Operation Tombola - Fireworks seized in Kilrush and Kilkee, Co. Clare, Thursday 9th October 2025 Gardaí from the Clare Divisional Crime Task Force and Kilrush Detective Office, assisted by members from Kilrush Community Engagement, Ennis and Shannon Crime Units, as well as the Dog Unit and other Regional Units conducted an operation into the sale and supply of illegally held fireworks in the Kilkee and Kilrush areas on Friday, October 3, 2025 and Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

The controversial VAT reduction for the hospitality industry in Budget 2026, has been met with lukewarm reaction in the local hospitality and tourism sector. In North and West Clare where tourism and hospitality are at the core of the local economy and many livelihoods depend on them, one county councillor said the VAT reduction from a rate of 13.5% to 9% presents a real challenge for small hospitality and tourism businesses as to how to pass on the reduction.

Here’s why Income Protection matters As part of our Protection Month, this week we’re focusing on Income Protection — one of the most overlooked yet essential parts of financial planning. When most people think about financial security, they think about saving for a house, building up a pension, or maybe investing. But what would happen if you suddenly couldn’t work due to illness or injury?

The family of an elderly Clare woman who died after suffering two broken legs, following an alleged fall off a wheelchair at a HSE nursing home, have urged people to visit loved ones in care to try to ensure they are being properly looked after. Mary Melody, (89), suffered two broken femurs in an unwitnessed incident at Raheen Community Hospital, Tuamgraney on July 3, 2021.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill has promised 138 new beds would open at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) this year, including 96 on a phased basis over the coming weeks. “Enabling works for the second 96-bed block are well underway and we are hoping for a positive planning decision at An Coimisiún Pleanála,” she said. “UHL needs more acute inpatient beds. It is a constrained site and it is difficult in terms of planning.”

The expansion of services at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) under Option A may represent the least costly of the all of the three acute hospital options presented, whereas Option C would likely be most costly. That is one of the findings of a new HIQA Review, which has stated if Option A is chosen, it will be important to set out clearly in the public domain the key safety considerations in support of this option.

A new HIQA review has claimed the likely demand for services wouldn’t be sufficient to justify the provision of two model 4 hospitals in the Mid-West. This is despite submissions from local lobby groups such as the Friends of Ennis Hospital and MIDCARE report by Sinead Madden, calling for the provision of a new model 4 acute facility on a greenfield site in Clare.

With the election campaign for President of Ireland in full swing, it seems unlikely that it will be marked by open, contentious and diverse views being debated. The three candidates have all been impressive in their careers in multiple different ways and have been selected or backed by main political parties so their candidacies are absolutely valid. Nevertheless, the ability of the political hierarchies to limit it to these three candidates suggests the election may not capture the public imagination.

Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council for a non-tourism related development at the site of the former Shannon Shamrock hotel in Bunratty, despite strong local opposition. It is set to include 58 houses as well as retail and office units. The developers also say they wish to develop a hotel with around 50 bedrooms in the future.

The hospitality sector badly needs a break in next week’s budget, or there will be a raft of business closures, according to Ennis hotelier Sean Lally. At the moment people going out for food are paying VAT of 13.5% and Mr Lally said it is vital that there is follow through on a commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce that back to 9%.

Following a sold-out premiere in Limerick, Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, a darkly funny and emotionally resonant new Irish play comes to glór on Thursday, October 2. Written by Limerick playwright Liam McCarthy and directed by Joan Sheehy, the play follows Jack, whose brief, passionate kiss in the downstairs toilet at a party in Limerick City in 1983 becomes a moment he can never forget.

Now in its 31st year, the Ennis Trad Festival returns from November 6 to 10, once again showcasing Ennis as a vibrant hub for traditional music, song, and culture. According to the organising committee, Ennis Trad Festival 2025 promises exhilarating performances from some of the heavyweights of traditional music as well as a programme of events to be enjoyed by all.

On first listen, ‘A Future of the Past’ is a deeply political album. Released last Friday, this debut solo album from Shannon rapper God Knows touches on many of the big issues facing Ireland and the world today. It’s an album about being Irish and about being African, it’s an immigrants album, an album about family and community, a Clare album, it’s an album born from growing up in a world of increasing fear and chaos, but yet, somehow, it’s an album of hope.

Captain when they last walked behind the Tulla Pipe Band, Fergal Lynch will man the sideline on Sunday as Clooney-Quin look to end an 83-year wait for Canon Hamilton glory. While winning is the obvious and ultimate goal, the 2013 All-Ireland winner is all about the journey, describing Canon Hamilton as the destination.  “Firstly, we are really looking forward to the occasion itself, and it’s just great to be part of a County Final and all that goes with it.

Breast cancer survivor Sharon Smyth from Newmarket-on-Fergus is supporting the Irish Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and is encouraging the public to host a Big Pink Breakfast to help fund vital breast cancer support services and life-changing breast cancer research projects. Every year, around 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland. Now aged 55, Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, after she did a breast check and found a lump in one of her breasts.

One thing’s for certain, there are going to be tears either way at the final whistle on Sunday. With such big gaps to bridge on either side of the divide along with having both suffered the hurt of a county final loss in recent times, there is obviously a real chance of redemption for either Éire Óg or Clooney-Quin but equally the knowledge that for the loser, there will be the flooring reality of trying to pick through the bones of another missed shot at county glory.

Coole Music and Arts celebrates its 20th anniversary in Gort this year with a Music4Life Showcase involving dozens of current and former students from the North Clare and South Galway area. On Sunday, October 5, Gort Community Centre will become a hive of music, song and dance as it throws open the doors to past and present students of Coole Music, along with the many connections which the organisation has collaborated with over the years.

A Brazilian botanist is tasting the benefits of working in East Clare after joining a local non-governmental organisation working for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Ireland. Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA) is an important social enterprise, employing 26 staff, and numerous contractors, seasonal and casual workers. This association now comprises a supporter base of more than 1,700 individuals; a network of seed and apple tree growers; pomologists; orchardists; conservationists; academics, researchers; educators; community gardens and orchard groups.

SIPTU members employed by Shannon Heritage DAC have voted to support a proposal to ballot for industrial action at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The move comes as the union claimes there has been "a series of breaches of long-standing collective agreements by the company’s interim management". It claims that management have breached a redundancy agreement, have not paid increments due to workers, while they also say management want to relocate the Shared Services Department without any prior consultation.

The organisers of an Ennis fundraiser in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s services for women with breast cancer are promising this year’s event will be “bigger than ever” as they urged people to come along and show their support. Selina Donnelly and Claire Cooke are organising Big Pink Breakfast for Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 1pm in Éire Óg clubhouse and they say those who come along can expect plenty of fun, and there maybe even a few well known faces showing up.

All-Ireland winner Ryan Taylor is no stranger to the big days but is relishing the opportunity to win an adult championship with his beloved Clooney-Quin. “Back in 2017 in our only other County Final appearance, I was the one that looked up to the older guys on the team, and now it's a role reversal, as I'm the older guy. It was eight years ago, which is a long time for our club, and obviously we're absolutely delighted to be back in a final.

NFL star Jason Kelce may be one of the biggest names in American sport, but when he arrived in Crusheen to meet with our very own legend, Eddie Lenihan, the acclaimed storyteller took it all in his stride, recalling to us that, “I didn’t know who he was at all”. The former Philadelphia Eagles player, podcaster and soon to be the brother-in-law of Taylor Swift, caused quite a stir when he arrived at Fogarty’s Pub in Crusheen last Friday.

Éire Óg will be hoping to bridge a 35-year gap on Sunday when they go for county senior title glory – their last success came on this corresponding weekend in 1990 recalls Joe Ó Muircheartaigh. Press declared that “Éire Óg’s long wait is over”. It was 35 years ago this very week, and this very Sunday, and the Townies had just won the county senior hurling final in Cusack Park.

Oireachtas members and first citizens in the Mid-West have been invited to a meeting to  establish a common consensus  to lobby Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill for a new acute hospital to improve patient safety. The need for urgent action was illustrated again earlier this week when 147 patients were recorded on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick on Monday by the INMO, which was very close to a previous record high of 150 in February 2024.

Life in Ireland has changed a lot in recent years. Costs are higher, families are juggling busy schedules, and many households are carrying mortgages or other financial commitments. Against this backdrop, life insurance might not sound like the most exciting topic — but it’s one of the smartest financial tools you can put in place. In simple terms, life insurance is about peace of mind.