Clare FM

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...

It’s our monthly look at what’s happening across Clare Libraries, and this month there are two very different topics to explore.  Emer Bowen joined Alan Morrissey to talk about Home Energy Savings Kits and radon monitors that people can borrow, while Archivist Ciara Fahy highlighted the fascinating Glynn Collection, which offers a unique insight into more than 150 years of life and business in Wes...

It's feared Clare's disabled drivers will be left worse off under a new vehicle adaption scheme due to be rolled out.   The Government is currently progressing a grant programme which will cover minor adaptations to cars for people with mobility needs.   The coalition is also reviewing the existing disabled drivers and passengers scheme which offers VAT and VRT reliefs, sparking concerns from indu...

Claire O’Meara is getting ready to bring the joy of line dancing to communities across Clare, with four new classes starting in September in Kilrush, Ennis, Clarecastle and Cratloe.   But for Claire, it’s about much more than learning dance steps — it’s about getting active, meeting people, building friendships and supporting mental wellbeing.   She recently brought 25 dancers to Áras an Uachtarái...

Time for another Taste of the Week, on Thursday’s Morning Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by Danny Lynch, Chef from Le Cheile in Barefield. Danny let Alan test a potential new addition to the Le Cheile menu. Image (c) Clare FM

As families get ready for the new school year, there’s one area of children’s health that can sometimes be overlooked, their hearing.  Good hearing is essential for children in the classroom, helping them to follow instructions, take part in discussions, communicate with classmates and build confidence.  Even mild or undiagnosed hearing difficulties can sometimes affect a child’s learning and deve...

He’s no stranger to extreme challenges, but Seanie Clifford has taken on perhaps his most remarkable one yet.   He’s running every one of Dublin’s 4,400 streets — covering up to 2,500 kilometres — while sleeping rough every night.  The challenge is raising awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness, with support going to Focus Ireland, Liberty Soup Run and Dublin Homeless Awareness....

Eight Clare food and drink producers have made it through to the finals of Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards 2026, from more than 3,000 entries nationwide.   Among them are East Clare Apiaries and Lúnasa Farm, with the awards taking place in Dingle this October.  Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael Curran of East Clare Apiaries, and farmer and nutritionist Cass McCarthy of Lúnasa Farm and B...

This Sunday, 16th August, the Mullagh Agri Show and Family Day returns for its 31st year, celebrating the best of agriculture, food and community in West Clare.   There’ll be plenty for all ages, with children’s activities, entertainment and access to the Autism Friendly Playground — and importantly, all children’s activities are free.  As the show looks to the future and encourages a new generati...

Crovraghan residents have been raising serious concerns about speeding on their road for years.  Cars are regularly passing homes at dangerously high speeds, there’s nowhere safe to cross, and the community has seen heartbreaking loss of both people and animals.   Despite repeated calls for action, residents say they’re still being fobbed off.   Earlier, Alan Morrissey spoke with local resident, C...

The latest figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities make for stark reading. More than 328,000 households are behind on their electricity bills, with almost 189,000 in gas arrears. Hundreds of households are also being disconnected for failing to pay.  With energy prices remaining high and further increases on the way, what should Government be doing when the Dáil returns from its su...

An increase in car parking revenue generated at University Hospital Limerick has been described as “blatant profiteering off people in tragic situations”. HSE figures show revenue from parking charges at the hospital increased from €446,000 in 2021 to €1.44 million last year, representing an increase of more than 200%. The increase comes despite a commitment in the Programme for Government to redu...

It's feared Clare's disabled drivers will be left worse off under a new vehicle adaption scheme due to be rolled out. The Government is currently progressing a grant programme which will cover minor adaptations to cars for people with mobility needs. The coalition is also reviewing the existing disabled drivers and passengers scheme which offers VAT and VRT reliefs, sparking concerns from industry...

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch speaks with Ann Marie McGann to preview the 2026 Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie Championship while Derek Dormer speaks with all 10 clubs involved in the race for the McMahon Cup

County Clare has been named European Volunteering Capital for 2027 — a prestigious European title awarded to just one location each year in recognition of outstanding, sustainable and community-led volunteering.     The programme, delivered in partnership with Clare County Council and eleven partner organisations, will officially launch on January 31st next year, with events, European study visits...

As part of Heritage Week, a fascinating free guided bus tour is taking place this Saturday, exploring the stained-glass heritage of West Clare. Researcher and photographer John Glynn has spent the past five years documenting stained-glass windows at more than 140 locations across the county.    He joined Alan Morrissey to tell us about Clare’s remarkable stained-glass heritage and the special tour...

Fuel prices have risen sharply over the past month, with diesel up by around 19 cent a litre and petrol by about 9 cents.   With the cost of living already putting pressure on households and the Government due to begin phasing out its temporary fuel excise cuts next month, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sixmilebridge fuel merchant PJ Ryan to hear what he’s seeing at the pumps and what customers are...

Alan Morrissey was joined by Prof Catriona Jackman from DIAS Dunsink Observatory, to talk us through a very special celestial event taking place this evening.   Ireland is set to experience its deepest solar eclipse since 1999, with up to 97% of the Sun obscured in parts of the west.   Alan found out what people in Ennis and across Clare can expect to see, where to get the best view, and, most imp...