Following another summer of intensive research, cross country trekking, careful photography and long local conversation, Cumann Forbartha Phobal Chill Iníne Baoith will launch their 3rd exhibition of local Kilnaboy placenames in Kilnaboy School Hall on Friday, 13th March at 2.00 pm.

To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Declan Kelleher and Francis Whelan on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

This year celebrates 27 years of the Kildysart Drama Group, and they are preparing for their production of 'Drinking Habits' by Tom Smith which will take place this weekend.

Daragh Leamy from the Morning Focus team travelled to the West Clare village to meet with Frankie O'Shea, Michelle Cogley, Kevin Meaney and Kerry Carrig.

Photo (c) Daragh Leamy

Parteen Basin Pipeline Clare's local elected representatives have urged Clare County Council to be "stronger" in its condemnation of a proposed pipeline between the River Shannon and Dublin.

The Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region, which would see an average of 2% of the River Shannon's flow at the Parteen Basin abstracted to serve the drinking water demand of the Greater Dublin Area, was a dominant topic of discussion at this week's meeting of the local authority.

Elected members were asked to approve Chief Executive Gordon Daly's report on the effects of the proposed development on Clare.

While the report states the project presents "some concerns" for the county and offers "no direct water supply benefit", some present described the report as "mild-mannered" and "lenient". It was agreed that an amendment penned by Killaloe Municipal District's elected representatives stating their opposition to the project will be included as an appendix to the report which will now be submitted to Uisce Éireann.

Clare FM's Seán Lyons was at the meeting and spoke to Clonlara Independent Councillor Michael Begley about his concerns.

And for more on this, Alan Morrissey has been speaking with the Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor, Tony O’Brien.

Image © Ranslynn Designs via Canva

As communities across Clare prepare to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, there are plenty of family-friendly events taking place across the county.

In Sixmilebridge, final preparations are underway for the annual Sixmilebridge St Patrick’s Day Parade, which gets underway from Mount Ievers at 12:45 on the day with this year’s theme “Big Dreams, Bright Futures.”

In Fanore, the finishing touches are being added to their St Patrick's Day celebrations which kick off on the 15th of March at 2pm for Fanore Beach, there are lots of exciting events to look forward to like DJ John Carey with live music and possibly a circus surprise.

Meanwhile, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park will be hosting a special Shamrocks and Shenanigans celebration this Sunday, featuring traditional music, Irish dancing, family entertainment and even a chance to meet St Patrick himself.

Alan Morrissey was joined on Morning Focus by Anne Pilkington from the Fanore Parade, PJ Ryan from the Sixmilebridge St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park to find out more.

Image © Sixmilebridge St. Patricks Day

Urgent solutions are being sought to combat serious road safety issues plaguing a Clare community.

Clarecastle residents have raised concerns over a growing volume of Heavy Goods Vehicles speeding through a local road which is being used as a rat run.

It's understood vehicles are leaving the main Ennis to Kildysart Road to join the Claremount Road and access the Old Limerick Road through Clarecastle village rather than getting caught in traffic at Clareabbey Roundabout.

Mayor of Clare and Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that it's an accident waiting to happen.

Image © iStock

The Health Minister has pledged to enhance services at Ennis Hospital but has given no commitment to emergency care in Clare.

Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has described a new “strategic site” acquired in Limerick to solve hospital overcrowding in the MidWest as “HIQA’s Option B and C Plus.”

The Minister has described the €14 million, 43.8 acre site in Raheen as a strategic site for the MidWest Health system for the next thirty years, located a 28 minute drive away from Ennis and Nenagh.

Over 40% of Clare’s population lives more than an hour’s drive from their nearest Emergency Department and the Minister said her vision for Ennis’s progression is similar to that of Bantry General Hospital in Cork, which doesn’t have an ED or proposals for one.

Despite this, Minister Carroll MacNeill insists Clare “was at the centre of their plans” in the MidWest.

However, health campaigners here have expressed "anger and deep frustration" following the announcement that a site has been identified for a new hospital campus for the Midwest.

The Friends of Ennis Hospital claims 130,000 people in Clare along with a further 80,000 in Tipperary will see limited benefit from the hospital being located in the city.

Alan spoke with Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe and Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney about the announcement

Image © Alan Place

Shannon Airport is remaining hopeful its planned improvements will result in new routes from the facility in the near future. The Clare base has been included in the €45 million Regional Airports Programme for 2026 to 2030 which will assist it with its €15 million upgrade of its airport terminal. The facility is set to see 40,000 passengers fly through it across the St Patrick's Day period, marking a 7% increase on last year. Shannon Airport Director Niall Kearns says every upgrade that takes place makes it more attractive to airlines.

The additional of a new €350,000 emergency tender fire appliance to Clare County Fire and Rescue Service's fleet is being hailed as a strong vote of confidence from the Government. The vehicle will be permanently based at Ennis Fire Station and will assist members in responding to road traffic collisions, road hazards, river rescues and hazardous materials incidents. The station currently boasts two Class B fire appliances, a Bronto aerial rescue vehicle a water tanker and a four-wheel-drive van. The new appliance has been funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Clare County Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly says it significantly bolsters their resources.

Clare's opposition TD has slammed the Health Minister's decision to locate a new hospital in Limerick as "extremely disappointing." Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan says Clare's government members now need to step up.

The Health Minister has pledged to enhance services at Ennis Hospital, but has given no commitment to emergency care in Clare. During her official announcement today, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has described a new "strategic site" acquired in Limerick to solve hospital overcrowding in the MidWest as "HIQA's Option B and C Plus." Health Minister Jennifer Carrol MacNeill visited Limerick this morning, where she confirmed details of the Midwest's new hospital. The Minister has described the €14 million, 43.8 acre site in Raheen as a strategic site for the MidWest Health system for the next thirty years, located a 28 minute drive away from Ennis and Nenagh. Her next step will be to appoint a project development board, which will develop healthcare services for the overall region and a report is due to be published later this year that will recommend additional services are provided in Clare. Last September, the Department of Health pledged to progress all three of HIQA's recommendations to solve hospital overcrowding in the region. The options included expanding the University Hospital Limerick Campus, extending the campus to another nearby site and delivering a new Model 3 hospital with a new ED in the MidWest. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill believes Option B and C can be delivered in Raheen. During her announcement today, which Clare media were not invited to attend, the Minister said emergency care in the region had to be expanded and that having two model 4 hospitals within 10 minutes of each other was a possibility. She also hasn't ruled out moving the maternity hospital to the Raheen site. Over 40% of Clare's population lives more than an hour's drive from their nearest Emergency Department and the Minister said her vision for Ennis's progression is similar to that of Bantry General Hospital in Cork, which doesn't have an ED or proposals for one. Despite this, Minister Carroll MacNeill insists Clare "was at the centre of their plans" in the MidWest.