Clare FM

Alan Morrissey was joined live in-studio by Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch to chat about the upcoming sporting fixtures for the weekend. - All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final: Clare v Dublin (Saturday, FBD Semple Stadium, 7pm) - All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship: Kilkenny v Clare (Saturday, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2:30pm) Image (c) Clare FM

One of Ireland's oldest and most celebrated traditions, the Spancilhill Fair, returns on Tuesday, June 23rd.   With a history stretching back more than 400 years, the fair attracts visitors from across Ireland and beyond.   Joining Alan Morrissey on the line was Michael O'Connor, PRO for the Spancilhill Fair Committee, to tell us more about this year's event and what people can look forward to. Ph...

Construction is progressing well on what will be Clare's first publicly owned dog park, with the new facility in Shannon now expected to be completed by mid-July.   Ground preparation works are underway, and the project is being hailed as an important new amenity for local dog owners and the wider community.   With demand for dog parks growing and facilities becoming increasingly popular around th...

As families across Clare prepare to celebrate Father's Day this weekend, there's a special event taking place that combines history, music, storytelling, crafts and plenty of family fun.   This Sunday (21st June), Craggaunowen will host its Mid-Summer Celebration from 11am to 5pm, marking both the summer solstice and Father's Day with a packed programme of activities for all ages.   To tell us mor...

Morning Focus is marking County Clare Men’s Health Week 2026 (15–21 June) with the theme “What’s Your Small Step?” as part of a week-long series of activities, discussions, and ways to take part.   The initiative, supported by Clare County Council and the Men’s Health Pledge, encourages men to make small, practical changes to improve physical and mental wellbeing.   We will explore how small, real...

Quin Summer Fest is taking place this Sunday, the 21st of June, at Monks Well in the heart of Quin Village (from 10am to 2pm).   The summer market will feature a fantastic range of local artists, craftspeople, food producers and makers, offering everything from art and photography to handcrafted woodwork, skincare products, delicious local food and much more.  Joining Alan Morrissey earlier today...

The Oireachtas Housing Committee has published a major new report on homelessness, urging the Government to consider all options, including the possible reintroduction of an emergency ban on no-fault evictions.   The report also calls for greater investment in homelessness prevention, more social and affordable housing, and a renewed focus on tackling child homelessness.   With homelessness contin...

New figures from the Department of Housing show that Clare is among the strongest-performing counties in the country under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme.   Since its launch in 2022, more than €14.7 million has been paid out locally to help bring vacant and derelict properties back into use, with Clare ranking behind only Dublin, Cork, Donegal & Tipperary in terms of funding awarde...

The timeline for the delivery of a long-awaited medical facility in Ennis has been pushed back yet again. The Government has confirmed that the county's first renal haemodialysis unit to be operated by Fresenius Medical Care in the Clare Technology Park on the Gort Road is expected to be operational within the final three months of this year. The unit, which will have 120 slots per week, was initi...

A Clare woman living with a visual impairment has told an Oireachtas Committee that the disability payment system has left her trapped on a very low income. The maximum rate of disability allowance in Ireland is currently €254 per week. However, the payment is means tested for any individual with a disability earning more than €165 per week in part-time work. Áine Dunne from Shannon says she's afr...

The Dancing for Pleasure Group have plenty to celebrate.  The weekly dancing community where all ages and abilities are welcome, have reached their 40th anniversary.  Joining Alan Morrissey from the Dancing for Pleasure Group were two of its founding members, Andy Carmody and Ena Brennan. Photo (c) Clare FM

As Ireland prepares to take on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, primary school pupils across the country are being encouraged to learn more about Europe through the award-winning Blue Star Programme.     The initiative brings the EU to life in classrooms through projects exploring European history, geography, culture and citizenship. Eleven schools in Clare are already taking p...

The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that Ireland's cleanest rivers are continuing to decline, with its latest report showing little overall improvement in water quality during 2025.  The EPA says nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater remains the biggest challenge, and warns that without significant action, meaningful improvements are unlikely in the near future.   The repor...

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 told us a recipe for a Cajun Chicken Burger and other goodies. Image (c) Clare FM

The Square in Ennis is the venue for the latest static charity cycle in aid of the Samaritans.  The annual cycle will take place tomorrow (Friday, the 19th of June) from 9am-6pm.  For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Peadar White, cycling enthusiast and event organiser, and Pat White, Director of Clare Samaritans. Photo (c) Clare FM

As the longest day of the year approaches, a special Summer Solstice celebration is set to take place at the historic Thoor Ballylee in Gort.   The evening will combine a scenic walk, music, poetry, storytelling and a chance to experience one of Ireland's most treasured literary landmarks, all while raising funds for the RNLI lifeboat service.   Joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the eve...

Motorsport fans in Clare will be keeping a close eye on Oulton Park this weekend as local racing driver Laura O'Connell prepares for the second round of the Radical Cup UK.   After making her solo debut in the championship at Brands Hatch last month, Laura is hoping to build on that experience as she tackles another new circuit and continues her pursuit of a first podium finish.   She joined Alan...

Morning Focus is marking County Clare Men’s Health Week 2026 (15–21 June) with the theme “What’s Your Small Step?” as part of a week-long series of activities, discussions, and ways to take part.   The initiative, supported by Clare County Council and the Men’s Health Pledge, encourages men to make small, practical changes to improve physical and mental wellbeing.   We will explore how small, real...

Kilmaley Hall has been at the heart of community life in one of County Clare’s largest parishes for more than four decades, hosting everything from sporting activities and fitness classes to meetings, concerts and community events.   Now, plans are being developed for a major refurbishment of the facility to modernise the building, improve accessibility and ensure it continues to serve the communi...

As part of our focus on the importance of early intervention for children with autism, we're highlighting an information and support event taking place this evening at the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis (7pm).     The gathering aims to connect parents of young autistic children, provide practical information, and discuss the supports available to families.     Earlier today, Alan Morrissey found out mor...

Former Clare TD and long-serving Councillor James Breen has passed away, aged 81.   The Kilnamona native retired from politics 7 years ago following 34 years in politics.    First elected to Clare County Council in 1985, James Breen left the Fianna Fáil party and ran as an Independent candidate in the 2002 General Election, in which he topped the poll.   After he lost his Dáil seat in 2007, he was...

A major investment announcement relating to Shannon is expected to be made later this summer. Speaking in the Dáil, Fine Gael Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke has said he hopes there will be a "very significant announcement during the summer by a leading Irish-born company in relation to Shannon". The comments have come on foot of Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney's call f...

The National Driver Licence Service's refusal to accept cash payments at its Ennis office is reportedly stripping Clare residents of their independence. Since the Covid-19 lockdown, NDLS offices only allow payments by credit or debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Payzone vouchers. The Department of Transport has previously said this decision was made "after evaluating security, administration and...

On this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets an educator and author who has written a groundbreaking series of self-help, end-of-life legacy journals. We’ll also hear from an Ennis woman, living in New Zealand, who has created a board game designed to teach Kiwis how democracy works.

Two young men from County Clare are preparing to take on an extraordinary challenge in support of a cause close to their hearts.   Colin McNamara and Darragh Higgins will set off on June 22nd on a 150-kilometre journey from Newmarket-on-Fergus to Westport, camping along the route before completing their challenge with a climb of Croagh Patrick.   Their goal is to raise vital funds and awareness fo...