Over 50 residents near the Old Mill Road in Ennis have staged a public demonstration today against plans to create an effective northbound ring road, running through a residential area.

Local Resident Mary McNamara believes it will add more congestion to an already challenged area and present a serious safety concern for children.

Clare is believed to have a shortage of over 1,000 hotel beds. Incentivising the construction of new tourism accommodation is just one of the aims of a new scheme proposed by Clare County Council's Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee. Public consultation is to take place on a waiver scheme that would give a reduction in commercial rates to certain businesses in Clare over a three-year period. Under the proposal, new-build hotels, hostels, recreational vehicle campervan sites, nursing homes and creches would all be eligible for a reduction. Those redeveloping vacant units for hospitality or nursing home purposes would also be able to avail of the scheme, as would businesses located on ground floors where the upper floors are converted to residential accommodation from 2026 onwards. Figures from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment show there are currently 9,574 hotel bed spaces in Clare which is 337 fewer than in 2023. Clare County Council Economic Development SPC member, Quilty Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon, insists there needs to be incentives for prospective providers to enter the market. A 14-day public consultation period on the proposed scheme will commence in the near future. If adopted, any costs associated with the scheme are to be paid in Clare County Council's budget process either through an increase in commercial rates or a reduction in discretionary expenditure. It's also stated that the scheme "must be of economic benefit to the county of Clare" Senior Executive Officer in Clare County Council's Economic Development Directorate Leonore O'Neill believes it's a worthwhile endeavour.

One Local Business Owner even conducted his own traffic survey to demonstrate the volume of traffic that would be forced to traverse the Old Mill Road, if controversial plans for a one-way system come to pass in the town.

Garage Owner on Pound Lane Pat Foudy claims the plans would bring at least an additional 5,990 vehicles up their road instead, something which he believes would be exacerbated when schools return.

The Owner of a protected building in Ennis, which is at the centre of a controversial proposal to create a one-way street, claims he was not consulted by the local authority on how to solve the safety issue.

Over 50 residents living on the Old Mill Road have today staged a public demonstration against plans to create an effective northbound ring road, running through a residential area.

It comes amid council plans to close one lane of traffic on the mill road, in order to safely facilitate a footpath beside the 18th Century Ennis Cormarket Store, which protrudes onto the street, but cannot be knocked due to its status.

Building Owner and Ennis Businessman Michael Barry says the proposed solution will only lead to traffic chaos and serious road safety concerns.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 25ú lá de mí an Mheithimh, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh.

I 1982 bhí M.P a bhí ag obair san Eoraip ó Éirinn ag fáil níos mó ná 40 míle punt gach bliain.

I 1993 bhí an cumann foirgníochta agus na bainc dúshlánach de bharr a tairiscint speisialta.

I 1993 bhí daoine a bhí ina chónaí I nDroichead an Chláir buartha faoin uisce a bhí truaillithe.

I 2004 tháinig sé amach go mbeadh urrúsú mór chun a bheith sa chontae nuair a bheadh Uachtarán George W Bush chun a bheith ann.

Sin Britney Spears le Everytime – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 2004

Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1977 shroich Marvin Gaye uimhir a haon I Meiriceá lena hamhrán Got To Give It Up agus bhí sé a tríú huimhir a haon I Meiriceá.

I 2009 fuair Michael Jackson bás ag aois 50 de bharr cliseadh croí ag a teach I Beverly Hills. Bhí sé a ochtú páiste den chlann agus bhí sé páirteach den Jackson 5 I 1964. Bhí Michael Jackson cáiliúil de bharr go raibh a físeanna iontach agus dúradh go raibh ceithre albam na n-albam is fearr riamh – Off The Wall, Bad, Dangerous agus HIStory agus bhí a albam Thriller an t-albam a dhíol den chuid is mó riamh le timpeall 50 milliún daoine ag ceannach an t-albam.

Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh aisteoir Ricky Gervais sa Bhreatain I 1961 agus rugadh amhránaí George Michael sa Bhreatain ar an lá seo I 1963 agus seo chuid de amhrán.

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 25th of June, with me Lauren Ní Loingsigh

1982: irelands 25 european M.Ps were now earning over 40,000£ a year in min salaries and expenses.

1993: building socities and banks had been challenged over their new special offer.

1993: Clare castle had concerns over contaminated water supply.

2004: clare was bracing itself for the biggest security operation in the history of the state when the county plays host to president george w bush this weekend.

That was Britney Spears with Everytime – the biggest song on this day in 2004

Onto music news on this day In 1977 Marvin Gaye went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Got To Give It Up', his third US No.1.

2009 Michael Jackson died at the age of 50, after suffering heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964. Jackson is credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool, four of his solo albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), while his 1982 Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time with sales of over 50 million.

And finally celebrity birthdays on this day – actor Ricky Gervais was born in the UK in 1961 and singer George Michael was born in the UK on this day in 1963 and this is one of his songs.

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

Clare is believed to have a shortage of over 1,000 hotel beds. Incentivising the construction of new tourism accommodation is just one of the aims of a new scheme proposed by Clare County Council's Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee. Public consultation is to take place on a waiver scheme that would give a reduction in commercial rates to certain businesses in Clare over a three-year period. Under the proposal, new-build hotels, hostels, recreational vehicle campervan sites, nursing homes and creches would all be eligible for a reduction. Those redeveloping vacant units for hospitality or nursing home purposes would also be able to avail of the scheme, as would businesses located on ground floors where the upper floors are converted to residential accommodation from 2026 onwards. Figures from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment show there are currently 9,574 hotel bed spaces in Clare which is 337 fewer than in 2023. Clare County Council Economic Development SPC member, Quilty Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon, insists there needs to be incentives for prospective providers to enter the market. A 14-day public consultation period on the proposed scheme will commence in the near future. If adopted, any costs associated with the scheme are to be paid in Clare County Council's budget process either through an increase in commercial rates or a reduction in discretionary expenditure. It's also stated that the scheme "must be of economic benefit to the county of Clare" Senior Executive Officer in Clare County Council's Economic Development Directorate Leonore O'Neill believes it's a worthwhile endeavour.

Joe Riley, is an 84-year-old author originally from Pound Street in Kilrush, now living in Southport, UK.

Joe has dedicated his later years to preserving and reimagining the stories of his hometown through a series of powerful books.

His latest release, The Quiet Man from Scattery Island, is a gripping, action-packed thriller that blends military suspense with heartfelt Irish storytelling. Set along the beautiful Shannon Estuary and West Clare, it’s a tale of redemption, justice, and home.

Joe has written four books about Kilrush, from vivid memoirs of life in the 1940s and ‘50s to ghost stories, and now this compelling fictional thriller.

Time is precious for Joe, who’s been told he has just months to live.

To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by, Joe Riley, author from Kilrush.

A new documentary on Natasha O’Brien will air on RTÉ One this evening (Wednesday, June 25th).

Natasha O’Brien was attacked by Cathal Crotty, who was then a member of the Irish Defence Forces, in 2022.

Crotty, from Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare was given a three-year suspended sentence in June 2024.

An appeal was lodged the following month, and the sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeal in January this year (2025), and he was sentenced to two years in jail.

The documentary, called Natasha, can be see from 9:35pm.

To find out more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Natasha O'Brien.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ayesha Ahmad

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.

This week, Tommy provided Alan and our Morning Focus listeners with advice on equity release for older people in Ireland

Today is a big day at Shannon Airport and Foynes, Co Limerick.

That is because Pan-Am is making a long-awaited return.

After more than 30 years, a Pan American Airways Boeing 757-200, “Yankee Clipper 11” will land at Shannon Airport having retraced the Flying Boat routes of the 1930/40’s between New York, Bermuda, Marseilles, Lisbon, London and finally reaching Shannon Airport for a very historic visit to Foynes, Co Limerick.

To discuss this furtehr Alan Morrissey was joined by Margaret O’Shaughnessy, founding Director of Foynes Flying Boat Museum, former Managing Director/CEO.