CLARE is set to be the focus of a programme on a popular business news TV station in India, ET Now.

When Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote, many years ago, that “The old order changeth yielding place to new” maybe he was foretelling what would happen to political parties on this island.

  TWO East Clare teenagers scooped third place in the Fresh Film Festival, which took place last week in Limerick. Feakle’s Alfie Hollingsworth and Dylan Bickerton of One Cent Productions took the third overall place in the senior award category at the festival with their film Diceman. Alfie and Dylan, both 17, were selected for their high concept thriller, which was described by the judges as having strong production design and sharp cinematography. “It was a bold production that commanded the respect of the judges,” they noted. The two filmmakers have shared their passion for filmmaking from a young age and have made a number of films.  Alfie’s love of filmmaking developed from the age of 11 when “One rainy day, my neighbour exclaimed that he had a Lego animation kit, (created by Spielberg himself) and asked if I wanted to borrow it and try and make an animation”. Alfie subsequently introduced Dylan to filmmaking a couple of years later …

A ONE-man story about a widower and bereaved father in rural Ireland might sound like the makings of a fairly dark play but Seamus O’Rourke says that’s not the case with The Sand Park, which he brings to Glór on April 5.

GAY Byrne, the man who has been an institution in Irish homes for more than 50 years, is bringing his one-man show to the Limerick stage this April for one night only, where he will share his memories, stories, some songs and plenty of laughs.

THE Arts Council has announced an investment of €208,000 in three Clare-based organisations.

Ennis Players bring the award-winning Brian Friel play Dancing at Lughnasa to the Glór stage on April 8.The production, which is being held in conjunction with Enable Ireland, will be staged at 8pm under the direction of Allen Flynn and Jackie Scanlan.

THE Inis Cathaigh Feis Cheoil was held last Saturday in Kilrush. More than 300 children took part in competitions that catered for all traditional music instruments from under six to 16. Singing and sean-nós dancing competitions were also held.