Clare Fm - Podcasts

It's claimed the uptick seen in the number of imported cars being purchased in Clare has been caused by a greater diversity of options in the import market. Data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show Clare recorded an increase in the number of cars sold in the county in November, bucking the trend seen across the rest of the country. Nationwide there was a 25% decrease in the number of new car registrations, while by contrast, Clare's car says total almost trebled. General Manager of Sheils Motor Group in Ennis, Eddie Rynne, says cars imported from Japan made prices more affordable after Brexit tax hikes drove buyers out of the market.

Housing shortages, reopening the Cliffs of Moher walking trail, rural depopulation and school spaces have all been highlighted as the major issues to overcome in Clare this year. It comes as this county's Cathaoirligh have been outlining their priorities for 2026. Deputy Mayor of Ennis Pat Daly, Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District John Crowe, Killaloe MD Cathaoirleach Pat Burke and West Clare Cathaoirleach Bill Slattery joined Alan Morrissey in studio

Fresh calls have been made for a serious policy shift around planning and objections in 2026 in order to increase Clare's housing stock. According to the latest Daft.ie report, new property prices rose by approximately 5%, in line with the national average, however, the median house price in the county was 14% higher than at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, Munster as a whole recorded a 7.8% 'market heat' figure, which is an indication of how much more a new property sold for above its initial listing price. Economist at Trinity College Dublin and author of the Daft.ie report Ronan Lyons has been telling Clare FM's Darragh O'Grady, that the complicated nature of the planning system is leading to a sustained increase in house prices year on year.

The Ennis Eccentric Music Society host music events celebrating original and alternative music talent from Clare and beyond. To tell us more about the society and the upcoming events, Alan Morrissey was joined by members, Laetitia Andre, Nick Bromfield & Saoirse Walsh.

This week, Pat Clarke Browne of Munster Business, based in Shannon gave us all the insight into the technological trends shaping 2026. Pat spoke about the possible launch of the Steam Deck, a handheld xbox and PS 6 from Microsoft, bio Printing heading towards Human trials & more! Image (c) Technology and light bulb by kaan tanman from Getty Images Signature via Canva

It’s a New Year and this usually involves a New Year’s Resolution, where you swear to yourself that you will go to the gym every day and eat and drink all of the right things...only to give up on it after a very short period! Clare FM’s Daragh Leamy has been asking people in Clare about their New Year’s resolutions and to tell us about habits and why they don’t last, and why simple steps are the solution for change, Alan Morrissey spoke with qualified fitness coach and founder of Fitness4Fun in Clare, John Conroy. Image (c) New Year's resolutions by rimmabondarenko via Canva.

This Saturday, January 3rd, Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA presents ‘The Nofscars,’ a star-studded movie night fundraiser dedicated to supporting Phase 3 of their Athletic Development Centre. Taking place at Treacy's West County Hotel, the event promises to be a cinematic highlight for the local community. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Games Development Officer, Colin Ryan. Image (c) Newmarket On Fergus Gaa via Facebook.

The Minister for Health is being encouraged to establish timelines and costings for measures intended to ease the overcrowding crisis at the region's main hospital once the Dáil resumes. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill announced in December that the Government has accepted all three of HIQA's recommendations regarding alleviating hospital overcrowding in the Midwest. These are the expansion of capacity at University Hospital Limerick, the extension of the UHL campus to a second nearby site and the development of a new hospital with an emerency department in the region. Lahinch-based Patient Advocate on HSE Midwest’s Programme Improvement Board John Wall says people need specifics as soon as possible.

An Ennis solicitor claims the exodus of landlords from the rental market will continue into the new year. The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act was passed in June of this year and under the amendment, the entire country became a rent pressure zone while yearly rent increases were cappped at 2%. Under the new legislation, also implemented Tenancies of Minimum Duration, which take effect from March 2026, has resulted in older landlords choosing to sell their property before the measures take effect. Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors in Ennis says the act has in no way encouraged landlords to stay in the rental market.

It's hoped more can be done in the new year to promote tourist footfall in East Clare's Hidden Heartlands. It comes as O'Callaghan's Mills Fine Gael Councillor, Conor Ryan, has been appointed to the board of the Clare Tourism Development DAC. In the past year, the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience opened in the Old Rectory in Mountshannon. Councillor Ryan says althought Inis Cealtra may serve as the jewel in the crown, there are plenty more sites that can be used to diversify the county's tourism product.

Clare Gardaí are encouraging people to plan their night out and to be responsible on the roads this New Year's Eve. Drug and Alcohol checkpoints will be dotted around the county as part of a road safety campaign in place until January 5th. Superintendent with the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division Eddie Golden says motorists especially need to ensure there's no alcohol in their system when taking to the road on New Year's Day. He claims high levels of motorists are caught over the limit each year on January 1st.

The Clare-based CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland has slammed a recent commercial rates increase an an "out-of-touch move" as businesses look ahead to 2026. A decision taken by Clare's local elected representatives in November to hike the local property tax on businesses by 8% has been widely condemned by traders. It comes at a time when many small and medium businesses are concerned about mounting costs like pension auto-enrolment which is set to kick in on January 1st. Jean McCabe of Willow in Ennis says the rates increase couldn't have come at a worse time for businesses in the county town.

Clare County Council has restored almost 100 bikes to their former glory for community use. Following a campaign for donations in October, the local authority received 91 bicycles from the public that were in various states of disrepair. The bikes were then refurbished, before being distributed to adults and children that needed them for work or education purposes. Clare County Council Waste Enforcement Executive Engineer Maria Carey says the campaign was a huge success.

The principal of St Flannan's College says the school community is “deeply saddened” as the victim of Saturday's fatal road traffic collision has been named locally as fifth year student TJ Chambers. The 16-year-old passed away following a single-vehicle collision on the R458 at Bunnahow, north of Crusheen. A number of support services have been set up within the ? to assist those affected by TJ's passing, while a book of condolences will also be set up in the school. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have dash cam footage and was travelling in the area around the time of the collision to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Principal of St Flannan's College, Donal Cahir, says TJ was a “terrific chap” who gave his all to everything he was involved in.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is urging people in Clare to donate blood in the coming days to ensure their vital supply has a strong footing heading into 2026 Due to a shortage of donations over Christmas, stocks have dipped nationally with less than three days of A negative blood available. Clinics will be held in the West County Hotel in Ennis today and tomorrow from 1:50pm until 5:10pm on both days to help replenish supplies. Broadford based  Recruitment Executive Alex O’Connor says the demand for blood supply is ever increasing.

The Clare branch of Saint Vincent De Paul says 2025 has been their busiest year since the economic crash. Across the country, the society has received over 250,000 requests for assistance throughout the year. Meanwhile, in Clare 1,500 families were supported by the charity last year. Clare SVP President Denis Carty says they've seen a major increase in people in full time employment seeking their assistance.

The Mayor of Ennis is offering condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died following a road traffic accident. A 16 year old boy has been killed following a collision near the border between Clare and Galway. The single vehicle collision occurred shortly after 2.00pm on the old N18 road, about 7 kilometres from Crusheen. Mary Howard says her heart is broken for his family at this time.

Clare County Council is urging people to be mindful of the environmental impact of incorrectly disposing their waste over Christmas. The EPA has estimated that approximately €32 million worth of food has been wasted in Clare this year. People are reminded to ensure items such as dry plastic and batteries are placed in the correct bins, with advice as to which items can be recycled is available online at mywaste.ie. Environmental Awareness Officer, Karen Foley, says there's plenty of options around the county to correctly discard electrical waste.

Clare Gardaí are urging the public to 'take control of their own destiny' when it comes to road safety during Christmas week. To date there have been 186 road fatalities nationwide, 19 higher than was seen in 2024. A dedicated Garda road traffic enforcement operation has been in place since the beginning of the month and will continue until January 5th. Superintendent with the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division Eddie Golden says it's important people are responsible for their safety over the festive period.

The Dáil has heard that 170 additional child minders are needed in Clare to meet current demand. It's understood that 22 thousand children will need childcare in this county in the next two years, but that only five services have registered for mandatory childminding regulation training. All services in this county have until 2027 to register with TUSLA under the legislation. Responding to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, Children's Minister Norma Foley says they're committed to getting the job done.