Clare FM

Alan Morrissey was joined earlier by Joanna Doohan, the 2026 Rose of Clare.     She was crowned at the event in Cooraclare last Friday night.    Joanna, from Kilmurry Ibrickane, is also captain of the Clare ladies football team, so she’s no stranger to representing her county.     It’s been a very exciting few days for her, and she joined Alan to talk about winning the title, the support from her...

You may have heard about the recent and extraordinary midwinter rescue mission that took place in Antarctica.  Flying into temperatures of -43°C and complete darkness, the Australian aviation crew behind the rescue landed at McMurdo Station to carry out an urgent medical evacuation of a US expedition member from the station.  And there’s a lovely Clare connection too, through Captain Louise Robert...

Clare has ranked as one of the top three counties in Ireland for online shopping. New research shows 19% of all retail activity in this county is now carried out online. Ennis Chamber President Margaret O'Brien claims the figures are a reflection of the efforts from businesses across Clare to put greater emphasis into their online offering. She says the figures don't necessarily represent the phas...

Outrage has been expressed over an increased spate of illegal dumping at a popular Clare nature trail. It's after a large volume of discarded household and electrical waste was found at Mooghaun Woods in Newmarket-On-Fergus this week. The rubbish was found on a popular walking route, known locally as the Long Sweep. Newmarket-On-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin says it's completely inex...

Resurfacing works are underway on one of West Clare's busiest roads ahead of next month's Amgen Irish Open. Clare County Council will be working on the N67 from Doonbeg to Glascloon until August 28th. The road will be closed for the duration of the works, while diversions are in place. Doonbeg Councillor Rita McInerney is hopeful improvements will follow for the rest of the route in the near futur...

A Garda investigation is underway after a number of people were attacked and injured by a dog at a property on the Clare border. Clare’s County Dog Warden was alerted on Saturday last after the sheepdog, which had been chained up at a property in O’Briensbridge, escaped and attacked a woman, who suffered serious injuries. It’s understood the dog also attacked members of An Garda Síochána, as well...

Lissycasey's Máirtín Óg Ó Maonaigh won the Under 12 Lilting Competition in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 at only 9 years old. 5,000 musicians and dancers participated in the All-Ireland Fleadh competitions this year, with 22 countries taking part. He joined Alan Morrissey with his mam, Mairéad Considine, to talk about the experience. Photo

As part of National Heritage Week, the Kilkee Currach Regatta will celebrate one of Ireland’s oldest maritime traditions, while highlighting the work being done in West Clare to keep currach building and rowing alive.  With traditional boats, demonstrations, talks and a 1957 fishing currach returning to the water, it’s a celebration of both the past and the future of our coastal heritage.  Joining...

Colm Liddy, local author and historian was back in-studio on Tuesday’s Morning Focus for our regular history in focus slot. This week Colm took us through the life and legacy of William Smith O'Brien.

The Kilmurry Heritage Festival gets underway this Friday, bringing four days of music, family activities, sport, local history and community events to the village near Sixmilebridge.   Running from August 14th to 18th, the festival also forms part of the National Heritage Week celebrations, with heritage walks, talks and a chance to discover more about Kilmurry’s past.  Joining Alan Morrissey to t...

Heritage Week gets underway this week, with more than 80 events taking place across County Clare, celebrating everything from historic buildings and archaeology to traditional skills, music, storytelling and the county’s natural heritage.    This year’s theme is ‘Heritage at Risk’, highlighting the importance of protecting the places, traditions and landscapes that help shape our identity.     Joi...

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Burns, retired Deputy Principal at Rice College and Educational Consultant. This week, John discussed the dreaded back to school rush and anxiety students and parents alike are feeling. Photo (c) Clare FM

This Saturday, the community in Carrigaholt will come together to remember a much-loved local man, Michael Troy, six years after his passing.   The annual Michael Troy Memorial Run has grown from a small community event into an important fixture, celebrating Michael’s love of sport, young people and his local community, while also raising funds for the West Clare Cancer Centre.  Joining Alan Morri...

Quin Friary is one of Clare’s most important historic landmarks, and now a new piece of technology is set to help visitors discover its stories in a whole new way.  The Quin Friary Visitor App combines audio, visuals and a guided tour to bring the history of the Friary to life for visitors of all ages.  The app is being officially launched this Sunday, and joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more we...

As Ireland’s population ages, the pressure on nursing homes and the wider care system is growing.   With nursing-home places in short supply, hospital patients facing long waits for onward care, and the ESRI projecting a need for thousands more beds over the coming years, there are growing questions about how we care for older people.  But is building more nursing homes the answer, or do we need t...

A prominent Clare activist says any engagement with Conor McGregor's upcoming fight is an insult to survivors of rape and sexual violence. The Dublin native who makes his return to MMA tomorrow morning was found civilly liable for the sexual assault of Nikita Hand in November 2024. A High Court Jury found that he raped Ms Hand in a Dublin Hotel Room in December 2018. Clare Leader Forum Co-Founder...

Coming up on the show, we will be reflecting on Clares loss to Limerick with Tony Considine and having a chat about the overall hurling year We will also look ahead to this years Will We Go Cusack Cup final and check in with the Junior Cycle Tour of Ireland which has been making its way across the county this week

Antanna is the latest musical project from Tony Hoyne. Born in Kilkenny, and living in Dublin, Antanna has emerged on the Irish indie folk scene with his deeply personal songwriting and evocative vocal delivery. Drawing on folk sensibilities, contemporary production and raw emotional honesty, he has built a growing following for songs that speak to heartache, hope and the complexity of relationshi...

Clare pet owners are being urged to take proactive measures following an outbreak of a viral disease with a high mortality rate in the West of the county. It comes as an animal shelter in West Clare has been forced to close due to an outbreak of Panleucopaenia. The An Cat Dubh Sanctuary at Cloonlaheen, near Miltown Malbay has confirmed blood tests in the case of a number of deceased cats and kitte...

Funding of up to €13m will be sought for the redevelopment of the Mars Cinema in Kilrush. It comes as the Kilrush Town Team has confirmed its intention to apply to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the allocation. Clare County Council meanwhile has signalled its intention to commence a Part X planning application for the Kilkee to Kilrush section of the West Clare Greenw...

Morning Focus was broadcasting live from Kilrush Town Square for the second leg of Alan Morrissey's Summer Tour. Firstly, Alan spoke to Aisling Leahy, Senior Executive Planner and Urban Designer, Town Centre First Team, Clare County Council, and Charlie Glynn, Co-Chair of Kilrush Town Team, about the transformation underway in Kilrush to revamp the town. Deirdre Culligan, Friends of Ennis Hospital...

Clare FM’s Therese McInerney is in Miltown Malbay for this year’s Willie Clancy Summer School.   Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is the week-long summer school in traditional music and set dance held annually at Miltown Malbay.   Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2026 got underway on Saturday.   Therese brings us her latest report from the 54th Willie Clancy Summer School.

It's a busy couple of weeks ahead for the team at Zimmer Biomet in Shannon.   This weekend – the 11th and 12th of July - they'll host one of the biggest underage GAA festivals in Clare, with hundreds of young players taking to the pitches at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.   Then next weekend, a team of employees will swap the playing field for the water as they row 60 kilometres across Lough Derg to...

Family Carers Ireland is calling for carers' payments to rise to 325-euro a week.     The organisation says an increase is needed in October's budget, to reflect the real cost of providing full-time care to a loved one at home.     As part of its pre-budget submission, the group is also calling for the means test to be abolished. Fiona Hartigan, Clare Family Carer Support Manager, joined Alan Morr...

A Clare health campaigner says what she witnessed at University Hospital Limerick this week shows the Mid-West's healthcare crisis is far from over.   Friends of Ennis Hospital spokesperson Deirdre Culligan shared a first-hand account from the Emergency Department, describing corridors full of patients, staff under immense pressure and a system she believes is simply not coping.   Deirdre joined A...