Clare FM

It's being argued that the West Clare Railway Greenway could be "bigger than Moneypoint" in terms of its economic impact. Clare County Council has confirmed its submitting the first section of the long-awaited project to An Coimisiún Pleánala for development consent. The local authority has also commenced steps to acquire lands for the Kilrush to Kilkee stretch. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian...

The Ennis Town Bus Service will commence from September. Under the system two routes will traverse the county town every half hour connecting Clarecastle to Ballymaley and the Lahinch Road to the Tulla Road. Clare County Council is currently installing bus stops to accelerate the programme. Responding to Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal at the Oireachtas Transport Committee, NTA Director of Public Tran...

On this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn visits the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Miltown Malbay and meets acclaimed concertina player Liam O’Brien who will tell us about his work digitising and cataloguing Clare-related materials currently housed in ITMA’s extensive collection in Dublin.

Over 12,500 Clare people remain on an at risk public drinking water supply. According to the EPA's latest annual report, both the old and new Water Treatment Plants in West Clare continue to experience issues managing trihalomethanes. Measures aimed at combatting the problems are not expected to be implemented until 2032 and 2030 respectively. Environmental Protection Agency Programme Manager Noel...

The Kilkee Brontë Festival returns later this month, celebrating the unique connection between one of the world's most famous literary families and the West Clare seaside town where Charlotte Brontë spent part of her honeymoon.   This year's festival, running from the 17th to the 19th of July, features talks from leading Brontë experts, along with art, local history and guided tours.   Joining Ala...

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is urging the Government to make tackling child poverty and the rising cost of living its top priority in Budget 2027.   In its pre-Budget submission, the charity is calling for higher social welfare payments, greater supports for families, more affordable childcare and measures to ease the burden of housing and energy costs.   Gerardine Power is President of Cla...

This year’s County Clare Show is looming large on the horizon.  The show, which has played an important part in the agricultural heritage of the Banner County for well over a century, will take place at the Ennis Showgrounds on Sunday, 12th July.  Joining Alan Morrissey to fill us in on what we can expect from this year’s show was Joe Lilis, Chairman of the County Clare Show. Image (c) Co. Clare A...

If you have been affected by this story, or need support, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123, Call Pieta’s 24-hour Crisis Helpline on Free Phone 1800 247 247, or Text 'HELP' to 51444, or you can visit Your Mental Health for information on mental health services in Ireland. An investigation by The Journal has uncovered that a suicide forum, which has been restricted in the UK, remains freely...

The Government has agreed to extend the current reductions in excise duty on petrol and diesel until the beginning of September, with the tax relief then set to be phased out gradually over the following months.     While Ministers say the move will avoid a sudden jump in fuel costs and help keep inflation down, farming organisations have consistently warned that high energy prices continue to pla...

Nurses and midwives at University Maternity Hospital Limerick took to the picket line yesterday in protest over what the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation describes as critically low staffing levels.   The union says frontline posts have been lost, workloads have become unsustainable and patient safety is under increasing pressure.   The HSE, however, says staffing levels comply with agreed s...

The Housing Minister claims responsibility for progressing two long-awaited Clare wastewater projects lies with Clare County Council and Uisce Éireann. Responding to a parliamentary question from Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, Minister James Browne says he's approved funding for the Broadford and Cooraclare sewerage schemes under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme. He says this funding "...

Clare's opposition TD is calling on her fellow Oireachtas members to oppose the planned strategic gas emergency reserve in the Shannon Estuary. A two-hour debate on the controversial project proposed for Cahiracon near Kildysart has taken place in the Dáil. The final Strategic Gas Reserve Bill has yet to be debated but has been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas Climate Committe...

The lineup for this year's Cusack Cup final will be finalised this evening. Miltown and St. Breckan's do battle in Miltown for the right to compete for the first piece of silverware on offer this season. Lissycasey await the winners in the final, after securing direct passage courtesy to topping the group. Clare FM analyst Derek Dormer says every side left in the competition will be looking to car...

Clare camogie joint captain Abby Walsh says the squad are relishing the opportunity to perform in front of a number Clare crowd in the All Ireland Quarter Final. Eugene Foudy's side take on Tipperary in the last six having come through their group campaign with four wins from five games. The game forms part of a double header with the senior hurlers, All Ireland Semi Final against Limerick. The Sc...

Clare GAA says it will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of an incident at an underage football match last night and will apply sanctions were neccesary. Gardaí are investigating incidents of assault which occurred following an U-15 football match between Lissycasey and Kilrush-Kilimer. A man in his 50s understood to be the referee sustained injuries, while in a separate incident at the sam...

A Clare haulier claims price gouging at filling stations has yet to be addressed. It comes as the Government has confirmed the excise duty reductions announced in April will be removal on a phased basis from September 1st. The measure has resulted in a 27 cent and 32 cent reduction on a litre of petrol and diesel, respectively. Ennis-based Irish Road Haulage Association Deputy Vice President Eugen...

A familiar name in Irish music is beginning an exciting new chapter.   Maurice Lennon, founding member of the acclaimed traditional band Stockton’s Wing, is launching a new musical ensemble called Lennon’s Revelry.   The quartet brings together four musicians with a shared love of Irish music and heritage, blending influences from traditional, folk and acoustic styles.   Their first release, The F...

A Clarecastle native is bringing the world of opera home this summer.    Tenor Dean Power will perform a special concert at SS Peter and Paul’s Church in Clarecastle on July 14th, alongside mezzo soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain and pianist James Hurley.   The evening will feature opera, musical theatre and Irish classics, as part of a busy summer of community events in the village.  Dean joined Alan Morr...

Domestic abuse survivors will be allowed keep their place on social housing lists when moving to a new area, under new rules.    Previously, those who relocated to a different local authority were moved to the back of the queue.    The Irish Independent reports the news rule, being introduced by Housing Minister James Browne, will allow survivors who already have an active social housing applicati...

At just 29 years of age, Eimear Feeney has done what many would see as a huge leap of faith—taking over a pub that had been closed for years and giving it a whole new lease of life.   Greene's Bar in Ballyvaughan is thriving once again, and her journey from dream to reality is inspiring plenty of people.   This morning, Eimear joined Alan Morrissey to talk about taking the plunge, the challenges o...

Smart doorbells have become a familiar feature outside homes, offering convenience, security and peace of mind. But as the technology becomes more sophisticated, so too do the questions around privacy, artificial intelligence and who has access to the footage these devices capture.   A new AI-powered feature introduced by Amazon's Ring in the United States has reignited that debate, with critics r...

A major new chapter could be about to begin for the former Roche manufacturing site in Clarecastle.   After investing more than €150 million in what has been described as one of the largest environmental remediation projects of its kind in Europe, the pharmaceutical company has officially brought the 88-acre site to the market.   The aim is to attract a new investor who can deliver sustainable emp...

The number of rough sleepers in Clare is said to be growing.     Last month, the Department of Housing recorded 97 adults here as homeless, but this only includes people in emergency accommodation.     Last August, Ennis native Fiona Faulkes established the Ennis Mobile Shower Service for rough sleepers which aims to offer those with no other means an opportunity to wash and get clean for the day....

Retailers across the country are warning that rising business costs are putting enormous pressure on the sector, with many saying further increases to the national minimum wage could threaten jobs and investment.     Retail Excellence Ireland is now calling on the Low Pay Commission to pause any further minimum wage increases in 2027, arguing that while workers deserve fair pay, the pace of recent...

The Government says it's making the biggest changes to rural housing policy in years, with new draft planning guidelines designed to make it easier for people with a local connection to build homes in the countryside.     The proposals aim to bring consistency to planning decisions, support rural communities and the Gaeltacht, while also preventing urban sprawl.     Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal C...