Clare FM

Oktoberfest is returning to Ennis on Friday evening as part of Culture Night, celebrating the longstanding twinning between Ennis and Langenfeld in Germany.    Now in its fourth year, the event aims to bring German culture, music, food and community spirit to the town while strengthening the links between the two communities.   Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis councillor and Oktoberfest organise...

Thursday's Morning Focus talked about homework, and new research from the University of Limerick suggests that when it comes to secondary school students, it may be frequency rather than volume that matters most.  The study found that short, regular homework assignments can be linked with improved performance in maths and science, while also highlighting questions around teaching styles and the gr...

 New EU rules aimed at restricting children's access to social media will be published today.     The EU Kids Act will set out new protections for under-18s, while under-13s will be directed towards child-friendly alternatives to social media platforms.     European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says young Europeans are spending between four and six hours a day looking at screens.    ...

It’s a big weekend for Lisdoonvarna, with the town’s famous September celebrations continuing and a brand-new event getting underway — the very first Lisdoonvarna Fringe Fest.  Running from tomorrow, September 18th, to Sunday the 20th, the free festival will bring music, theatre, dancing, art, storytelling, book launches and historical tours to venues around the village.  It’s all about celebratin...

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark has joined a new all-island partnership bringing UNESCO sites from across Ireland and Northern Ireland together.   ‘UNESCO Together’ aims to promote collaboration in heritage, culture, sustainability, education and tourism, with plans for community exchanges and potentially an all-island UNESCO Tourism Trail.   To tell us more about the initiative...

On this week's episode of 'The Future of Disability Services' , Pat Flynn chats with Michael Meere, a director on the boards of several disability organisations. This feature, 'The Future of Disability Services' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Thursday's Morning Focus took a look behind the scenes at Vincent’s charity shops as part of the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s “Donate Well. Shop Well. Do Good.” campaign.  From the moment you drop off a bag of clothes, to sorting, preparing and giving those items a second life, there’s a lot more involved than you might think.  To tell us more about donating thoughtfully, shopping pre-loved and...

Alan Morrissey was joined on Thursday's Morning Focus by Katie Smith, a mother from Feakle who is raising awareness of Irish Sign Language and the importance of communication and inclusion for profoundly deaf children, and Tommy Guilfoyle.  Katie’s own son faces significant challenges communicating with children his own age, and she is passionate about ensuring that sign language is more widely av...

Doonbeg is still reflecting on an extraordinary few days, with the Irish Open, Fáilte Fest and the visit of US President Donald Trump bringing huge attention — and large crowds — to the village.   But alongside the excitement, there was frustration among some locals and businesses over security barriers, traffic restrictions and the impression that Doonbeg was closed off.   Alan Morrissey was join...

Clare farmers are set to benefit from an over €11m funding boost. Approximately 5,051 individuals in this county will receive an allocation under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. The average payment , which is designed to support farmers on land affected by difficult conditions will come to just over €2,200. Clare IFA Chair Stephen Walsh says it's hugely important at this time of year.

Clare's opposition TD has hit back at the Taoiseach over comments he made about Sinn Féin's approach to Irish Unity. Sinn Féin, along with Plaid Cymru and the SNP signed the Cardiff agreement which aims to work towards independence from Downing Street. Michael Martin criticised the memorandum of understanding, claiming Sinn Féin set back Irish unity by collaborating with Wales and Scotland. Shanno...

Mr Justice Seamus Henchy by Clare FM

A Clare agtech company fears it will be a long time before farmers return to a cash-positive position. True North Technologies, which is based in Shannon, is one of hundreds of exhibitors at the National Ploughing Championships, which kicked off in Offaly yesterday. Nearly 290,000 spectators and competitors are expected in Screggan over the course of the three-day event. Rising costs for farmers a...

The futures of two of Clare's largest employment sites will feature heavily on the agenda at an upcoming visit of Ireland's inward investment agency. The Industrial Development Authority is set to meet councillors in the coming weeks to discuss progress in attracting foreign direct investment here. It comes amid the imminent closure of the Daktronics plant in Ennistymon which will lead to 100 redu...

Brazilian music is coming to Ennis this Culture Night with Som do Brasil – A Celebration of Brazilian Popular Music.   This Friday's concert, which will take place at Súil Gallery, will explore the rhythms of samba, bossa nova and MPB, featuring music from some of Brazil’s most celebrated artists and composers.  Joining Ennis singer-songwriter Amanda Ní Sheannáin are Brazilian musicians Cairo Roch...

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy discussed how to prepare financially for Christmas, especially with the current cost of living crisis. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Tommy Corbett

The Social Democrats are calling for the planned carbon tax increase to go ahead, while proposing a windfall tax on energy companies to help households struggling with high energy bills.     The party is also putting housing, climate action and the cost of living high on its political agenda.  To discuss those issues, Alan Morrissey was joined by Hilary Tonge of the Clare branch of the Social Demo...

If you’re a fan of Elton John and Billy Joel, there’s a special night of music coming to Glór in Ennis this autumn. The Piano Man – Elton John & Billy Joel: A Live Celebration has been selling out venues around Ireland, and it’s coming to Clare for the very first time.  The show features John Forde and the 52nd Street Band performing some of the biggest hits from two legendary artists. John joined...

Tourism figures for Clare are raising concerns about the number of visitors making their way to East Clare.   While more than 611,000 people visited the county’s seven main attractions in the second quarter of this year, just 1,358 visited Inis Cealtra, despite the opening of a new €5.3 million interpretative centre last September.  So, what can be done to attract more visitors to East Clare and e...

Cocaine use in rural Ireland is becoming an increasing concern, with reports that as many as one in three young farmers in the Midwest may be using the drug.  There are also growing concerns about drug debt, addiction, and the potential dangers of operating farm machinery while under the influence.  To discuss the issue, Alan Morrissey was joined by Jim Finn, retired farmer and Chair of the Mid We...

It's claimed crime has been going unabated in some Clare housing estates due to a lack of co-ordination between agencies. The local authority has been requested to convene an anti-social behaviour and criminality taskforce aimed at bringing individual cases to a final resolution. The working group is intended to consist of the HSE, Clare County Council's Housing Department and An Garda Siochána, a...

Fresh calls have been made in Clare for the total abolition of hospital car parking charges. It comes as the HSE has ordered a review of hospital car parking charges, after €73 million was raised nationally from car park fees since 2020. Figures released last month by the Health Service Executive revealed that annual parking revenue at University Hospital Limerick jumped by 200% between 2021 and 2...

A Clare haulier is calling for joined up thinking in order to prevent overgrown trees and hedgerows impacting on road safety. The Irish Road Haulage Association claims the RSA should lead a campaign to encourage local authorities and landowners ensure any dangerous vegetation are cleared from roadsides. Despite open season only beginning at the start of this month, laws are in place for branches t...

Clare's seasonal beach bye-laws come to an end today. The measures which apply for five months will expire at midnight. It means there will be no restrictions for dogs on beaches until next May. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote says owners still have to be responsible.

Is hoped that a new funding boost for the Droichead Na Gabhair accessibility link will help the proposal come to fruition 'sooner rather than later'. €150,000 has been awarded to the design and planning stage of the project along the route in Ennis. The development includes the erection of a new bridge crossing of the River Fergus which will be seperate from road traffic to improve access for vuln...