Clare FM

Broadcaster, adventurer and storyteller Hector Ó hEochagáin is back with a brand-new seven-part travel series on TG4 called Hola Hector – Ó Bogotá go Buenos Aires.   Twenty-five years after his first adventure in South America, Hector returns to explore seven countries, meeting extraordinary people, discovering fascinating cultures and, as always, getting himself into some interesting situations a...

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre, Ennis was back on Tuesday’s Morning Focus to answer all your gardening queries. This week, Judy told us about the hardy Buxus, or Box, plant. If you have any questions for Judy, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or WhatsApp to 086 1800 964. Image (c) Clonroad Garden Centre

This year marks a very special milestone for the Lisdoonvarna & Burren Active Retirement Group, as they celebrate 20 years of friendship, fun and community spirit.   Established in 2006 with just 25 members, the group has grown to around 60, bringing people together from across North Clare and beyond through social events, outings, exercise and plenty of activities.   Joining Alan Morrissey to tel...

There's a significant change for learner drivers in Ireland, with tougher rules around the renewal of learner permits coming into effect yesterday (Sunday, 1st November).  Under the new regulations, anyone applying for a third or fourth learner permit must have actually sat a driving test within the previous two years. Those who reach the end of a fourth permit without obtaining a full licence wil...

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County. Photo (c) Clare FM

The homelessness crisis continues to deepen, both nationally and here in County Clare. The latest monthly figures, which were due to be published last Friday, were postponed by the Department of Housing because of ongoing public sector industrial action and incomplete data.  The last available figures for August showed a record 17,885 people in emergency accommodation across the country, including...

Get ready for an exciting weekend of adventure as the Cannonball Overland 4X4 Adventure rolls into County Clare from November 13th to 15th.     Up to 70 impressive 4X4 vehicles, including Land Rover Defenders, Ford Raptors, Bentley Bentaygas and even a Tesla Tank, will explore some of Clare's most spectacular landscapes, from the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head.     It's a weekend of i...

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was chatting to local artist Leigh O’Connell about an exciting new community project, Faces of Lisdoonvarna.   Leigh, Artistic Director and a familiar face on the local arts scene, will be working alongside her team of Burren Artists to create a vibrant mural celebrating the people, personalities and stories that make Lisdoonvarna so special.   With commun...

New figures from the CSO have highlighted significant challenges facing people in County Clare when it comes to accessing healthcare.     Clare residents live an average of 17.1 kilometres from a primary care centre – the longest distance of any county in Ireland.     Meanwhile, calls are growing for a permanent BreastCheck facility in Ennis, following the temporary relocation of the mobile screen...

It's claimed over 40% of drinkable water in Ennis is lost to leakage. Uisce Éireann has held a private briefing with Clare County Councillors to address infrastructure concerns. Representatives were reportedly told that Ennis Reservoir is running at half capacity, that the water source at Drumcliffe Springs is extremely vulnerable, but that upgrades will commence on the Clareabbey Wastewater Treat...

A new roundabout aiming to ease congestion on of Ennis' busiest junctions will be built in time for the new year. Clare County Council will commence construction of a new mini roundabout between the Lahinch Road and Shanaway Road today. The works will also deliver two new controlled pedestrian crossings. Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says it's something the community has been crying out f...

Inagh Kilnamona manager Eugene Cullinan is praising his side's preparation as they notched their first ever win in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship. A 1-21 to 1-14 victory over Glen Rovers sets up a last four tie with Tipperary champions Thurles Sarsfields in two weeks time. Davy Fitzgerald netted the goal for The Combo after 26 minutes, with Aidan McCarthy hitting 14 points for the Ca...

Fr Brendan Quinlivan presents this edition of Beyond Belief which features on this week’s programme, Colm Flynn reflecting on the Pope’s recent illness, his upcoming trip to Latin America and the appointment of the first lay-woman (who was his former boss) as prefect of a Vatican Department. We bring you a report from the 40th Anniversary of the “Spirit of Assisi” ecumenical gathering and Fr. Pat...

A vital road safety initiative for children will return to the Banner County next week. 'Check it fits' helps parents and ensure car seats are correctly fitted and will be available between 10am - 5:30pm on Monday November 2nd in the Aldi car park on Francis Street in Ennis. Over half the seats checked by the RSA were found to be incorrectly fitted, which could lead to serious or fatal injury in t...

Concerns have been raised over delays to rolling out a localised Clare weather warning system. The Government had initially given an undertaking to deliver a new polygon system by the end of this year in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn in January. Clare as a whole did not have an alert beyond status yellow during Storms Austen and Boelo, despite some areas of the county enduring significant winds and...

Dtephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for today, Sunday 1st November, All Saints Day.

A Clare haulier says Transport Infrastructure Ireland are engaging in price gouging through the latest round of announced increases to toll fares. Increases of 20c for vehicles with two and three axels and 30c for those with four or more axels will come into affect from January 1st. Hikes to the fares for both the M50 and Dublin Port Tunnel have also been announced, while regular passenger cars no...

Coming up on the show We have a deep dive into Inagh Kilnamona's first ever Munster Senior Club Hurling championship game against Glen Rovers in Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday, there's the clash between first and third in the Moloney Hardware Clare Premier Division earlier that morning to look forward to also and we'll also bring you the latest installment of our more than a club series.

After a whirlwind couple of years including performances in the US and across Europe, signing an international publishing deal, signing to influential UK label SO Recordings, Shobsy releases his excellent new 'The World Will Not Remember' EP'. Fans of George Michael, David Bowie & The Weeknd are in for a treat as Shobsy’s new recordings in Berlin & Dublin embodies each of them through their genre-...

Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Darragh O'Grady to preview the weekend’s sporting fixtures. ~ Munster Senior Club Hurling Quarter Final ~  Inagh-Kilnamona v Glen Rovers (Cork) (Sunday, Supervalu Pairc ui Chaoimh, 1:15pm) ~ Hurling All Stars Announced This Evening ~ Image (c) Clare FM

An Ennis choir is getting ready to take centre stage on national television!   The Vocal Ponies are among 12 choirs competing in TG4’s Curfá, which is searching for Ireland’s best choir. The series promises plenty of musical talent, with a €5,000 prize and the chance to perform alongside The Hothouse Flowers up for grabs.   The Vocal Ponies will feature on Sunday, 8th November, at 8pm on TG4.  Joi...

Tomorrow (Saturday) is Halloween, with children all around Clare looking forward to dressing up in their costumes, undoubtedly looking forward even further to heading out trick or treating!  But how are people celebrating this year, and are old Irish traditions still playing a part in the festivities?   Clare FM’s Ewelina Szybinska went out to find out how people across the county are marking Hall...

A new initiative aiming to remove social and financial barriers to dealing with bereavement and grief has been launched by Clare Libraries.    Death Positive Libraries Clare was officially launched today and will see 53 books made available from libraries countywide.    The collection includes 46 texts designed for adults dealing with grief and seven for children, which can be easily identified by...

With Halloween approaching, fire services are urging the public to stay safe and be mindful of the dangers associated with bonfires, fireworks and anti-social behaviour.    Every year, emergency crews face additional pressures during the Halloween period, including the risk of being attacked while responding to incidents.     Joining Alan Morrissey with advice on fire safety, an update on preparat...

Art lovers are in for a treat this November as Inis Artists bring their latest exhibition, Shadows & Light, to the DeValera Library in Ennis from November 3rd to 21st.   Alongside the exhibition, local artists will host a series of free demonstrations, showcasing everything from watercolour and pencil drawing to acrylics and even coffee art!   Joining Alan Morrissey was local artist Alan Shoosmith...