months will expire at midnight. It means there will be no restrictions for dogs on beaches until next May. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote says owners still have to be responsible.

Is hoped that a new funding boost for the Droichead Na Gabhair accessibility link will help the proposal come to fruition 'sooner rather than later'. €150,000 has been awarded to the design and planning stage of the project along the route in Ennis. The development includes the erection of a new bridge crossing of the River Fergus which will be seperate from road traffic to improve access for vuln...

On this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to chat about the impact emigration had on Clare during the Famine. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your townland you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm. Photo (c) Clare FM

This weekend, Fianna Fáil in East Clare will mark a very significant milestone — 100 years of political and community involvement in the area.  A special Centenary Celebration takes place this Saturday evening in Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla, with a look back at the people and events that have shaped local political life over the past century.   The evening will also feature a special presentation on...

Alan Morrissey was joined by two very talented brothers from County Clare, singer-songwriters Eoin and Brian Davies, better known as The Davies Brothers.   With a catalogue of over 250 original songs, they’ve played some of Ireland’s best-known venues and festivals, and have supported acts including Mick Flannery, Hudson Taylor and The Walls.  They’ve been busy recording their debut album and are...

The US president says Irish whiskey will be exempt from US tariffs - but the concession will not be extended to the rest of the European Union.   Donald Trump announced the removal of the current 10 per cent levy during the Irish Open trophy presentation at his Doonbeg resort over the weekend.   It means Irish whiskey will receive the same tariff-free treatment as spirits produced in the UK, inclu...

Clare is preparing to celebrate its title as European Volunteering Capital 2027, recognising the thousands of people across the county who give their time to support their communities.   One of those volunteers is Ambrose Heagney. When Ambrose retired from his role as a mental health nurse three years ago, he was eager to find new ways to spend his time. With a lifelong love of both hurling and fo...

Pam Watson, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist from Quin, joined Tuesday's Morning Focus to talk about the Cancer Thrive & Survive Programme, a free six-week programme taking place at Hollyblue House in Gort.  It’s designed to support people living with or beyond cancer, helping them manage some of the physical and emotional challenges that can follow treatment, rebuild confidence and improve wellb...

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Ennis woman Louise Ryan, whose son Harry was stillborn in August 2025. Louise has been raising awareness of baby loss and recently helped raise an incredible €11,300 for Féileacáin through a coffee morning in Harry’s memory.   Now, she’s calling on businesses and organisations across Clare to take part in the Wave of Light on October 15th, lighti...

Councillors are calling for their specific public addresses to be removed from ballot papers and public documents due to safety concerns.  A campaign of targeted harassment against female councillors this Summer has brought the issues to light.  Clare FM's Daragh Dolan has been speaking to a number of elected representatives on the issue, beginning with Ardnacrusha Fianna Fáil Cllr Rachel Hartigan...

Shannon Chamber says recent large scale investment is an indicator the town can be a driver of economic growth. It follows the announcement that €7.5m has been awarded to the One Shannon Hub Project under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. It's the second major investment announced for the town in the past few weeks, after Shannon Gateway Projects acquired a 20 acre site in the town for...

Coming up on the show, we will look back on a busy weekend of club hurling action in particular with the four semi finals of the 2026 TUS senior championship decided, the knockout stages of the Premier Intermediate , and we will also reflect on the opening weekend of action in the Clare soccer leagues.

Artist and metalsmith Jane Murtagh, has been named the 2026 recipient of the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award for Irish Craft. Presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland in honour of the late David Shaw-Smith, the award celebrates the heritage, creativity and innovation that define Irish craft. Jane’s exceptional contribution to the craft community has earned her the €5,000 award, which will suppor...

Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch to review the weekend’s sporting fixtures. - Amgen Irish Open - TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals: - TUS SHC Semi-Final Relegation - Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship Image (c) Clare FM

It's hoped Doonbeg will reap the benefits of the Amgen Irish Open for years to come Efforts are now turning to the cleanup operation at the west Clare links following Shane Lowry's victory yesterday evening. Donald Trump speaking at Shannon Airport before boarding Air Force One last night. The US President confirmed that he would remove the 10% tariff on Irish whiskey during the Irish Open trophy...

Hannah is a talented 22-year-old singer, performer and emerging recording artist from Galway, with strong West Clare connections. Hannah’s mother, Anne Collins, is from Kilmihil, and she is also the niece of former Clare football manager Colm Collins. Performing from a young age, she has recently been making her mark with her own original material at open mic nights in Galway. Hannah joined Alan M...

A planned cultural and community centre for Shannon has received a multi-million euro funding boost. €7.5m has been allocated towards the Shannon One Hub Project today under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. A further €150,000 has also been announced for a new Accessibility Link at Droichead na nGabhar on the Lahinch Road aswell. Clare Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley is confi...

Ennistymon Activist and lawyer, Leigh Brosnan was one of more than 170 Irish lawyers who signed a statement of objection ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland. The statement raised serious concerns about US and Israeli military actions, the application of international law, the use of Shannon Airport, and the role Ireland should play in supporting international institutions such as th...

This Friday night, the façade of the former Mars Cinema in Kilrush will be transformed into a spectacular display of colour and light, showcasing Clare’s remarkable stained-glass heritage as part of Culture Night. The projection is the result of five years of research by West Clare researcher and photographer John Glynn, who has documented stained glass from more than 140 sites across the county,...

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival gets underway with tens of thousands of people expected in the Clare village over the coming weeks. But while it's a time of fun and celebration for many, it can also be a difficult period for those experiencing loneliness, anxiety or other personal challenges. Samaritans volunteers were on the ground, and offered a listening ear, after supporting more than 15...