Clare FM

This feature will deliver sustained, in-depth reporting on housing in County Clare, to provide clarity, context, and accountability. Each week, we will examine a different aspect of the crisis, from supply and pricing trends to planning permission barriers, social housing allocations, mortgage access, and the role of sustainable rural building, answering the key questions. This week, Family Support Worker at Shannon Family Resource Centre, Cathal Dillon & Partner at Cashin Clancy Solicitors, Pamela Clancy focused on the decisions families and individuals face when considering a move... Image  © Clare Fm

On Mondays Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was once again joined by Judy Beck for another installment of “In The Garden”. This week Judy talked about hydrangeas, she explained how to grow them best, what times of years they bloom, and she also explained how hydrangeas get their colouring and what environmental factors can cause different colours. To be in for the chance to win a €25 voucher for the Clon road Garden Centre, send any questions you have for Judy: Text or WhatsApp 0861800964 or email focus@clare.fm Image © Clare Fm

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time for Alan Morrissey to be joined in studio by Siobhán Mulcahy to discuss the upcoming art events and workshops across the banner county. It is set to be a busy week in the Clare Art scene as we step into summer, the Bealtaine Festival continues through the weekend with a line up of choirs set to perform in Ennis town, Luka Bloom will be hosting a concert in Spanish Point, there will be a screening of Hamnet in Kilkee as well as a painting exhibition titled "Into the Wild". Image © Clare Fm

A new report has confirmed a strong link between social deprivation and drug addiction in Ireland, with health experts warning that urgent, targeted investment is needed to address rising health inequalities. The findings highlight how disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected, with addiction treatment rates significantly higher in the most deprived areas. To discuss what this means in practice, we’re joined by addiction counsellor Michael Guerin, Michael Lacey from Lisdoonvarna, Retired Chairperson of the Mid-Western Regional Drug and Alcohol Forum, and Cormac Murphy, who overcame a long battle with addiction to go on to achieve success in his life and ca...

On the 12th of May, a primary school GAA blitz for Gaelscoils across County Clare will take place at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis. The event is being organised by students from Mr Cian Galvin’s GAA Future Leaders class at Gaelcholáiste an Chláir / Ennis Community College and will be run entirely through Irish. To tell us more about the event, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Student Participants of the GAA Future Leaders Class, Mounir Boushaib and Roxane Andre Liodain, alongside their teacher Cian Galvin. Image © Clare Fm

Clare County Council has submitted an application for funding to progress plans for a new pedestrian footbridge at Droichead na nGabhar on the Lahinch Road in Ennis. The proposed project aims to improve safety for pedestrians and create a key accessibility link to the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park. Joining us now to discuss the development is Clarecastle Sinn Féin councillor Tommy Guilfoyle and David Eustace, a local to Drochaid na Gabhair. Image © Drochaid na Gabhair - Make the Bridge Safe via Facebook

Bike Week 2026 gets underway this weekend with events taking place right across County Clare and around the country to celebrate cycling and encourage more people to get on their bikes. From community spins and learn-to-cycle programmes to competitive races and family-friendly events, there’s something for all ages and abilities. To talk about this year’s events in Clare and the growing popularity of cycling, Alan Morrissey was joined by Gary Kiely of L and L Cycles in Kilrush and the West Clare Cycling Club. Image © Autumn bike lane by Smaranda Dragan's Images

An event taking place in Ennis next week will mark Nakba Day 2026 and focus on the ongoing plight of Palestinian refugees and displaced people. Organised by Clare Palestine Solidarity, the meeting at the West County Hotel will feature Palestinian human rights advocate Lubnah Shomali from BADIL, who is currently on a speaking tour across Ireland. Lubnah joined Alan Morrissey to discuss her work, the issues facing Palestinians today, and the message she hopes to bring to audiences here in Clare. Image © Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) via Facebook

There could be delays to some non-emergency ambulance call outs from today. A work-to-rule by workers in the National Ambulance Service is getting underway today. Members of SIPTU and Unite are taking the industrial action because their pay rates are "out of kilter" with other health professionals. They say frontline staff have taken on major increases in responsibility and qualifications, but that agreed recommendations on pay and career structures have still not been implemented. The HSE says contingency plans are in place and insists substantial pay proposals have already been made. Alan Morrissey spoke about all of this with SIPTU...

It's hoped the Health Minister will be able to experience Clare's health service deficits for herself today. Jennifer Carrol MacNeill is visiting this county today, where she'll be travelling to Kilkee and Ennis Hospital. Although the proposed hospital campus at Raheen will likely result in a new Emergency Department for the MidWest, over 40% of Clare's population will still be living over an hour's drive away from their nearest ED. Friends of Ennis Hospital Chairperson Angela Coll believes the only solution is an acute facility in Clare.

Aontú will be aiming to drum up it's support in Clare today. Party Leader Peadar Toibín is set to visit the county this afternoon and will be making stops in Broadford at 3pm and Ennis at 4.45pm. The opposition party, which currently has two Dáil seats will then be hosting a public meeting in Kilrush Golf Club from 7.30pm. Clare Aontú Representative June Dillon believes it will be a good opportunity for people in rural areas to raise issues.

One-fifth of assessed homes in Clare have what's been described as Building Energy Rating "fail grades". New CSO figures show that 20% of homes in this county with a BER have received a grade between E and G. By contrast, just 12% of homes tested here between 2009 and this year have achieved an 'A' grade, which is 6% below the national average. Ennis Environmental Action Group member Bridget Ginnity says there are a lot of quick fixes.

A Clare Senator has slammed the proliferation of vaping stores and advertising in the county town. It comes as the Public Health Single Use Vapes Bill was debated in the Oireachtas once again. The legislation will eventually aim to ban the sale of disposable vaping products in Ireland. Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway believes advertising of all vape products should be banned immediately.

Stephen Fletcher presents Beyond Belief and talks to the Organist and Director of Music at St Nicholas Collegeiate Church in Galway after their choir's return from their visit to Roime where they sang in St Peter's Basilica, the Basislica of St Peter Outtside the walls and theAnglican Church of St Paul's Within the Walls, the first non-Roman Catholic church built within Rome's city walls.. Stephen also talks to Niall West who has recently returned from his successful trek to the Everest Base Camp. There is also news of a concert by Luka Bloom in Christ Church Spanish Point and the...

Stephen Fletcher leads our Sunday Prayer for the 10th May 2026, the 6th Sunday of Easter.

A Clare MEP who's secured a ban on "nudification" applications is confident companies will comply with the legislation. Scariff Independent MEP Michael McNamara has secured agreement on a revised EU AI Act Omnibus which includes a prohibition on the generation of non-consensual intimate imagery. It's the first time such a measure has been enshrined in EU law. MEP McNamara believes platforms are likely to meet their obligations as they'll risk incurring fines otherwise.

Seán Gilsenan is a singer-songwriter from Kells, Co. Meath, now based in Dublin. With over 30,000 streams and more than 350,000 views on TikTok, he is moving away from traditional heartbreak-driven songwriting, instead exploring themes of perspective and emotional balance within a modern folk sound. His latest single “Equanimity” reflects this direction — a song centred on finding calm and clarity in an increasingly chaotic world. Following the release of “Pawprints” last year, a deeply personal track that resonated with listeners, Seán continues to develop a more concept-driven approach to his writing. He has been gigging regularly, with upcoming shows in Dublin. Alon...

The Mayor of Ennis insists there's now clarity around the vision of Ennis 2040 and says she has "100% faith" that its €10 million loan will be repaid. Following an independent review, Clare County Council has confirmed the remit of Ennis 2040 DAC has been altered, with its focus now on the former Boys National School site, Ashfield House, the Francis Street affordable housing site and the development of lands for housing in Claureen. It's also been confirmed that €6.2 million of the DAC's €10 million loan has been drawn down, with the Council claiming it'll be repaid "when the property assets purchased with the loan are ac...

Clare FM's Derek Dormer joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to look ahead to some of the GAA sporting fixture that will be happening over the weekend. Game Previewed: Tailteann Cup: Clare v Offaly (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chísóg, 4pm)

This year marks 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. From humble beginnings in 1951, Comhaltas has grown into a global organisation across 22 countries promoting Irish music, song and dance. Here in Clare – the county has played a vital role over the years in shaping the Comhaltas journey. Clare FM's Daragh Leamy spoke with Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann about this significant anniversary. Photo (c) comhaltas.ie