Clare FM

Ennis Tradfest is tipped to provide a major economic boost to the county town this weekend. The 32nd year of the festival got underway last evening and will run through the weekend until Monday evening. Over 100 curated sessions will be held during the weekend across more than 25 venues, with up to 300 performers alone set to descend on the county town. Chairperson David Stone says the festival wi...

A Clare TD is calling for apprentices to be paid minimum wage during the early years of their respective trades. A bill put before the Dáil by Shannon Sinn Féin TD, Donna McGettigan is seeking to amend the National Minimum Wage Act to incude construction apprentices. Research from Connect Trade Union found 46% of apprentices earned less than €7 an hour for an extended period of time during their t...

Clare FM brings you our latest feature, Clare FM’s Road Safety Initiative. In this episode, Clare FM’s Lily Collins is joined by Mairéad Forsythe, cycling advocate with Irish Cycling Campaign. Mairéad discusses the importance of cycling safety campaigns. Funded by the Coimisiún na Meán’s news reporting scheme.

A new exhibition opening in Limerick this Thursday aims to explore those traditions through art. SAMHAIN: Exploring the Thin Time is the work of Shannon-based visual artist. Gary Dempsey, whose striking graphic images move between familiar Halloween scenes and the more mysterious world of Irish folklore, where it was traditionally believed that the boundary between this world and the otherworld be...

The Save Kilkee Cliff Walk Campaign says 'further legal issues' have come to light that will strengthen their bid to challenge the construction of a controversial wastewater treatment plant. It comes as the campaign has lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court, challenging the permission granted for a primary treatment plant in the town. Concerns remain over the location and capacity of the plant, wi...

Raw sewerage continues to be discharged into the sea on a daily basis in Ballyvaughan and Kilkee. The Evironmental Protection Agency's latest Urban Wastewater report shows four Clare communities had discrepancies in 2025. Lahinch's Wastewater Plant failed to comply with EU treatment standards, while Kilmihil's facility was found to be putting significant pressure on surface waters as a result of i...

Have you ever wondered just how many pubs there are in County Clare? Well, one man has decided to find out – and he's going to visit every single one of them! Cathal Roche has launched an exciting social media project called Everywhere in Clare, with the aim of documenting every pub in the Banner County through short videos showcasing the characters, atmosphere and stories behind each establishmen...

On this week's episode of 'The Future of Disability Services' Pat Flynn chats with Kilrush based solicitor Aisling Glynn This feature, 'The Future of Disability Services' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

 What is the wisdom of water, and how deeply connected are we to the waterways that surround us?   Water is at the heart of our lives, our environment and our heritage.   Áine Fortune is bringing Wisdom of Water – Story of Connection, a special community event taking place at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe on Sunday, 8th November. Image (c) Mise Uisce

Charging electric vehicles at ESB chargers now costs more than running a petrol or diesel car.    The largest charging operator the country has hiked it's prices, meaning the average EV now costs between 7 and 12 euro more to fully charge at an ESB point.    Those without home chargers now stand to pay up to one thousand 500 euro more per year to run their vehicle.    For more on this, Derrick Lyn...

What happens when you slow down and find a little stillness in the midst of life's beautiful chaos?   That’s exactly what acclaimed concertina player and dancer Caitlín Nic Gabhann explores in her new album, An Ciúnas.  Featuring a wonderful line-up of guest musicians, the album captures a gentler, more reflective side of traditional Irish music.   ‘An Ciúnas’ will be launched at the Temple Gate H...

Burren College of Art graduate Sarah VanDermeer is among 12 emerging artists selected for the inaugural RDS Visual Art Awards exhibition.  Sarah, who completed her MFA in Art & Ecology in 2026, explores the relationship between people and the natural world through painting, video and sculpture.   The exhibition opens at the brand-new Gallery at RDS on 6 November, with a prize fund of more than €32...

An exciting celebration of Irish traditional music comes to RTÉ One as the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann makes history in Belfast for the very first time.  The series which will broadcast of the 6th of November on RTÉ One will feature local Clare musicians such as Tara Breen, Padraig Rynne, Jim Murray, Kieran Hanrahan and Stephen Kennedy.  To find out more, Derrick Lynch was joined by Stephen Kennedy,...

Following yesterday’s meeting at Leinster House, Clare-based disability rights campaigner Ann Marie Flanagan joined working Disabled People James Cawley and Brian Dalton to meet with Ministers Jack Chambers and Dara Calleary to discuss the proposed fully refundable €500 Cost of Disability tax credit for working Disabled People.  The delegation is calling for greater financial support for working D...

Determination, kindness and community spirit are at the heart of an inspiring challenge being undertaken by Harry Marren O’Callaghan, a Transition Year student who is preparing to walk almost 60km from The Comp to the Burren.   Combining his Gaisce – The President’s Award challenge with a fundraising effort for Thomas and My Canine Companion Autism and Therapy Services, Harry will trek by day and...

The Fiddler of Dooney Competition 2026 took place on the October Bank Holiday weekend.  River mcGann won the Dooney Fiddler 2026 title at the weekend, another big one to add to the cabinet!  To find out more, River joined Derrick Lynch in-studio. Photo (c) Clare FM

A so-called 'blue tsunami' has hit American politics - as the Democrats have swept to power in both chambers of the US Congress.     It could leave Donald Trump unable to pass legislation in the final two years of his Presidency.     He says Republicans suffered losses because he wasn't on the ballot.     Scott Lucas - professor at the Clinton Institute - believes we're going to see a series of in...

Shannon Airport says it's looking to keep the momentum of a strong 2026 rolling into next year. It comes as the Clare base has announced a new service to Milan Bergamo will become operational from March 2027. It follows a summer that saw Shannon Airport exceed the one million passenger mark and confirm the return of the Air Canada service to Toronto. Airport Director, Niall Kearns, says they're ho...

An event aiming to inspire the next generation of Clare's Social Enterprise's will take place in Ennis today. Social Enterprises' are businesses which rather than focusing on profits, prioritise social, societal and environmental issues. There are roughly 70 in Clare, including groups like Obair Meals on Wheels and Community Creche and Clare Haven Charity Shop. The expo is being held at the Temple...

On Atlantic Tales this week Pat Flynn meets young farmer and blacksmith Eoin McBride. Eoin's family has been working the land at Stonehall for over 200 years and he describes himself as the current steward of the land. He also operates a forge out of an old converted cattle shed on the farm.

County Clare has reached a major milestone in its digital connectivity, with the completion of the National Broadband Plan rollout across the county.   National Broadband Ireland and Clare County Council are marking the occasion today (Wednesday, November 4th).  Joining Derrick Lynch to discuss what this means for homes, farms and businesses throughout Clare, and the opportunities that reliable hi...

Residents in Ennistymon are raising concerns about early-morning noise from the road sweeper, which they say has been waking people as early as 6am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.   One local, Patricia Dunne, with the help of her cousin Anne Kinnane, has taken to the Ennistymon Town Forum Facebook group to call on Clare County Council to change the schedule, suggesting the town could be visite...

Some listeners may find the following segment upsetting.    Clare Animal Welfare have raised concerns over the treatment of animals in the county following an incident of serious abuse against Gloria, a year-old Whippet.    Gloria spent three days and three nights in hospital, nearly losing both of her paws, after allegedly being attacked by a gang of "youths". Thankfully, she was rescued by a mem...

An extraordinary legal case heard in Ennis more than 220 years ago is now the subject of a new play by playwright and former UCC lecturer Derry Cotter.  The case dates back to 1804 and involved Reverend Charles Massy, whose wife Mary Anne eloped to England with the Marquis of Headfort, Thomas Taylour.  Reverend Massy subsequently brought a legal action against the Marquis for what was then known a...

Sixmilebridge is one of 26 towns across the country selected for a new pilot initiative aimed at revitalising town centres by turning vacant commercial premises into thriving local businesses.     The plan, proposed by Minister of State for Retail Alan Dillon, will see local authorities, regeneration officers and Local Enterprise Offices work together to match empty properties with the needs of th...