Grade inflation was introduced by Education Minister Norma Foley in 2020 to offset the potential effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on exam results.That year, record results were achieved and inflation rose even higher in 2021 when students had the option of sitting exams or opting for accredited grades.Grade inflation remains in place this year, boo…

Leaving Cert results in Clare are said to be "in line with or slightly above" those of last year.It's now three hours since the almost 1,400 students who sat their Leaving Cert exams in Clare this year became able to access their long-awaited results online.It's been a tumultuous few years of secondary school for the 1,378 students in Clare who com…

Clare Gardaí are urging those celebrating their Leaving Certificate results tonight to avoid confrontation at all costs.Large crowds are expected to descend on the county's bars and nightclubs this evening and over the weekend for the class of 2024's social gatherings.Those heading out tonight though are being reminded not to engage with anyone dis…

The brother of a West Clare murder victim has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure his sister's killer remains behind bars.Today marks the 19th anniversary of Ann Walsh, who lost her life at the age of just 23, when she was strangled by her former boyfriend on the grounds of the local church.Raymond Donovan subsequently received a life sen…

It is time for the eleventh episode of our newest feature on Morning Focus, Energising Clare.This new feature will be about educating you, the listener, on renewables.On this week’s episode, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ronan O’Flynn, Engineer with ESB & manager in the Offshore Wind development area to discuss offshore wind.…

On 24th & 25th of August 2024 , the International Caherconnell Furnace Festival will take place at Caherconnell Fort in the Burren, Co. Clare!You will be able to see iron smelters from across the globe smelting iron ore into iron. Blacksmiths will be making replicas of iron objects found during excavations at Caherconnell.This year will also featur…

Plans by Lidl to build a new store in Sixmilebridge are facing opposition from concerned locals. The German retail giant has applied to construct a new outlet in the town. However, fears are being expressed for local retailers. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fr Harry Bohan, Long-Serving Priest in Sixmilebridge, Former Clare H…

How a house was built over two centuries ago will be explained at a Heritage Week event taking place in Shannon this weekend. The event, which will be held at the Hastings Farmhouse site, is jointly organised by Dúchas na Sionna and the Shannon Archeological and Historical Society. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian John…

Almost 1,400 Clare students will be receiving their Leaving Certificate Results this morning. From 10am, students nationwide and across this county's nineteen secondary institutions will be able to access their results both online and in person from their school. It's expected the class of 2024 will have a post marking adjustment of 7% applied to t…

It's claimed an aircraft used to transport weapons from the US to Israel passed over County Clare earlier this year. New records obtained by The Ditch shows a cargo plane with the registration X4-ICA entered Irish airspace in Wexford and exited at Kilkee on its way to JFK International Airport in New York on January 14th of this year. The plane tra…

It's hoped the first ever national swimming strategy, which has just been published, will reverse drowning trends in Clare and across the country. The new government plan will aim to provide everyone with an opportunity to swim, with a view to improving general water safety awareness and developing elite athletes. Among the key pillars of the strat…

Morning Focus was broadcasting live from the Edna O'Brien Public Library in Scariff.Firstly, we revisited an issue we discussed last week regarding the pilot school bus scheme for South-East Clare students. We heard from parents Aoife Keogh and Edel Rafferty about a protest that took place in sixmilebridge this morning.After that, Alan was joined b…

The Midwest Hospital Campaign insists an upcoming review of urgent and emergency care in this region must take the views of the public into consideration.HIQA has published the terms of reference for its long-awaited review, which will consider the case for a second emergency department in the Midwest, with the findings to be published next summer.…

Two sections of a popular walking trail at the Cliffs of Moher will be closed today, so that works planned for later in the year can be carried out in the coming weeks. A total of 5,500 metres of the walking route will be closed to the public, with access being prohibited except to members of the emergency services. Clare County Council had propose…

Last week, we brought you the news that parents were concerned and frustrated over plans to pilot a new school bus scheme in South-East Clare. Parents were reacting, after it emerged over 550 students from Cratloe, Newmarket-On-Fergus and Sixmilebridge will be integrated on an enhanced version of the public Ennis to Shannon 343 route. Their concern…

A Clare member of the Oireachtas Health Committee claims the timeline given by HIQA for its review of urgent and emergency care in the Midwest is "stretching it". The Health Information and Quality Authority has published the terms of reference for its review which it's said will "inform decision-making around the design and delivery of urgent and …

The Clare branch of the IFA has dismissed the deferred tax on residential zoned land as a "land grab". Finance Minister Jack Chambers has confirmed the Residential Zoned Land Tax, which would see land zoned for residential development taxed at 3% of its market value, has been deferred until next year. The tax had been proposed to target land hoardi…

A Pot of Films Festival, Ennistymon’s inaugural Community Film Festival, will take place on the 24th of August. In early July we chatted with the festival’s Events & Promotions Manager, Aoibheann Boyle about the callout for short filmmakers to participate in the festival.With the festival looming large on the horizon, Alan Morrissey was joined once…

A member of Clare County Council's housing committee fears the country will suffer "across every vein" unless a new government with a plan for boosting housing delivery comes to power.The spotlight has fallen on the shortfall of social housing here, as a new report has identified Clare as having the eighth lowest rate of local authority housing, as…

A Clare Mother and Baby Home survivor is accusing the State of "dangling a carrot" in front of him and his fellow survivors when it comes to redress.Former Trade Unionist Sheila Nunan was appointed by the Minister for Equality as "expert negotiator" tasked with securing money from church orders for Mother and Baby Home redress in May of last year.S…

Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary are releasing their new album today. Hydra is the fantastic new record from the duo, who are also getting ready to hit the road. They will be supporting the renowned American singer-songwriter Bonnie Prince Billy on his nationwide tour, as well as playing shows of their own.…

A Clare developer claims unless financial benefits are provided, most developers won't undertake large scale, time consuming housing projects.It comes the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers has called on the government to reintroduce the Section 23 tax break which was in effect before the crash to increase the amount of available ren…

Gabriel Kehinde is an Ennis track athlete who became the third-fastest man in Ireland last year, when he finished third in the 100-meter sprint at the National Track and Field Championship. To find out more about his recovery from an injury and to discuss his future plans, Gabriel joined Alan Morrissey in-studio on Wednesday's Morning Focus.…

Research published in The Lancet has recommended a change in how health services view treatment of obesity – that the target should be lifelong health gain rather than weight loss. The Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism says treatments for the disease are needed lifelong to have health benefit. It says the different complications o…

A Clare Government TD insists the Taoiseach should be using stronger wording around the need for a second emergency department in the Midwest. It comes as Taoiseach Simon Harris has said "when it comes to the Midwest, we should have an openness to a second emergency department" pending the findings up the upcoming HIQA review. It's now two weeks si…

Clare FM Preview Of 2024 Clare TUS SHC Round 2By Clare FM

Households and Businesses in Clare are calling on the Government to focus on absorbing costs, rather than fuelling price hikes at the pumps.It comes as Ireland is expected to have the highest levels of diesel tax in Europe after the upcoming budget.More fuel price hikes lie ahead for motorists at the pumps, with Ireland poised to top the EU fuel ta…

It's hope one section of the Cliffs of Moher walking trail could be re-opened as early as the end of September.Following two tragic deaths at the popular North Clare attraction in recent months, the Clare Local Development Company has confirmed 5,500 metres of the trail will be closed to the public from Thursday.Access will be restricted to emergen…

Bus Éireann says it's "very confident" a new revamp of its most popular Clare service will eradicate issues of the past.The 343 bus route is to be come a 24-hour service between Shannon Airport and Limerick - with buses going every 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off peak hours on weekdays.The changes will also see the crea…

A North Clare resident, who's visiually impaired, is calling on the local authority to increase the number of pedestrian crossings in the county.It follows the publication of a new Vision Ireland survey, which shows a 37 per cent increase in reports of injuries caused by obstacles on footpaths nationally in the last 12 months.Lahinch resident Clair…

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O’Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast.On this week’s Travel Tales, Fergal discussed his travel experiences to Provence in France and surrounding areas.By Clare FM

The National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann are today announcing what they say will be “significantly enhanced services and timetables on Route 343, Limerick to Shannon along with three other new or enhanced routes along the Limerick-Shannon-Ennis corridor”. Included in the changes to the 343 route will be a 24-hour service between Shannon Air…

This weekend will see Ennis Fianna Fáil hold its annual commemoration in honour of Commandant Frank Barrett. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael McTigue, Clare Fianna Fáíl PRO and Historian, Paul Minihan.By Clare FM

Those of you on TikTok or Instagram will be familiar with My Crazy Life Caroline, known to her friends and family as Caroline Rushe. Caroline, who lives in Ennis, has amassed over 100,000 followers combined between Instagram and TikTok. Through both social media channels, Caroline entertains her followers with lots of videos offering advice and tip…

A Clare senator claims it would be a "retrograde step" for Ireland if open access to politicians was diminished in any way. It comes as the Garda Commissioner has raised the threat level posed by violent political extremists from moderate to substantial. Responding to the move, the Department of Justice has issued a statement saying "Ireland, like …

It's claimed the redevelopment of an East Clare courthouse would revitalise the town. It comes as Clare County Council has opened consultation on plans for the renovation of the Old Killaloe Courthouse - with the public invited to visit the courthouse on Wednesday from 2-4pm or on Thursday from 6-8pm to share their views. A feasibility study was co…

Join me as I talk about my favourite anime of all time, Naruto! I will be breaking down the elements that made this anime one of the top animes of all time, starting with the plot and characterisation. Don't miss out!! This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

Clare firefighters say raising the retirement age "buys the Government time" to address the more pressing issues in the service.From today, the mandatory age at which those in the fire service, prison service and the Defence Forces can retire will increase from 60 to 62.The measure was among a number of recommendations for firefighters set out by t…

Successive governments "hammering" the pub trade is being blamed for pub closures in Clare.New Department of Housing Data shows local authorities around the country have received 92 notifications to redevelop vacant pubs as residential properties across 2022 and 2023.In Clare, six former pubs are to be redeveloped as 18 residential units.With the n…

Young people in Clare claim the government's proposal to introduce a tax credit for themselves and their peers won't buck historical trends of emigration. Measures to keep recently gradated students in Ireland will be included in the upcoming budget, with calls for it to be central to government policy. The Department of Enterprise's pre-budget sub…

Two Ennis secondary schools have been appointed a new principal ahead of the upcoming school year. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board have announced James O'Shaughnessy as the principal of Ennis Community College and Gaelcoláiste an Chláir. The Limerick man has 17 years of experience teaching within the Limerick and Clare ETB, with the…

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan.This week, Tom gave listeners some advice on growing plants in windswept areas.If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.By Clare FM

If you are aged 25 and under and considering moving abroad, would a tax credit of €750 persuade you to change your mind and remain in Ireland? Enterprise Minister Peter Burke had previously said a €750 tax credit should be put in place for young people in a bid to stop them emigrating abroad after they finish college. Calls are now being made for a…

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Ennis in our weekly legal slot.This week, Sharon discussed the enduring power of attorney.If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us on focus@clare.fmBy Clare FM

Marie O'Connor, who is from Lahinch, was part of the Transplant Sport Ireland team who brought home an incredible 65 medals from the recent European Championships. Marie more than played her part in that superb effort from Team Ireland in Lisbon, Portugal, winning four medals herself. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Marie on Monday's…

It's claimed the people of Miltown have been "sold a disaster" due to persistent water outages affecting homes and businesses in the region. It's after a burst main led to supply disruptions in the Coore, Quilty, Mullagh,Miltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Cooraclare areas for the second time in the space of a month. The West Clare Municipal District…

Bus Eireann is being urged to go back to the drawing board and reinstate a dedicated school bus service in South-East Clare. Under a new pilot scheme commencing next week, over 550 students from Cratloe, Newmarket-On-Fergus and Sixmilebridge will be integrated on an enhanced version of the public Ennis to Shannon 343 route. Parents groups have alre…

Community projects in Clare are set to take a major step forward following a significant funding boost.A total of 26 initiatives across the county are set to benefit from an €800,000 allocation under the Community Climate Action Programme.Among the organisations included are mens sheds, tidy towns committees, GAA clubs and soccer clubs countywide.C…

A summer spike in dogs being abandoned has been been reported in Clare.Within the last week, six dogs have been rescued by Clare's County Dog Warden and all remain unclaimed.The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals observed a 47% increase in the number of dogs it rescued last year and claimed in January that its kennels are at "fu…

A former County Councillor believes it's crucial that road safety education becomes a core part of the school curriculum. It comes as a safe driving programme is set to be rolled out in September for all Transition Year students and will focus on preparing students for learning to drive while educating them on the dangers of unsafe behaviour on the…