IN a scene more reminiscent of the streets of Thailand than Sixmilebridge, the ancient Buddhist tradition of ‘alms round’ was carried out this week for the first time ever in the Clare village. On Tuesday, Buddhist monk Ven Ahimsako, who has been staying at the Sunyata Buddhist Centre, went to the village centre in his robes to make himself available for offerings of food from locals. Under the traditions of Theravada Buddhism monks and nuns cannot handle money and they cannot grow, buy or cook food. They can only eat or drink what is offered to them freely. He explained, “This is part of the Buddhist monastic tradition, we live on the offerings of the lay community. We are not allowed to beg but we can receive things. Everything I have comes from offerings, my clothing, my glasses, everything. But we are not allowed to ask. This is an ancient tradition that even goes back to before the time …

Eleven long-serving members of Clare County Council will receive gratuity payments totalling more than  €620,000 if they fail to get re-elected or step down from local politics at the June 2014 Local Elections.

A CLARE woman has been named among the world’s top 50 most influential women working in technology.

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has insisted that patient care wasn’t compromised after an ambulance broke down on its way from Limerick to Shannon last Friday.

THE public consultation process concerning the proposed €100 million Limerick Northern Distributor Road, which will link Coonagh with Meelick and Ardnacrusha, has been condemned as a “total farce”.

IN the wake of Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Paul Bradford losing the party whip for voting against the proposed abortion law this week, Clare Senator Martin Conway has benefited.

SIX years after they were reintroduced to Ireland and more than 110 years since they bred in the wild, the first White-Tailed Sea Eagle chicks have fledged.

An Post stands accused of yet another land grab after Tuamgraney, which is 32km from Limerick City, was considered to be part of the Treaty County.