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: September 2017 Page 4 of 5

Dancehall Days Remembered and Listowel Races 2017 is upon us

By

On September 8, 2017

In Uncategorized

Photo: Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<<


My Good Friends, Jim and Nora Sheahan

Nora Sheahan and her son Noel and family with Sarah Marince in The Seanchaí recently

Jim and Nora Sheahan in their cosy welcoming home

 On a recent visit I encouraged Jim to tell me his memories of a different era in Listowel

Jim remembers the
days of the dancehalls.  Small local
dancehalls were dotted around North Kerry in the 1940s and 50s. These were the
main venues for entertainment until the advent of the big ballrooms and the
easy availability of transport meant the people went dancing outside their
local area.

There were two
dancehalls in town, Walshe’s Ballroom and The Plaza. The Plaza which was built
by Frankie Chute was a cinema but it held dances on big occasions like the
Races.

Walshe’s Ballroom
was first located upstairs in a premises in William Street. Sunday night was
dance night and older people remember long queues of young people waiting for
this hall to open.

When this hall had
to close when the floor collapsed, Vincent Walshe moved operations to a site he
owned opposite the Astor Cinema. He built a big luxurious state -of -the -art
ballroom with a sprung maple floor, a mineral bar and a cloakroom.

The Las Vegas, as
it was called had a mineral bar, with “catering by Diana.” The Diana in
question was Diana McElligott.

The cloakroom was
another luxury you didn’t have in the smaller crossroads halls. For a small fee
you could leave your coat in safekeeping for the duration of the dance. You
handed in your coat and the cloakroom attendant attached a ticket to the coat
and you were given the corresponding ticket stub. If you had no pocket you had
to keep the stub safely in your shoe until you came to collect your coat at the
end of the dance.

The Las Vegas also
had a resident band. Bunny Dalton was the band master. Jim Sheahan played the
saxophone with this band for 5 or 6 years. Other members of the band were Jerry
Scanlon, Mai Chute, who played the piano, John Moore of Mountcoal who played
the saxophone and Jerry Barry  on
trumpet. Tim O’Sullivan was Jim’s music teacher. For 1 shilling a lesson he
taught him to play the fiddle. Tim also played the saxophone and he spotted
Jim’s potential. Jim was already playing the tin whistle and the skills
transferred to the saxaphone as the notes were the same. Since he neither drank
nor smoked he had plenty of lung power and he took to his new instrument with
enthusiasm.  At one stage the band had a
vocalist, Johnny Cahill. This is the same Johnny Cahill who played Carthalawn
in the first production of Sive.

This was the era
of the big band and Vincent Walshe put together a band to rival the best in the
land. Bunny Dalton and his band played for the dancing on Wednesday and Sunday
nights. Occasionally, Vincent Walshe brought big names like Mick Delahunty and
Brendan Boyer to town. These were known as “all night dances’ and they went on
until 3.00 a.m. The big band would take a half hour break from 12.00 to 12.30
and the house band would play during this half hour.

People came from
far and near to the dances. Many of them came on foot or by bicycle. If patrons
were lucky enough to have a car there was ample parking in the vicinity of the
hall.

There were no
dances during Lent and local drama groups like Danny O’Donoghue of Lixnaw used
to put on plays in the hall.

Jim remembers
earning 30 shillings a night as a musician. This was good money in those days.

Occasionally the
band would play in other local halls. The Walshe’s had a van for carrying the instruments.
Most halls had a piano and if they didn’t Mai Fitz had her own piano accordion,
which she brought with her.

Jim remembers
great meals after dances in Hennesseys in Ballyduff and Doyle’s in Ballyheigue
or in Hegartys. Dancehalls in those days were often built adjacent to the
owner’s house.

This were the days!

<<<<<<<







Edel Quinn and Tralee



I come from Kanturk which is the hometown of Edel Quinn. Only last week I spotted this plaque on a wall in Tralee. I learned that she lived and went to school in Tralee.

<<<<<<<<



The Longed For Week has arrived




Very soon the gate will open and the bridge will be thronged with people. Races 2017 is on our doorstep.

From Tanavalla to Pittsburg, O’Connell’s Avenue and Gapo’s

By

On September 7, 2017

In Uncategorized

Photo: Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<<

Down Memory Lane in The Seanchaí


Jimmy Deenihan gathered some old Tanavalla neighbours, a few cousins and assorted GAA friends to meet and greet Mary Kay Marince, daughter of Tom O’Donoghue of Tanavalla and Pittsburg. Tom was a great GAA supporter and a friend to any Irishman who found himself in Pittsburg and called into The Blarney Stone. Mary Kay was in Kerry with her two daughters for the Rose of Tralee Festival 2017.

Old friends, Peggy Brick, Junior Griffin and Kathleen McCarthy.

Mary Kay remembers her father and his love of Kerry in general and Listowel in particular.

Junior regales the Florida Rose with tales of her card playing grandmother.

Elizabeth meets the next generation of old neighbours, the Sheahan family of Listowel.

Elizabeth Marince with James Sheahan.

Elizabeth with Nora Sheahan, who lived beside the O’Donoghue’s in Coolnaleen and who visited them in Pittsburg.

Elizabeth’s Rose escort was a Donegal man. He came to Listowel to be part of her homecoming.

Elizabeth with her cousin Mossy Molyneaux.

Lots of Cousins and friends

<<<<<<<


O’Connell’s Avenue 1961  or ’62


Noel Roche shared this one a while ago.

Included in the photo are:

Noleen Reidy, David Roche, Giggs Nolan, Pat Galvin. Seamus Fealey, Timmy Nolan, Sheila O’Connor, Jeremiah O’Connor, Mikey Hayes, Paddy Gunn, Anita Gunn. 

<<<<<<



Gapo’s of William Street




This restaurant has been doing business in Listowel for a while now. 

Recently it was featured in Listowel Food Fair’s Facebook page and here is what they wrote.

“From one of the world’s most ancient nations, to a North Kerry town at the heart of rural Ireland. The journey for Gapo’s begins far away in Armenia where Head Chef Artur Gabrielyan comes from. Born and raised near the country’s capital Yerevan one of Europe’s most exuberant and endearing cities, Artur was born into a family steeped in food culture. All family both immediate and extended were involved in cooking, his grandmother Nvart was the head village Cook, the lady who villagers called on whenever there was a cause for celebration; birthdays, christenings or weddings. Nvart would gather her crew, usually several other village women all great cooks they would get together and feed the party. Creating hearty feasts of their country, sharing dishes and great times. Having grown up in this environment, it’s not surprising that Artur chose a career in food, although it didn’t begin that way. 

Living in Yerevan in the late 1990s, Artur closed the business he was running largely due to the unrest around him, the city had remained in turmoil since its break from the Soviet Union in 1991. He felt a life away from his homeland was the best option for his future. Initially planning on heading to Sweden with his friend, this didn’t work out and he found himself in Ireland. His first experience of Irish culture was watching Riverdance while still living Yerevan, the iconic dance performance captured his imagination and planted Ireland in his conscious. 

On arriving in Ireland, he first came to Dublin and shortly afterwards arrived to Listowel. It was here he found his feet and began taking English classes that were being offered at the time to residents in the town looking to learn the language. While doing these classes, a local woman Sue McKenna who noted his talent for food, introduced him to Mario Del Alessandro who took him on as a chef. And so, began a 16-year career at Casa Mia’s Ristorante further up William Street. 

Not only did he find a job, he also met his wife Liene Druka who worked as a waitress at the restaurant. Liene had arrived on a gap year from college with her friend, a native of Tukums Latvia, she spent a year at Casa Mia’s before returning to college to complete her studies. Once her studies finished, she was back in Listowel and remained working at Casa Mia’s until the birth of their first son in 2007. Following on from that she worked locally in both Ballybunion and Listowel until 2016 when the couple decided to open their own restaurant. Spotting a demand for something different in the town, while also having the opportunity to create Armenian style dishes, Artur and Liene took over the property on William Street formerly known as Mai Fitz’s. Opening on May 11th, 2016 they have made their mark as giving a unique dining experience in the town. While there are several Lebanese style restaurants located on the east coast, close to Dublin, to find an Armenia exclusive restaurant is tough. So, it may be possible that Listowel has the only Armenian Restaurant in Ireland! 

The creations at Gapo’s are uniquely Armenian with a reference to European cuisine. Artur and Liene offer an experience for their guests by taking them on a journey through the different countries by using food as their vehicle. The main characteristics of Armenia Cuisine are a reliance on the quality of the ingredients, the use of wheat in a variety of forms, of legumes, nuts, and fruit as a main ingredient as well as to sour food, and the stuffing of a wide variety of leaves. The Tabule dish for just €6 served as a starter on the evening menu is a great way of trying out the cuisine. 

And what does the name Gapo’s represent? Gapo is the name of Artur’s grandfather who without doubt would be very proud of the success his grandson has achieved here in Ireland. 

We have had a real adventure this week with Gapo’s and would like to thank Artur, Liene and their two beautiful sons Gabriel and Mikael for having us and sharing their Food Story.”

<<<<<<<



A Killarney Celtic Cross


This magnificent Celtic Cross is situated in the town centre opposite The Haha in Killarney.


Celtic Crosses and Racecourse Tipsters and Our Little Water problem

By

On September 6, 2017

In Uncategorized

Photo; Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<<


The Celtic Cross

The Celtic cross is a form of Christian cross featuring a nimbus or ring that emerged in Ireland and Britain in the Early Middle Ages. A type of ringed cross, it became widespread through its use in the stone high crosses erected across the islands, especially in regions evangelized by Irish missionaries, from the 9th through the 12th centuries.

A staple of Insular art, the Celtic cross is essentially a Latin cross with a nimbus surrounding the intersection of the arms and stem. Scholars have debated its exact origins, but it is related to earlier crosses featuring rings. The form gained new popularity during the Celtic Revival of the 19th century; the name “Celtic cross” is a convention dating from that time. The shape, usually decorated with interlace and other motifs from Insular art, became popular for funerary monuments and other uses, and has remained so, spreading well beyond Ireland.  (Wikipedia)

Some of the many celtic crosses in St. Michael’s Graveyard, Listowel

<<<<<<<


The old Presentation Primary School is demolished



Photo by Denis Carroll: July 19 1991

<<<<<<<



Racecourse Tipsters  by John B. Keane



(continued from yesterday)


Racecourse tipping
calls for little or no skill. A peaked cap and a well-worn raincoat is the
usual attire and while a pinched face is an asset, it is not an absolute
necessity. An air of confidentiality also helps. The first practicing tipster I
knew managed to give the impression that he singled out only certain people for
his favours. Before making a sale, he would first look about to make sure that
nobody would know what was happening., thereby convincing the customer that if
too many people knew the identity of the horse the odds would not be
worthwhile. He might also hint that he was a dropout from a racing stable and
was possessed, as a result, of inside information. Throwaways like, “He was
nobbled last time out,” or “He likes it yielding,” or “He’s off today,” never
fail to impress prospective customers.

Now let us look at
the trade’s accouterments. These are simple and few, I am happy to report.
First, one must be able to read and write. Secondly, a large stock of notepaper
and envelopes is essential.

Now let us suppose
that there are nine horses in the first race. Let the tipster write the name of
each horse on a single sheet of notepaper and indicate whether it should be
backed for win, place or each way. Obviously hot favourites should be backed
only for a win. Outsiders should, of course be backed for places or each way.
Place each sheet of notepaper in its own envelope and seal the envelope. Place
the nine sealed envelopes in a larger envelope and indicate clearly that it
contains the entrants for the first race. Follow the same procedure for the
remaining races. Tips should be sold for roughly a pound apiece.

When all are not
sold, the unsold envelopes should be given away for nothing as it is absolutely
vital that all the envelopes be distributed. This guarantees a winner and three
placed horses in every race, which has sufficient runners for place betting.
Let us presume there is place betting on six races on the card. This means that
you will have tipped six winners and twelve placed horses. It also means that
there will be a substantial number of satisfied customers.

During the races
the tipster might repair to a bar and partake of a few bottles of stout and a
ham sandwich. He should always vacate the bar before the last race and place
himself in a conspicuous position near the main exit. There are certain risks
involved. A punter who may have plumped on a loser recommended by the tipster
may well seek physical redress. There is also bound to be heaps of abuse as
naturally he will have tipped far more losers than winners but these are
hazards of the trade and who wants a trade without hazards.

On the credit
side, there is also a good chance that those who have backed winners will not
be unmindful of the man who provided them. Those who back winners celebrate as
a rule with intoxicating liquor and it is widely held that intoxication breeds
generosity.

Racecourse tipping
is open to both sexes. In fact it is a calling at which a presentable female
might excel more than her male counterpart.

<<<<<<



New 2 You




This new second hand shop has opened for business in Market Street. They have everything  from large items of furniture to children’s toys. They have an association with Neurofibromatosis Ireland.

<<<<<<<<<



Water Crisis brings out the Best in us



On Sunday last Sept 3 2017, we had a small water crisis when a pump broke down at the Listowel reservoir. Irish Water and the County Council were on it like a shot. The disruption to supply was kept to a minimum and by Monday we had tons of free bottled water available as well as the water from the tanks that had arrived on Sunday. Everyone helped vulnerable neighbours and hospitals and schools were kept supplied.

Listowel Town Square Monday September 4 2017

In the carpark opposite Listowel District Council offices

<<<<<<



Just a Thought



Last week I had the task of delivering you a thought for the day on Radio Kerry.

In case you missed me and would like to listen while the thoughts are still available online, here is the link

Just a Thought by Mary Cogan

Kerry Football, Tipsters, Ché Guevaraand Butler Language Academy

By

On September 5, 2017

In Uncategorized

Photo: Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<


Kerry Football; The Early Days


(Con Houlihan)

We are told that Gaelic football spread like wildfire(after its invention as a game in 1884). Soon there was a club in almost every parish in the country. People sometimes ask why the game became so popular in Kerry. The answer may surprise you. There were many rugby clubs in Kerry and some of them turned over to the new game. Killorglin’s Laune Rangers were an example. They were a famous rugby club but they were the first team to represent Kerry in an All Ireland Final. The new game attracted great crowds and soon the Kerry football team had a great following. They reached their peak in the late twenties and early thirties and again in the late thirties and early forties.

<<<<<



By the Silver River Feale






<<<<<<<



Racecourse Tipsters



John B. Keane wrote a great essay about a colourful character who was part and parcel of every big race meeting. For the week that’s in it, here is his piece about a trade that is now completely redundant.



 Racecourse Tipsters  By John B. Keane

I believe that
there are people born into this world for no other purpose than to be deceived.
They themselves accept the role as if it was theirs by right. They are, as it
were, the intellectual fodder on which conmen sustain themselves. They have
long been easy meat for clairvoyants, astrologers and palmists, to mention but
a few of the prophets of the modern world. Americans have a name for them. They
call them suckers.

A worthwhile, if
somewhat frowned upon career can be made from preying on these all too
plentiful gulls.  Now, therefore, we will
deal with the little known occupation of tipster as opposed to the more highly
regarded profession of racing correspondent. I must confess here and now that I
have not encountered a racecourse tipster for twenty or more years which should
encourage aspiring candidates to the position. I can’t imagine why this is so
as it was a lucrative trade as well as being colorful and sporting.

I was once
acquainted with a racecourse tipster. He was the father of a large family,
several of whom entered holy orders and remained in holy orders much to the
betterment and general edification of themselves and their communities. One
became a doctor, another a teacher and the youngest a black sheep. Black sheep,
I might add, only flourish where there are large and highly successful
families. An only son rarely turns out to be one. Let me return, however, to
our friend, the tipster. A successful member of the tipping fraternity once
told me that the cream of his clients were middle-aged women who purchased his
tips out of charity rather than any hope of backing a winner. Other customers
were drawn from all walks of life while a hard corps was made up of patrons to
whom he had previously peddled winners and placed horses.

(continued tomorrow)

<<<<<<<



Ché Guevara in Clare




Liam OHainnín took these photos on a recent trip to Clare.

<<<<<<



A New Kind of School opens in Listowel




The old National Bank building in Listowel Town Square has been completely overhauled. It is now the home of The Butler Language Academy. I recently spotted this group who had just had their photo taken before starting their new term.

This innovative venture offers all kinds of language and leisure courses.

Look at this for example; ” English and Golf This program is designed for the professional business person who wishes to not only visit the area, but also upskill on their English language level and enjoy a round of golf in our beautiful nearby golf courses. Details Transport will be arranged to meet and greet you on your airport arrival. Accommodation is organised with nearby excellent quality hotels. English classes are held in a beautiful historical building, The Butler Centre which is located in the heart of Listowel town.”

Dublin in Summer 2017, Craftshop na Méar and St. Michael’s

By

On September 4, 2017

In Uncategorized

Phlox in summer 2017

<<<<<<


O’Connell St. July 2017


I never travel without my camera. On my recent trip to the capital, I snatched a few quick snaps as I waited for a bus on O’Connell Street.

The GPO, historic building and symbol of our struggle for independence.

 Love it or loathe it, the spire is a symbol of the new Ireland.

In a doorway nearby, another potent symbol of modern Ireland.

And they laugh at us in Kerry when we mention fairy forts.

The Luas, modern transport in a modern metropolis

<<<<<<


Craftshop na Méar


I haven’t visited this lovely craft shop in Church Street for a while now. When I went there last week it had a Kerry’s green and gold theme going on.

<<<<<<<



How Football eclipsed hurling



(Con Houlihan)



When Michael Cusack founded the GAA in 1884, his big ambition was to revive hurling. He invented a game from the the best elements of soccer and rugby and cleverly called it Gaelic football, giving the impression that it went back a long way. The ironic outcome of this was that Gaelic football almost wiped out hurling. It was a simple game to understand and, above all, it caused little injury. This was in an age when a man’s hands were important to him. Hurling can be hard on the hands.

<<<<<<<



An Taoiseach in St. Michael’s

Fine Gael and the GAA were very much to the fore in the turning of the sod ceremony in St. Michael’s on Friday Sept 1 2017.

Photo: Radio Kerry

Leo was in Kerry for the tribute night to Jimmy Deenihan in Tralee. Earlier in the evening he turned the sod for the new technology room in St. Michael’s.  The school threw a little party for him with some excellent singing and dancing by some very talented  pupils.

<<<<<<<



Red Hurley in Duagh




Michael Dillane met Red Hurley at the very successful concert in Duagh Community Centre.

Page 4 of 5

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén