Podcasts about west clare

A West Clare childcare provider says it may have to hire extra staff if a planned expansion of its services gets the green light. KCD Playschool, which is located in St Michael's Community Centre in Kilmihil is in the process of seeking planning permission to allow is to offer a before school breakfast club in addition to its daytime services. Kilmihil Community Development, which runs the playschool, is holding its AGM at 8pm tonight in the community centre where it's understood the future of the service will be a topic of discussion. Chairperson of Kilmihil Community Development, Martin Keane, says adding new staff members to its roster is one avenue they're considering.

http://copperplatemailorder.com/podcast505                     Copperplate Time 505                     presented by Alan O'Leary                             www.copperplatemailorder.com                              Music & Mischief1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.  After Hours 2. Goitse: The Dog Reels.  úr3. PJ & Marcus Hernon:  Farewell to Cashel/When Sick is it Tea You Want/Contentment is Wealth/Watt Henry's.  Celebrating 50 Years 4. Christy Moore:   Boy in the World. A Terrible Beauty 5. Le Cheile:  Bucks of Oranmore. Lord Mayo6. Sean Keane: Jennie's Welcome to Charlie/The Connaught Heifers.   Seoda Ceoil 7. Elaine Reilly:  The Fergus Reel/Girl Who Broke My Heart.  Epiphany 8. Eleanor Shanley:  Lovely Leitrim.  Garadice                                   9. Dan Brouder & Angelina Carberry: The Fairy Jig/The Ceide Jig/   The Friendly Robin.   A Waltz for Joy 10. Bobby Casey:   Colonel Fraser/Toss the Feathers.                  The Spirit of West Clare 11. Caoimhin O'Fearghaill:  John Lydon's/Nora Criona.                Uilleann Piping in Waterford 12. John Regan & Patsy Moloney:            Sport of the Chase/The Priest in his Boots. Over the Bog Road 13. Wizz & Simeon Jones:  Magical Flight. Late Nights & Long Days14. Liam O'Flynn & Mark Knopfler:   An Droichead (The Bridge).                      Masters of Their Craft 15. Eilis Kennedy: Who Knows Where the Time Goes. Time to Sail 16. Colum Sands: Look Where I've Ended Up Now.                  Look Where I've Ended Up Now 17. Martin & Eliza Carthy:  The Handsome Cabin Boy.                Transform Me The Into A Fish 18. Oonagh Derby: Silver Shoes.   Harmony Street19. Ralph McTell: Somewhere Down the Road.                 Somewhere Down the Road 20. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill. After Hours

A west Clare community group has been awarded almost €2 million by the Department of Agriculture to carry out a sustainable farming project. Loop Head Together CLG has been awarded €1.75 million to conduct a soil carbon enhancement project to determine the feasibility of restoring soil health in coastal farming regions of Ireland. It forms part of an overall investment of €17.8 million in eleven projects under the European Innovation Partnership, which forms part of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tulla Fianna Fáil Deputy Timmy Dooley, says the Loop Head project will help develop better practices nationwide while aiding in hitting sustainability targets.

We begin today's show with a chat I had with a Morning Focus listener, who is concerned about roads resurfacing in rural Clare. Pádraig O'Cuidighthigh believes the approach to resurfacing roads in the West of the county is more of an indication of ‘madness in the method', than ‘method in the madness.' Indeed, Pádraig has described the road from Kilkee to the Loophead peninsula as defying “all forms of logic”. Earlier, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pádraig O'Cuidighthigh to discuss this further.

Clare's elected representatives are being accused of not doing their bit to ensure roads in the west of the county meet basic standards. Cooraclare-based nurse June Dillon, who ran for Aontú in the 2024 General Election, is calling for urgent action on roads in the Kildysart, Killimer and Cree areas. The Kilrush Municipal District has been given the greatest funding allocation in the county for maintenance of local roads in 2025, with €8.56 million granted to the area - an increase of €40% on last year. June says road conditions in certain parts of the region pose a threat to vehicles.

Grave concern has been expressed for the future of the West Clare Railway Greenway. It's after Transport Infrastructure Ireland rejected a funding application from Clare County Council to progress the Ennistymon to Moyasta section of the route. TII has granted over €1.3m in funding to advance works along the Kilkee to Kilrush and Ennis to Ennistymon sections this year, and says it will give "consideration" to funding the route to Moyasta in 2026. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says local businesses are depending on the project to be delivered on time.

A West Clare town has the third-lowest average household income nationwide. New data published by the Central Statistics Office has revealed that Kilrush has the highest proportion of people in the county making less than €20,000 a year. Meanwhile, the town at the top of Clare's household income table is Sixmilebridge, where residents make €53,666 on average. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Mary O'Donoghue of West Clare Family Resource Centre and Alan O'Callaghan as Mayor of Clare to give a regional imbalance overview and Sixmilebridge angle as local councillor. Photo(C): Visit Clare Facebook

A fantastic play set in West Clare will be making its way to Ennis next month. The Loved Ones by Erica Murray will take to the stage at Glór on the 7th of May (Wednesday, 8pm). To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Helen Norton. Photo(C): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1201827605279735&set=pcb.1201827731946389

Jim Enright is this year's Munster Scór Long Service Award recipient at the All-Ireland Senior Scór Finals taking place in Castlebar this Saturday, April 26th. Jim first took part in Scór on Bloody Sunday, January 1972. The event was postponed due to the outrage. Jim has taken part every year since then with little success until Flann O'Reilly from West Clare and Michael Thorne from South Tipperary came on board. They have won numerous Trath na gCeist County titles, four Munster titles and one All Ireland title in that period. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by livestock farmer from Cratloe, Jim Enright. Photo. (c) Jim Enright being congratulated by the Munster GAA Chairman Tim Murphy

A blanket bog, home to two rare and protected birds, the merlin and the hen harrier, is being successfully rewetted to provide a wildlife sanctuary for rare habitats and numerous species of conservation concern, thanks to a new partnership between a west Clare farmer, the local community and Clare County Council. To discuss this further, Peter O'Connell was joined by Clare County Council's Biodiversity Officer, Barry O'Loughlin. Photo(C): Dennis Carson getty images via canva

The lack of progress on major projects aimed at reviving West Clare's capital has been criticised by a local councillor. The local authority has been requested to provide details on the development of the Kilrush Maritime Training Centre, public realm enhancements for Frances Street and the town square, and the refurbishment of the Old Mars Cinema. A state commissioned taskforce has set a target of developing a maritime centre of excellence in Kilrush this year, while public consultation on future plans for the Mars Cinema concluded last June. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says it time for action.

As you've been hearing on Clare FM news, new hopon hop-off shuttle bus service linking towns, villages and visitor attractions throughout North and West Clare is the subject of public consultation and engagement sessions taking place in Miltown Malbay and Kilfenora on Monday (April 7, 2025) and Tuesday (April 8, 2025) next. The free “Burren and Cliffs Explorer” set to be launched by Clare County Council, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), this summer will be open to online and onsite bookings. To tell us more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor, Joe Garrihy. Photo(C): mladn61 from Getty Images Signature via canva

It's claimed West Clare has been left in a spiral of playing catch up when it comes to its roads network. Although the Kilrush Electoral Area's schedule of works budget has been increased by 40% this year to €8.5m, the majority of this will go towards local and regional roads. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, meanwhile, has recently allocated Clare just over €2m for works on national roads, but none of this has been ringfenced for the west of the county. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District Councillor Rita McInerney says the most important roads are being ignored.

On this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn chats with West Clare based designer and owner of Sallyann's Handmade Bags, Sallyann Marron.

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.

Clare County Fire Service is appealing to landowners to be on the lookout for illegal activity or any behaviour that could lead to the spread of fire on land. It comes as local authority crews from Kilrush and Kilkee have been dealing with a number of blazes in the Moanmore/Shragh areas of West Clare in recent days. A Status Orange High Forrest Fire Risk Warning remains in place across the country until noon on Friday, which means there's a high risk of fires spreading in areas where there's hazardous fuels such as dead grasses, or shrubs like heather and gorse. Clare's Chief County Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly has been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that household rubbish scattered in the Moanmore/Shragh areas, which appears to have been dumped there, may have contributed to the spread of fire.

A proposed wind farm off Clare's west coast is being described as the "foundation stone" for attracting multinational companies to the region. Clare's elected councillors have convened this week to discuss the planned 450-megawatt Sceirdre Rocks Offshore Wind Farm which would consist of 30 wind turbines of over 1,000 feet in height off the coast of Clare and Galway. The comments made at the meeting will now be appended as a submission to the Chief Executive's Report on the planning application to be sent to An Bórd Pleanála. Kilmurry Ibrickane Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon says it's crucial the development makes it more attractive for firms to set up in West Clare.

Construction will commence next month on a brand new age friendly housing estate in West Clare. The project which will see twelve new homes delivered at Back Road, Kilrush is expected to be complete by 2026. Custy Construction will deliver the scheme after putting pen to paper with Clare County Council this week. Chair of Clare's Strategic Housing Committee Councillor John Crowe says it will be a gamechanger for the region.

Clare County Council is being accused of abandoning a vital piece of water infrastructure in West Clare. The "model" is a structure in Clohaninchy south of Quilty that funnels water from the Annagheeragh River to the sea. After previously raising issues relating to the model in March of 2024, Quilty native Joseph Woulfe has once again taken to social media where he's claimed the structure isn't fit for purpose. He's calling for a second pipe to be constructed in order to aid drainage.

http://copperplatemailorder.com/podcast303                   Copperplate Time 500          presented by Alan O'Leary                                   www.copperplatemailorder.com  1.Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   1975 2. Caoimhin O'Fearghaill:   Lá ‘le Pádraig.                  Uilleann Piping from Waterford 3. Christy Moore:  St Patrick Was A Genleman/St Patrick's Arrival.                 The Iron Behind the Velvet   4. Trian: The Little Man in Brown Shoes/Ducks in a Row/The Butterfly Reel/Pauline Conneely's.   Trian 2 5. McGoldrick & Donnelly:   An Buachaillin Dreoite/Lark in the Morning.   Dog in the Fog 6. John Doyle:  The Rambler from Clare.The Path of Stones   7. Bobby Casey:            Pol Ha'penny/Scully Casey's HP.   The Spirit of West Clare 8. Patsy Hanley:  Ah Surely/Martin Wynne's.                2nd Jimmy McHugh Memorial Concert 9. Niamh Parsons:   Sweet Daffodil Mulligan.    Kind Providence 10. Mick O'Brien & Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh:   An Buailteoir Aerach/The Enchanted Lady/The Holy Land                      Deadly Buzz 11. Conal O'Grada: All Wine & No Milk/Drown the Fox: Anú Abú12. Kevin Burke & Jackie Daly:                Scully Casey's/The Eavesdropper.   The Eavesdropper13. Paul Brennan: The Lassie Who Never Said No!. Airs & Graces 14. Harris/Grada/Donnelly/Cotter:           New Mown Meadow/Dublin Reel/The Steampacket.                   Riches of Clare 15. Andy Irvine/Patrick St:                  My Son in Amerikay.  Patrick Street Live 16. Noel Hill & Tony Linnane:  Tommy Coen's/The Youngest                        Daughter/Flax in Bloom.   The Iron Behind the Velvet17. Reg Meuross:  Fit For Work (Illegal Hands). Fire & Dust 18. Waterboys:  With A Bang on the Ear.  Fisherman's Blues 19. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   1975

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.

A West Clare councillor has been namechecked in the White House. During their meeting in Washington DC, the Taoiseach and the US President discussed the positive economic impact Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg has had on this county. Micheál Martin thanked Donald Trump for the support he's given to the region and singled him out as the only US President to have "physically invested in Ireland". He also passed on a message from Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney.

The Dáil has heard that a single Garda was responsible for policing the entirety of West Clare for an evening lately. In a debate on policing and community safety, Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has raised the issue of the merging of Clare and Tipperary's Garda divisions and the effect this has had on this county. Recent Department of Justice figures show there are just 288 Gardaí stationed in Clare which is the lowest number in eleven years. Deputy Crowe claims the reconfiguration of Garda resources has hindered Clare more than it's helped.

The operational future of a West Clare nursing home will be considered by the HSE this month. The day care centre of Regina House in Kilrush which can accommodate up to 30 patients was closed in 2020 as part of Covid-19 restrictions. A decision was taken in 2022 to re-open the service, but this was prevented by staffing deficits, but HSE MidWest says it has now completed an options appraisal to determine its future use. Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says it needs to be returned to full service.

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 tourism development plan for North Kerry and West Clare was launched in Tralee yesterday.   Fáilte Ireland developed the five-year cliff coast plan. Breda Forrest was at the launch.

A new five-year tourism development plan for West Clare and North Kerry will aim to make Loop Head an internationally iconic attraction. Fáilte Ireland's strategy has also set goals of creating visitor adventure hubs in Kilrush, Kilkee, Cappagh and Carrigaholt and creating a world-class Wild Atlantic Way coastal walk. The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan's main objective is to extend the tourism season and spread the economic benefits to all towns and villages. Fáilte Ireland Regional Tourism Director Paul Keeley says they want to provide a complete offering.

It's claimed Clare's roads have been left in a "ridiculous" state due to consistent shortfalls in capital funding. The recent €39.3m allocation announced for local and regional roads here is an annual drop of 10%, while more than a third of the funds have been ringfenced for the Shannon Bridge Crossing. The Department of Transport aims to re-strengthen 10% of all roads within a county annually, but this target has been consistently missed in Clare. Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney claims some roads haven't been repaired for over 20 years.

It's claimed Clare children with complex needs have been left in a void due to a lack of resources and school spaces. It follows reports of parents in this county travelling over 40km to find spaces for children with autism and down syndrome at second level. A campaign has since been launched to establish a new secondary school catering for special needs in West Clare. Speaking in the Dáil, Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan outlined the case of several constituents.

It's claimed children with complex needs across Clare have been left in a void due to a lack of resources and school spaces. It follows reports of parents travelling over 40km to find spaces for children with autism and downsyndrome at second level. A campaign has since been launched to establish a new secondary school catering for special needs in West Clare. Speaking in the Dáil Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan outlined the case of several constituents. Meanwhile, efforts are being made by one woman to set up a secondary school for children with special needs in West Clare. To find out more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dawn Bennett. Photo (c) Kanchanachitkhamma via Canva.com

It's claimed sub-standard infrastructure is proving a major hindrance to tourism in the Shannon Estuary Region. It follows calls for a new council led strategy to increase marine based visitor attractions in Clare. The 102km area is shared between predominantly Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year. However, concern has been raised that there's been too much emphasis on land based attractions, at the expense of opening up more water based opportunities. In response, Clare County Council has pointed to an over €4m investment in the Vandeleur Walled Gardens, remedial works on Scattery Island and upgraded signage on the EuroVelo cycle route. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says the roads in West Clare serving the route are not fit for international tourists , but that the lack of facilities for visitors to launch boats on the estuary is proving a huge hindrance. The spotlight has also been shone on the opportunities for adjacent villages from tourists landing at Shannon Airport. Last year alone over 344,000 visitors attended Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, while the Ilaunmanagh Park Run welcomes UK participants on a weekly basis. Newmarket-On-Fergus Councillor David Griffin believes incorporating local water based attractions can enhance this.

It's hoped legacy water disruptions in a bustling West Clare town will finally be coming to an end this Summer. Uisce Eireann has confirmed it will be replacing 6km of defective 50-year-old mains on the Coore water scheme which also serves the surrounding areas of Mullagh, Quilty, Spanish Point and Annagh. The works will commence in March and are expected to be complete by mid June. Quilty Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Shannon says it's crucial for the region's tourism product.

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.

This week Rob and Laura are joined by the legend Cora Daly. Raised in the wilds of West Clare we chat all about her life as a teacher, a Mammy and a Granny. She even picks her very own Gom of the Week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New weather sensors will be installed on roads in North and West Clare in a bid to better prepare the council's response to extreme condition events. It follows discontent in the region over the omission of the main Lahinch to Doolin, Lisdoonvarna to Cliffs of Moher roads and the R486 and the R487 roads into Kilrush from the Winter Maintenance Plan. The council has since confirmed that it will have new sensors to monitor conditions on the regional road from Loop Head and on the access road to the Cliffs of Moher. Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says it's a positive step.

The next government is being accused of continuing to compound the hurt and distress of survivors by excluding any provision for the reversal of the six-month rule in the draft Programme for Government. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have reached an agreement with the Regional Independent Group, paving the way for the formation of the next government. Fianna Fáil members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the draft programme for government on Sunday, while Fine Gael votes are to be counted on Monday Their respective ratification processes are now completed in time for the Dáil meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). However, Sinn Féin Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion has expressed her alarm at the number of Independent TDs who have entered into government, despite, in her words, “vehemently condemning” the government's Mother and Baby Homes Institutions Payment Scheme during the last Dáil. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by West Clare survivor of a Mother and Baby Home, Anthony Morrissey. Photo (C): Canva kieferpix from Getty Images

The West Clare Cancer Centre Mini Marathon is looming large on the horizon. The annual fundraiser for the Kilkee-based West Clare Cancer Centre usually takes place at the end of January. However, this year's event, marking its 27th anniversary, has been postponed slightly until the 2nd of February. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by the chairman of WCCC, Willie McGrath. Photo (C): https://www.facebook.com/westclarecancercentre/photos/-join-us-for-the-27th-west-clare-mini-marathon-%EF%B8%8F-walkers-and-runners-lets-hit-th/923189610008641/?_rdr

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.

For this week's Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn travelled to West Clare to meet the Italian couple who run their own Alpaca Farm. The Flying Alpaca was established by Barbara and Mike after they left their fulltime jobs and decided to settle in Ireland.

A fundraiser has been set up to help repatriate the body of a young man from West Clare. Robby Kinlan died unexpectedly on January 9th in Thailand. Robby's remains are currently resting in a temple on the island of Ko Tao, located on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Robby was a member of Dive Academy in Inishmore. His friends from the academy have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help bring his body home. On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by his mother, Tracy King and brother, Tommy King. You can donate here: https://gofund.me/e67a8aab Photo (c): https://gofund.me/e67a8aab

The National Transport Authority is expressing confidence proposed changes to a bus route in West Clare will significantly reduce journey times. Public consultation has opened on planned bus enhancements in the west of the county, among them being a pledge to increase the frequency of Route 350 to every 90 to 120 minutes. It's proposed that the bus will be re-aligned to operate between Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan along the N67, while to complement these changes, Route 350C will operate along the R477 via Fanore and onto Kinvara, serving Ballyvaughan, New Quay and Nogra. Senior Transport Planner with the National Transport Authority Conor O'Donovan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the typical time a passenger spends on the 350 bus could be cut by 15 minutes.

It's hoped a new road in Shannon can get at least as far as the planning permission stage this year in the interest of Shannon Airport's continued growth. It's just one of the projects being named as a priority by Clare's local elected representatives for 2025. Following the co-option of James and Conor Ryan last month, Clare County Council will meet for the first time this year next Monday, January 13th. Among the long-awaited projects expected to get over the line in the coming months is the Ennis Town Bus Service which was included by name in Budget 2025. The service will feature two routes, with one traversing Ennis from the Lahinch Road to the Tulla Road, while the second will go from Clarecastle to Ballymaley via Friar's Walk. Mayor of Ennis, Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy, says the service will be in operation by the end of June. Moving to Clare's second town, a recent update from the local authority on the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme indicated that the design team are working towards finalising the documentation required for a planning application. The road, which has been in the works for a number of years, would go from the roundabout at Drumgeely to the airport, and would feature six controlled pedestrian crossings, new bus stops, cycle lanes, footpaths and public lighting. Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman, believes if the Clare base is expected to grow, the road must be in place as soon as possible. Roads are also of major concern in the East Clare region which it's often argued has been historically under-funded when it comes to maintaining and improving the roads network. Leas Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes claims many areas haven't seen adequate levels of investment in recent times. Turning to West Clare, all eyes appear to be on healthcare and specifically on access to emergency care. The HIQA report examining the viability of a second emergency department in the Midwest isn't due until June while an interim report has been promised by Taoiseach Simon Harris early this year. Cathaoirelach of the West Clare Municipal District and Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney, who's a member of the Regional Health Forum West, insists an new ED is needed and it must be in Ennis.

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.

The special Christmas Eve edition of Morning Focus began with Sheila O'Connor, of O'Connors Newsagents. She joined Alan Morrissey to discuss the closure of their well-known business in Ennis. Shannon Athletics Club is going the extra mile this Christmas. On St. Stephen's Day, they will be hosting the Goal Mile Run. To tell us more about it, Eamonn Cleary and Rob Stephen joined Alan in-studio. While some retailers and hospitality providers in this county are seeing signs of a festive footfall boom, others have noticed a significant unseasonal drop in their bottom line. To find out more, Clare FM's Daragh Dolan visited Ennis and Ennistymon, where he spoke to a host of businesses. The ancient almanac has a very good track record when it comes to predicting what will take place the following year. To find out more about the Almanac, what they got right this year, and what is in store for 2025, Alan Morrissey was joined by Nicole Buckler, Editor of Old Moore's Almanac. Crime Prevention Officer of Ennis Garda Station, Sgt. Catriona Holohan joined Alan in-studio with Christmas advice. After that, we heard from historian, George Lee who spoke about his mother's memories of growing up in West Clare in the 1930's. Clare FM's Brian Flynn joined Alan to go through some interesting Christmas songs. Storyteller living in Crusheen, Eddie Lenihan told us a Christmas story about baby Jesus and the spider. Santa Claus made a special visit to deliver a message to everyone in county Clare! To wrap up, our Christmas panel—Joe Queally, Mary Kelly, and Frankie Coote—reflected on their memories from 2024 and shared their hopes for 2025. Watercolor Holly Berries (c) by CreativeValuation via Canva Christmas Baubles Isolated (c) by Billion Photos via Canva Christmas Lights (c) by DRogatnev via Canva

Innovative hand surgery introduced at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital last year is giving a new lease on life to dozens of patients who had all but abandoned hope of living a life free of debilitating hand pain. This type of thumb-joint replacement surgery is a first for Ireland and was introduced in Croom Orthopaedic Hospital by orthopaedic surgeon, Johan van der Stok. One person who has been the beneficiary of this innovative hand surgery is John McGuire from West Clare. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by John McGuire and Johan van der Stok. Picture (c) by Edward Olive via Canva

A West Clare primary school is set to benefit from an expansion of its facilities. The Department of Education has granted approval for a new mainstream classroom to be constructed at Doonaha National School. The Kilkee based premises enrolled just 23 pupils last year, which was the tenth-lowest student population in the county. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley says the institution will now be able to grow in a modern environment.

A West Clare fishing representative claims the EU fish quotas agreed this week highlight the need for a designated Fisheries Minister in the next Dáil. It comes as European Fisheries Ministers have reached agreement on quotas for Irish and EU fishers for 2025. Speaking after the agreement was finalised, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said the Government's priority was to secure Irish fishers' ability to catch mackerel and herring "in addition to the traditional white fish stocks". Carrigaholt-based Chair of Irish Charter Skippers Association and representative on the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, Luke Aston, says the fisheries sector has never had proper representation in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

A West Clare principal claims a major expansion of his school is "badly needed" due to an increase in enrolment figures as well as the growing needs of the student population. The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is looking to secure planning permission for a two-storey extension of St. John Bosco Community College in Kildysart. If approved, the development would include general and specialist classrooms, social spaces, two special educational needs units, a reception area, offices and 14 additional car parking spaces. School principal Denis O'Rourke says the extension would give students and teachers the space required to enhance the educational experience.

A brisk voter turnout has been reported across Clare's 102 polling stations for General Election 2024. Over 96,000 people in this county are eligible to have their say today on who will represent this county in Dáil Eireann for the next five years. So far, Clarecastle is leading the democratic stakes in the county, where 21% of voters have cast their ballot. Voting is aslo continuing at a steady pace in West Clare, where more than 11% of voters turned out in Kilkee and Bansha ahead of the lunchtime rush. Kilkee resident Manuel Di Lucia is expecting polling to ramp up this evening as the weather improves. Ennis is also in line with the county trend, with 17% of the eligible electorate having cast their ballot. O'Callaghan's Mills is also continuing at a steady pace, where over 11% voters fulfilled their democratic duty before 11am. The polling station in Newmarket-On-Fergus meanwhile has already seen 15% of its registered voters. Voters have until 10pm tonight to decide which 4 Clare TDs they want to represent them in the 34th Dáil. You will not need a polling card going to your polling station, but you must bring ID, , where supports will also be in place for anyone with a visual impairment. Clare's Returning Officer Rita Considine who's taking charge of her first ever General Election in this county is encouraging voters to exercise their democratic right.

http://www.copperplatemailorder.com                                    Copperplate Time 484            presented by Alan O'Leary                           1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   After Hours 2. Buttons & Bows: The Piper's Despair/Farewell to Ireland/The Millener's Daughter.   The 1st Month of Summer 3. Open the Door For 3: Fairy Jig Set/Fineen the Rover.                    A Prosperous Gale4. Michelle Mulcahy: The Sligo Reel/The Mountain Lark.               Sweeney's Dream.  The Lady on the Island5. Paddy O'Brien:  Pol Ha'penny.Gerry Egan's.   Mixing the Punch 6. Bobby Casey & Tommy McCarthy:                The Gallowglass/The Legacy Jig. The Spirit of West Clare 7. John McEvoy & John Wynne:  The Last Train From Loughrea/Ned Coleman's.   The Dancer at the Fair 8. Elaine Reilly:  Leddy From Cavan/Tim Fitzpatrick's.                     Epiphany            9. Sorcha Costello:   Minor Complications/Clancy's Bar.                      The Primrose Lass 10. The Hydes:   Rivers Run.   Green & Blue 11. PJ Crotty, Carol & James Cullinane :         Tomeen O'Dea's/Midsummers Night/Shamrock Hill.           Happy to Meet   12. Liam O'Flynn:    Humours of Kiltyclogher/Julia Clifford.   The Piper's Call 13. Donal Clancy:  Open the Door Softly.   On The Lonesome Plain 14. Gerry O'Connor:   Jig in A/Dancing Eyes/Up & About in the Morning   15. Eamonn Cotter:  Lady Gordon & Lord Gordon.                                                              Trad Music from Co Clare16. Mike McGoldrick & John Carty:                The Gold Ring/The Star of Munster   At Our Leisure 17. Rita Connolly:   Ciúmhais Charraig Aonair.   Béal Tuinne18. Lunasa:   The Rock Road.   Live in Kyoto 19. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   After Hours