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
“A documentary about the love affair between a town and its cinema. The town realizes how lucky it is to have a cinema, as most small towns in Ireland have lost theirs. The Classic Cinema in Listowel is one of the last of the small family-run independent cinemas on this island. It is also the story of Kieran Gleeson, the man who rescued the cinema from dereliction over thirty years ago and ran it with love until his recent passing. In defiance of the odds, his wife and two teenage children continue to keep the flame of cinema alive in the town.”
Sadly, despite their trojan efforts the cinema has had to close its doors in January 2022
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Opening an Old Page
I discovered this old magazine lately. It’s like looking into another life. Here is one of the short articles written by the girls. looks like Listowel was vibrant with industries and festivals thriving.
<<<<<<<<<<<
A Man who Plants a Tree touches the Future
We’re getting a facelift down my way. David Twomey and the outdoor staff of Listowel Municipal Area of Kerry County Council are brightening up a little corner we used to refer to as the outside farm. We’re getting trees and shrubs on a pebble carpet. Lovely!
<<<<<<<<<
A Poem
In Ballyegan Bog
By John McGrath (In After Closing)
In Ballyegan bog the cuckoo’s tune
has changed to mark the turning of the year.
Through summer’s haze the lark sings loud and clear
I saved the following poem years ago. Unfortunately I never noted the name of the poet. If you wrote it or you know who did, will you let me know and I’ll credit them.
Listowel Donkey Derby 1959
The weather being fine, being fifty nine and the races drawing nigh
To win the donkey derby sure our hopes were very high.
So we called on all the donkeys that might win cup or bowl
And we started preparations for the derby in Listowel.
The donkeys came in dozens, some were fast and some were slow,
But sure that’s the way you’ll find them no matter where you go
But we put them through their paces and we raced them past the pole
And twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
We had Nixes grey and Driscolls bay, she showed a little blemish
John Joe brought our camera in case of a photo finish
When Lady Barney won the second race, Dan Riordan scratched his pole
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Nedeen Buckley came with Sad Dust and Nellies Morning Dew
This was a kind of challenge race and t’was left between the two
Then Margaret came on Forge Road Lad, He’s the sire of a foal
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
When Shanahan’s Stamps came winning home, the crowd they gave a roar
They heard it back in Coolagown and down through Ennismore
Bob Stack got so excited, he ran up the winning pole
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Scortlea’s Hope when going well, won many a thrilling race
He ran his best to half a length and that was no disgrace
But when Casey down from Dromerin, said he couldn’t run with goats
Sure his feeding was substandard, it was small Kilarda oats.
When Phil arrived on Gurtinard Lad, Sean’s donkey gave a wink
He started like a bullet and gave him no time to think
Our jockeys rode like professionals both fearless and bold
And there’s one thing I can vouch for; a race was never sold.
The crowd grew larger every night, they came from far and near
Elsey , Kit and Minnie came the winners home to cheer
We had Bertha , Paul and Bridie, sure they played their usual role
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Eileen came with Kathleen and Bridge came running fast
Sure Mary nearly broke her neck in case she might be last
Ginette was there from London oh my heart she nearly stole
And t’was all in preparation for the Derby in Listowel.
So then when the fun was over and we picked our chosen few
We raced them down Church Street where we met our Waterloo
But such is life, there is always strife in trying to reach your goal
Still our hopes are high for another try at the derby in Listowel.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Ferry at Rest
Breda Ferris took this photo of the Tarbert ferry. This is what she wrote about it when she posted it on Facebook;
‘Shannon Breeze’ Ferry leaves Tarbert and sails to Kilimer without any passengers. It is a terrific service when you consider the cost of doing this. Wonder should they have a booking service only during winter. Would surely save some money
<<<<<<<<<<<
John Lawlor’s Tragic Death in 1921
(From Glin Historical Society)
Kerrys fight for Freedom
John Lawlor was born on May 3rd 1903. His father was Listowel’s parish clerk and the family lived in Convent street. He was a member of the Irish Volunteers and at the time of his death was studying for the priesthood.
In November 1920 John’s father refused to ring the bells of Listowel church to mark armistice day and he was subsequently threatened and lived in fear of the RIC and Black and Tans.
A month later John was home on holiday from his clerical studies from All Hallows College, Dublin. On New year’s Eve as he was going to church he was accosted by a group of Black and Tans on William Street and brutally assaulted. This unprovoked attack was in response to his father’s refusal to comply with the request to commemorate Armistice Day.
John Lawlor died from his injuries on New Year’s Day was was buried in Listowel cemetery. He was 17 years old.
<<<<<<<<<
Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival 2022
BBF 2022, our local bardic festival will take place this year
– March 24th to 27th.
The committee are currently making plans today for workshops.
Closing date for entries to the writing competitions is February 28 2022.
For full details of the festival click on this link.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced €21.5 million for 27 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country.
The funding, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and footfall, combat dereliction, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in Rural Ireland.
A number of the projects approved for funding involve the re-purposing of old, derelict and historical buildings into modern-day remote working hubs, as well as enterprise, cultural and community facilities.
The funding being announced today will bring these projects through the development stage and to the point where they are ready to commence
Listowel, Co. Kerry: ‘Where Story Begins’ – €729,304: This major project involves the renewal of the town square, as well as the provision of a multifunctional co-working, tourism, heritage and cultural building. It also involves the connection of the North Kerry Greenway into the heart of the town and the repurposing of under-utilised units in the town centre as enterprise spaces.*
Cyril Kelly sent the photo to Eamonn Dillon and Eamonn sent it to me. It’s a picture of Church Street neighbours and shopkeepers, Liam Dillon (Eamonn’s father) and Mai Naylor (Cyril’s mother).
<<<<<<<<<<<
Sign of the Times
Lynch’s Coffee Shop is now reopened
<<<<<<<<<<<<
New Business on Leahy’s Corner
<<<<<<<<<<<<
A Poem of Hope for an End to This
Covid Sonnet
John McGrath (published in John’s anthology, After Closing)
The world has pinned us with a warning glance,
the kind our mothers gave us long ago,
the look that was designed to let us know
that this might be our last and final chance.
So grounded, we can only hope and pray
as, day by day, we inch away from fear
and tiptoe towards a future far from clear
our wounded planet showing us the way,
that voices raised in ignorance and greed
may yet be drowned by kindnesses and care,
together we may rise above despair,
united we will find the strength we need
as, all for one, we reach beyond the pain
and dare to dream tomorrow once again.
<<<<<<<<<
The Holy Season closes in St. Mary’s, Listowel
<<<<<<<<<<<<
Memories of the Movies
News that the cinema has closed brought up some cinema memories for blog followers.
So sad to see the Astor closing . It was a huge part of growing up for me . Introduced us to a fantasy world where we believe we were Cowboys / Indians ie The Durango Kid, Johnny McBrown , The Lone Ranger or Tonto, Elvis movies always guaranteed a full house . I remember a Chubby Checker Movie where every one was on their feet doing the Twist. Peter Cushing , Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff scaring us to death. What a great time it was. Noel Roche
I accompanied my grandmother to the matinee every Sunday. It was her outing. But for me on Monday at school the question was who went to the cinema yesterday. I had to stand up then my hands were put on the desk palm side down and I got wacked with the bamboo across my knuckles. That was my punishment for watching Hoppalong Cassidy with my gran. Not good memories. Maria Sham
So sad I remember in my day it was a great meeting place and we did not have much else going on in Listowel at night. It is definitely a sign of the times. Frankie Chute Phillips
My girleens are all grown up now. It was lovely to spend Christmas with them.
<<<<<<<<<<
St. Stephen’s Day 2021 in Youghal
<<<<<<<<<<<<
The Last Picture Show
Message of thanks from all at the Classic.
The final programme
Listowel’s ‘Classic’ Cinema has been in operation for almost 70 years, first as The Astor from 1949 to 1985 and then with the Gleeson family from October 1987 to January 2022.
Our lovely cinema closed its doors for the final time on Thursday January 6 2022.
<<<<<<<<<<<<
A Poem about Land and Legacy
John McGrath’s anthology, After Closing, is full of lovely poems to dip into. Here is one I like.
Foley’s Field
Dan Foley dug his field but not for gold,
Though long ago his father showed him how.
Plant trees! he said, The ground’s too poor to plough.
