The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has secured funding to continue its Deep Diving & Rare Species Investigation Programme for another three years, helping researchers learn more about some of the least understood marine mammals in Irish waters. 

 

The project has already examined several rare species, including Ireland's first recorded narwhal, and most recently a mother and calf pair of Sowerby's beaked whales that stranded in County Galway.  

 

To tell us more about the programme, the latest findings, and what they reveal about our marine environment, Alan Morrissey was joined by Mags Daly, Head of the Shannon Dolphin Project with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Photo (c) ANDREYGUDKOV from Getty Images Pro via Canva

The incoming Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District  has pledged to continue the "harmony" in East Clare local politics while standing against plans that could harm the region. 

 

Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke has handed the chain of office to Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien who'll take his fourth turn in the Cathaoirleach's chair since first being elected in 2004. 

 

The Killaloe native, who previously served as a National Bus and Rail Union official, was also Mayor of Clare from 2022 to 2023. 

 

The changing of the guard took place at the annual general meeting of Killaloe MD in the Killaloe/Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre. 

 

Clare FM's Seán Lyons went along and spoke to the new Cathaoirleach who expressed that it was the perfect setting for the occasion. 

Meanwhile, in the Shannon Municipal District, Clonlara Independent Councillor Michael Begley has been appointed Cathaoirleach for the second time in three years.  

 

He succeeds Cllr John Crowe in the role and will be supported by Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr David Griffin.  

 

Cllr Begley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan about the areas where he wants to see improvements.

Photo (c) kasto via Canva

Most 12-year-olds spend their weekends playing sport, meeting friends or relaxing, but one young Shannon girl is preparing to take on one of Ireland's toughest mountain challenges. 

Kaya Wisniewska is attempting the demanding 32-kilometre Galtee Mountains ridge traverse, which includes a staggering 1,700 metres of climbing.  

If successful, she will become the youngest girl ever to complete the full route, beating the current record held by a 16-year-old. 

It's a challenge that's been a year in the making, with Kaya and her father, Wojtek, covering hundreds of kilometres in training across Clare and beyond, supported by medical and sports science experts along the way. 

Joining Alan Morrissey were Kaya and her dad, Wojtek, to tell him about the challenge, the preparation and what they hope to achieve this weekend.

Photo (c) Clare FM

A Wicklow filmmaker has been selected as one of just five recipients of the prestigious 2026 Netflix Documentary Talent Fund, for a Clare-based documentary. 

 

Helen Sanfey, working alongside producer Catherine Donohoe, secured funding and industry support for their documentary Lisdoonvarna: Changing The Algorithm, which follows a young man learning the art of traditional matchmaking from his 83-year-old grandfather, believed to be Ireland's last traditional matchmaker.  

 

The film will premiere at Sheffield DocFest in 2027. 

 

Earlier, Alan Morrissey chatted with Helen about the project, the Netflix recognition, and the timeless search for love in a digital age.

Photo (c) Visit Clare

A major shift in Ireland's approach to drug policy could be on the horizon following the publication of a landmark report by the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use.  

The committee is recommending that possession of drugs for personal use should be decriminalised, and that Ireland adopts a more health-led approach to tackling addiction and substance misuse.  

The report contains 161 recommendations, including expanded treatment services, greater access to harm reduction measures, and increased support for people affected by addiction.  

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach says the government will give serious consideration to the recommendations of the Oireachtas report. 

 He was responding to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who said the Government was not taking a health-led approach to the issue. 

Micheal Martin said a health referral scheme will be introduced shortly for those found to be in possession of illicit drugs, saying the report will be fully examined.

To discuss what these proposals could mean in practice, Alan Morrissey was joined by Midwest-based addiction counsellor Michael Guerin.

Photo (c) Towfiqu barbhuiya from Pexels via Canva

Contractors won't be appointed to begin major sewerage works in Broadford and Cooraclare until next year. Both villages were included in the Government's €50m pilot wastewater programme in 2024, which aims to connect unsewered settlements to the network. Uisce Éireann has confirmed consultants will finalise designs for the projects by September. Responding to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney at the Oireachtas Housing Committee, Head of Asset Management Seán Laffey says progress is being made.

On this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets award-winning wedding and events singer Ali Woodford.

We’ll also hear from Alan Johnston and Lisa Harris breeders of an animal that days back to ancient Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound.

New proposals aimed at reducing speed limits in Clare school zones have been described as a vital move for child safety.

The plans were unveiled at yesterday's meeting of Clare County Council's Strategic Policy Committee.

A Clare farm representative is urging farmers to make sure their animals have access to water and shelter to avoid serious health impacts during the hot spell. With a Status Yellow warning in place until 9am on Friday and temperatures set to hit 31 degrees here tomorrow, farmers are being advised to take steps to protect themselves and their livestock. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has issued a statement advising that heat stroke and discomfort can arise from a lack of shelter and water, while also warning of the risk of gorse fires. O'Callaghan's Mills farmer Martin McMahon of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons younger animals are especially vulnerable.

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Garrahy of the Treaty Veterinary Clinic branch in Shannon spoke to Alan Morrissey about how to protect your pets from the heat.

Photo (c) Treaty Veterinary Hospital