A protest underway at Leinster House this lunchtime claims Clare communities will be put directly at risk under the government's LNG plans. It comes as the coalition is currently progressing the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve Bill through the Dáil. The plans would include a Liquified Natural Gas Terminal which could cost up to €900m being located off the coast of Cahercon in Kildysart. Head of Policy with Friends of the Earth Jerry Mac Evilly has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan he believes it will have serious environmental and public health consequences.

Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is appealing to residents and landowners of uplands parts of the county to exercise extreme caution amid a high fire risk. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has put a Condition Orange notice in place nationwide until 6pm on Saturday. The notice warning applies to all areas but especially those where there's live vegetation that could catch fire such as dead grasses, heather and gorse. Clare Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Cormac Falvey has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons any forest fire is "very difficult" to extinguish in conditions like these.

As temperatures continue to climb across the country, experts are reminding families of the importance of helping older loved ones stay safe during hot weather.     Aisling Cooke, National Caregiver Training Manager with Dovida, joined Alan Morrissey to share some practical advice on staying hydrated, keeping cool, recognising the signs of overheating, and ensuring older people remain comfortable and connected during the warm spell. Image (c) Africa images via Canva

As part of Invasive Species Week 2026, a local environmental group in North Clare is inviting the public to learn more about one of Ireland's most damaging invasive plants and the efforts being made to restore a valuable local habitat.  The Restore Ballymacraven River Association has spent the past three years removing Cherry Laurel from the Ballymacraven River corridor near Ennistymon and replacing it with thousands of native Irish trees.   This weekend, the group is hosting an Information and Volunteer Day to highlight the importance of invasive species management and community-led environmental restoration.   Joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the event, the work being carried out along the river, and how local people can get involved was Cía McElveen Walsh, Community Engagement Officer with the Restore Ballymacraven River Association. Photo (c) The Spruce

Excitement is building for the South West Clare Pony Races taking place this Sunday (28th June), promising a fantastic day of family fun and top-class racing.   The event features the West Clare Derby, with a 1st prize of €2,500, as well as a best dressed competition and many more top class prizes.  One of the organisers, Cree Independent councillor, Dinny Gould joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the event. Photo (c) nigelb10 from Getty Images via Canva

Swiss headquartered pharma giant, Roche is looking to sell its former manufacturing site in Co. Clare where it has spent more than €150m in “one of the largest remediation projects of its type in Europe”.   This follows Roche Ireland appointing Cushman & Wakefield to bring to market the 36-hectare (88-acre) site, in Clarecastle, Co. Clare.   The appointment follows a formal engagement to manage the sale of the site, which is zoned for mixed use, with a clear objective of identifying a best-in-class investor capable of delivering sustainable employment and long-term economic benefit to the region.   To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey spoke with Paul Murphy, Mayor of Clare and Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor. Photo (c) Clare FM

The long-standing friendship between Ennis and its twin city of Phoenix, Arizona continues to thrive through Ennis-Phoenix Youth Ambassadors Programme, an initiative that gives young people the opportunity to experience life on the other side of the Atlantic, build lasting friendships and immerse themselves in a different culture.    This summer, Ennis is welcoming a new group of Youth Ambassadors from Phoenix, while local students will later have the chance to make the return journey to Arizona.    Joining Alan Morrissey to tell us more about the programme and their experiences were Phoenix Youth Ambassadors Julian Ruiz and Elise Taylor, along with Mary Howard, Chairperson of the Ennis-Phoenix Twinning Board.   Photo (c) Clare FM

A special candlelight concert is being planned in County Clare this October in memory of a much-loved young woman whose life touched so many people in her community.    The event, organised by Kirsty Donnellan in memory of her daughter Scarlett, will celebrate Scarlett's love of music while also raising funds for The Katie Trust, a charity that supports families affected by domestic violence and hidden domestic homicide.    Scarlett was part of the Obair family from a very young age, progressing through its crèche, after-schools and youth programmes, while her mother Kirsty also played an important role in the organisation through her work with local children and families.    Joining Alan Morrissey to tell him more about the concert, the community support behind it and the work it hopes to support were Kirsty Donnellan, James Brannigan, founder of The Katie Trust, and Siobhan O'Driscoll, Community Development Officer with Obair Newmarket-on-Fergus. Photo (c) Kirsty Donnellan via Facebook

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has secured funding to continue its Deep Diving & Rare Species Investigation Programme for another three years, helping researchers learn more about some of the least understood marine mammals in Irish waters.    The project has already examined several rare species, including Ireland's first recorded narwhal, and most recently a mother and calf pair of Sowerby's beaked whales that stranded in County Galway.     To tell us more about the programme, the latest findings, and what they reveal about our marine environment, Alan Morrissey was joined by Mags Daly, Head of the Shannon Dolphin Project with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Photo (c) ANDREYGUDKOV from Getty Images Pro via Canva

The incoming Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District  has pledged to continue the "harmony" in East Clare local politics while standing against plans that could harm the region.    Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke has handed the chain of office to Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O'Brien who'll take his fourth turn in the Cathaoirleach's chair since first being elected in 2004.    The Killaloe native, who previously served as a National Bus and Rail Union official, was also Mayor of Clare from 2022 to 2023.    The changing of the guard took place at the annual general meeting of Killaloe MD in the Killaloe/Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre.    Clare FM's Seán Lyons went along and spoke to the new Cathaoirleach who expressed that it was the perfect setting for the occasion.  Meanwhile, in the Shannon Municipal District, Clonlara Independent Councillor Michael Begley has been appointed Cathaoirleach for the second time in three years.     He succeeds Cllr John Crowe in the role and will be supported by Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr David Griffin.     Cllr Begley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan about the areas where he wants to see improvements. Photo (c) kasto via Canva

Most 12-year-olds spend their weekends playing sport, meeting friends or relaxing, but one young Shannon girl is preparing to take on one of Ireland's toughest mountain challenges.  Kaya Wisniewska is attempting the demanding 32-kilometre Galtee Mountains ridge traverse, which includes a staggering 1,700 metres of climbing.   If successful, she will become the youngest girl ever to complete the full route, beating the current record held by a 16-year-old.  It's a challenge that's been a year in the making, with Kaya and her father, Wojtek, covering hundreds of kilometres in training across Clare and beyond, supported by medical and sports science experts along the way.  Joining Alan Morrissey were Kaya and her dad, Wojtek, to tell him about the challenge, the preparation and what they hope to achieve this weekend. Photo (c) Clare FM