Clare FM

Motorists are facing another increase in insurance costs, with the Central Bank reporting an average rise of 4% in motor premiums.     But new research has highlighted a particularly striking issue: in some litigated motor injury claims, legal costs are now higher than the compensation paid to the injured person.    Despite reforms designed to reduce personal injury awards and encourage settlement...

The Burren and Cliffs Explorer shuttle service looks set to be renewed for 2027 following a successful two-year trial period.    The free service connecting the Burren, Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Liscannor, Lisdoonvarna, Lahinch, Kilfenora and Miltown Malbay carried over 46,000 passengers in 2025, before Ennistymon and Spanish Point were added to the route this year. ...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but there is one aspect of the disease that can sometimes receive less attention — what it means to live with advanced breast cancer.    Barbara King, from Corofin in North Clare, was diagnosed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Six years on, she continues to live alongside cancer and is speaking out about the importance of patient voices, clear communi...

A ROAD SAFETY Authority (RSA) tender to install 20 breathalyser terminals across hotels and pubs has been scrapped just one day after news broke that it had been issued.    Seán Canney, minister of state with responsibility for Road Safety, has welcomed the decision to stop the breathalyser procurement process.    The initiative, which was set to cost approximately €1.5 million, aimed to challenge...

A prominent campaign group has raised concerns that a new Emergency Department for the MidWest may no longer be in the offing. Recent updates from the Department of Health on progress on the Raheen campus fail to mention the provision of acute beds, but do refer to relocation of diagnostic and outpatient services. When the plans were first unveiled in May, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill...

Clare FM brings you our latest feature, Clare FM’s Road Safety Initiative. In this episode, Clare FM’s Lily Collins is joined by Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland. Sheila discusses the impact alcohol advertising has on the attitudes of driving under the influence. Funded by the Coimisiún na Meán’s news reporting scheme.

It's claimed a proposed ban on Clare County Council purchasing homes from the private market would be a serious hindrance to the delivery of social housing in the county. Housing Minister James Browne is to table a proposal that would phase out local authority funding for the purchase of homes from private developers by the end of next year. The move aims to involve local authorities more closely...

Muse Productions has built a wonderful reputation for bringing high-quality musical theatre to Clare audiences, and after the outstanding success of last year's production of RENT, which won Best Show in Ireland in the Gilbert section at the AIMS Awards in June, the group is preparing for another major challenge.   This time, they're taking on the iconic musical West Side Story, with performances...

Ennis Soroptimists are joining a European campaign to shine a light on human trafficking, an issue that often remains hidden in plain sight.   The awareness campaign by Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland has reached more than 400,000 people, and representatives recently brought their message to the European Parliament ahead of EU Anti-Trafficking Day last Sunday.  This comes as the char...

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fergal O’Keeffe, an Ennis native and creator of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. If the current cold weather isn't cold enough for you, Fergal gave his input on the upcoming 26/27 skiing season. Image (c) Clare FM

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Avril Collentine, Cahir & Co. Solicitors for this week’s legal advice. Avril told us about key considerations when transferring the family farm, and the succession advice planning grant. Image (c) Cahir & Co Solicitors

John Burns, Chair of the Board Rice College and Educational Consultant, joined Alan Morrissey to give advice to students who are facing roadblocks to studying for the upcoming Leaving Cert. - Incorrect subjects - Underperformance in Junior Cycle exams - Family caring - Poverty - Grief Photo (c) Clare FM

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.   Alan Morrissey was joined by another of Clare’s incredible volunteers, Robert Cleary. Rob Cleary, from Miltown Malbay, is a facilities engineer by day and a dedicated volunteer with Clare Civil Defence, a voluntee...

Award-winning author and chef Trevis Gleason joined Alan Morrissey to talk about the launch of the second edition of Burren Dinners, recently launched in Dingle.   Written in collaboration with the Burren Ecotourism Network, the book celebrates the region’s outstanding food culture, showcasing the farmers, growers, producers, bakers, butchers and chefs who have helped put the Burren firmly on the...

The Clare Leader Forum is calling for a graded approach to disabled parking badges amid concerns about potential abuse of the current system.    Figures show that 944 permits were issued in Clare since 2023, with 86 applications refused.     Joining Alan Morrissey was Anne-Marie Flannagan, Director of the Clare Leader Forum, based in Ennistymon, to discuss the proposed changes and the need to ensu...

The Government has announced plans to reduce maximum childcare fees to €550 a month from September 2027, describing the Budget measures as a significant step towards making childcare more affordable.   However, questions remain about who will actually benefit, with opposition politicians and childcare campaigners warning that many families could miss out.   To discuss what the changes mean for par...

Curfews were imposed in parts of France overnight following violent protests over education and the cost of living, with demonstrations escalating into looting, fires and clashes with police in several cities.  President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the violence, while the French government is considering localised curfews.  Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has blamed the 'ultra left' for the unr...

Clare's MEP is criticising what he's described as inadequate funding to tackle drug debt intimidation in the wake of the English family murders in Waterford. The Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement Garda project, or DRIVE, receives €280,000 in government funding annually, with a further €65,000 allocated under Budget 2027. More than 1,000 incidents of drug-related intimidation were rec...

It's claimed a greater level of investment is needed in the Shannon Municipal District to address the 'bread and butter' issues in the electoral area. A joint-call from the seven local representatives, ahead of the MD's budget allocation next month, is seeking greater funding for roads, footpaths, and amenity maintenance across the district. Newmarket-On-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin...

On this weeks show We look on a busy and historic weekend of Clare club football finals and Jim Madden brings us up to date on local soccer

Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch took us through the weekend’s sporting fixtures. ~ T.U.S. Clare Senior Football Championship Final ~  Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-10 Eire Óg Inis 2-15 (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosoig)  ~ T.U.S. Clare Intermediate Football Championship Final ~ Banner GAA 1-14 Wolfe Tones na Sionna 1-13 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosiog)  Image (c) Clare FM

Sinéad White, a Clare-based author, professional speaker and transformational coach, who has recently published her first book, Soul Signature: Your Soul Blueprint to Inner Power, Freedom, and Lasting Happiness.  Sinéad spent 19 years working as a senior manager in the HSE before taking a very different path, one that led her to explore personal growth, mindset and the power we all have to transfo...

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre, Ennis was back on Monday’s Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries. This week, Judy gave us some suggestions of plants that can withstand the Wild Atlantic winds. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964. Image (c) Clonroad Garden Centre

Music fans are in for a real treat this weekend as the Johnny Fean Rhythm & Blues Festival runs from October 23rd to 26th, celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary Horslips guitarist.   There’s a fantastic line-up of live music across the area, including the Johnny Fean Stage at the Shannon Springs Hotel. And in a very special tribute, Johnny’s wife, Maggie, has donated one of his own Les...

It's a chapter of Irish history that continues to generate debate: our country's decision to remain neutral during the Second World War.   But what was really happening behind the scenes, and how did Ireland contribute to the wider war effort? Ennis-based military historian and researcher Ger Browne has spent four years examining archives, official documents and personal histories for his new book...