The Department of Rural and Community Development anticipates that just nine roads in Clare will be completed under the local improvement scheme this year. The programme is designed to restrengthen, resurface and repatch non-public roads or boreens that provide access to farms, fisheries and forests. Last year, 20 roads in Clare were completed under the same €2m fund allocated for 2024 and 2025. Quilty Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon says the amount is simply too little.

Clare U20 Football Manager Maurice Walsh After Tipp Loss

Housing prices in Clare are not expected to drop any time soon despite an expected supply boost in the coming months. It follows Myhome.ie's first report 2025, which shows the average asking price for a home in this county rose to €295,000 at the end of March. This was the third-highest price hike nationwide, while the number of homes available for sale here also dipped 5%. Managing Director of Myhome.ie Joanne Geary has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that Clare is more challenged due to its attractive location.

A former Mayor of Clare claims the county is "going backwards" when it comes to adequately funding roads maintenance. Shannon Municipal District's elected representatives are the latest to condemn the proposed funding for their area's municipal district works programme, after seeing their allocation slashed. It's the last of this county's municipal districts to hold a special meeting to discuss roads funding for the coming year. At the meeting, councillors have heard that €2.92 million is the proposed funding for Shannon's programme this year, which is 7% below the 2024 figure and accounts for just 10% of the total budget. It's also the smallest allocation of any MD in Clare. The Municipal District Works programme budget applies to works on regional roads and while Shannon has the second-smallest share of roads of this type, the argument has been made that its roads are some of the most heavily-trafficked. Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe says while the network has improved over the past 25 years, Shannon's roads funding needs to be going up instead of down. The meeting has also heard that due to funding constraints, staffing levels within the Roads Department with respect to Shannon may have to be examined. It's been confirmed, however, that the municipal district intends to proceed with its plans revealed last year to hire four additional staff in the Shannon area, with two already hired and a further two to be appointed imminently. Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor David Griffin says having an adequate level of staff is crucial due to the importance of proper maintenance to the public.

In this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to focus on landscape changes in the 1700s

If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at [email protected] or Clare FM at [email protected].

Clare has become a favourite among filmmakers, thanks to its stunning landscapes and unique charm, making it the perfect spot for the movies and TV shows.

Virgin Media Ireland, Ireland’s leading telecommunications and entertainment provider, conducted research analysing over 250 top movies and TV shows filmed in Ireland using IMDb data to reveal the most popular filming locations.

Clare ranks eighth, proving it's not only a prime filming location but also a rising hub for talent like Aisling O’Loughlin and James Bredin.

To discuss this further, Peter O'Connell was joined by the director of Smother, Dathaí Keane.

Photo (c) Visit Clare

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Peter O'Connell spoke to Fergal O’Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast.

On this week’s Travel Tales, Fergal told us about the new Shannon route to Madeira Islands.

Sadly, Lisdoon Crafts announced the need to vacate their current premises by the end of September. Without a new location, they may be forced to shut down for good.

Now, this is where our incredible community can step in. If you or someone you know has access to a premises — ideally around 60 square metres with an additional 20 for storage — in Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, or Lahinch, please get in touch on [email protected]

To find out more, Peter O'Connell was joined by Mariusz Bujnowski, of Lisdoon Crafts.

Photo(C): ClareFM

5 brothers are celebrating 50 years of trad music!

Like many Clare musicians, the Grogans come from a musical background.

Their grandfather Michael Grogan R.I.P. played the concertina, while their late grandfather Pat O’ Loughlin from O’ Callaghan’s Mills was a traditional singer.

They began their musical career under the guidance of All-Ireland traditional violinist Vincent Griffin from Feakle.

The five brothers have their own Céilí band and have played at numerous venues around the country.

The Grogan brothers joined Peter O'Connell in-studio.

Photo(C): ClareFM

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, retired Deputy Principal of Rice College and Educational Consultant, John Burns, tackled Understanding the Common Special Educational Needs Conditions.

Photo(C): ClareFM