THE RTÉ One TV series What in the World?, presented by Kilkee man, Peadar King, started its eighth series this week, with a programme concentrating on Russia. The four-part series continues today (Monday) at 11.15pm, this time focusing on South Korea, followed by programmes at the same time on December 15 and 22, featuring South Sudan and Togo. “The series looks at issues around globalisation, poverty and human rights in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We have covered 40 countries across a whole range of issues. This year we wanted to go to Russia because it’s so close to us and we know so very, very little about it. We hardly ever see Russian people on television and we very seldom hear Russian voices on radio, although it’s closer to us than the United States,” Peadar  told The Clare Champion. He believes that Irish people have a narrowly defined view of Russia. “The dominant images we have of Russia come …

The €30 million, three-year, high speed broadband connection roll out for all post primary schools in the country brings huge benefits, Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and Communications Minister, Alex White have stressed. This equates to 780 school locations, including all post-primary schools, as well as special and hospital schools, 19 of which are in Clare. The 19 Clare schools now have 100 Mbps broadband connections, which will serve as a catalyst for the further integration of ICT and digital skills in the classroom. The broadband programme, which represents one of the most ambitious technology roll-outs to the Irish education sector in recent times, was delivered within budget and a highly challenging three year schedule, the ministers said in a joint statement at the lormal launch in Dublin. It was completed in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Skills. The national roll-out followed a successful pilot phase of the programme in …

Police Officers across Europe begin a week-long campaign on Monday to raise awareness of the dangers of drink driving and drug driving. The campaign is co-ordinated by TISPOL (the European Traffic Police Network), and involves officers conducting alcohol and drug checks at any time of the day and night. TISPOL President Garda Chief Superintendent, Aidan Reid said, “Driving after consuming any alcohol is dangerous. Driving while over the drink drive limit is against the law. Drivers will experience slower reactions, poor judgement of speed, reduced co-ordination and concentration with much lower levels of alcohol in their system. “That’s why our message this year is simple: your ability to drive safely is impaired by even a small amount of alcohol. So if you have had a drink, do not drive. If you need to drive, then do not drink.” Chief Superintendent Reid said it’s also important to be aware of the continuing effects of alcohol the day after an evening of …

A North Clare man was named Furniture Maker of the Year, after graduating from GMIT Letterfrack with a BSc in Furniture and Wood Technology. Caoimhín Conneely was inspired to pursue a career in woodwork by his teacher, Hughie Kivlehan, at Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna. Hughie passed away suddenly in October but Caoimhín fondly remembers the years of encouragement he received from his mentor, long after he left his classroom. “I didn’t do woodwork when I started first year. I was in second year when I decided I wanted to change to woodwork but Hughie told me I had to prove myself. He made me do a portfolio and project to prove to him that I wanted it and was willing to work before he would let me get into his class,” the Doolin man said. He acknowledged too the support he received from his family. “I begged Hughie to allow me into his class. He asked me what I was …

CUIMHNEAMH an Chláir has launched three new audio walls at Aillwee Caves, the County Museum in Ennis and Bunratty Folk Park Cormac McCarthy of the group said visitors can view footage of people talking about times gone by and explained the installation of the audio walls is part of their work to increase access to oral history. “We were fortunate enough to get funding from Clare Local Development Company. The last bit of funding that we had we put towards the development of these interactive audio-visual displays. A core part of what the group is about is recording the oral history and also trying to get it back out there into the community. This is a project we devised that would get it out there into the public and the locations that we’ve chosen have among the highest footfalls in the county,” said Cormac. The interactive audio-visual displays will showcase 55 clips from the massive Cuimhneamh an Chláir archive and …

Most of us are now thinking and planning for the festive season. Next to gifts, food and drink play a huge part in our celebrations, so we need to make sure our pets are looked after as well. Chocolate is a harmful food for pets. Most adults know this but it is the responsibility of adults to make sure children know too. Keep little ones from giving chocolate to pets and do your best to supervise. Cats are especially sensitive to sage. It can cause stomach upset and central nervous system problems, so be careful with the sage and onion stuffing. Chocolate, coffee and caffeine all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, these can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. …

SHANNON Heritage is to be asked to look at the potential of developing a medieval visitor attraction in the lanes of Ennis. Ennis Mayor, Councillor Johnny Flynn, proposed the move at the December meeting of the municipal district committee, saying, “In light of the success of the Shannon Heritage section of Shannon Airport Group in the development and management of heritage properties,” that they should be asked to look at the potential of setting up a medieval streetscape attraction. He said he would like to see an urban heritage visitor attraction using the medieval streetscape, as seen around Chapel Lane and the community centre. Councillor Ann Norton backed the suggestion and said having received a presentation from Shannon Heritage, she thought, “They seem to be very open to ideas and suggestions and probably would be interested in looking at it. I think there is a lot of opportunities there and the Shannon Group are open to ideas”. “Ennis is a …

PLANNING permission has been granted to St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon for a major extension. The extension is to be two storeys in size, with a gross floor area of 2,616m2. It is to accommodate a special needs unit, general purpose area, engineering room, lecture room, art room, science laboratory, music room, home economics room, multimedia room and business/computers room, while there will other site works, including a new site entrance, car parking and set-down areas, as well as a hard court and hurling wall area. Clare County Council had sought additional information regarding a number of aspects of the development, including the drop-off areas, road safety, flood risk and the removal of trees. The applicants submitted the additional information sought and the planning authorities expressed satisfaction with the replies. With regard to the removal of the trees, the planning report states, “The existing tree line is to be removed as part of the improved traffic management arrangements to accommodate …