Listowel Connection

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

Month: May 2014 Page 2 of 5

Election Day, MS Busking Day in Listowel and a day out in Cork

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On May 23, 2014

In Uncategorized

May 23 2014 ; Polling Day in the local and European elections

Soon the posters spoiling my every picture of the town will be taken down and we can get back to normal.

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Friday May 23 2014 is MS Busking Day



These photos were  taken in two of the early years of this annual event: 1996 and 1997.

The weather was beautiful back then!

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Lovely entrance to the John B. Keane Road

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Mallow Railway Station       (photographs of old Ireland)

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Fitzgerald’s Park, Cork

Diarmuid Gavin won first prize in Chelsea for his Sky Garden. Cork City Council bought the garden for a sky high price with the idea of installing it in Fitzgerald’s Park.

“The best laid plans of mice and men……”

Health and Safety issues meant that the crane to support the garden could not be used, so the sky garden fell to earth. Much toing and froing later and the garden was finally opened to the public in the newly refurbished Fitzgerald’s Park on Sunday….and I was there.

The park is looking absolutely beautiful. Apparently Mr. Gavin is not happy with his Mardyke Garden.  He did not come to the official opening.

What did I think? Nice but not worth the money and the hassle involved.

Some of the trees and shrubs

 These reflective stainless steel spheres were especially made. The judges at The Chelsea Flower Show loved them.

The Cork children love them too.

There is a new bandstand and lots of outdoor seating

The newly revamped restaurant struggled to cope on Sunday.

Céilí band on the new bandstand

Some of the huge crowd

A new piece of srtwotk

Some of the old ‘end of the pier’ attractions are still fun today.

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Listowel Vocational School 1982  (photo published in The Advertiser)

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We have had a lot of rain lately.

Listowel Writers Week and some photos from Árd Cúram sod turning ceremony

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On May 22, 2014

In Uncategorized

From Kids’ Programme to 

The National Children’s Literary Festival 2014

This is the Writers’Week Children’s Fancy Dress Parade in 1991. Mary Robinson performed the official opening of Listowel Writers’ Week and the theme of the parade was Mná na hEireann.

That was then; this is now.

The Children’s programme at Writers Week has grown and matured into The National Children’s Literary Festival.

A programme of readings, workshops, Treasure Hunt, Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Baby Boogie, Puppet Show, Science Experiments and so much more is on offer.

Just one of the many exciting events is taking place in Craftshop na Méar on Saturday morning May 31st. at 11.30 a.m.

Sarah Murphy is a Ballina born, Cork based teacher and art therapist. She has just written her first book, What if?

The premise behind What if? is that it provides a fun way for a parent to introduce personal safety topics to young children.

The workshop is for parents and children and aims at helping them explore topics like

What if a stranger offers me sweets?

What if my ball ran on to the road?

The workshop is free but booking is necessary as places are limited. Ring Nuala on 068 21074.

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Ard Čúram sod turning ceremony May 16 3014


Micheál ÓSuilleabháin

Marie and Mike Moriarty

Ring of Kerry cyclists with Mayor of Listowel Jimmy Moloney

Canon Declan O’Connor blessed the site

Isobel MacDonagh with some Listowel older people who avail of the day care service

Finbarr Mawe, a driving force behind the project

 Olive and Roibeard Pierse

Tom Pierse

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Busy Weekend ahead

 Local and European elections Friday May 23

M.S. Busking Day  May 23 2014

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Ta Dah!

This is the beautiful Silver River Feale piece designed in Macroom by Listowel born silversmith, Eileen Moylan and made in her Claddagh Design Workshop.

Orders are now being taken in Craftshop na Méar for the following pieces from the range;

Sterling Silver Pendant on 18′ chain………€85

Sterling Silver Bracelet on 7′ chain………….€75

Sterling Silver  cuff links………….€130

Sterling Silver Tie/ Lapel pin………..€60

All of the items come in a beautiful presentation box.

We will have a small supply available on the night of the launch which we will sell to people who attend. These handmade pieces take a while to produce so order now to avoid disappointment.

The Lartigue and Writers’ Week; then and now

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On May 21, 2014

In Uncategorized

The Lartigue is running for the summer

Some of the volunteers who man the service during the tourist season: Toddy Buckley, Brendan Kenny, John MacAulliffe, Junior Griffin, Tim O’Leary and Martin Griffin.

The Lartigue in 1855 when it ran between Listowel and Ballybunion and the restored loco in 2014

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 posted by Limerick Life

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Writers Week 1975

This press cutting which was sent to me by Aidan OMurchú will bring back many happy memories of the early days of our great literary festival.

In 2013 the festival was opened by John Bowman. In 2014 Paul Durkan will do the honours.

It is fitting that Listowel Writers’ Week 2014 be opened by a poet because this year sees the awarding for the first time of the Piggott Poetry Prize. This prize will be awarded on opening night May 28 to the writer of a collection of poems which is deemed the best of the over 80 volumns of poetry submitted to the judges. Mark Piggott, the sponsor, will travel from the U.S. to attend the festival and present the prize.

Opening Night this year is a ticketless event. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

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June holiday Race Meeting

Ladies day will be a feature of the June weekend’s racing.

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Mike O’Donnell composed this waltz in memory of Con Houlihan. If I managed to upload it correctly, you will be hearing it played for the first time in Kerry. The pianist is a Russian virtuosa and the piece is called Con Houlihan’s waltz.  Enjoy!

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Ard Cúram sod turning ceremony

Árd Cúram is a project to provide day care for Listowel’s older people. A hard working committee has worked hard for several years now to bring this initiative to a permanent location. It currently operates three days per week in Listowel Family Centre. On Friday May 16 2014  the first sod was turned in its new permanent location in the grounds of Listowel hospital.

A man who spoke on Friday at the ceremony told us that every good project must have “a dreamer, a doer and knocker”. Well, the knocker has been proved wrong and the dream is to be realized because of all the doers in the community.

The final plank of the fundraising is The Ring of Kerry Cycle. A huge team of cyclists is in training and with the support of the community they will raise that vital few extra thousands to see this worthwhile venture over the line.

The first sod was turned by Jimmy Deenihan and Micheál OSuilleabháin and Canon Declan O’Connor blessed the venture.

Mary Moylan, cyclist with Finbar Mawe and community nurses.

Marie Reen, Joan Walshe, Mary Anne O’Connor, Eithne Galvin and Noreen Queally

cyclists, organisers and Canon Declan O’Connor

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Tarbert Cuckoo Walk



If you missed Tarbert’s annual walking festival in early May, you can still watch the very interesting promotional video here;

Cuckoo Walk

My Silver River Feale, Dromclough, St. Mary’s and Fungie

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On May 20, 2014

In Uncategorized

My Silver River Feale



“My heart tonight is lonely for my sireland,

Though many miles of ocean lie between,

My heart tonight is home again in Ireland

Upon thy banks, my silver River Feale.”

The words of Bryan MacMahon are the inspiration behind a beautiful piece of jewellery soon to be unveiled in Craftshop na Méar.

This is Eileen Moylan of Claddagh Designs pictured at her work bench in Macroom.

This is a sneak preview of her Listowel piece, My Silver River Feale which will be launched in Craftshop na Méar, Listowel on Saturday May 31 2014 as part of Listowel Writers’ Week fringe. The solid silver hallmarked piece will be available as a pendant, bracelet or cuff links. The design shows St. John’s, Listowel Castle and The Bridge over The Feale.

If you love Listowel you will want one of these.

Everyone is welcome to the launch. Standing room is limited. We will have to close the doors when the shop is full so come early and browse some of the lovely crafts in the shop. We plan to have a little music, a few nibbles and a video showing how the silver piece was designed and crafted. Owen MacMahon, son of the author of My Silver River Feale will be the guest of honour on the night,

May 31 2014 at 7.00 p.m.


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A newspaper picture of the opening of Dromclough National School

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St. Mary’s in Listowel Square is due to close its doors for refurbishment for the months of June and July 2014. Daily masses will be celebrated in St. John’s and Sunday Mass in St. Michael’s College.

Below are some photos of the lovely interior of our parish church.

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Fungie the Dingle dolphin

Two more recent action shots from his friends at Fungie Forever

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Nano Nagle award

Eileen Keane, Acting Vice Principal, Clodagh Kissane with her Nano Nagle Award and Elaine Kinsella who presented the awards on Awards Day at Presentation Secondary School, Listowel

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Kingdom County Fair and three successful Listowel ladies

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On May 19, 2014

In Uncategorized

Kingdom County Fair



I had one of the best days out this year at this event on May 11 2014.

My niece’s lovely horse, Mr. Riordan won his class and then went on to be reserve overall champion of the show. I was delighted to be there to record the event.

Showing animals is all about obedience and a willingness on the animal’s part to respond instantly to his master’s command. This was obvious in the horse showing ring but it was even more obvious in the sheep rounding up competition where the teamwork of man and dog was thrilling to watch. The sheepdog trials took place in a remote corner of the show field and I don’t think it got the exposure it deserves.

Mr. Riordan tried his hand at the show jumping as well and he scored two clear rounds. Maybe a future as a show jumper awaits him.

 There were competitions for all sorts of animals, skills and crafts. I took the photo below from The Kingdom County Fair’s Facebook page. It shows the enormously talented Philomena Sheehy from Duagh receiving one of her many prizes. Philomena has “a gifted pair of hands”. She has been winning  prizes at this fair for years.  2014 was no exception.




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Car Boot sale…….Community Centre 



One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

May 25 2014 in Listowel Community Centre. Drop in and pick up a treasure.

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“Oh stony grey soil of Monaghan 

You burgled my bank of youth.”

Patrick Kavanagh picking spuds  (photo from The National Gallery)

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Rhona Tarrant

This Cinderella got to go to the ball. Rhona Tarrant of Listowel is currently on an internship in New York. She recently got to go the Gala Ball for the American Ireland Fund. The famous Kerry fashion designer to the stars, Don O’Neill lent Rhona this fabulous dress from his Theia collection.

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Kay Caball

Kay is always a powerhouse of information. Her latest blogpost about thinking outside the box when it comes to researching your ancestors is entertaining and informative.

http://mykerryancestors.com/blog/

Kay writes as she speaks, in an easily accessible narrative style with lots of interesting anecdotes to illustrate her point. This is why I know that her book:

The Kerry Girls: Between the Famine & The Crown

The Story of 117 Kerry Girls sent to Australia on the Earl Grey Scheme

will make fascinating reading.

Kay will launch her book at Writers’ Week 2014 on Saturday May 31st. in Scoil Realta na Maidine at 2.00 p.m.

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Jimmy Deenihan and Micheál OSuilleabháin turn the first sod in the Ard Curam building project.

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