Clare TD Fears Basic Income For The Arts Draw Will Produce "Urban-Heavy Result"

Doolin Folkfest 2026 Kicks Off Today

Today marks the beginning of this year’s Doolin FolkFest.  The Doolin FolkFest brings together some of the finest artists in Ireland and beyond for a weekend of folk, roots, and traditional music across multiple stages – from intimate acoustic sessions in The Attic to high-energy headline acts in The Barn.   Across the next three days, festival goers will be able to catch live performances from Beth Orton & Sam Amidon, Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill, Martin Hayes & Brian Donnellan, Cormac Begley, and many more.     For more on Doolin FolkFest 2026, Alan Morrissey was joined by Susan O’Neill, Ennis singer-songwriter, and Kieran O’Connell, singer-songwriter from Rineen Miltown Malbay. Image (c) Doolin Folk Fest

Cheap Imports To Cost More Under New EU Customs Rules

Irish consumers who regularly snap up bargain buys online could soon find that cheap shopping is no longer quite so cheap.  A new €3 customs charge on low-value parcels arriving from outside the European Union is due to come into effect from July 1, adding an extra cost to millions of purchases from popular retailers in Britain, China and the United States.   Business representatives say the move could encourage more people to shop locally, while consumers accustomed to low-cost fashion, electronics and household goods may see the overall cost of online bargains begin to rise.  To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Margaret O’Brien Chamber, Ennis Chamber CEO, and Pat Clarke Browne, Munster Business in Shannon. Photo (c) HAKINMHAN from Getty Images via Canva

ISME Calls For Budget To Break ‘Dangerous Overreliance’ On Multinationals

Ireland's economic success has long been built on a combination of strong indigenous businesses and foreign direct investment.    However, the small business representative group ISME is now warning that the country has become overly reliant on a relatively small number of multinational corporations, particularly when it comes to tax revenues and economic growth.     In its pre-Budget submission, ISME is calling for a renewed focus on supporting Irish-owned businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, improving access to capital and investing in skills and training.    To discuss the challenges and opportunities facing indigenous enterprises, and what changes ISME would like to see in the upcoming Budget, Alan Morrissey was joined by ISME National Council member and owner of St Tola's Goat Cheese, Siobhán Ní Ghairbith. Image (c) ISME

Lahinch Golf Club To Host South Of Ireland Amateur Open

One of the most prestigious events in amateur golf is just around the corner, as Lahinch Golf Club prepares to host the 124th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship from the 22nd to the 26th of July.     With the Walker Cup also coming to Lahinch this September, this year's championship is expected to attract one of the strongest fields in its long and distinguished history, featuring many of the golfers hoping to secure a place on the Great Britain and Ireland team.    To tell us more about what promises to be a memorable summer for Lahinch and for golf in Clare, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Captain of Lahinch Golf Club, John Gleeson.  Photo (c) Andrew Bauer from Getty Images Pro via Canva

€1.5m Fund Launched To Support Marginalised Communities In Clare

Community organisations in Clare working to improve education, training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups are being encouraged to apply for a share of a new €1.5 million national fund aimed at preparing people for the future world of work.   The Skills for Tomorrow Fund, launched by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Deloitte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, will provide grants of up to €200,000 to support innovative projects tackling barriers to employment and digital inclusion.  To discuss this in detail, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tanja Buwalda, Business Development Director at Rethink Ireland. Image (c) Rethink Ireland