Clare FM

Clare’s hospitality sector is celebrating some fantastic national success at the 2026 Irish Hotel Awards.   Shannon Springs Hotel picked up three awards, including Best Four-Star Hotel, Best Airport Hotel and Best Hotel Bar, while Ennis’s Old Ground Hotel was named Best Local Hotel in Ireland.  Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss the awards and what they mean for tourism in Clare were John Gavin, co...

An Garda Síochána joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to advise the community in County Clare on the Halloween Policing Operation, known as Operation Tombola. The Clare Operation Tombola policing operation is delivered with the support of our colleagues from the Fire Service, National Ambulance Service and Clare County Council. The main objectives of Operation Tombola are to address...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and two local cancer survivors are bringing the community together for a special fundraiser in Ennis.     Banner Padel Goes Pink takes place this Saturday at Banner Padel on the Quin Road, with sport, music, a bake sale, raffle and family fun, all in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland.     Joining Alan Morrissey was one of the organisers, Liz Constantinescu, to...

A Sinn Fein TD is describing the removal of the Triple Lock as 'one of the most major decisions' this generation of TDs will make.  Legislation to scrap the Triple Lock passed a first vote in the Dáil last night and will now go to Committee stage.  If enacted, it means members of the defence forces can be deployed overseas without the joint agreement of the Government, the Dail and the United Nati...

The family of Fernando Emanuel Gonçalves da Costa Carneiro Penetra are remembering their loved one following his tragic death in a road traffic collision in West Clare earlier this month.    Fernando, who was from Portugal, was cycling on the N67 between Kilrush and Kilkee when he was involved in a fatal collision with a van at Baunmore on the 9th of October last.    Alan Morrissey has been speaki...

The Dáil has heard calls for Clare's streets to be taken back from drug gangs amid harrowing stories of intimidation inflicted on local families. It comes as the Government has once again heard calls for the establishment of a regional Criminal Assets Bureau. It follows the death of four family members in Waterford last week in an arson attack understood to be connected to drug violence. Clare Fia...

On Atlantic Tales this week Pat Flynn takes a tour of the Burren and meet some of those involved in this year’s Burren Winterage Festival. The two-day celebration of Burren farming, food, culture and landscape will feature two traditional Burren Beo Winterage Cattle Walks as well as the Burren Food Fayre.

Clare pet owners are being urged to be vigilant to prevent the risks of pets consuming potentially lethal Halloween treats. Items such as chocolate, candies and jellies containing artificial sweetners , raisins, grapes and even nuts can all cause intestinal blockages, vomiting and diarrhea among dogs and cats. Households are being urged to keep trick or treat goods out of reach of their animals at...

It's a building that has been at the heart of community life in Corofin for more than eight decades.   Halla Phádraig Naomhtha was built in 1945, with local people contributing their labour voluntarily, and it went on to become a school, a dance venue, a home for drama and music, and a meeting place for generations of local people.  Now, local community activist Gerry Kennedy is sharing the story...

This weekend, the ancient traditions of Ireland come alive in the heart of the Burren as the Samhain Púca Storytelling Festival returns to the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre in Carron.  Running from Friday, October 23rd, to Sunday, October 25th, the festival celebrates the origins of Samhain through Irish folklore, storytelling, music, dance, language and family activities.   At its heart is the c...

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...