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It's claimed a proliferation of "smaller, faster cars with bigger engines" is making Clare's roads network more dangerous. New Road Safety Authority data has revealed that 1,027 road traffic collisions took place in Clare between 2016 and 2024, 40 of which were fatal. South-east Clare accounted for the highest number of fatal crashes during this period, with 13 occurring there. Clare County Council Road Safety Working Group member, Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy, has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons traffic volumes are increasing consistently.

All but one of Clare's bathing sites received an excellent water quality rating from the Environmental Protection Agency last year. The EPA's latest audit of the 153 bathing waters nationwide, shows Lahinch Beach was the only area in this county to decline from last year, with its rating reduced to 'good'. Ballyallia, Ballycuggeran, Bishopsquarter, Cappagh Pier, Carrigaholt, Fanore, Kilkee, Lough Derg, Quilty, Seafield, Spanish Point, White Strand - Doonbeg and White Strand - Miltown Malbay all secured the top grade for the second year running. Senior Scientific Officer in the EPA's Water Management Programme, Eoin McAleer has been telling Clare FM's...

Leading international experts, policymakers, advocates and families affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are gathering in Ennis this week for the 2026 FASD Ireland International Conference. Hosted over three days in Hotel Woodstock, the event will explore the theme of “Justice and FASD” — examining everything from access to services and public awareness to the experiences of people with FASD within social and justice systems. Alan Morrissey was joined by Tristan Casson-Rennie to discuss the conference, the growing conversation around FASD in Ireland, and the importance of awareness, prevention and support. Image © Clare FM

This week Tommy focused on financial considerations for those coming into retirement age including, retirement plans and vigilance around fraudsters and scammers. Image © Clare FM

A dead whale discovered on Kilmacreehy Beach in County Clare over the weekend has been identified as a Sowerby’s Beaked Whale — a rarely seen deep-water species found in the North Atlantic. The discovery has prompted an examination by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, with researchers hoping to learn more about the animal and the circumstances surrounding its death. Alan Morrissey was joined by Stephanie Levesque to explain what happens when a whale strands on our coastline, what scientists can learn from these events, and why the public is being urged to keep a safe distance from stranded marine mamm...

Three young Clare acts represented the county at the national finals of the Irish Youth Music Awards in the Axis Theatre in Ballymun — showcasing everything from indie folk and metal to original singer-songwriter music. The event celebrated emerging young talent from across the country and highlighted the creativity, confidence and ambition of Ireland’s next generation of musicians. Alan Morrissey was joined by Eoghan Hayes, the Clare based musician who MC’d the event alongside the Clare youth service worker who runs the Ennis Music Program, Sam Lavery to talk about the journey to the national stage, the importance of youth...

A remarkable prehistoric discovery has been made in Ireland, with 330-million-year-old fossil shark teeth uncovered in the Burren in County Clare and a fossil fin spine discovered in Donegal. The finds, which date back to the Carboniferous period when Ireland was covered by a tropical sea, are being described as scientifically significant and are helping researchers piece together the story of ancient marine life. Joining us now to talk about the discoveries, the importance of citizen science, and what these fossils reveal about Ireland’s distant past is... Dr Eamon Doyle, Geologist for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Gl...

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland is warning that rural pubs are facing what it calls an “existential threat” as rising energy, wage, insurance and operating costs continue to bite. More than 2,200 pubs have closed nationwide since 2005, and the VFI is now calling on Government to introduce targeted supports, including a proposed 40% excise rebate on draught products, ahead of Budget 2027. To discuss the challenges facing the sector — and what the future holds for Ireland’s pubs — Alan Morrissey was joined by Charlie O’Meara, Clare VFI Chair and Maurice Walsh, Vice Chair of Clare Tourism and Moroney’s Bar Ennis Image © Pouring a Pint by...

Clare is said to be "back on track" regarding protecting the biodiversity of its rivers following a €1.3 million funding allocation. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has announced the funds as part of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme which is intended to address artificial barriers to fish migration. A total of nine projects in Clare are being supported through the initiative. Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine Timmy Dooley says the county's waterways will be healthier and more resilient going forward.

A proposal has been made to honour Clare activist Dermot Hayes at the new Ennis Dialysis Unit. The Corofin native and lifelong disability rights campaigner passed away in January. Dermot chaired the Clare Branch of the Irish Kidney Association up until his passing and had strongly advocated for the dialysis unit in Ennis, which is set to open later this year. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle believes a memorial bench would be the most fitting tribute.

The Shop Steward of Ennis Ambulance Base claims morale within the service is at an "all-time low". National Ambulance Service staff are on strike nationwide today, with pickets in place at stations across the country until 8am tomorrow. The industrial action centres on the claim by trade unions that the HSE has failed to implement the recommendations of a 2020 report on updating salary scales to reflect changes in responsibilities and workload within the last 15 years. Paramedic and Shop Steward at Ennis Ambulance Base Finola Croke has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons recruitment into the service will become more d...

If you’re a Beatles fan, there’s a very special night coming to Glór this Saturday, May 16th. Let It Be: The Music of The Beatles celebrates the timeless songs and unforgettable energy of the Fab Four, featuring classics like Hey Jude, Help! and Let It Be. The show stars some of Ireland’s top musicians, including Liverpool-born, Dublin-based performer Jake Carter — and Jake joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more. Image © glór via Facebook

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey and the team were live from the College of FET Ennistymon Campus where we had a busy day speaking to the learners and staff about the different courses on offer. Alan Morrissey was first joined by the Campus Coordinator Imelda Cahalan, who gave us an overview of the courses on offer within the college, as well as a sneak peek into what's to come. Imelda was joined by Jacinta Davenport, the Information and Guidance Counsellor, who explained exactly what she does and how she can help people who are unsure about courses. We th...

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 told us the fascinating history of Ennistymon town. Image © Clare FM

Yesterday in a historic move, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill visited Clare and became the first health minister to do so. She spoke with us about the current situation in the mid-west regarding patient care issues. Image © Clare FM

Doctors in the Mid-West are warning that risks to patient safety at University Hospital Limerick remain ‘intolerable and unacceptable’ unless urgent action is taken to expand acute hospital capacity across the region. In an unprecedented statement, the HSE Mid-West Medical Board called on the Government to immediately establish a Development Board for the proposed new hospital, release emergency funding, and lift staffing restrictions. To discuss this Alan Morrissey was joined by Professor Joe Devlin, Consultant Physician and Deputy Chair of the Medical Board and Associate Professor Alan Watts, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Board Committee Member. Image © anyaberkut from Getty Image

West Clare residents fear their area will be turned into a "ring of steel" if a controversial renewable energy development gets the green light. FuturEnergy Ireland is seeking to construct the 'Cahermurphy West Wind Farm' which would consist of eight wind turbines ranging from 180 to 185 metres in height on lands five kilometres north of Kilmihil. An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to make a decision on the project by March 22nd of next year. Local woman Yvonne Conway, who was in the viewing gallery of this week's meeting of Clare County Council where the matter was discussed, believes it wo...

On the agenda this week, we review Clare's loss to Offaly in the Tailteann Cup, we look ahead to the minors showdown with Kerry, preview the Munster U20 hurling final and wrap up another busy weekend of local soccer

West Clare residents have told the Health Minister they’ve been forgotten when it comes to ambulance care in the region. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill visited Kilkee this morning as part of an ongoing countywide tour today where locals and medical staff are taking the opportunity to express the reality of deficits in healthcare provision.

Clare Fm’s Derrick Lynch was live on Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey to discuss the weekends sporting fixtures. Games Reviewed: Tailteann Cup: Clare 1-14 Limerick 1-17 (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chísóg) Image © Clare FM