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A former Mayor of Ennis claims the town cannot reach its full potential until a vital piece of infrastructure to ease traffic congestion is completed.

The first 520m section of the Northern Inner Relief Road from the Gort Road to Clare Technology Park was completed in 2018 at a cost of €3.7m.

But the local authority has now confirmed there are no plans or funding in place to finish the overall scheme that would traverse the Lahinch Road from Claureen to the Tulla Road via the Gort Road Industrial Estate.

Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that the lack of ambition is completely unacceptable.

It's said a light has gone out in County Clare with the death a pioneering music educator.

Musicians from this county and beyond have been paying tribute to the legendary Dysart native Frank Custy whose funeral is taking place today.

Although it seemed he'd follow a sporting path instead of a musical one early on, Frank Custy is credited as one of the most pivotal figures in the promotion of Irish traditional music in Clare of the last 60 years.

Starting life in Dysart, Frank trained as a teacher at St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra and after a stint teaching in Eglish, County Offaly, moved back to Clare where he took up a position at Toonagh National School.

It was there that Frank began what would become a key aspect of his legacy; teaching music in the classroom and eventually holding regular evening group classes which all were welcome to attend.

Among the illustrious musicians who honed their craft under Frank's tutelage are Sharon Shannon, Siobhan Peoples, Sean Conway, Yvonne Casey and James Cullinan.

Former teacher at St. Flannan's College, musician and educator Gary Shannon says Frank's gift was his ability to teach people how to derive enjoyment from playing music.

Many cite Frank's "Céad Poirt" booklets, and later accompanying CDs, as their gateway into Irish traditional music.

Music aside, he was also a successful hurler in his day, winning the Minor A Championship with Ruan in 1953 at the age of 14, winning the Harty with St. Flannan's and also being part of the Ruan teams which won the county championship in 1959, 1960 and 1962.

For his many achievements, he was honoured with a MÓRglór Award in 2016.

Clare FM West Wind presenter Joan Hanrahan, who acted as MC on the night of the award ceremony, says his incorporation of music into the classroom schedule was "groundbreaking".

A major conference is set to take place in Clare this week to address serious challenges facing the local tourism industry.

The event will take place at the Inn at Dromoland at 5pm on Wednesday and will aim to identify feasible solutions to the lack of visitor accommodation.

Currently, one third of all hotel beds in this county are contracted to the state for Asylum Seeker refuge, while the 13.5% hospitality VAT rate will also be on the agenda.

Clare Tourism Advisory Chair and Co-Owner of Hotel Woodstock Sean Lally says were in a "cost of business crisis".

Clare's Local Enterprise Office is reminding businesspeople of an opportunity to learn tools to cope with rising costs this week.

Today marks the beginning of Local Enterprise Week which takes place each year and consists of a variety of events suited to existing traders as well as aspiring entrepreneurs.

Included in the programme this year are events aimed at navigating your export journey, embracing sustainability and a women in business seminar.

Head of Enterprise at Clare's Local Enterprise Office Padraic McElwee says although financial pressures on businesses are inevitable, adopting sustainable practices can be a step in the right direction.

The Irish Blood Transfusion service is seeking donations in Ennis this evening ahead of the busy St. Patrick's Day period.

The IBTS clinic will be open at the West County Hotel from 4:50pm and will be welcoming donors until ten past eight tonight.

It's the last clinic in Clare ahead of the March 17th and hospitals are anticipating a 6% increase in demand for blood transfusions from this time last year.

Broadford native and IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says donors with type-o blood are particularly desired.

Marta and Oksana are sisters from Ukraine who, like chefs Paul Knapp and Jacques Brennan on Clare FM's Taste of the Week, are vegan.

However, Marta and Oksana, through their Lviv Vegan Kitchen, are doing their bit for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, by serving free vegan meals for refugees and support vegan soldiers in Ukrainian Armed Forces.

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Marta Ostrovska and Oksana Khomia along with the Firefighting Chef, Paul Knapp.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan.

On this week’s In The Garden, Tom discussed National Tree Week and provided listeners with all the information on planting trees.

If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

This coming Friday is International Women’s Day 2024. To mark the occasion, Cuimhneamh an Chláir will hold a public event, exploring the rich tapestry of Clare women’s voices in its archive and sharing some of their stories.

To learn more about the event, which will be held at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Project Coordinator, Paula O’Carroll.

Picture (c) by Cuimhneamh an Chláir via Facebook