Gardaí in Clare are warning motorists of the potentially fatal consequences of drink driving this weekend.

Checkpoints have been established across the county as part of An Garda Síochána's St Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend road safety campaign.

Clare accounted for six of the 190 road deaths which occurred last year.

With 14 people having lost their lives in collisions nationwide so far in 2026, Superintendent with the Clare/Tipperary Garda Division Eddie Golden says it's important not to take chances.

It's claimed North and West Clare are being denied their fare share of funding for rural projects.

Since 2020, the West Clare Municipal District, which encompasses both the Kilrush and Ennistymon Electoral Areas has received just below €12m in grants from the Department of Community and Rural Development.

Concern has emerged however, that many key community initiatives are being overlooked such as public realm enhancements proposed for Corofin and Lisdoonvarna and works previously approved in Doolin.

Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says more progress is needed.

Fr Brendan Quinlivan presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief which features a reflection on the life and spirituality of St. Brigid with Fr. Tom Hogan and an interview with Fr. Michael McCullagh who recently led the Killaloe Clergy retreat in Knock.

Stephen Fletcher leads out Sunday Prayer for this Sunday 1st February, the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time and also the Feast Day of St Brigid.

People are being urged to take necessary precautions when entering the water in Clare this bank holiday weekend.

Kilrush RNLI is reminding the public that checking weather and sea conditions is a critical first step before any coastal or water-based activity.

Swimmers are encouraged to wear a brightly-coloured swim cap and use a tow float to increase visibility.

Kilrush RNLI Helm and Lifeboat Press Officer Charlie Glynn highlights the importance of acclimatising slowly to prevent cold water shock.

Extensions have been approved for two Clare schools under the latest round of a government programme.

Clarecastle National School and St Caimin's in Shannon have both received the green light to expand their facilities under the Additional Accommodation Scheme.

According to the Department of Education, over €155m has been invested in upgrading Clare schools since 2020.

Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman says the works will be extremely beneficial to the locality.

Coming up on a very busy show

We look ahead to Clare's mammoth trip to Antrim in the National Hurling League, and also preview St Flannan's TUS Dr Harty Cup showdown with St Joseph's Nenagh

Clare's footballers are hoping to put their first points on the board in the National Football League, and the St Joseph's Spanish Point ladies footballers are looking to create more history in the Munster Senior A final.

We will get details of this weekends opening round games of the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup and also look ahead to the Clare contenders heading to the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel

Ailbhe Reddy is an Irish indie folk singer-songwriter from Dublin living in London. An artist who finds strength in sensitivity and embraces the full power of a moment.

Ailbhe Reddy has a talent for crafting intensely moving alt-folk tunes. On her debut album Personal History, the Irish artist blurs the boundaries between personal and universal experiences to strike emotional chords with her relatable lyricism and uniquely tender vocals. ‘That Girl’ follows the album's previously released singles ‘So Quickly, Baby’ and ‘Align’.

Ailbhe's album Kiss Big unfolds as a breakup record - but not the tidy, acoustic kind. It lives in the messy middle: the disorienting period when the life you built with someone collapses, and you’re left trying to figure out who you are on your own. Written between Dublin, London, New York and the American Midwest, Kiss Big traces the cycle of love, loss, and renewal. It’s raw and wry: the sound of coming apart and gluing yourself back together.

Throughout February, ALONE will be holding recruitment sessions in libraries across Clare, as the organisation continues its vital work supporting older people to age at home.

Morning Focus’s Lily Collins has been speaking with Aileen O’Reilly, Head of Research, Advocacy and Policy at ALONE, about the growing need for volunteers and the challenges facing older people, including housing shortages.

Photo (c) ALONE Ireland Facebook

Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch joined Daragh Dolan in studio to look ahead to a busy weekend of sporting action.

Games Previewed:

TÚS Dr. Harty Cup Final:

St Flannan’s College v Nenagh CBS (Saturday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 1pm)

Senior A Ladies Football Schools Final:

St. Joseph’s Secondary School Spanish Point v Loretto Secondary School Clonmel (Saturday, Banteer, Co. Cork, 1:30pm)

National Hurling League Division 1B, Round 2:

Clare v Antrim (Sunday, Ruairi Óg Gaelic Athletic Club, Cushendall, 1pm)

National Football League Division 3, Round 2:

Clare v Westmeath (Sunday, Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chíosóg, 2pm)