Clare FM

Stephen Fletcher presents our Sunday Prayer for today the the 8th February the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Reader is Susan Rice and music id from Judith Duram and the Scottish Festival Singers.

There's been an increase of over 10% in the number of garda checkpoints conducted in Clare and Tipperary in the space of a year. Data from An Garda Síochána's PULSE system shows there were 1,043 checkpoints in the Clare/Tipperary division been July and September of last year which was up 11% on the same period of 2024. This was despite checkpoints falling by 7.5% nationwide in the three-month stretch. Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP and member of the EU Transport Committee, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, says there's a good chance anyone breaking the rules of the road in this county will be caugh

The Clare branch of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association is blaming low milk returns for a drop in land prices. A new report from the Irish Farmers Journal shows Clare's land prices fell by 2% last year. There were just 14 transactions in this county, with most activity occurring in the dairy sector. O'Callaghan's Mills farmer and ICMSA Secretary Martin McMahon says there's a myriad of problems that need solving.

Coming up on the show, we look ahead to Clare's National Hurling League tie with Down, discuss where Clare soccer lies in terms of club facilities and the impact its having, hear about the Clare Camogie All Star Awards and Greyhound Focus too

June is an upcoming Irish singer/songwriter from Laois. Her songs span between alternative folk, pop and dance music with Irish traditional singing influences. The Laois native has performed 10 original songs at the Panache music festival in Hoylake, Liverpool and also performed at a “Beatles Day” in Albert Dock, Liverpool, covering a number of songs by The Beatles. She is inspired by an eclectic range of artists including Clannad, Sia and David Guetta. Driven by raw emotion and understated intensity, her new track “Nothing" blends moody production with an intimate, stripped-back approach that puts feeling front and center. Built around atmosp...

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch sat down with our very own Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to look ahead to some interesting games that will be happening over the weekend. Games Previewed: Allianz Hurling League Division 1 B, Round 3: Clare v Down (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 1:30pm) Munster Junior Cup Semi-Finals: Hibernians v Newmarket Celtic (Sunday, Waterford, 2pm) Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Second Round: Avenue United A v Avenue United B (Sunday, Roslevan, 10:30am) Bunratty Cratloe v Bridge United (Sunday, Woulfe Park, Bunratty, 10:30am) Women’s Rugby – AIL Division 1: Cooke RFC v Ennis RFC (Saturday, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast,

It is time to bring you another weird and wonderful tale, which means it is time for another edition of Seanchaí Corner. Seanchaí Corner sees the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster Eddie Lenihan regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables. In our latest instalment of Seanchaí Corner, Eddie tells us about St Brigid and the start of Spring.

A remarkable discovery has been made right on our doorstep — a fossil of a horseshoe crab dating back more than 300 million years has been found near the Cliffs of Moher. The fossil is the first of its kind recorded in Ireland in over a century. For more on this to explain why this tiny fossil is such a big find, Alan Morrissey was joined by Eamonn Doyle, geologist with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo (c) Clare County Council

Poetic Keys An Ode to County Clare - Burren Unbroken [O Suilleabhain] by Clare FM

John Burns has just returned from a visit to Missionvale in Port Elizabeth, a place that’s hard to describe on first sight. He saw first-hand the work being carried out there — an oasis of hope created by Sr. Ethel Normoyle for some of the most vulnerable in the community. From education and healthcare to food and skills training, the impact is visible everywhere. John was live in-studio to share his experience of Missionvale and the people behind it on Friday's Morning Focus.

The first annual report on the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme has been published, outlining how the scheme has operated since it opened in 2024. But for survivors and their families, the figures only tell part of the story. On Friday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Breeda Murphy, PRO of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance. Photo (c) Tuam Home

This year marks a remarkable milestone for one of Clare’s most treasured musical traditions. The Tulla Pipe Band is celebrating 90 years of history, community and music, with a special anniversary event taking place next week. Joining Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus was Fintan Leamy, Chairman and Daragh Leamy, PRO of the Tulla Pipe Band.

Shannon resident Niamh O’Callaghan has taken to social media to share the horrifying experience her 83 year-old mother endured on a recent visit to University Hospital Limerick. Following a lengthy wait for admission, she was admitted to a trolley in a crowded corridor within touching distance of other patients and located beside a sluice room. Niamh likened the hospital to a warzone and chose to leave her before her mother’s episode of care was complete due to the conditions. Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus spoke with Niamh to tell us this story. Photo (c) Alan Place

The Midwest Hospital Campaign has slammed comments from a government TD suggesting that a new hospital for the region will be built in Limerick. It follows a social media video by Fianna Fáil's Willie O'Dea, which indicates the Health Minister is pressing ahead with plans to deliver a new hospital on a greenfield site near University Hospital Limerick. Last September, HIQA issued three recommendations to solve hospital overcrowding in the Midwest, including a proposal to build a new Emergency Department. Midwest Hospital Campaign Founder Hilary Tonge says Clare's TDs need to clarify if a location has been decided.

It's being suggested that drones made in Clare could be used to police illegal fishing along Ireland's coastline. The proposal has been made by Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell in Seanad Éireann. A-techSYN Limited, which is headquartered in the Shannon Free Zone, specialises in drone technology. Addressing Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley, Senator Craughwell says the approach could offer much greater protection if implemented.

Three Clare businesses are expected to close imminently due to ongoing liquidations. Eurogiant which employs 640 people nationwide and has stores in Ennis and Shannon, became the latest entity to enter the administrative process this week. Claire's which has been present in the Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre since 2003 is now understood to be in the midst of a phased closing process. Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O'Brien has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that while it's a sad day for the businesses and their families, she's confident the town will bounce back.

Colm Liddy, local author and historian was back in-studio with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus to tell us more about the fascinating story of The Terry Alts.

If you’re looking for something a little different this weekend, the Clare Poetry Collective is hosting a special Spring Awakening afternoon of poetry and music this Saturday, the 7th of February. It features acclaimed poet Erin Fornoff, whose work has been performed everywhere from Glastonbury to the Dublin Fringe, alongside live music from singer-songwriter Shona Blake, and an open mic welcoming voices of all kinds. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined live in-studio by Deborah Ryan McFarland from the Clare Poetry Collective and poet, Erin Fornoff.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn chats with Suzanne Murphy, co-owner of the Estuary Way Café In Ballynacally. Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

Poetic Keys An Ode to County Clare - The Seven Streams [Whyte] by Clare FM

A Transition Year team from Ennistymon Community School has achieved national success, winning the ThinkLanguages final against competition from over 240 schools. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by TY Student & Team captain, Ava Singleton and JCSP Coordinator at Ennistymon Community School, Hanna Kobyliakova. Photo (c) Languages Connect

Award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan has returned as Ambassador for the 18th Annual Great Irish Bake for Sick Children, calling on people across Ireland to come together and raise vital funds for Children’s Health Ireland. This year’s campaign is proudly fronted by 11-year-old Saoirse McDonagh Davis from Liscannor, a courageous young patient whose story represents the thousands of children and families who depend on CHI services every day. To find out more, Saoirse and her mom Stella joined Alan Morrisey live in-studio on Thursday's Morning Focus.

Nationwide viewers know her as the calm voice telling other people’s stories — but lately, Anne Cassin has been stepping into the spotlight herself. The veteran RTÉ broadcaster, who has close family ties to Clare, has swapped the studio for the dancefloor on Dancing With The Stars, embracing lifts, sequins and some very personal moments along the way. It’s Fright Night on Dancing with the Stars this Sunday as the first dance-off of the series looms. For more on this, Anne joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) RSVP

Clare Local Development Company is launching a free Citizen Science Biodiversity webinar series for January and February 2026, helping people learn how to observe, record and protect local wildlife and habitats — no experience needed at all. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Morrissey, LEADER Development Officer with Clare Local Development Company, and Rachel Dowling, ecologist with Nature Network Ireland, who are leading the programme. Photo (c) Clare Local Development Company LinkedIn

Clergy and diocesan staff from across North Clare gathered in the county recently to talk about radical new approaches to parish life, as standalone parishes become a thing of the past and priests and lay people work more closely together across wider areas. One priest already living this reality is Fr. Rob McNamara, who now serves both Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon, covering seven churches across a large and diverse area. With Bishop Duignan responsible for the wider North Clare grouping of parishes, Fr. Rob’s experience on the ground offers a real insight into the challenges – and opportunities – of this new model...

A total ban on scramblers in public places will be in place within weeks. It follows the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Dublin on January 25. The new regulations will also strengthen the enforcement powers of gardaí. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien says the plan is to focus on suburban areas where scramblers are most prevalent. For more on this, Alan Morrissey spoke with Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe and Eddie Golden, Superintendent with the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division. Photo (c) Ganesh Sundar Getty Images via Canva

Clare workers have the sixth lowest disposable income in the country. A new CSO report shows this county's rate is 15% lower than the national average coming in at €25,626 in 2024. Although Clare saw an almost 5% growth compared to 2023's figures, it still remains the lowest in Munster. Head of the Clare Public Participation Network Sarah Clancy believes the reality on the ground is likely worse.

The majority of meetings of a new partnership set up to "prioritise the voice of local communities in identifying community safety issues" in Clare will take place behind closed doors. Clare's Local Community Safety Partnership, which consists of 26 members including seven local elected representatives, has convened for the first time this week and will meet Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan today. It's understood a minimum of six meetings of the partnership will take place each year but only one of these will be open to the media. Former Sixmilebridge councillor PJ Ryan, who's been named the group's Chairperson, says it "remains...

Lahinch Playground will reopen to the public today following a €240,000 investment. The facility had been undergoing renovations since last Autumn, following numerous health and safety concerns. The new equipment includes a wide array of accessible and wheelchair friendly features such as carousels, a ramped deck and sensory communication play panels. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery says it's a major boost for the community.

Music Network is celebrating 40 years of touring with a special collaboration that comes to glór in Ennis on Wednesday, February 11th. One of the standout voices on the tour is Noriana Kennedy, who joins Kevin Burke, Dermot Byrne and Jim Murray for a night of traditional and contemporary music. Noriana spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Music Network

The Clare based chair of HSE MidWest's Patient and Service User Council is imploring people not to take good health for granted and to regularly check themselves for a cancer diagnosis.Today, February 4th is World Cancer Day, and in Ireland over 44,000 new cases are detected each year.In 2017, Quin Native John Wall was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, having presented to his GP, believing there was an issue with his sciatica. John says the importance of early detection cannot be emphasised enough.

Tommy Corbett, from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was back in-studio with Alan Morrissey for Wednesday's Morning Focus. This week, Tommy gave us an interesting insight into applying for a mortgage and why sometimes people get refused a mortgage. Any questions for Tommy, you can text or WhatsApp 0861800964.

Poetic Keys An Ode to County Clare - Colemans Bed [Whyte] by Clare FM

New research is raising concerns about the Government’s proposed ban on vape flavours, warning it could have serious unintended consequences for public health. A county-by-county analysis suggests that almost 60,000 former smokers nationwide could return to cigarettes if only tobacco-flavoured vapes are allowed. In Clare alone, it’s estimated that more than 1,200 ex-smokers could relapse. Joining Alan Morrissey on Tuesday's Morning Focus to discuss the findings and the concerns around the proposed legislation was Ken Heffernan, former smoker and spokesperson for Respect Vapers. Photo (c) rattanakun via Canva

Restore Ballymacraven River Association is set to host a series of free river and wetland events in Ennistymon. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lexi Keating, founder of the West Coast of Ireland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation Europe & representative on the Mal Bay Catchment Forum, and Cía McElveen Walsh, Community Engagement Officer with the Restore Ballymacraven River Association.

We are going to pay tribute to Colum Flynn, a man who made an immense contribution to sport in County Clare. Colum played a big part in Clare’s hurling successes as trainer in the 1970s – during which time they won back-to-back league titles in ‘77 and ‘78 - and, of course, the 1990s, when the Banner County achieved long-awaited All-Ireland glory in 1995. Colum also tasted All-Ireland success with the Cyril Farrell-managed Galway sides which won two All-Irelands in the late-’80s, as well as doing immense work within boxing in Clare. Colum is survived by his wife Kay, son Padraig, daughters Ciara, Sor...

With the 54th Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy set to take place in Miltown Malbay from the 4th to the 12th of July this year, planning is already well underway. A recent meeting at Miltown Malbay Town Hall focused on traffic arrangements for Willie Clancy Week, including possible changes to traffic flow and even the suggestion of extending arrangements over two weeks. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by two councillors who attended that meeting — Fianna Fáil councillor Shane Talty from Ennistymon, and Fine Gael councillor Joe Garrihy from Lisdoonvarna. Image (c) Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy

Just 25 Assessments of Needs were completed in Clare over a nine-month period last year. An assessment of need is a statutory process used to determine the health and educational needs of children with disabilities, and the HSE aims to deliver results within a six-month timeframe. According to the latest figures, however, 73 children in this county are overdue an assessment. Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor and HSE Regional Health Forum West member James Ryan says it's nothing short of a disgrace.

Companies in Clare in industries experiencing skill shortages are said to be increasingly embracing upskilling and reskilling. A workshop organised by Shannon Chamber at the Ei Electronic Centre of Excellence has heard that employers must "prioritise employee engagement and create environments that support healthy levels of pressure" to get the most out of their staff. A 2025 poll found that teams engaged in this way outperform others by 21% in profitability, and that 9% of global GDP is lost due to low engagement. Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes says there's now a greater emphasis on combatting skill shortages through retraining employees.

Companies in Clare in industries experiencing skill shortages are said to be increasingly embracing upskilling and reskilling. A workshop organised by Shannon Chamber at the Ei Electronic Centre of Excellence has heard that employers must "prioritise employee engagement and create environments that support healthy levels of pressure" to get the most out of their staff. A 2025 poll found that teams engaged in this way outperform others by 21% in profitability, and that 9% of global GDP is lost due to low engagement. Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes says there's now a greater emphasis on combatting skill shortages through retraining employees.