Clare FM

Cannonball is coming to County Clare! On Saturday, September 12th, more than 200 supercars, hypercars and novelty cars will make their way through some of Ireland’s most scenic roads.    They will be stopping for lunch at The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon at around 1.30pm.    To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined on the line by the founder of Cannonball. Image (c) Cannonball via Cannonball.ie

Food prices could be set to rise again, with warnings that a prolonged drought and rising production costs could add as much as €1,000 a year to the average family’s food bill.     Farmers are dealing with falling yields, shortages of fodder and rising input costs, while low-income families are already under significant financial pressure.  To discuss the impact on farmers and consumers, Alan Morr...

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey shined a spotlight on some brand-new Irish theatre, as the Oakhill Players present their Pint-Sized Plays: New Writers Showcase at Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee from August 21st to 23rd.   Thirteen original ten-minute plays, written by both experienced writers and complete newcomers, will be brought to life on stage.  Joining Alan were Faye Collins from Oak...

Are Ireland’s traditional main streets dying, or can they be revived? Rising business costs, online shopping, changing consumer habits, parking, and the growth of out-of-town retail are putting pressure on independent businesses across the country.  Monday's Morning Focus looked at the future of our own town centres, and what needs to change to keep them vibrant.   Joining Alan Morrissey were John...

Next, we are going to focus on the need for childcare in Tulla and the ongoing efforts to bring a community creche to the area.   A local survey is currently seeking the views of families on their childcare and afterschool needs, with every response helping to shape future plans.  Joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more was Christabel Lenihan, a local mother and one of those involved in highlightin...

We begin today’s show by talking about new research showing that 63% of cigarette packs surveyed in Ennis had no Irish duty paid on them, with one in five identified as counterfeit.   The findings have raised concerns about public health, lost tax revenue, legitimate local retailers and the role of organised crime.  Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss the findings and what should be done was Doonbeg...

A group of volunteers have cleared over 340 kilos of rubbish from a West Clare bathing spot. The Seafield Conservation Forum usually carries out two large scale registered clean ups of its beach annually, but was forced to take action last week due to a large accumulation of refuse at the pier. It's understood the majority of the waste which was subsequently removed to the Central Waste Management...

Corofin manager Peader O'Brien is praising the impact of his young players as the north Clare men secured their first victory of the TUS Clare Senior Football Championship. Their 1-13 to nine points defeat of St. Breckan's was also their first group stage win in the senior championship since 2022. Seanán Kirby contributed 1-2 from corner forward, while Christan Cummins held Breckan's talisman Jami...

Hopes have been expressed that greater access to insurance for homes and businesses in Shannon will lead to more housing developments being delivered in the town. It comes as the Government's announced its intention to establish the Flood Insurance Protection Gap Working Group. Chaired by former Secretary General of the Department of Health, Jim Breslin, the group aims to improve access to insuran...

Clare County Council has confirmed the operator of the new coffee shop at John O’Sullivan Park at Lees Road will receive an initial five year lease at the facility. The local authority is seeking expressions of interest for the contract, with the successful applicant working with council engineers on the interior layout and design of the café. A €1.3m development of John O’Sullivan Park is soon to...

Stephen Fletcher presents our Sunday Prayer for today, Sunday 16th August 2026, the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the 11th Sunday after Trinity. The reading is by Susan Rice and the music is God Whose Almighty Word by Stacey plays Hymns and Be Thou My Vision by Selah.

A Clare farming representative is criticising the Government for failing to simplify the rules surrounding fuel supports, as €64 million has been left unclaimed. Smaller farmers have found difficulty obtaining the Fuel Income Support Scheme due to confusion around eligibility and minimum limits. The price of diesel rose by 19 cent a litre at the pump in the last month, with petrol rising by nine c...

A Clare driving instructor is calling for greater security of the RSA's driving test website to prevent third party apps from accessing data on cancelled tests. At present, some unauthorised apps are charging subscription fees of over €100 to provide quicker cancellation appointments for people on waiting lists. The RSA has said it will continue to cancel tests not made through its official websit...

Water is being tankered to two Clare villages amid supply deficits brought on by the dry spell. Uisce Éireann is currently trucking treated water to reservoirs in Carran and Crusheen to maintain local supplies. It's urging consumers countywide to conserve water, while a national hosepipe ban remains in place until Wednesday August 26th. The utility says its top priority is to safeguard water suppl...

Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch to chat about the weekend’s sporting fixtures. ~ TUS Senior Football Championship ~  Group 1:  - Éire Óg v Doonbeg (Saturday, 4pm) - Cratloe v St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay (Saturday, 5pm) Group 2:  - St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield v Kildysart (Saturday, 1pm) - Ennistymon v Kilmihill (Sunday, 1pm)  Group 3:  - Lissycasey v Kilmurry Ibrickane (Frida...

A new album has just been released by Lissycasey traditional musician, composer and producer Jack Talty.   ‘Coire An Cheoil’ features his own original compositions, bringing together his work as a musician and composer.  Jack Talty joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the new record and the inspiration behind it. Photo (c) Clare FM

A new petition is calling for a secondary school to be built in Sixmilebridge.     It’s already gathered hundreds of signatures, with organisers saying local children face uncertainty when trying to secure places in already oversubscribed schools in Shannon and Limerick.     Petition organiser, Maria Beville joined Alan Morrissey earlier to tell us more. Image (c) gerenme from Getty Images Signatu...

It’s a swim with a difference happening in West Clare this weekend, as the Mermaids and Buoys Swim group hosts a Ladies Dip in the Nip in aid of West Clare Cancer.   The location is being kept secret until closer to the event, adding a little mystery to what promises to be a fun and fundraising-filled day.  Joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more was organiser, Pauline Dunleavy. Photo (c) Vesnaandj...

A man is recovering in hospital after being bitten by a blue shark while recreationally angling off the Waterford coast earlier this week.   The incident has generated plenty of headlines about a “shark attack”, but Lahinch-based documentary filmmaker and ocean conservationist Ken O’Sullivan believes we need to look beyond that description and have a wider conversation about shark angling and how...

He’s walked thousands of miles across the UK and Ireland, raising awareness of Samaritans and the importance of listening.   David Matthews, better known as The Listening Walker, is currently on his second 6,100-mile journey, visiting Samaritans branches along the way.  He’s been in Ennis and is now heading for Galway, and David joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more about his incredible journey an...

Next Tuesday (18 August, 7.00pm–8.00pm), you can take a journey through almost a century of County Clare’s history—not through books or archives, but through the voices of the people who lived it.  “Echoes of County Clare”: Recorded Voices Across the Generations uses historic recordings and oral histories to explore memories, traditions and everyday life across generations.  Joining Alan Morrissey...

Ireland’s relationship with the United States, Shannon Airport and the question of Irish neutrality are back in focus following comments from NATO’s top military commander.   General Alexus Grynkewich has warned that withdrawing US military access to Shannon could damage Irish-US relations and have wider security implications.  To discuss what this means for Ireland’s foreign and security policy,...

A Clare patient advocate is calling for prostate cancer patients to receive a clearer explanation of the impacts that treatment will have on their health. Research from the Irish Cancer Society has found 66% of patients were either underprepared or completely unprepared for the impact of treatment on their sexual function or mental health. Meanwhile, 80% of respondents stated that a lengthier and...

Clare people are being urged to take advantage of a seasonal road safety grant which is now available. The local authority will be paying out €25,000 over the next two months under the Hedge Cutting Scheme. The grant which is available to landowners and community groups is payable at €75 per km of hedgerow. Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan says it's hugely important.

This weekend, North Clare will come alive with the Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills, a three-day celebration of traditional crafts, music, storytelling, community and heritage.   Now in its fourth year, the festival takes place across Ennistymon, Common Knowledge and Lisdoonvarna, with hands-on workshops, demonstrations, talks, traditional music and a community céilí — and it’s all free.  Joining...