Clare FM

Thousands of students gathered yesterday (Thursday) to demand more support from the Government.   AMLÉ is calling for more investment into student accommodation, the abolition of the student contribution fee and to close the core funding gap. The march took place through Dublin city.  It comes after Higher Education Minister James Lawless said next week's budget will deliver significantly for stud...

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and this year Down Syndrome Ireland is encouraging people across the country to get active and get involved in the Purple Run.    Participants can walk, jog or run a marathon distance over the month, raising vital funds for services supporting people with Down syndrome.     Clare athlete and Special Olympics gold medallist Lucy O’Brien is one of the ambass...

Breast cancer survivors in Clare are calling for greater awareness around breast density and for women to routinely be told their breast density as part of breast screening.    Kate Healy from Cratloe and Lorraine White from Ruan, both breast cancer survivors, are supporting the campaign and say women need access to clear information about their own breast health.     Alan Morrissey was joined by...

Ireland is facing a growing challenge when it comes to family care.   New ESRI research projects that the need for care among people aged 50 and over could increase by up to 58% by 2040, while Family Carers Ireland is warning that many carers are already struggling with the cost of living and lack of respite.  With Budget 2027 just days away, Alan Morrissey was joined by family carer Sinéad O’Brie...

Clare's opposition TD has called for free public transport for under-18s, amid a proposal to increase fares from the start of 2027. The average bus and train ticket is due to rise by 15 per cent from January, with the Government saying this will fund an expansion of services. It comes ahead of the launch of the Ennis Town Bus Service later this month, with details of fares yet to be revealed. Spea...

It's claimed golf tourism provided an 'unbelievable' boost to Clare's tourism industry during a trying period for American visitor numbers nationwide. The latest report from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation shows a 3% annual decrease in American tourists in August. The figures have prompted concern within the tourism industry, with the Confederation warning that the decline in North Americ...

About 10-20% of homes in Ennis have very poor or no attic insulation. Even though the grants cover most of the cost, barriers exist. Ennis Environmental Action Group and Clare Local Development Funding and an anonymous donor have come together to remove all those barriers. - Advertisement - To find out more about the free attic insulation scheme, member of the Ennis Environmental Action Group, Bri...

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...