Podcasts about Doonbeg

The Design Brief is back and this time I'm chatting with another member of The Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, Ryan Van Der Veen.Ryan joins me to chat about his career, beginning with his time in golf course construction from a young age back in the USA where he was born. After getting his start using heavy machinery on weekends and school holidays, it was during his time studying at Purdue University where Ryan was given an opportunity to work with the late great Pete Dye with the reconstruction of their golf courses.From this early association with Pete Dye, Ryan was offered an opportunity to work at a golf course Pete Dye was building that in time would become the revered Whistling Straits Golf Course!Along with working with Pete Dye, Ryan spent a number years working as part of Greg Norman Golf Course Design team outside the USA including constructing the spectacular new Doonbeg in Ireland. It would soon turn that Ryan was asked to work in Australia with the Norman design team at a new golf course being constructed outside Adelaide in South Australia, when things soon changed thanks to the GFC! Ryan worked on a few other projects leading the Norman design and build team at some of our well known golf courses including Grange in Adelaide and Cathedral Lodge in Victoria, before life would soon see Ryan stay here in Australia and start his own golf course design business - Van Der Veen Designs.Join us for a great yarn hearing some wonderful stories from Ryan of building and now designing some great golf courses.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠Send me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Ryan Van Der Veen - FacebookRyan Van Der Veen - SAGCA Profilesagca.com.auPete Dye - WikipediaPalmira Golf ClubPurdue University Golf ClubWhistling Straits Golf CourseBlackwolf RunBarefoot Golf & ResortTrump International Golf Links - Doonbeg CopperClub The Dunes - Port HughesThe Grange Golf ClubEastern Golf ClubCathedral Lodge & Golf Club - Greg Norman Golf Course DesignNew South Wales Golf ClubThe Huntley Development - Landscape ConceptGlenelg Golf ClubDye Designs GroupGreg Norman Golf Course DesignLove Golf DesignFazio Design

Today, we were joined by Madeleine Shinnick — a devoted grandmother who raised her children in the coastal village of Doonbeg before moving to Galway in 2011. What was meant to be a joyful family outing turned into a heart-stopping moment of fear along the shores of Lahinch — a place as beautiful as it is dangerous when the tide rolls in. Her 11-year-old grandson Michael was swept into the sea by a sudden riptide — a terrifying force that catches even the strongest swimmers off guard. For a few long seconds, he vanished from view. But thanks to the quick, selfless actions of four complete strangers, Michael was pulled from the waves and brought safely back to shore. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by grandmother, Madeleine Shinnick. Photo(C): Madeleine Shinnick.

Clare County Council is calling for a dedicated Oireachtas committee to scrutinise ambulance response problems here. The local authority is seeking a full investigation into an incident which resulted in a woman waiting three hours by the roadside following a single vehicle crash in Doonbeg. It's also requesting a probe into the awarding of the new Coast Guard Search and Rescue Aviation contract to Bristow Ireland, amid concerns over training, which it's understood has restricted operating hours to between 8am and 8pm. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says hard questions need to be answered.

Although its planning application remains live, and its latest objector is the great Tommy Tiernan(!), Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta's plans for a 450mw offshore windfarm off the coast of Clare and Galway is not going ahead. Corio, the company behind the development have halted the €1.4bn plans citing environmental challenges that and site investigations indicating the location meant the windfarm would not be resilient enough during an extreme weather event. The 30 proposed turbines were due to a have maximum tip height of 325m and were predicted to generate enough power for 350,000 homes along with a community benefit fund of €70m over the next 20 years. Specifically to Clare, works included grid connection cables at Doonbeg and an electrical compensation compound near Killimer. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch has been reacting to the news, and he's been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan he's worried about the connotations this could have for other projects in Clare in the near future... To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor, Rita McInerney. Picture (c) thebroker via Canva

Concerns Over Child Accessing Highly Dangerous Doonbeg Playground Construction Site Concerns are being expressed over children gaining access to what is described as a highly dangerous playground construction site in Doonbeg. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Colm Killeen, PRO of Doonbeg Playground Committee.

The Tánaiste says he will be demanding answers from the HSE's CEO as to how a Clare woman waited over 3 hours by the roadside for an ambulance following a crash. The incident took place in Doonbeg last Monday after a woman was involved in a single vehicle collision, and required a unit of Kilkee Fire Brigade to remain at the scene until an ambulance arrived. The Government has since signalled it will be rolling out additional community paramedics here to deal with low acuity calls. Speaking during a visit to Ennis, Tánaiste Simon Harris says it was an unacceptable episode.

Clare is set to be allocated more community paramedics to deal with low acuity ambulance calls. It follows a recent incident in Doonbeg in which a woman waited over three hours for an ambulance following a road traffic collision. Construction is expected to begin on a new ambulance base in Kilrush this year, but the Dáil has now heard calls for another ambulance base to be built here, to bring the county's total to six. Responding to Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, Junior Health Minister Mary Butler says there are plans to improve services.

A woman's three-hour roadside wait for an ambulance following a road traffic collision in West Clare has been slammed as outrageous by a government TD. The National Ambulance Service was alerted to a single vehicle incident in Doonbeg at roughly half 11 yesterday morning, but had no resource available to respond to the scene. The Cork based air ambulance was eventually dispatched, and then stood down when a road ambulance became available - by the time the woman reached hospital, it was an almost four-hour ordeal. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe insists he'll be raising the incident with the Health Minister.

One of the people behind a protest at Trump Doonbeg in recent days says their main motivation was to remind locals that the site's owner is a felon. A vigil was held at the entrance to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg this week, where signs displaying the slogans "genocide supported here", "stop genocide" and "Trump is a felon" could be read. The demonstration came just five days after an incident of criminal damage at the property in which two greens were dug up and Palestinian flags were mounted. Eileen Thomas from The People of Clare Against Genocide says the US President's criminal history and unequivocal support for Israel are no secrets.

It is time for the twelfth episode of our second season of The Village Tour. With The Village Tour, we here at Morning Focus are aiming to highlight the smaller villages and townlands around the county. By doing this, we hope to showcase their unique character, while also bringing their diversity and individuality to life for you, the listener. During each episode of The Village Tour, Alan chats with various people from a particular village or townland in Clare: from locals and business owners to those involved with local sports clubs, community representatives, and many more. In our latest episode of The Village Tour, Alan paid a visit to Doonbeg...

PJ hears from Eoin who wrote a song about Conor McGregor's White House appearance and Karen Dempsey a humanist celebrant who says she will no longer accept bookings at Doonbeg which is (or was at least!) a popular sport for humanist ceremonies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St. Patrick's Day diplomacy, a shifting global order, and Trump whispering in Micheál Martin's ear; he's nursing more than a hangover with his front-row seat to the chaos economy of Trump's America. This week, we break down the Irish leader's White House shindig, the Doonbeg-ification of Irish diplomacy, and why Trump sees Ireland as a useful pawn in his battle with Europe. Meanwhile, Brexit is floundering, Germany is rearming, and Britain is quietly edging back toward the EU. Could Keir Starmer be the man to undo Brexit? And why does Trump's economic vision for America sound suspiciously like Ireland in the 1970s; low-wage, low-productivity, and stuck making three-in-one stereos? From the horse whisperer to the Trump whisperer, from NATO to Naas Road manufacturing, this one has it all. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A West Clare councillor has condemned an incident of criminal damage at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg as an "attack on private property". Believed to have taken place between 5pm and midnight on Wednesday, the incident is understood to have involved holes being dugs and Palestinian flags being mounted on the site's golf course. Gardaí are currently appealing for witnesses and have asked for video footage including dash-cam to be made available to them. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney insists there's a better way people can express their political convictions.

Water, sand dunes, roads that aren't up to scratch...these are among the issues affecting Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by General Manager of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg, Joe Russell. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=8475460599176985&set=a.326012564121870

Peter O'Connell visits Doonbeg in Co. Clare where US President Donald Trump owns a golf resort and Rita McInerney, Fianna Fáil Councillor in Co Clare, reacts to her name being mentioned in The White House yesterday.

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Monday's Morning Focus by Clare FM's Derrick Lynch, Tommy Guilfoyle and Syl O'Connor. Games Reviewed: National Hurling League Division 1A: Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-21 (Sunday, TUS Gaelic Grounds) National Camogie League Division 1B: Down 0-11 Clare 1-10 (Saturday) National Football League Division Three: Clare 2-12 Kildare 1-16 (Sunday, Cusack Park) National Ladies Football League Division Three: Clare 1-9 Monaghan 4-11 (Sunday, Doonbeg)

To preview the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday's Morning Focus by Clare FM's Derrick Lynch. Games Previewed: National Hurling League Division 1A: Clare v Cork (Sunday, Cusack Park, 3:15pm) National Football League Division Three: Sligo v Clare (Sunday, Markievicz Park, 1:30pm), All Ireland PPS Senior C Football Final: Ennistymon Community School v St Clare's Comprehensive Manorhamilton (Saturday, Tuam Stadium, 1pm) Munster U20 Football Championship: Clare v Waterford (Saturday, Doonbeg, 2pm).

Preparations are continuing around Clare for this year's St. Patrick's Day parades. To check in to see what lies in store for a host of the parades, Alan Morrissey was joined by multiple guests: Rita McInerney from Doonbeg, Arlene White from Ballina/Killaloe John Saunders from Kilkee Sharon Donnelly from Lisdoonvarna Micheál Healy from Miltown Malbay Anne Pilkington from Fanore Patsy McDermot from Doolin Rebecca Brew from Kilrush Johnny Richardson from Ennistymon Kate O'Sullivan from Scarriff/Tuamgraney Claire Coughlan from Newmarket On Fergus. Deirdre Duff from Tulla Photo(C): levers2007 getty images via Canva

On Monday's Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art's Officer Siobhán Mulcahy. Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week's live events for entertainment lovers in the Banner County. This week, Siobhán told us about The Outrun in Kilkee, Beauty Queen of Leenane in Doonbeg and much more. Photo (C): Clare FM

To review the sporting fixtures, Alan Morrissey was joined on Monday's Morning Focus by Clare FM's Derrick Lynch, Syl O'Connor, and Kieran Madigan. Games Reviewed: National Hurling League Division 1A: Limerick 0-21 Clare 1-21 (Sunday, TUS Gaelic Grounds) National Camogie League Division 1B: Down 0-11 Clare 1-10 (Saturday) National Football League Division Three: Clare 2-12 Kildare 1-16 (Sunday, Cusack Park) National Ladies Football League Division Three: Clare 1-9 Monaghan 4-11 (Sunday, Doonbeg)

To discuss what is coming up in the sporting calendar, Alan Morrissey was joined on Friday's Morning Focus by Clare FM's Derrick Lynch. Games previewed: National Hurling League Division 1A: Limerick v Clare (Sunday, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3:45pm) National Football League Division Three: Clare v Kildare (Sunday, Cusack Park, 2pm) National Camogie League Division 1B: Down v Clare (Saturday) National Ladies Football League Division Three: Clare v Monaghan (Sunday, Doonbeg)

The West Clare Drama Festival is making its eagerly awaited return. The 2025 edition of the festival will run for nine days, from this Saturday, the 1st of March, to Sunday, the 9th of March. Nine unforgettable nights of dramatic excellence, featuring top-tier performances from drama groups across Ireland is promised across the entirety of the West Clare Drama Festival. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Chairperson of the Festival Committee, Andrew Killeen. Photo (C): West Clare Drama Festival Doonbeg Facebook

A West Clare business owner and local representative claims the Government has failed to adequately support businesses that have been affected by Storm Éowyn. Homeowners who've suffered financial losses as a result of the recent extreme weather are eligible for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which is operated by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme doesn't commercial, agricultural or business losses however, and Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney is calling for a suite of measures including a rates refund, direct grants, low-interest loans, and temporary tax relief. Councillor McInerney, who's also the proprietor of McInerney's XL in Doonbeg, says local businesses have held communities together in recent weeks and believes the State is giving them little thanks.

Oliver previews the inauguration of Donald Trump and speaks to two business owners in Doonbeg 

It's hoped West Clare is in line for a jobs boost following the announcement of a major new offshore wind project. Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta is planning to build a 30 turbine wind farm off the coast of Clare and Galway and is promising a community benefit fund of €70m over the next 20 years. The local works will also involve an electrical compensation compound at Ballymacrinan near Killimer and a construction compound at Killard, Doonbeg, where a 68.5km sea cable will make landfall. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Councillor Rita McInerney says its vital communities in this county see the benefits.

Frustrations have been highlighted in West Clare following persistent water outages over the Christmas period. Its been reported that residents in Doonbeg and the surrounding area have experienced intermittent supply disruptions, since the 20th of December between 10am and 8pm. Uisce Eireann has confirmed essential works will be undertaken until 6pm tomorrow evening, confirming to Clare FM bursts on both December 20th and 23rd contributed to low pressure or outages. Doonbeg resident Geraldine O'Brien, says the ongoing lack of guaranteed clean water supply is unfair and unjust.

Meanwhile 9,000 homes and businesses remain without power this morning. More Than six thousand properties lost supply at the peak of the storm last night. The worst hit areas were in the west and North of the county with the likes of Kildysart, Kilrush, Corofin, Doonbeg, Ennistymon, The Hand, Kilfenora and Ennis bieng heavily effected. ESB Technical Manager Michael Sammin say crews are working to restore supply, but admits its expected to take till tomorrow for electricity to be restored for many.

Thousands of homes and businesses in Clare could remain without power overnight tonight, in the wake of Storm Darragh. Around 9,000 properties in the banner lost supply at the peak of the storm weather, as gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour battered the county. The worst affected areas include Crusheen, Ruan, Clooney, Tulla, Flagmount, Kilmaley and Doonbeg. Currently 4,000 customers in across Clare remain without power and ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin says it could take some time to restore supply. Meanwhile, Clare County Fire Service is urging motorists and pedestrians to remain cautious. Clare County Council crews responded to 62 callouts overnight, dealing with fallen trees and debris on the roads. A status yellow wind warning for Clare lifted at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Clare's Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly says, however, there may still be some areas where dangerous conditions remain.

A host of Christmas markets and Christmas fairs will be happening all around County Clare this month. On Thursday's Morning Focus, we focused on Christmas festivities in Mountshannon, Broadford, Kilrush and Doonbeg. To find out what is planned, Alan Morrissey was joined by Frank Bouchier of Mountshannon Christmas Market, Karen O'Connor of Broadford Christmas Market, Eamon Peters of Kilrush Christmas Market and Karen McInerney of Doonbeg Christmas Market. Photo (c): Oleksandr P from Pexels via Canva

Works to significantly reduce leakages in a Clare community plagued by water outages will commence in the coming weeks. Uisce Eireann has confirmed it will be replacing 4km of water mains along the N67 from Doonbeg village as far as Baltard National School as part of it's National Leakage Reduction Programme. The project is expected to be complete by next Spring, and the utility has assured that at least 48 hours notice will be provided in the event of any planned supply disruptions or traffic diversions during the works. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says it's vital for the region's development.

Donald Trump, a frequent visitor to his golf course in Doonbeg, is expected to return as President. But do presidential visits really impact local businesses? Our reporter, Siofra Mulqueen, has been exploring this question.

On Atlantic Tales this week, Pat visits Shragh near Doonbeg in West Clare where John O'Loughlin and his partner Sara have established Wild Irish Farm. We'll hear how John left his fulltime job to pursue the venture and how it hasn't been without challenges.

It's claimed all post offices in Clare are at risk amid the closure of a prominent Ennis branch. An Post has confirmed its Market Street office will shut for the final time at 4pm on October 31st, as it has been unable to fill a vacancy arising from the retirement of the outgoing Postmaster. It marks the seventh post office closure in Clare since 2018, with, Broadford,Cree, Craggagh-Fanore, Doonbeg, Lissycasey and Kilfenora all having lost their institutions in recent years. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor and Postmaster Tom O'Callaghan says the current operating model is flawed.

Council Aims To Deliver Homes Countywide As Doonbeg Development Contracts Signed by Clare FM

There has been a problem with discoloured water in the West Clare village of Doonbeg. To find out more about the situation, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fianna Fáil Councillor, Rita McInerney, resident of Doonbeg, Jennie Drysdale and Angela Fitzpatrick of Doonbeg Community Development. Photo (c) by towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya via Canva

Residents of a West Clare village plagued by persistent water issues are said to be "pulling their hair out" once again this week due to widespread discolouration. A large watermain burst has resulted in discoloured water in many homes and businesses in Doonbeg as well as parts of Kilrush, Cahermurphy and Moneypoint. Uisce Éireann says repair works have taken place and discolouration "is not unusual" following such works, while it's advised customers not to drink discoloured water and to run the tap for several minutes in order to restore water to a clear colour. Doonbeg resident Jennie Drysdale, whose husband suffers from multiple sclerosis meaning they need constant access to clean water, says people in the area are sick and tired of seemingly never-ending problems with their water supply.

The end of legacy water supply issues could soon be on the horizon for a prominent West Clare village. Uisce Eireann has taken the decision to elevate the replacement of 6km of water mains in Doonbeg to the top of its regional priority list. It follows persistent outages caused by bursts on the network's obsolete infrastructure this year, which is also the main artery to Loop Head and has caused significant disruption for tourists, residents, local businesses and farmers. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says while it's a positive step, funding must be secured in budget 2025 to bring the project to fruition.

On Ireland's west coast, far from the noise and fury of US partisan politics, presidential contender Donald Trump has been bested by a fearsome foe: a tiny snail no larger than a pin prick. Naomi and Tim dig into the curious links between the Republican candidate and this windswept corner of Ireland, most notably the village of Doonbeg, where the development of a Trump golf course transformed local fortunes. We speak to journalist Kate Demolder about her experience reporting in the town and the local tensions she discovered between economic dependence on Trump, and deep reservations about his politics. Finally, Naomi and Tim consider what's at stake for Ireland in the coming US election and whether the relationship between Trump and Doonbeg is a microcosm of Ireland's policy towards the US. Naomi recalls her experience reporting on Trump in Scotland in 2016 and the red flags that were evident then in our bonus debrief episode over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/112180566/

This Saturday sees the official opening of the Fair Green Sensory Garden at the Fair Green in Doonbeg. The Fair Green has been transformed into a coastal landscape that mirrors Doonbeg's marine environment. The event will see Cillian Murphy cutting the ribbon, multiple speakers and will finish in Igoe's restaurant. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Comerford, Founding member of Doonbeg Tidy Towns and Jennie Drysdale, Chairperson of Doonbeg Tidy Towns.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch speaking with Joe Garry and Paudie Carmody to preview the opening games of the 2024 TUS Clare SFC & IFC SFC Fixtures Friday @ 7.30pm KIB v Eire Óg in Cooraclare (G1) Cratloe v Miltown in Clarecastle (G3) Barefield v Breckans in Corofin (G2) ======= Saturday Kilmihil v Lissycasey in Kilrush at 2pm (G1) Ennistymon v Doonbeg in Miltown at 6pm (G3) Kildysart v Corofin 7pm in Clarecastle (G2) ================ IFC Friday KIlrush v Banner in Lissycasey at 7.30pm Saturday Coolmeen v Liscannor in Quilty at 3pm Cooraclare v Killimer in Doonbeg at 2pm Tones v O'Curry's in Lissycasey at 6pm Naomh Eoin v Clondegad in Miltown at 4pm Sunday Shannon Gaels v Ennistymon in Quilty at 12pm

As part of the Climate Change Advisory Council's review of the built environment sector, a reccomendation has been made for houses in Ireland to move towards more sustainable means of heating. The review has also called on the Government to make heat pumps both cheaper and easier for people to install. The habitats directive was brought in by the European Commission to protect designated raised bog and blanket bogs from turf cutting and the Commission is set to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failure to apply the directive. At present, despite grants being available to install heat pumps in homes, concerns remain surrounding the cost of making a house more enironmentally sustainability. Doonbeg resident and member of the Clare Branch of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Willie Hanrahan say people who have always cut turf, should continue to. He believes the undertaking of installing a heating system is not a viable option for old houses. The Green Party Deputy Leader claims that there are many other financially viable alternatives to turf though. Smokeless coal, stoves, aswell as retrofitting and insulation are reccomended as alternatives, with grants and government loans available for retrofitting to take place. Deputy Leader of the Green Party, Clare's Roisin Garvey, insists people should focus more on measures that prevent heat from escaping their house.

Concern has emerged that some elderly people in Clare have no way of heating their homes, without burning turf. It follows a recommendation from the Climate Change Advisory Council to remove open fires from their homes, in favour of installing heat pumps. As part of the Climate Change Advisory Council's review of the built environment sector, a recommendation has been made for houses in Ireland to move towards more sustainable means of heating. The review has also called on the Government to make heat pumps both cheaper and easier for people to install. The habitats directive was brought in by the European Commission to protect designated raised bog and blanket bogs from turf cutting and the Commission is set to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failure to apply the directive. At present, despite grants being available to install heat pumps in homes, concerns remain surrounding the cost of making a house more environmentally sustainable. Doonbeg resident and member of the Clare Branch of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Willie Hanrahan say people who have always cut turf, should continue to. He believes the undertaking of installing a heating system is not a viable option for old houses. The Green Party Deputy Leader claims that there are many other financially viable alternatives to turf though. Smokeless coal, stoves, as well as retrofitting and insulation are recommended as alternatives, with grants and government loans available for retrofitting to take place. Deputy Leader of the Green Party, Clare's Roisin Garvey, insists people should focus more on measures that prevent heat from escaping their house.

A Shannon company is aiming to provide the "next generation" of drug detection technology to be used along Clare's coast. Shannon firm A-techsyn, which manufactures high-tech drones including specialist drug interdiction military equipment, has enterted into the DTIF-GUard initiative with the Naval Service to provide surveillance technology for monitoring drug traffickers. The firm has been granted authorisation by the Irish Aviation Authority to use airspace off the coast of Doonbeg - thus allowing it travel 28 kilometres out and 2,500 feet high as it perfects the unmanned aircraft. Administrative Manager Denis Collins says their collaboration with the navy has given them access to vital information which is aiding them in developing the tech.

It's predicted sightings of stranded or beached sharks will become more commonplace off Clare's west coast due to rising sea temperatures and increased fishing activity. It comes in a week when a 6.3 metre long basking shark has been found entangled in lobster pot rope in Baltard near Doonbeg which is the 12th such report nationwide so far this year. Under the Wildlife Act, it's illegal to wilfully interfere with or kill basking sharks but the law doesn't apply to incidental entanglement. Kilrush resident and CEO of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Dr Simon Berrow has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that the rise in reported incidents of stranded sharks can be seen as a positive in terms of conservation as it means more sharks are swimming in our waters.

Jazz lovers are advised to make their way to Doonbeg for the June bank holiday weekend. The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival, taking place from the 31st of May to the 3rd of June, will feature 11 bands and 27 performances across four days. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Philippa Siegrist on Monday's Morning Focus. Picture (c) Doonbeg Jazz Festival

There are calls for more new social housing schemes to be spread throughout West Clare as a matter of urgency. It comes as over 400 households in the region are awaiting an offer of social housing from the local authority. There are currently plans to construct 17 social honmes in Kilrush by 2025, with a further 61 units due to come on stream between Kilkee, Doonbeg and Kilrush during 2026. Quilty based Fianna Fáil local election candidate Michael Shannon believes these developments are not being spread wide enough.

Clare's Dog Warden is issuing a renewed warning after an incident involving visitors to a popular West Clare beach. On Sunday, a boxer dog at Doughmore Beach in Doonbeg was judged to have posed a danger while a group of photographers and family with young children were on the beach. A €300 fine was subsequently issued to the owners under the Control of Dogs Act. Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote says people need to be aware of the potential public safety risks of their dogs.

Uisce Eireann is confident that recent works completed across Clare will bring legacy supply issues to an end. It comes as the utility has replaced 3km of damaged water mains with new modern pipes across Ennis, Creegh in Kilrush and Ennistymon. Uisce Eireann is currently progressing with similar works on a 670m stretch in Balinoosky, Newmarket-On-Fergus that will aim to address high levels of leakage, while further projects are planned for Doonbeg and Sixmilebridge. Programme Manager Jack Cronin insists there will be long lasting benefits for local homes and businesses.

Concern has been expressed that the livelihoods of West Clare residents are being severely disrupted due to persistent flooding. It comes as the local authority has been requested to carry out river widening works in the Shragh and Mountrivers areas of Doonbeg to alleviate pressure on farmers, properties and roads. Clare County Council has stated though that the Doonbeg River does not fall under it's remit or the Office of Public Work's and that therefore the possibility of remedial works going ahead is "remote". Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says central government needs to take the issue on board immediately.

Uisce Éireann is reassuring that the replacement of old water mains in Doonbeg is a priority and that it will continue to work closely with local operational teams to prioritise watermains replacement across the county. The utility is repairing leaking pipe network infrastructure and replacing ageing and problematic watermains on a prioritised basis in Clare, with works currently being carried out in the Ennis, Ennistymon and Alva, Creegh areas. A section of works to carry out watermains replacement in Doonbeg is currently moving through a detailed design stage and Uisce Éireann says it will communicate clear details of the project to stakeholders and the local community before it goes to the construction phase. It comes in the wake of criticism from West Clare Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Murphy, who says ongoing disruption to supply in the Doonbeg area is hugely disruptive.