It's claimed a lack of direct flights to the West Coast is compouding tourism challenges in Clare.

Last year, Dublin Airport handled 85% of all international traffic into Ireland and according to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, up to 40% of passengers ended up travelling to the Wild Atlantic Way.

However, the ITIC is now warning of a double digit decline in tourist numbers, unless the Dublin Passenger Cap is lifted and the 9% hospitality VAT rate is restored.

Clare Tourism Advisory Vice-Chair Maurice Walsh claims however that flight options need addressing.

It's claimed Bill Chambers will leave a lasting legacy of a caring and trusted gentleman who was dedicated to his people. The former West Clare Councillor, who served for over 38 years following his first election in 1985 passed away peacefully last night. The Cooraclare native was also the first from his village to become Mayor of Clare, holding the office of first citizen in 2016. Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes served alongside him for 24 years, he's been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that Bill had a positive impact on all who knew him.

Residents in east Clare are being encouraged to share their knowledge on the location of invasive plant species, as part of efforts to improve biodiversity and water quality in the county. Invasive plant species are to be tackled under a new partnership agreement between Clare Local Development Company and Waters of LIFE over the coming three years. Waters of LIFE is active in the east of the county as an EU-funded programme to protect and restore water quality and it's hosting a public meeting focused on protecting east Clare's natural heritage in Flagmount next Wednesday from 7.30pm. Waters Of LIFE Communications and Stakeholder Relationship Manager, Ross O'Donoghue says local knowledge is the starting point in tackling the issue.

On this week's episode of Clare Women In Business, Pat Flynn visits Creegh Village in West Clare meet the owner of Riverside Hair & Beauty, Sarah Gould.

Clare Women in Business is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee.

The HSE's growing spend on agency staff at Ennis General has been slammed as unacceptable. New figures show the Health Service Executive spent over €2.7m to provide outsourced personnel in the county town last year, which is up 13% on the sum recorded in 2021. Over €21m was spent on providing agency staff at University Hospital Limerick last year, which is a rise of 9% in the last twelve months. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says the situation is out of control.

The Clare branch of Aontú is leading calls for the resignation of Simon Harris over the handling of a case of a young boy with life-threatening scoliosis, who died last month. 9-Year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt only underwent urgent spinal surgery last November, after waiting two years and having been previously removed from a waiting list without his parent's knowledge or consent. The Tánaiste had promised in 2017 during his tenure as Health Minister that no child suffering from scoliosis would wait more than four months for treatment. Clare Aontú Rep June Dillon says improvements must start with accountability.

On 'Ours To Protect', we take a closer look at biodiversity, sustainability and the broader issue of Climate Change as it relates to Clare.

This week, Pat Flynn visits St Mary’s Church in Quin to hear about the ‘Return to Nature Church Project’.

A Clare football star is hailing the appointment of Paul Madden as the county's new senior football boss.

The Ennis native will take the reins on a three-year term, succeeding Peter Keane in the role, who departed last week.

Madden had been seen as a strong contender, since the departure of Mark Fitzgerald last year, having guided Éire Óg to three of the last four Clare Senior Football Championships.

Former Clare Captain Garry Brennan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he's looking forward to seeing the new setup in action.

A Clare travel counsellor says it's full steam ahead for holidaymakers in spite of wildfires raging across Europe. The blazes are continuing unabated in parts of Greece and Spain, with high temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions creating a perfect storm for many regions. A total of 4,850 firefighters as well as 33 planes have been mobilised across Greece since dawn after 15 firefighting personnel were taken to hospital yesterday. Ennis-based travel counsellor Gearoid Mannion has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons those heading to affected countries should do their research and heed advice.

A Clare football star is hailing the appointment of Paul Madden as the county's new senior football boss.

The Ennis native will take the reins on a three-year term, succeeding Peter Keane in the role, who departed last week.

Madden had been seen as a strong contender, since the departure of Mark Fitzgerald last year, having guided Éire Óg to three of the last four Clare Senior Football Championships.

Former Clare Captain Garry Brennan has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he's looking forward to seeing the new setup in action.