Clare County Council is preparing to mark a major historical milestone next month, as it hosts a weekend of events in Ennis to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell.

Known as “The Liberator,” O’Connell’s legacy will be honoured through music, lectures, exhibitions, and a special community celebration.

For more on this, Derrick Lynch was joined by Dolores Meaney, Senior Executive Libarian and Sean Lenihan, Clare County Council Senior Engineer.

The Social Democrats have criticised the Government's proposal to raise the size limit for cabins or garden homes to 45 sq.m, calling it a "half-baked plan" to relocate people into what they describe as "glorified garden sheds."

The Cabinet was informed that a public consultation on the proposal to increase the permitted size for such structures to 45 sq.m will launch today.

This is larger than the original suggested upper limit of 40 sq.m.

Under current rules, an extension to the rear of a property is exempt from planning once it is 40 sq.m and is attached to the property.

Under the plan, the units must comply with building regulations while the size of the residual private garden space of 25 sq.m must be retained and set back from boundary walls.

To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Timmy Dooley, Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State and Donna McGettigan, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Shannon TD.

Shannon is set to benefit from a significant boost to its Garda resources. It comes amid confirmation that 15 new recruits from Templemore will be deployed to the district in September. It follows an escalation of anti-social behaviour in the catchment area along with a number of incidents at Shannon Airport. Clare Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley believes it will have positive knock on effects for the whole county.

A Clare member of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors' National Executive Committee insists the new Garda Commissioner must bring "stabilisation" to the force. Dublin native Justin Kelly has been appointed as successor to Drew Harris following a decision by Cabinet. The former Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance has been a Garda for over 30 years and previously served as Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Serious and Organised Crime. Ennis-based Detective Sergeant Brian Howard believes the new appointee has a job of work to do to restore confidence in management among Clare members.

Clare minor ladies football vice captain Aisling Kelly claims the familiarity amongst the backline is a major reason behind the team's defensive stability.

Clare secured a Munster and All Ireland double with a four point defeat of Sligo, conceding just three points from play during the game.

Eimear Burke and Abbie Cahill joined Cooraclare woman Kelly in the full back line, and have played as a unit since they were part of under 12 development panels.

She says the backs provided the platform for the forwards to thrive off.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 29ú lá de mí Iúil, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh.

I 1976 tháinig an nuacht amach go raibh an príosún I bPortlaoise ag gearradh siar ar daoine ag teacht chuig an áit.

I 1988 rinne nach mór 10 míle duine iarratas ó 3 ilchríoch don phost a bhí 50 punt gach seachtain agus iad ag traenáil mar gharda.

I 1976 fuair John McNamara ó Scariff cuireadh chun a bheith páirteach den chomórtas slogadh frog in Uíbh Fhailí de bharr go raibh sé an seaimpín de shlogadh frog.

I 1988 bhí John Hannon ó Parteen ceann de na 10 mic léinn a raibh mar ionadaí d'Éire ag an 30ú comhdháil idirnáisiúnta eolaíocht I Londain.

Sin Elton John agus Kiki Dee le Don't Go Breaking My Heart – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1976.

Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1968 rinne The Beatles taifead ar a amhrán Hey Jude a raibh seacht nóiméad don chéad uair.

I 1973 chan Led Zeppelin don tríú huair I Madison Square Garden ag deireadh den turas ceol a raibh 33 dáta.

Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh Joey Essex sa Bhreatain I 1990 agus rugadh aisteoir Will Wheaton I Meiriceá ar an lá seo I 1972 agus seo chuid de na rudaí a rinne sé.

Beidh mé ar ais libh amárach le heagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo.

Welcome back to another edition of Ar An Lá Seo on the 29th of July, with me Lauren Ní Loingsigh

1976: Portlaoise jail introduced cutback on jail visits.

1988: Almost 10,000 people from 3 continents applied for the £50 a-week garda training jobs.

1976: 38 year old John McNamara from Scariff, world frog swallowing champion was invited to take part in the live frog swallowing competition in Ballycumber, Co. Offaly.

1988: John Hannon from Parteen was one of 10 students representing Ireland at the 30th international youth science fortnight in London.

That was Elton John and Kiki Dee with Don't Go Breaking My Heart – the biggest song on this day in 1976

Onto music news on this day In 1968 The first recording session of The Beatles seven-minute epic ‘Hey Jude’ took place.

1973 Led Zeppelin played the last of three nights at Madison Square Garden, New York at the end of a 33-date North American tour.

And finally celebrity birthdays on this day – Joey Essex with born in the UK in 1990 and actor Will Wheaton was born in America on this day in 1972 and this is some of the stuff he has done.

I'll be back with you tomorrow with another edition of Ar An Lá Seo.

A new exhibition launching soon in Kilkee that captures the beauty, mood, and memory of West Clare through a uniquely reflective process.

To speak more on this, Derrick Lynch was joined by Pauline Dunleavy, a much-loved artist, art teacher, and community advocate from Kilrush.

Her new exhibition, titled Painting Through The Lens, opens August 4th at the Cultúrlann Sweeney Gallery, with an official opening evening on August 8th.

Ballyea manager Robbie Hogan says his side will have to dust themselves down and take the positives from their performance in the first game of the TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship.

His side fell to a one point defeat to Kilmaley leaving them on the back foot in Group 4 ahead of their crucial second round clash with Scariff.

The 2022 county champions had looked set to open their account with a win as they held an 11 point lead at half time, after Tony Kelly netted twice in first half.

Hogan's been telling Clare FM's Derek Dormer that their inability to get on breaking ball in the second period let them down.

Meanwhile, Clooney Quin Boss Fergal Lynch is lauding his sides staying power as they kicked off their campaign with a win.

A late surge saw them claim a three point victory over Broadford to sit second in Group 2, with leaders Inagh-Kilnamona providing the opposition in the next round.

Lynch says his players have finished strong in every game they've played this year.

The ongoing shortage of qualified substitute teachers is putting major pressure on primary schools across the country.

Deputy Joe Cooney, Fine Gael TD for Clare, has urged the Minister for Education to consider allowing ECCE graduates to step in as substitutes for junior and senior infant classes, where their training in early childhood care could make a real difference.

To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Joe Cooney.

There’s a unique night of performance and purpose coming up in Kilkee. The FullMoon Cabaret on Saturday, August 9th, suppors both local heritage and global need.

From jazz to dance, poetry to sand animation, it’s shaping up to be something really special.

To tell us more about it, and the causes behind it, Derrick Lynch was joined by Rita McCarthy and Rob Hopkins.