Clare FM

The first Cosmic Garden Fest of the year takes place on Saturday, June 6th, kicking off a limited series of just three events scheduled for this summer. Organisers Stax and Debbie Green are looking ahead to what promises to be another strong season of live music and atmosphere at Cosmic Garden Fest, with a line-up of acts set to bring energy and entertainment to the summer months ahead. Image (c)...

A new theatre company in Ennis, Umbrella Productions, is preparing to stage its very first musical this summer. The group will bring SIX: Teen Edition to the stage at Glór in July, featuring a cast of six talented teenage girls from the local area. To find out more, Derrick Lynch was joined in-studio by two cast members, Holly Dunphy and Elle Naughton.

Morning Focus received a heartfelt message from Tracy O’Connor, originally from Co Kilkenny and now living in the UK, who is hoping to trace an old friend she worked with in 1972 while employed at an Irish-owned hotel in Richmond, Surrey. Tracy is trying to find Mary Donlan, who she believes may be originally from Co Clare. The two worked together at the Bishops Hotel, run by George Bishop and his...

The Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced plans for a major overhaul of rural housing rules, describing it as the most significant change to planning policy in over two decades. The proposed reforms aim to ease restrictions on rural development, including rules around ribbon development and housing on family farm holdings, with the goal of making it easier for people with a social or economic need t...

A number of inspirational individuals have been honoured at the 2026 Clare Mayoral Awards for their contributions to arts, culture and the community. Mayor of Ennis, Fine Gael Cllr Mary Howard held the ceremony on Thursday at Aras Contae an Clair. Clare FM's Lily Collins attended the awards ceremony yesterday and began by speaking with Cllr Mary Howard on how the importance of honouring people who...

Derrick Lynch was joined by singer-songwriter Ciarán Johnston, whose music blends honesty, emotion, and intimate storytelling. With his appearance at Doolin Folk Fest 2026 on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to hear more about the voice behind the songs and what drives him to keep creating. Image (c) Clare FM

Twomilegate is facing increasingly severe traffic congestion during the summer months, with local residents reporting daily disruption and growing safety concerns as visitor numbers continue to rise. To discuss this in detail, Derrick Lynch was joined by Matthew Moroney, who ran as an Independent candidate in the General Election.

Two Clare natives are preparing to take to the stage in a major production at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre this June. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Ireland’s showband era, ARE YA DANCIN? is a story-led play with music that captures the energy, community and spirit of a time when dance halls were at the heart of Irish social life. Paul Mescal Snr from Cree and Hugh Gallagher from Ennis will both f...

Construction on the One Shannon project is set to begin next year. Shannon Municipal District has confirmed a funding application for the long-awaited venture was submitted on May 1st with shovels expected to enter the ground in September 2027. Previously known as the One Shannon Hub, the building, which will be located in the town centre, will consist of a library, multi-purpose event space, exhi...

A Clare TD is arguing there's a "moral obligation" to dezone lands near wind turbines from wind energy. It follows An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision earlier this month to refuse planning permission for a 50-megawatt wind farm in Ballycar in East Clare. Outling its decision, the planning authority said it wasn't satisfied measures could be implemented to mitigate aviation safety risks for Shannon Ai...

Ahead of their Irish, UK and European Tour, Irish band Keywest will perform at the Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg, this September. Defending champion Rory McIlroy will headline the on-course action, while off the course, five-piece rock and pop band Keywest will take centre stage on Saturday, 12 September, in the Championship Village at Trump International Golf Links Ireland. To find out more, Daragh...

A celebration of the diverse cultures of Clare is coming to Ennis next week. Clare Mela returns to the county town on Monday June 1st and will take place in the glór car park from 12pm to 5pm. Now in its fifth year, the free event shines a light on the rich tapestry of culture in Ireland, with the programme to include music, dance and aeiral performance. Creative Director of Fidget Feet, which is...

Traditional music legend Martin Hayes is set to perform a special fundraising concert for the East Clare Community Co-op in Scariff next month. The intimate event at McNamara’s Bar on June 11th will also feature a guest performer and a special dance performance, with proceeds going towards the Co-op’s building purchase fund. To find out more, Daragh Dolan was joined by the Co-op's Fundraising admi...

Large crowds are expected to descend on Mountshannon this weekend for its annual arts festival. Now in its 30th year, the festival embraces the theme of flight, exploring how art, in its many forms, has the power to to elevate everyone. Taking place from today to Monday June 1st, the programme promises live music, poetry, exhibitions and workshops. Committee member and Mountshannon native, Róisín...

Clare has the tenth highest number of Domestic Violence refuge and Safe Home units in the country, according to new national data released to the Oireachtas, with six refuge units and two Safe Home units currently available in the county. To discuss this further, Daragh Dolan was joined by Manager at Clare Haven, Dr Siobhán O’Conno and Mary Howard, representing Rape Crisis MidWest on the Clare Loc...

Pope Leo appointed Scarriff native Archbishop Eugene Nugent as the new Papal Nuncio to the Czech Republic. For the past 5 years, Archbishop Eugene has served as Papal Nuncio in the Gulf region, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Archbishop Eugene served as a priest here in Ennis from 1984-1987 and joined us in our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes last year.

A team of students from Ennis, who recently competed at the VEX Robotics World Championship after winning the All-Ireland title, are now seeking support to continue their journey in robotics. Having designed, built, and programmed their competition robot from the ground up, the group say the experience highlighted their passion for engineering, coding, and teamwork. However, as they transition fro...

Plans are progressing for the development of a new graveyard in Crusheen. Clare County Council has purchased lands in the village for the project and is now preparing to begin the Part VIII planning process. For more on this, Daragh Dolan was joined by Councillor Pat Hayes and Chairperson of Inchicronan Development Group, Michael Browne.

Solicitor for the family, Damien Tansey, joined Daragh Dolan to discuss concerns raised by the family of Aoife Johnston over the State’s handling of a planned memorial in her honour. The family expressed anger and disappointment over how the process was managed, with questions raised about communication between the Department of Health, the hospital, and the family. Response from The Department Of...

The Taoiseach claims he "didn't realise" there were issues around the exclusion of a memorial to Aoife Johnston in the 96-bed block opened at University Hospital Limerick last year. The family of the late Shannon teenager have said they're "disappointed and angry" that the new block was opened in October 2025 without a tribute to her despite conversations having taken place to this effect. 16-year...

A north Clare business owner is calling for more positivity around the water quality in his area. Lahinch lost its Blue Flag status last month following successive inspections showing elevated levels of bacteria in the water. It means the water is no longer classed as "excellent" but still remains entirely safe to bathe in. Owner of Anna & Co in Lahinch, Paddy Murphy, says locals and visitors alik...

A Clare councillor says he doesn't have confidence Clare County Council is taking the threat posed by a harmful plant seriously. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan is making a renewed call for Shannon Municipal District to seek funding to eradicate hogweed which is an invasive species prevalent in the south-east of the county that can cause permanent scarring. Shannon MD says its program...

On Atlantic Tales this Sunday, Pat Flynn looks ahead to the 30th Mountshannon Arts Festival. The year’s event will run from May 28th to June 1st under the theme ‘FLIGHT’, and will feature a high-quality line-up across music, performance, literature and visual art. That’s Atlantic Tales, Sundays at 6.00pm or catch the Replay on Wednesdays at 6.00pm.

Lahinch residents are demanding that Clare County Council prioritises water safety over budgetary matters. A woman was airlifted to hospital last evening after get into difficulty in the water at the north Clare beach while lifeguards were off duty. The incident occurred as temperatures were cooling down following a record-breaking day of sun in Clare. Shortly after 6pm, surfers spotted a woman wh...

Mick Flannery joined Daragh Dolan following the release of his new double album The House Must Win, via One Riot Records. The record brings together reworked songs from his debut Evening Train and new material inspired by his recent stage production of the same name, which enjoyed a sold-out run in Ireland. Featuring a range of special guest collaborators, it marks a bold new chapter in his acclai...