Colm Liddy, local author and historian was back in-studio on Tuesday’s Morning Focus for our regular history in focus slot.

This week Colm explained the ways aid was provided to the people of Clare during the Famine to Alan Morrissey, and took us through the infamous year of Black '47.

Photo (c) Colm Liddy

Episode 2 - Finding Clare with Olga by Clare FM

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Avril Collentine, Cahir & Co. Solicitors for this week’s legal advice.

Avril discussed the regulations around protected disclosures in your workplace.

Image © Cahir and Co

Scariff-based Ireland South Independent MEP Michael McNamara has been appointed Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Zambia ahead of the country's general election next month.  

It's a significant international role, with Mr McNamara leading a mission of more than 100 observers monitoring the electoral process. 

He joined Alan Morrissey to explain the new role, and what it means for the election process.

Photo © Conor McCabe Photography

The search is underway for Ireland's Greenest Places 2026, celebrating communities, towns, villages and individuals who are making a real difference to the environment. 

Following the success of last year's competition, which saw Inagh in County Clare crowned Ireland's Greenest Village, entries are now open once again.   

Joining Alan Morrissey earlier was one of this year's judges, well-known biologist, environmental consultant, author and broadcaster, Éanna Ní Lamhna.

Photo (c) Ireland's Greenest Places

What stories does the landscape around us have to tell?  

That's the question at the heart of Dinnseanchas, an acclaimed arts project from Hometree that's now embarking on its first national tour.  

Supported by the Arts Council, the programme brings together exhibitions, film, performance, workshops and guided walks, exploring the connections between people, place, culture and nature restoration.  

The tour will visit Ennis this October, and to tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Hometree's Engagement and Education Officer, Ray Ó Foghlú.

Image (c) Hometree

Last Friday evening, what began as a paddle boarding trip off the Clare coast turned into a life-threatening ordeal. 

 

Piotr Matijczak had to be rescued by the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard and says he's only now coming to terms with just how close he came to losing his life.  

 

He joined Alan Morrissey to share his story in the hope that others will think twice before taking to the water unprepared, and to pay tribute to the Coast Guard volunteers who came to his rescue.  

 

Photo (c) Clare FM

The new Burren Interpretative Centre is on track to be delivered by 2030. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has submitted a tender valued at just over €16.6m for a contractor to carry out the project at Riverview in Corofin. The NPWS estimates the works will take over 4 years, and it's understood construction could commence from 2027. Mayor of Clare and Corofin Fianna Fáil Councillor Joe Killeen is confident the new centre can increase local bed nights.

It's claimed enhancements to the Tenant In-Situ Scheme would have a major impact on Clare's homeless crisis. At present, the local authority can only purchase a home to re-rent to a tenant whose been served a notice to quit if their in receipt of HAP or RAS or if the property has been in the social housing support system for at least 2 years. In 2025 alone, Clare County Council drew down less than half of the €4m available to it under the Tenant In-Situ scheme. Mayor of Ennis, Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says it's not fit for purpose.

Coming up on the show, we will be looking back on Limerick's victory in the All Ireland hurling final, looking ahead to the start of this years club hurling championships and Smith O'Brien's are the focus of our latest episode of More Than A Club