ALONE is a national organisation in Ireland that supports older people to age at home with dignity and independence. Grainne Loughran is on the line to speak about the ‘cost of living’ survey of older people. ALONE’s latest Annual Cost of Living Survey uncovers the financial pressures facing older people in Ireland. With heating and energy costs spiralling out of control , 1/3 have those surveyed are having trouble paying day to day bills , rent and food bills. Alone are highlighting these widespread difficulties to the Government ahead of the budget.

This Friday , Saturday and Sunday Ennistymon becomes a hub for book lovers during the Book Town Festival. Local favourites like Salmon Bookshop and Banner Books host intimate talks, and poetry sessions. Organised with help from John Heddon, the festival draws in authors, musicians, and booksellers from all over Ireland, turning the town into a literary playground. Please see the linkabove for full details.
Audrey has the Diary of Events for the Area.

Today on Community Unity with Teresa Jackson, Joe Power Director at Restorative Living calls into the studio. Joe leads training workshops and courses on Restorative Living which is rooted in the idea of healing, accountability, and community connection. It draws from restorative practices, which aim to build and repair relationships.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 2 hitting the screens, Tomás Walsh delves into the latest season set before The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, with an in depth review of Tolkien’s world of rich lore , fantasy and political intrigue, currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Teresa heads over to the Cultúrlann Sweeney to chat to Anne Finnucan about the Library’s upcoming events in June, including Free event – Journaling for Wellbeing, and Improvisation for Adults: Summer Drama Workshop Series with local actor Rob Hopkins and Drama group, a great way to connect with the local drama community.Roisin Horgan from Citizen’s Information Kilrush speaks about new back to school allowance scheme’s and child benefit eligibility and payment schedules.
Audrey has the Community Diary of Events for the Area.
Lily De sylva our new Training and volunteer calls into the studio to say hello.

On today’s Community Unity Cllr Rita McInerney stops by to discuss growing housing pressures and the government’s latest initiatives to encourage downsizing for older homeowners downsize, making more space for families, along with grants available for home owners.

Following the Oct 10th 2023 massacre by HAMAS at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, young people open-air music festival in Isreal, and the resulting backlash in Gaza, Naimh Bonner of Craftivism for Palestine aims to create a blanket of remembrance for the Palestinian victims of the conflict.

After last weeks visit to Kilkee and Kilrush the week before, Alex O’Connor from Irish Blood Transfusion Service highlights the critical need for blood donations to support vital blood stocks.
Amy Kelly from Crohns-Colitis Ireland speaks about Inflammatory Bowel Disease,
and has a public webinar scheduled, head to the website for more information.
Audrey rounds up this weeks Community Diary of events for the area.
With Teresa Jackson , Audrey Spendlove , Chris Behan.

To start us off today , Hilary Gleeson is on the line from Kilrush Community Group & Volunteer Expo Kilrush taking place this Saturday the 3rd of May at Kilrush Community Centre From 1 PM to 3 PM, explore exciting opportunities to get involved in the community , featuring amongst others presentations from the Clare Volunteer Centre and the Clare Sports Partnership.
Rob Hopkins is in the studio with news on an upcoming concert at Monmore Chapel to
include Emma Karon , Morgan Rohan , Querrin Choir, Crack’d Spoon Dancers between 3pm and 5pm and a talk on a lesser know saint, St. Canera.
Saint Cannera (also known as Conaire or Cainder) was an Irish holy woman who lived in solitude and spiritual exile. Saint Cannera visited Scattery Island while she is mentioned in the Life of St. Senan, where she is described as having had a vision of all the monasteries in Ireland with a tower extending to the heavens, the highest was on Scattery Ireland which led to her to her refuge there. Saint Senan founded the monastic settlement on Scattery Island.

To round up Audrey has this weeks Community Diary of events for the area.
With Teresa Jackson , Audrey Spendlove , Chris Behan.

Teresa travels into the Loop head to meet Ailish Connolly at Kilbaha Gallery and discovers a curious new in house Kilbaha Gallery publication ‘Smashing It in the Art Industry’, available as an e-book or physical form paperback from Kilbaha Gallery website. The book delves into various aspects of getting started in the art industry for art as a career , Ailish tells us about it today.
Audrey has the Community Diary of events and to round off , in the studio is Tomás Walsh , dedicated weekly volunteer at the station, who is developing skills to create, record, and assemble his own shows, refining and enhancing his skills week on week, he now knows enough to prepare his own programming.
With Teresa Jackson , Chris Behan, and Audrey Spendlove.

On Community Unity today we have Evaleen Whelton, founder of AUsome Training. Eveleen believes that autism is a natural neurological variation to be celebrated, not fixed. She champions Autistic-led, neurodiversity training through AUsome Training, which is in contrast to traditional practices that would take a more standardized approach which can overlooks individual sensitivities.
Audrey follows on with the weekly Community Diary of Events roundup for the region.
With Teresa Jackson, Chris Behan on sound, and Audrey Spendlove.

In the studio today are Ennis musicians Mark Sexton and John Killeen, two of the three which makes up the group ‘The Invisible Conductor’. John has a floating recording studio in London where he records his music.
Audrey has the Community Diary.
Teresa heads over to the Diamond Rocks to say hello to Margaret Haugh, with the recent refurbishment complete, the stunning venue is now hosting wedding functions which is has been redesigned to accommodate up to 200 guests and is situated in a stunning location overlooking the bay, now open and taking bookings.

We start off this week with Anna Swisher from CLDC.ie who in partnership with FoodCloud are running a series of two workshops from 1st April , Thrive Together: Community Solutions for Food Waste which aims to reduce food waste through community exchange while highlighting food sharing projects around the county.

Next: Audrey has the Community Diary of events for the area.
In this weeks visit to Citizens Information Kilrush Teresa meets Roisin Horgan to discuss sick pay and illness benefits to cover employed people.

With Chris Behan, Teresa Jackson , and Audrey Spendlove.

Teresa was out into the Loop Head in the fine weather over the bank holiday to the new season celebrations at the Loophead Lighthouse re-opening speaking to Stephen Rowan and Gabrielle Keating The lighthouse is open now and from 15 May open 7 days a week. Now taking bookings for overnight stays at the Lighthouse Attendant’s Cottage, lighthouse tour’s can also be booked from the website. The lighthouse is part of the Clare Three Attractions on one Ticket and can be purchased here.
With the art exhibition underway in Ennistymon Teresa meets Christine Jenkins and students Cat and Lioda while on a perouse of the artwork exhibition at the FETAC learners Art Exhibition at the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery which includes heart rending cathartic pieces reflecting the ongoing conflict since 2014 in Ukraine.
Audrey has the Community Diary of Events for the area.
During Kidney Awareness week James speaks to Dermot Hayes Chairperson of the Clare branch Kidney Association , who receives Peritoneal dialysis which needs to be administered for many hours on a daily basis. Dermot is raising awareness of kidney health and vital importance of the Kidney Donor card.
With Teresa Jackson, Chris Behan, James Flanagan, Audrey Spendlove.

Diedre Fitzpatrick who runs Better My Body have a Hiking , Yoga Retreat day starting from Halle Eoinn on the 16th March, a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and practice mindfullness, click on the link above for more information and to register.

Audrey has the Community Diary of events for the area.

Rounding off the programme today Teresa heads over to Kilrush to visit Roisin Horgan at Citizens Information Kilrush to discuss the benefits situation for the self-employed.
With Chris Behan, Teresa Jackson.

With The West Clare Drama Festival 2025 underway , joining us on the line is Tony Killeen, ready to give us the lowdown on all the exciting events and what we can look forward to in Doonbeg up until final act on Sunday 9th March Synopsis’ and ticket information can be found in the link above.
Audrey has the Community Diary of events for the West Clare area, next we have Dr. Carel Le Roux joining us to talk about diabetes, and how to manage and treat it effectively.

The Loophead Lighthouse season opens soon and this year the Lighthouse is openning with a bang on the 16th March weekend with an opening concert from 1pm at the featuring musicians and a choir. Keep updated via the website link above.
Padraig has the Community Diary of events.
Dr Mary Mcreery is on the line and has the knowledge to keep our ‘second brain’, the gut, in good health.

Morweena is on the line with a heads up on the events in Kilrush and Loop Head and Kilkee organised around the West Clare Family Resource Centre.

Padraig has the Community Diary of events for the area.
and to round off todays packed show, Mike Howe speaks about this Friday’s (21st Feb.) fundraiser at The Forge Miltown Malbay with St Josephs GAA , St Joseph’s Secondary School and Miltown Malbay Ladies Football to raise some money to help with pitch development at Spanish Point.See link above for more information.