This blog is a personal take on Listowel, Co. Kerry. I am writing for anyone anywhere with a Listowel connection but especially for sons and daughters of Listowel who find themselves far from home. Contact me at listowelconnection@gmail.com
When Super Valu got its makeover, it adopted a kind of rural Ireland in the 1950s vibe, using props like this pulper, wheelbarrows and pots etc.
Then you enter the shop this week and you are met by this big display of the latest sweet treat craze, Dubai chocolate.
I haven’t tasted it yet but reports say it’s delicious.
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Found in a Clearout
Spring cleaning threw up this memory from 15 years ago.
Front: Anne Dillon R.I.P, Mary Twomey, Margaret Daly, Geraldine O’Connor, Sr. Consolata Bracken, Mary Cogan, Sr. Nuala O’Leary, Bridget O’Connor, Margaret Walsh, Mary Jo Dowling and Helen McCarthy
Back; Collette Daly, Bridget Maguire, Mary O’Flaherty, Caroline Reynolds, Anne O’Neill, Breda Ferris, Brian Coffey, Mary Kennelly, Anita Barrett, Sr. Eilish Daly, Grainne Henry, Elaine Keane, Johnny Ryan, Teresa Culhane, Eileen Keane, Mary O’Connor, Teresa Deenihan and Norma Dowling, Geraldine O’Donovan, Lisa Whelan, Jane Gleeson, Dolores O’Connor and John O’Flaherty
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Bicycles, Tractors and Scooters
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Listowel in 2925
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Famine Times
In his great book, Teampall Bán, John Pierse included some accounts of Famine Times in North Kerry from the Schools’ Folklore collection. The memory of the Famine lived long in folk memory.
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Progress
Mitchell McKenna has had a breakthrough in his family history research.
Looks like I finally got lucky – I saw a cached Ancestry.com page that said this –>
Jeremiah McKenna
Birth abt 1858 – County Kerry Ireland
Death 28/05/1918 – Maude St Shepparton Victoria
Mother Brigid O’Donnell
Father John McKenna
The date / address info is correct – Due to the inaccuracy of Ancestry I am a bit skeptical of the other part – that might be “Bridget” O’Donnell who passed away 1900 aged 80 .. listed as a “widow” and Farmer’s wife – As for John McKenna – there is one listed as having passed away on 1897 aged 77 as a Farmer / “married” .. and looks like a son William witnessed ?
I guess Rathea was a pure farming district ? – and the above might fit the frame ? – however for Bridget a 37-38 year old conception for Jeremiah in those days would have been a bit on the edge !! I’m guessing if I also perused Kilshenane Cemetery more would be revealed !
I’m wondering why Jeremiah emigrated because he was newly qualified, and things there might have been a bit better post the Potato Famine ? But I guess Melbourne was all the rage back then, being one of the most prosperous cities in the world at the time (Victorian gold rush) – and the looming expiration of the government assistance program for emigrants in 1883 probably cemented his decision and he took it up just in time.
I had Clíona and Aoife for the weekend, always a pleasure.
Our three year old loved Listowel children’s playground.
Sunday was sunny so we headed to Ballybunion.
We didn’t bring a bucket and spade as we thought it was a day for a brisk walk. Aoife made a sandcastle of sorts using only her bare hands. The overcoats and sunglasses sum up the kind of weather we are having lately.
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An Australian with a Listowel Connection
We’ve had an email from down under.
Hello Mary,
My great grandfather Dr Jeremiah McKenna (same name as your hardware founder) emigrated on the famous and ill-fated SS Austral in 1882 at the age of 24-25 years to Melbourne – I believe he also came from Listowel, because his older brother certainly did – about a decade prior – Archpriest McKenna – both gentlemen appear numerous times in our national archives for very different reasons !!!
My imagination was captured by your article on McKenna’s of Listowel, and I was just wondering if there was a family connection with the hardware store Jeremiah McKenna founder ? I know both parts of the name were quite common in those days ? – If it helps, Archpriest McKenna was born in I think in the Rathea district of Listowel.
Cheers,
Mitch McKennna – Melbourne Australia
Maybe someone can help Mitch with an account of his famous ancestors before they left these shores.
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St Patrick’s Day Parade
The world’s worst wound
The awful war in Gaza was highlighted by this dedicated group. Israel, with the full backing of the US, has resumed its slaughter of men, women and children in this poor ravaged country.
Matt Mooney, who has a long association with the St. Patrick’s Day parade was marching the streets to raise awareness of this cause which is close to his heart.
Trojan Boxing Club was represented by these young boxers.
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Tom Waits
Turns out, everyone knew Tom Waits. In fairness, I would have known his voice. His face was a mystery to me.
Anyway, in case you didn’t know, I will now tell you what I have learned. Tom Waits spent his honeymoon in Tralee in The Brandon Hotel. Waits’ wife is Kathleen Brennan, whose Irish roots are in Tralee. Waits recorded tracks for an album in Ballyseede in 1981.
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A Concert
John Hooton found this treasure and posted it on Facebook
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A Fact
George Washinton’s second inaugural address was the shortest ever by any US president. He spoke 135 words.
Donald Trump’s 2885 word “weave” was twice as long as his first speech in 2017.
This is the photo that was posted by a member on my Old Postboxes group. I saw that it was located in Castlelyons in Co. Cork. I have a friend in Castlelyons and she very kindly went in search of the location for us.
Margo tried to get the old Victorian box and the new one right across the road in the same shot.
The old box is on this old mill or barn type building.
Castlelyons is really two villages because just over the bridge, pictured above, is Bridesbridge and this village is a continuation of Castlelyons. The church is on the Bridesbridge side of the river. The Centra, which incorporates the post office and the primary school are also there.
Castlelyons has two pubs, dwelling houses, a Community Centre and a sizeable GAA complex which has two fine pitches, a public walkway, a gym, a community hall, meeting rooms and more.
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A Classic
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A Fact
In 1855 the first train crossed Niagara Falls on a suspension bridge.
Margaret Kennedy sent us this lovely photo. The best part is that she can remember all the names.
6th class primary presentation convent Listowel Front L-R Kay Dillon, Clem Crowley, Geraldine Kenny Ann McAulliffe Cora and Marie Stack, Theresa Conway, Maura Walsh, Bernadette Canty Mary Connor, Margaret Doyle, Mai Cahill, Sinead Curtin R.I.P Middle Row L-R Kathy Ryan, Mary O Flaherty, Isabel O Dowd, Margo Kennedy R.I.P, Therese Lenihan Brenda O Halloran, Eileen Kennelly Kathleen Curtin, Ann Rossiter, Marita O Connor, Caroline Finucane, Sinead Barrett, Geraldine Walsh Back Row L-R Kay Healy, Beata Sweeney, Linda Carey, Cathriona OGorman, Sr Carmel, Lucy Bambury, Miriam Hilliard, Miriam Walsh R.I.P, Ann McElligott, Elle Marie Gibbons, Mary Jo Hartnett, Kathleen Walsh, Dorothy Guinea
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Sometimes Life is Hard
My granddaughter loves football.
She is fourth from the right in front in this photo with her U14 Cork squad on Saturday March 15 2025. Their season is just starting.
She is front and centre, with the headband, with her Lakewood soccer team, photographed before the quarter final of The National Cup on Sunday, March 16 2025.
The game was played at home in Lakewood.
The Lakewood girls went on to win. This is the usual ceremony at the end where everyone congratulates everyone else.
This is Cora, half way through the second half being carried off injured by her mom and her coach.
Cora has sustained a full MCL tear. It’s like an ACL only a different ligament. It is horrendously painful. Her knee is in a brace and she is on crutches because she can take no weight on her leg. Next week she will see the consultant who specialises in knees to see if she needs surgery.
