The completion of the long-awaited Gort to Tuam motorway will be another three and a half years away, if private funding is secured, as hoped, by the end of this year.

An avid cyclist, Taoiseach Enda Kenny hopes to wheel up to the starting line and pedal his way around the Loop Head Peninsula for this year’s Loop the Loop charity cycle.

The plans are in place for the proposed sports campus for Kilrush but, standing in the way of bringing the project to fruition, as has been the case for the past couple of years, is funding.

CLARE County Council has raised a number of concerns regarding a proposed all-weather running track and sand-based soccer field in Parteen, despite support from four local councillors, FAI Schools Soccer and Limerick Football Club.

Last year the Feakle International Music Festival marked a quarter of a century of celebrating Irish traditional music and as it crosses that threshold to host this year’s 26th festival, it brings with it exciting prospects for the future.

The Clare Memory Orchestra (pictured) broke onto the county’s music scene last September and since that time has generated plenty of interest from both masters of traditional music and the classically trained.

Celebrating 20 years of providing accessibility to excellence in music, the Summer Music on the Shannon/Summer Music in Galway 2013 festivals return this year bringing music to venues across Clare and Galway.

The University of Limerick will host the Tailteann Nua Festival this August Bank Holiday weekend where Irish dancers, musicians, writers, ladies footballers and worldwide visitors will be welcomed for a weekend of Irish culture and fun.