James Lafferty is the Irish Red Cross Clare Honorary Treasurer and Irish Red Cross National Volunteer of the Year.

He joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus to talk about the launch of the Irish Red Cross Clare Branch’s Tour of Clare and upcoming fundraising.

The lack of clarity on the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition 2 scheme is unfair for farmers.

That is the view of the Independent Ireland South MEP, Clare’s Michael McNamara.

He is calling on the Department of Agriculture to immediately clarify which lands will be subject to further restrictions under the implementation of GAEC 2 measures.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael McNamara.

Photo © Conor McCabe Photography

Down Syndrome Clare has secured planning permission for a new social, support and thereapeutic hub.

The facility will be located on the Gort Road in Ennis and will have three staff, including two specialists aiming to provide up to 30 hours of individual therapy every week.

Down Syndrome Clare receives no state funding and will be depending on further public donations to get the facility up and running later this year.

Committee member Neil Quinn has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it will be a vital service when it comes to fruition.

A Clare lecturer says he has developed an AI examination tool that would be beneficial for both Leaving Cert students and teachers.

Cillian Ó Fathaigh, who is originally from New Quay/Ballyvaughan area, is a lecturer at King’s College London.

The AI tool is free of charge for all Clare students.

It allows students to receive detailed feedback on their essays and help them understand the Leaving Cert marking scheme.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Cillian Ó Fathaigh.

Photo (c): marchmeena29 from Getty Images via Canva

A new record has been set for attendances at the Emergency Department of the region's main hospital.

New HSE figures show 87,371 people presented at University Hospital Limerick's ED last year; an annual increase of more than 7,000.

Of the patients that attended, just over 24,000 or slightly more than one in four were ultimately admitted to hospital beds.

Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker Bashua has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan she believes that UHL simply doesn't have the resources to cater for the MidWest's population.

This year’s Ennis Book Club Festival is fast approaching!

A host of events and great writers are planned for the 2025 edition of the annual festival.

The 2025 Ennis Book Club Festival will run from the 7th to the 9th of March.

One of the guests at the festival will be a man who even Clare hurling fans could admit is one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Joe Canning.

Photo (C): Katrina_S from pixabay via Canva

Following rave reviews and sell-out shows, Night Dances arrives in Ennis on the 12th of March for a special performance at Glór.

Created by acclaimed choreographer Emma Martin, with live music by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band), this exhilarating show has been hailed as “a thrilling hour of relentless dancing and music” (The Irish Times).

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Emma Martin.

Photo (C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=909065257923430&set=a.330865389076756

Recovery works brought about by Storm Eowyn are underway at the 12 O’Clock Hills.

Walkers are being urged to exercise extreme caution at the recreational facility during the period of the works.

To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Patsy Neville from 12 O’Clock Hills Community.

Photo (C): https://www.facebook.com/12oclockhills/photos/1078412172299766/

A bingo night in aid of St Anne’s School in Ennis is set to take place this weekend.

The fundraiser has been organised by the Parents Association of St Anne's School, to raise money for a sensory playground for the school.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by parent Lourda Doyle, and the Principal of St Anne's School, Rosemary Flanagan.

Photo (C): Clare FM

Cathal Ryan brings one man show ‘Pucked’ to Glór this evening, the 26th of February from 8pm.

Pucked is a fast paced, comedic, theatrical one-man blockbuster. It tells the story of the young and ambitious Matty Daly.

To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Writer and Actor, Cathal Ryan.

Photo (C): https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1138358054751937&id=100057332594531&_rdr