The Dáil has been told that a 92-year-old Clare woman has been without mobile reception or landline connectivity for almost five weeks following Storm Éowyn. Fine Gael's Joe Cooney has used his maiden speech in Leinster House to call for "less talk and more action" when it comes to futureproofing against extreme weather events. The Bodyke TD has proposed reviewing setback distances between trees and power lines, fast-tracking felling licenses for landowners, better resourcing the forestry service and allowing telecom companies to cut down trees when landowners fail to do so. Addressing Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Micheal Healy-Rae, Deputy Cooney says people in rural Clare can't be left stranded.

We have previously spoken with June about her role as the founder of the swimming group, Snamhaí Sásta.

She has also been with us to talk about her 63 Dips in 21 Days initiative, which has raised significant funds for the Mid-West Simon Community over the years.

However, one thing we have not discussed with June is what it is like to live with a stoma.

To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by June Curtin, Founder of Snamhaí Sásta.

The West Clare Drama Festival is making its eagerly awaited return.

The 2025 edition of the festival will run for nine days, from this Saturday, the 1st of March, to Sunday, the 9th of March.

Nine unforgettable nights of dramatic excellence, featuring top-tier performances from drama groups across Ireland is promised across the entirety of the West Clare Drama Festival.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Chairperson of the Festival Committee, Andrew Killeen.

Photo (C): West Clare Drama Festival Doonbeg Facebook

You’ve heard the old saying: “It takes a village to raise a child” - but have you ever heard the one that “it takes a local community to keep a golf club going?”.

It’s certainly applicable to the members of East Clare Golf Club.

The golf club, situated in Bodyke, could have been a thing of the past, were it not for the efforts of its members.

To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Chairman of the marketing committee of the East Clare Golf Club, Nick Ryan.

Photo (C): Clare FM

People in Co. Clare are being invited to contribute stories and memories about community midwives in the 19th and 20th century as part of a project led by the National Museum of Ireland.

The lives and contributions of some Clare nurses and midwives have already been incorporated into an ongoing exhibition and events programme exploring the history of rural midwifery at the National Museum in Turlough Park, Co. Mayo.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Deirdre Ruane and Fiona Whelan.

Photo (C): Clare FM

A Clare mother is calling for a ban on the sale of products containing HHC.

HHC – or Hexahydrocannabinol - is a new ‘cannabinoid’ man-made chemical product developed from CBD, which has been available in European and Irish markets since 2022.

It's currently available legally in high street shops in vapes, e-cigarettes and edibles, but this does not guarantee safety and there are concerns regarding the health effects.

Our listener, Gráinne, has personal experience of HHC: she says her daughter suffered from withdrawals after using a vape containing HHC.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Grainne, a Clare mother who is calling for a ban on the sale of HHC products.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents Beyond Belief for Sunday 2nd March 2025.

He talks to Jane from Trocaire about their Lent Campaign and talks about Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh with Stephen Fletcher over coffee and cake. Sr Ann Crowley from Kilkee gives her reflection on this time of pilgrimage and hope.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets musician and music teacher Padraic O’Reilly.

From Rath near Corofin, Padraic is one of Ireland's leading traditional piano players, both as a soloist and accompanist.

A former Clare senior hurling captain claims the timing of the loss of Shane O'Donnell gives Brian Lohan's squad time to adapt ahead of the Munster Championship.

The Clare boss confirmed yesterday that the reigning Hurler of the Year, Shane O'Donnell, will undergo surgery on a shoulder issue, ruling him out for the entirety of the 2025 intercounty season.

The Banner's Munster campaign is edging ever closer, with Cork making the visit to Cusack Park on April 20th.

Clare FM hurling analyst, Tommy Guilfoyle, says the injury would be much more detrimental to the squad, had it occurred later in the year.

The end of the temporary directive for Ukrainian refugees in Clare and across the country has not been raised by the Taoiseach or Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting at Shannon Airport today.

The directive which is a special EU procedure designed to deal with a mass influx of people seeking international protection was triggered in March 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion.

This entitles refugees to access employment, suitable accommodation, social welfare and education for children aged under 18 - to date there are now over 5,100 Ukrainian arrivals living in Clare.

The directive will be in effect until at least March 2026 and although it was not discussed with President Zelensky today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin insists there will not be a cliff-edge.