Clare FM

Thousands of people are expected to gather in Clarecastle this weekend for the annual Regatta, one of the highlights of the local calendar.   Revived in 2009, the event has grown into a major family fun day, with everything from boat rides and live music to children's activities, competitions and community displays.   Joining Alan Morrissey earlier to tell us more about this year's event were Chai...

Miltown Malbay businesses are revelling in a period of economic prosperity arising from the Willie Clancy Week.    The 54th Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is in full flow and the West Clare town's pubs, restaurants, shops and casual traders are reaping the benefits.    For the first time this year, parking is prohibited on the main street, with free parking available next to Jones's Supervalu on th...

The release of the 1926 Census has opened a fascinating window into life in Ireland a century ago, and in Clarecastle it's inspired a unique project that brings the village's past vividly back to life.     As part of Clarecastle Village Fest Week, Clare Library and the Clarecastle & Ballyea Heritage and Wildlife Group are hosting an evening featuring a talk on the 1926 Census and a specially produ...

This Saturday marks the 105th anniversary of the Truce that brought the War of Independence to an end in July 1921.     To commemorate the occasion, the Kilkee War of Independence Committee is holding a ceremony at the town's War of Independence monument, where the names of 250 local men and women who played a role in the struggle for independence are inscribed.     Chairperson Lily Marrinan joine...

One of the world's most celebrated jazz ensembles is coming to the Mid-West this summer.   The internationally acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, will perform at University Concert Hall, Limerick on 14th of August as part of a select tour that also includes Edinburgh and Dublin.   It's a rare opportunity to see one of the biggest names in jazz l...

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.

Clare has been officially paired with Croatia.    As part of the EU Presidency, each of the 26 counties will be twinned with a corresponding member of the 26 other EU nations.    Over the next six months, the Banner will host a series of cultural and entertainment events aimed at strengthening relations with the Mediterranean country.    Clare FM's Daragh Dolan was in Áras Chontae An Chláir yester...

Some of the world's most promising young cyclists will be back on the roads of County Clare this July for the Quanta Capital Junior Tour of Ireland.   The six-stage race, covering almost 560 kilometres, will once again showcase some of Clare's most spectacular scenery while attracting riders from Ireland and overseas.   With two new stages added for this year's edition and preparations well underw...

Campaigners are describing it as a landmark moment for cancer survivors.   The Government's "Right to Be Forgotten" legislation has now completed its passage through the Oireachtas, meaning eligible cancer survivors will have legal protection when applying for mortgage protection insurance. Lahinch-based health campaigner John Wall, who is living with stage IV prostate cancer, has long campaigned...

A Clare Retailer has told an Oireachtas Committee that her business is losing money by operating the Deposit Return Scheme. Low volume traders, who accept less than 250,000 bottles and cans each year, can receive grants of between €6,000 and €12,000 over a three-year period depending on usage. The Convenience Store and Newsagents Association has raised concerns however that due to handling fees, t...

On this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets aviation historian and author Peter McGarry. After working in the aircraft leasing industry for many years, Peter researched and published his book Falling Stars, the story of aviation tragedies between 1946 and 1961.

The Croatian Ambassador to Ireland says he's extremely hopeful of increasing tourism between the Eastern European nation and Clare. Clare has been paired with the mediteranean country for the duration of Ireland's EU Presidency, which was marked at an official ceremony at Áras Chontae An Chláir this lunchtime. A series of cultural and entertainment events will take place here to strengthen ties be...

From painting the walls of his family home as a child in Germany to creating eye-catching public murals here in west Clare, artist Marcus Vallboehmer has turned a lifelong passion for colour into a successful career.   Now living in Farrihy, near Doonbeg, Marcus is the artist behind the striking new mural of Charlotte Brontë on the White Walls in Kilkee, celebrating the famous novelist's connectio...

For more than a century, Coláiste Eoghan Uí Chomhraidhe in Carrigaholt was at the heart of Irish language learning in west Clare, welcoming generations of students before closing its doors in 2017.     Now, after a lengthy planning process, permission has been granted for an ambitious redevelopment that will transform the historic building into a year-round cultural and educational centre with ove...

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy told us about the importance of protecting your income. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Tommy Corbett, Carey Corbett Financial Solutions

Clare FM’s Therese McInerney is in Miltown Malbay for this year’s Willie Clancy Summer School.   Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is, of course, 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.

Some of the foremost exponents of Irish traditional music are being honoured at this year's TG4 Gradam Ceoil.    The recipients of this year's awards have been announced at a special ceremony at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point.    Now in its 29th year, Gradam Ceoil TG4 is widely regarded as the highest honour in Irish traditional music, celebrating outstanding achievement, creativity and cultura...

With temperatures set to climb into the high 20s and possibly even the low 30s over the coming days, Met Éireann has issued a nationwide heatwave advisory, warning of everything from heat stress and dehydration to a high UV Index, wildfire risk and water safety concerns.   To find out what we can expect from the weather, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michelle Dillon, Tullycrine Met Éireann Forecast...

A new full-time intellectual disability respite centre could soon be coming to Shannon. Corlann, formerly known as the Brothers of Charity has applied to develop a facility at Gleann-na-Smól that would operate seven days a week. Presently the service only provides two days of respite per week , but has received HSE funding to expand its offering. Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy says it w...

One of Ireland's best-known stand-up comedians, Al Porter, is back on the road with a brand-new show, ALGORITHM.   Following a sold-out tour last year, the new show blends his trademark high-energy comedy with stories about modern life, family, social media and trying to make sense of an increasingly chaotic world.   As well as touring the country, Al is also preparing for the premiere of his new...

A new onshore wind energy project in West Clare has been refused planning permission for a second time.    Slievenalicka Locally Owned Turbine Ltd had proposed to build a single turbine of up to 150m in height across the townlands of Tooreen, Slievenalicka and Drumbaun.  However, Clare County Council has refused to grant planning permission for the project.  Earlier, Alan Morrissey got the reactio...

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 explained the lengths people had to go to in an attempt to avoid starvation to Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Clare FM

Essex-based cyclist Aidan Spence will be travelling through County Clare as part of a 2,200-mile journey around Ireland celebrating the historic links between Ireland and Essex while raising funds for Irish community organisations in Britain.    The challenge, titled Aidan Cycles for Cedd, aims to raise £2,200, equivalent to £1 for every mile cycled. Funds raised will support St Cedd's GAA, St Ced...

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

Clare's housing market has bucked the national trend in the second quarter of the year. Myhome.ie's latest report shows there were 297 houses for sale in this county at the end of June, marking a 21% increase since January. Additionally the average price of a home here is now €290,000, down €5,000 in the last year. MyHome.ie Managing Director Joanne Geary has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan t...