Clare FM

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...

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. Photo (c) Clare FM

O’Callaghan’s Mills National School has received permission to explore the possibility of becoming a Gaelscoil, which would make it just the fifth in County Clare.   The ambition is to welcome the first Junior Infant class in September 2027, subject to the necessary approvals and supports.   So, what could this mean for families and the future of the Irish language in East Clare?   To discuss the...

Clare made an incredible 4,247 shoeboxes for Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal last year, bringing joy to children affected by poverty around the world.     Now, as the annual appeal gets underway again, Team Hope is encouraging schools, families and community groups to get involved and help make a difference this Christmas.     To tell us more about the appeal and the impact these simple gifts...

More than 3,400 wild deer were culled in County Clare in the 12 months to April 30th, 2025, with almost 11,750 culled over a five-year period.     While the overall wild deer population remains unknown, Clare ranks eighth nationally for the number of deer culled under licence.     As rutting season gets underway, Damien Hannigan of the Irish Deer Commission joined Alan Morrissey to discuss deer nu...

The Taoiseach says differences between the Government and trade unions will have to be ironed out during talks on a new public sector pay deal.     Negotiations get underway at the Workplace Relations Commission today, following last week's strike involving 300 thousand workers.     A further strike planned for Wednesday has been suspended to allow talks to take place.     Micheál Martin says both...

The timeline for appointing a new Clare Garda Superintendent has been questioned amid ongoing resource pressures. Clare's Superintendent is understood to be officially retiring in the near future. There are currently 297 Gardaí serving in Clare, 34 fewer than in 2010. Mayor of Ennis and Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says the shortage has been keenly felt across the county.

Almost 10% of the funding sought by Clare County Council for road maintenance and upgrade projects has not been allocated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the past two years. The local authority has received €354,500 of the €384,500 it applied for across 2025 and 2026. Nationwide, more than €1.6 million in requested funding was not allocated, with just seven local authorities receiving the f...

Fr Gerry Kenny presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief on Mission Sunday. The programme features Pope Leo talking about the impotance of Mission Sunday. We also hear from Una Allen of "Towards Peace" which is a service assisting survivors of abuse by church members.

Shannon Airport has been named as Ireland's best Airport for customer experience. According to the latest Customer Experience Insights Report, the Clare base has also been ranked fourth worldwide for passenger satisfaction levels. The survey was conducted across June and July of this year, with more than 30,000 customer experiences evaluated across over 170 organisations in 11 sectors. Commercial...

Residents of an Ennis housing estate are said to be crying out for greater road safety measures to prevent an accident occuring. It follows a petition, signed by almost all the residents of Clancy Park, calling for greater traffic calming measures in the estate. Presently, two small speed bumps are in place, with Ennis Municipal District due to erect signage along the route in the coming weeks. En...

A new chapter for public transport in Ennis has begun, with the town’s new bus service taking to the roads this morning. From today, passengers can avail of the service which runs from 6am until midnight and serves two routes between Clarecastle and Ballymaley Business Park and the Tulla Road to the Lahinch Road. Once fully up and running, the service is expected to complete 500,000 annual journey...

Fr Brendan Quinlivan leads our Sunday Prayer for today, Sunday 18th October Mission Sunday and the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Clare County Council has formally passed a motion expressing solidarity with residents of Garvaghy Road in Armagh. It follows an intense 13-day stand-off between members of the Portadown Orange Lodge and the nationalist community in Drumcree. A controversial decision by the Northern Ireland Parade's Commission almost paved the way for a first Orange Order march on the Garvaghy Road in 28 years, be...

Clare's County Dog Warden has issued firework safety advice to dog owners ahead of Halloween. Dog owners are encouraged to microchip dogs and have a photo of their pet on their phone, in case their dog escapes. County Dog Warden Frankie Coote has advised closing curtains and playing the radio at a low level to help keep dogs distracted when fireworks are going off. He says walking dogs in the morn...