Clare FM

County Clare has double the reason to celebrate, with two local women preparing to compete for the Miss Ireland 2026 crown! Lyane Casey, 23, from Kilmaley, is Miss Clare, while 19-year-old Saoirse Keniry from Ennis is Miss Ennis.   Both will take to the stage at the grand final in Dundalk on November 21st, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Clare’s 2022 winner, Ivanna McMahon.   But Miss Ireland...

Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan, has defended the diocese’s use of artificial intelligence to create images of Jesus Christ and the four evangelists for its online ministry.   The AI-generated images have sparked debate about the role of technology in religious life, creativity and how we visualise sacred figures.  Bishop Monahan says AI can be a valuable tool in spreading the Gospel, provided...

An environmental group is raising concerns that Lahinch's waterways could be impacted if the due diligence process for a new wastewater treatment plant isn't followed. Uisce Éireann is due to carry out Marine and Intertidal site investigation surveys in Liscannor Bay, ahead of its construction of a new sewerage plant serving Ennistymon and Lahinch. Friends of the Irish Environment has requested th...

It's hoped Ennis' Halloween Parade will return in 2027, following the popularity of the inaugural event. Large numbers descended on the county town during the week as ghosts and ghouls made their way through the streets. Those in attendance were treated to a spooky production from performers from Lumen Street Theatre and the Ennis Brass Band. Ennis Chamber President, Margaret O'Brien, says the eve...

Inagh Kilnamona boss Eugene Cullinan says he'll be looking for players with intercounty experience to lead by example as they get their Munster Club Hurling Championship campaign underway The Combo travel to Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon to take on 28-time Cork Champions Glen Rovers in the quarter final. The Tomás Mulcahy led side are spearheaded by four time All-Star Patrick Horgan, alongside...

Clare FM brings you our latest feature, Clare FM’s Road Safety Initiative. In this episode, Clare FM’s Lily Collins is joined by Mike McGrath of Safeway Tyres Ennis. Mike discusses the importance of functioning and correct lighting on your vehicle. Funded by the Coimisiún na Meán’s news reporting scheme.

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 a blu...

On this week's episode of 'The Future of Disability Services' , Pat Flynn chats with Rachel MacManus, an artist and mother of a child with a disability. This feature, 'The Future of Disability Services' is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Thursday's Morning Focus celebrated a new recording with deep roots in the traditional music of County Clare. From Loop to Hook brings brothers John and Séamus McMahon back together, reconnecting with the music, the friendships and the shared experiences that have shaped their lives.  As founder members of the renowned Fisherstreet group, John and Séamus have spent many years immersed in the Clare...

More than 90% of Garda Representative Association members who responded to a recent survey have backed industrial action, with a similar proportion prepared to support a work-to-rule during the remaining events of Ireland's EU Presidency.   The GRA accuses Garda management of breaching agreed working conditions, including rest periods and overtime arrangements.   But what would a work-to-rule mean...

Tommy Sands is one of Ireland's most respected folk singers and songwriters, an artist whose music has long crossed boundaries and brought people together.   Growing up in County Down during the Troubles, he came to see song as a powerful way of telling difficult stories, challenging divisions and reminding us of our shared humanity.   Now, with his Every County on the Island Tour, Tommy is bringi...

On Thursday's Morning Focus, we heard about a very special four-legged local celebrity: Daisy, the 17-year-old Westie belonging to Clare Champion Managing Director and Motoring Editor, John Galvin.   Daisy has launched her debut 2027 calendar, A Year of Walkies, Adventures and Fun, with every cent of the €10 cover price going to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.   With Daisy herself now losing her s...

Ennis-born actress Kelly Gough is enjoying another busy spell on stage and screen.   This Halloween, she stars as the Morrigan, the formidable figure from Irish mythology, in the supernatural drama The Unreal.   She’s also preparing to take to the stage at London’s Almeida Theatre in a new production of Eugene O’Neill’s classic play Desire Under the Elms, alongside fellow Irish actor Jamie Beamish...

There’s been considerable concern in Clare about the BreastCheck mobile screening unit leaving Ennis on October 30th, with a petition calling for the service to remain in the county or for a permanent screening facility to be established.  While the HSE’s National Screening Service has clarified that the unit operates on a rotating basis and will return, questions remain about access to screening...

This Halloween, a gathering in Ennis will be about more than the usual spooky celebrations.     Kites Not Frights is inviting families and members of the public to come together at the Fairgreen to fly kites and send messages of love and solidarity to children in Gaza.     The event takes place on Halloween (Saturday, 31st October, at 12:30 pm), with all funds raised going directly to the register...

An Ennis man who lines out for Clare's senior footballers is also working towards a different kind of goal off the pitch.   Mark McInerney is completing his PhD at the University of Galway, where he is investigating ways to help the body's immune cells find and attack solid tumours, including those associated with colorectal and ovarian cancers.  His research is supported by a scholarship partners...

Israel is facing a political deadlock following its first national election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023 and the devastating wars that followed. Exit polls suggest that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, has secured a clear parliamentary majority.    With the final votes still being counted, Arab political partie...

Shannon is in line for a major jobs boost following the expansion of a local business. Tredwell Electrical has celebrated 35 years of operations by opening a new 18,000sq ft manufacturing facility in the Shannon Airport Business Park. The company is planning to create 80 engineering jobs over the next three years. Tredwell General Manager Glenn Bain says they're in the right space to grow.

Shannon is in line for a major jobs boost following the expansion of a local business. Tredwell Electrical has celebrated 35 years of operations by opening a new 18,000sq ft manufacturing facility in the Shannon Airport Business Park. The company is planning to create 80 engineering jobs over the next three years. Tredwell General Manager Glenn Bain says they're in the right space to grow.

Construction of the Kilkee Flood Relief Scheme will commence in 2028. The €8.5m project is expected to protect 134 properties in the West Clare town. The development is on track to be completed by 2035. Responding to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran says the plans are progressing smoothly.

Newmarket Celtic will be looking to keep their 100% record in the Moloney Hardware Clare Premier Division intact this weekend. First and third place in the Moloney Hardware Premier Division clash on Sunday morning as the reigning champions travel to take on Ennis Dons. Newmarket have four wins from four to start the campaign, with the Dons coming into the game after a 5-2 defeat to Avenue last tim...

On Atlantic Tales this week Pat Flynn meets staff, past and present, as AirNav Ireland’s North Atlantic Communications Centre at Ballygirreen, in Co. Clare, celebrates it 90th birthday. Since 1936, the centre has ensured the safe passage of millions of aircraft crossing the North Atlantic, cementing Ireland’s critical role as the gateway between Europe and North America.

The Government is considering new measures to make it easier for smaller builders to access finance and develop new homes.   The proposals would allow Home Building Finance Ireland to provide loans to purchase residentially zoned land before planning permission has been secured, potentially removing a significant financial barrier for smaller developers.   But will this lead to more homes being bu...

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. This week, Tommy gave us the details on the newly announced investment accounts. If you want to send in any questions for Tommy contact 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Photo (c) Tommy Corbett

 Ennis is designated a Key Town under regional planning policy, with significant growth planned over the coming years.   However, concerns have been raised about whether the town’s water and wastewater infrastructure has the capacity to support that expansion.   Clareabbey Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O’Callaghan has submitted a motion calling on Uisce Éireann to outline its planned investment, exis...