Clare FM

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service says it's working hard to prevent hospital cancellations in the MidWest. It comes as the Organisation has issued a pre-amber alert, meaning many facilities have less than 3 days of blood supplies in stock. Clinics will be taking place at Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis this evening and tomorrow from 4.50pm until 8.10pm, where all blood types are being sought...

What do Daniel O’Donnell, Nadine Coyle’s missing passport, Fat Frog ice cream, iodine tablets, Housewife of the Year and the television programme Alive-O have in common? They’re all part of the wonderfully strange story of modern Ireland.  Alan Morrissey was joined by Páraic Kerrigan, bestselling author, researcher and Assistant Professor at UCD, whose new book, Pop Culchie: The Irish Popular Cult...

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy gave us advice to prepare for your 2025 tax return. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Tommy Corbett

The Construction Industry Federation has launched its latest construction safety campaign, urging employers and workers to refocus on the fundamentals of health and safety on construction sites.    The two-week campaign, running from October 12th to 23rd, carries the theme “Back to Basics” and comes against a concerning backdrop.     According to the latest figures from the Health and Safety Autho...

Clare FM brings you our latest feature, Clare FM’s Road Safety Initiative. In this episode, Clare FM’s Lily Collins is joined by Stephen McKenna, Head of Claims at Campion Insurance. Stephen discusses the dangers associated with driving at night, and provides advice to travel safely in the dark. Funded by the Coimisiún na Meán’s news reporting scheme.

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was chatting about an exciting new addition to the cultural calendar in West Clare — Samhain Sessions, a brand-new grassroots traditional music festival taking place in Doonbeg over the October bank holiday weekend, from the 23rd to the 25th of October.  The festival celebrates the wealth of local musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers and teachers i...

A new proposal has been submitted for the extension of the Abbey Street Car Park.  The issue of parking was a hot topic at this month's meeting of Ennis Municipal district, with Mayor of Ennis Tommy Guilfoyle proposing the addition of an upper-level, open-plan carpark to the Abbey Street Car Park in the county town.  In response to a separate motion from Clareabbey Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, the...

The biggest public service strike in more than 15 years will bring widespread disruption across the country today.  Schools are closed and hospital appointments cancelled as thousands of public sector workers take to picket lines.  From hospitals and classrooms - to government offices and the courts, today's strike is affecting almost every area of public life.  Emergency medical care will continu...

A Clare teachers representative claims the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector will worsen without an adequate pay deal. It comes as the biggest public service strike in more than 15 years will bring widespread disruption across the country today. From hospitals and classrooms, to government offices and the courts, today's strike is affecting almost every area of public life, as over 30...

The Health Minister is being called on to urgently publish a winter safety plan for the Midwest, amid concerns over increasing levels of attendances at University Hospital Limerick. Attendances at the region's main hospital look set to exceed 100,000 this year, before a seasonal increase is accounted for. The latest HSE figures show yearly attendances are up 8% on the figure for 2025, with 77,443...

It's hoped an increase in the number of properties coming onto the housing market will ease house price pressures in Clare in the near future. The latest report from MyHome.ie found the average price paid in this county in the third quarter of 2026 was €295,000, a 3% increase on 2025. Between July and September, 14,600 properties were available to buy nationwide, up more than 10% in the space of a...

Tributes have been paid to the founder of one of Clare's longest running animal rescue services. Frances Murphy founded Second Chance Animal Rescue over 30 years ago and invested tens of thousands of her euros and hours in ensuring dogs, cats, horses and more grew up in a nurturing environment and found forever homes. The Kildysart native passed away this week following a battle with illness, and...

Climate action doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A free, family-friendly event at Ennis Scout Hall on Saturday, October 17th, is inviting people to discover practical ways to save money, reduce waste, grow their own food and help the planet.    Organised by Clare Local Development Company as part of Climate Action Week, the day will bring together local community groups, growers and org...

An appeal has been issued for the public’s help to bring home Make-A-Wish's much-loved giant teddy bear, who went missing from the charity’s tent at this year’s Irish Open in Doonbeg.    For around 15 years, Hope has been a familiar face at Make-A-Wish events across Ireland, welcoming children and families, offering furry hugs and helping the charity bring hope, strength and happiness to children...

On this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to chat about the birth of the Irish Tenant League. 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. Image (c) Clare FM

What stories is the landscape telling us?   That’s the question at the heart of Dinnseanch as, an eco-arts project from nature restoration charity Hometree, which is coming to Ennis from October 15th to 18th.  Combining art, poetry, film and community participation, the project explores our relationship with the land and how we can imagine a different future for our landscapes and rural communitie...

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.   Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss the importance of volunteering was Stevie Hayes from the Clare Civil Defence. Clare Civil Defence is part of the national Civil Defence network in Ireland, a volunteer-based organ...

It's claimed survivors of sexual assault and rape in Clare are facing barriers to justice due to a lack of adequate healthcare facilities.  There are currently six Sexual Assault Treatment Units nationwide, but none serving the MidWest.  Although Limerick does have a Forensic Medical Examination Unit, this can only be accessed via Garda referral.  Ennis Fine Gael Councillor and Clare Local Area Ne...

Two exciting new works by acclaimed musicians and composers Aoife Ní Bhriain and Colm Ó Foghlú are heading on a nationwide tour this October.   Bóthar na Smaointe and An Uile Bhealach Abhaile, commissioned and produced by Stiúideo Cuan, bring together a world-class ensemble to celebrate the richness and creativity of Irish music.   The tour visits Galway, Ennis, Belfast and Dublin, and honours the...

A new documentary is set to explore the legend of a Clare village said to have been swallowed by the Atlantic.  Cill Stuifín follows folklorist Aindrias de Staic as he investigates the story of the lost village off the coast of West Clare, following in the footsteps of his late father, folklorist Eddie Stack.   Cill Stuifín wil air on TG4 today, Tuesday, October 13 at 9.30pm.   To tell us more, Al...

The Public Expenditure Minister is due to brief his Cabinet colleagues today on the efforts made to engage with unions ahead of tomorrow's strike by public sector workers.     It's after unions rejected Jack Chambers' invitation to meet at the Workplace Relations Commission today.     More than 300 thousand workers including teachers, healthcare staff and civil servants will take part in a 24 hour...

Hopes have been expressed that the construction of a 200-megawatt data centre in Ennis will attract significant international investment to Clare. The Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the then An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the development. The project is a key part of the Ennis 2040 plan, with applicant Art Data Centres describing it as the only centre “of this scale that...

We are celebrating county champions as Inagh-Kilnamona take control of the Canon Hamilton for the first time while Kilmurry Ibrickane have captured a second Clare ladies senior football crown.

Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch took us through the weekend’s sporting fixtures. ~ T.U.S. Clare Senior Hurling Championship Final ~  Inagh-Kilnamona v Kilmaley (Sunday, Ennis) ~ Clare Senior LGFA Final ~ Kilmurry Ibrickane v Fergus Rovers (Sunday, St Michaels Park Kilmihil)  Image (c) Clare FM

St Francis Credit Union has launched a new Green Loan at a rate of 6.5%, aimed at helping members make their homes more energy-efficient and switch to greener forms of transport.    The loan can be used for projects including solar panels, heat pumps, home insulation, upgraded windows and doors, and electric or other energy-efficient cars.    The credit union is also hosting a free online Green Li...