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
Author: listowelconnectionPage 67 of 194
Mary Cogan, retired from teaching in Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co. Kerry. I am a native of Kanturk, Co. Cork.
I have published two books; Listowel Through a Lens and A minute of your Time
Hi Mary, I believe the swan in Mary Dowling’s photo to be a native Mute swan rather than a migrant Whooper. See pic attached.
Mary’s swan
<<<<<<<<<<
A Polar Plunge
Prompted by my photo of my grandchildren sea dipping in December, Sue in the U.S. sent us this.
This is Lake Michigan with fewer waves. Photographer Laurel Covert captured a Lee Street Beach polar plunge.
<<<<<<<<<
Postbox on Upper Church Street
This mailbox is pre 1984 because An Post, the Irish postal administration, came into being in 1984 when, under the terms of the Postal & Telecommunications Services Act of 1983, the Post Office services of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (P&T) were divided between An Post and Telecom Éireann, the telecommunications operator now called Eir.
<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
This is a fact verified from my own experience.
The best way to find something you have lost is to buy a replacement.
The struggle is over, the boys are defeated Old Ireland surrounded by sadness and gloom Oh, we were defeated and shamefuI I y treated And I, Robert Emmet, awaiting my doom
Bold Robert Emmet, the darling of Erin Bold Robert Emmet will die with a smile Farewell, companions both loyal and daring I lay down my life for the Emerald Isle
Oh, hung, drawn and quartered Sure that was me sentence But soon I will show them, no coward am I My crime is the love of the Land I was born in A hero I’ve lived and a hero I’ll die
My barque lay at anchor, awaiting to take me Far over the billows to a land of the free I must see my sweetheart I Know she will cheer me And with her I will sail far over the sea
Oh, bold Robert Emmet, the darling of Erin Bold Robert Emmet will die with a smile Farewell, companions both loyal and daring I lay down my life for the Emerald Isle
Oh, I was arrested and cast into prison And tried as a traitor, a rebel, a spy But no-one can call me a knave or a coward A hero I’ve lived and a hero I’ll die
Goodbye to old Ireland Me parents and sweethearts Companions in arms, to forget you must try I am proud of the honour, ’twas only my duty A hero I’ve lived and a hero I’ll die.
Mick O’Callaghan contacted me after the Emmett/ Emmet discourse. It would appear that it is all not at all clearcut and the spellings Emmett and Emmet are interchangeable.
We used to call this fellow a pismire.
There is a restaurant in New York called Emmetts.
The Listowel football club is definitely Emmets.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Poem
Found this in Listowel Library
<<<<<<<<<
A Sad Story from the Archives
Kerry Weekly Reporter Saturday, 06 August, 1904
BATHING FATALITY AT BALLYBUNION A MAN DROWNED. GALLANT RESCUE OF OTHERS.
Yesterday while a number of visitors to Ballybunion were bathing a Dublin gentleman was drowned. A boat put off to the rescue, but was capsized and the occupants were in danger of being drowned also. The Rev. C. E. Fry, (Protestant Minister), and his son put , off in a boat to their rescue. Mr. Fry and his son were also thrown out of their boat, but were provided with life belts, and after considerable difficulty and with great gallantry succeeded in rescuing those in danger. Great excitement prevailed. Heavy seas were running at the time, and a tragedy was averted by the pluck Of Mr. Fry and his son.
(Later).
The name of the drowned man is John Mullins, a merchant tailor, who came to Listowel to assist John Kennelly in his business. Both went bathing, and Mullins was swept off his feet and carried off. John Coughlan and John Galvin were with Rev . Mr. Fry and his son in the boat. District Inspector Horrigan , Captain H. McElligott. and Sergeant Oates were also engaged in the work of rescue.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 was the loudest sound in recorded history. It was heard 4,800 km away.
Photo and text shared on Facebook by Baily’s Corner
“For Beautiful Scenery See Kerry”. A Bedford KZ P&T van which would have been built locally here in Kerry! Patrick Hegarty was a mail van contractor, operating under contract to the Department of Post & Telegraphs (hence the P&T logo on the van). P. Hegarty, Killarney. Phone 55.
He operated daily from Killarney to Waterville via Kenmare & Parknasilla. The Postmaster in Killarney, as nominee of the P&T, held a licence under the Road Transport Act 1932 for a passenger service on the route, so the contractor was allowed carry passengers.
Pic: Roy Marshall – The Bus Archive
<<<<<<<<
Pillar Postbox
I hope the missing collection time notice is just a temporary accident.
<<<<<<<<<
Oh for the days of the Kerry Dances
Text from Martin Moore on Facebook
A story from North Kerry. Martin Moore
There is a long tradition of step dancing in North Kerry, and this continues, thanks to dedicated masters such as Jimmy Hickey of Listowel.
The earliest known dancing master was Thomas Moore, known locally as ‘Mooreen na Rinnce’.
Other exponents of this style were Ned Walsh, Jerry Molyneaux, Phil Cahill and Paddy White.
Paddy White was from Bedford, Listowel and at a Feis in Listowel in the summer of 1915, he took first prize in the jig, reel and hornpipe and followed this with the same award for dancing ‘the blackbird’. The newspaper then incorrectly recorded him as ‘D White’.
Paddy lived a long life, and was still dancing when I was a garsoon!
This is all the more amazing considering how his dancing days could have ended on New Years Day 1921.
That evening some neighbours were playing cards at Bedford and they dispersed on the approach of lorries of Crown Forces.
Paddy and Edward Barrett jumped a fence to hide. The occupants of the lorries raided a nearby house, where a man named Mangan, of Kilfeighney, was hiding.
Mangan, took off, was spotted and fire was opened on him. Meanwhile, Barrett and White found themselves in the line of fire and both were wounded. Paddy suffered a broken leg.
The injured men were treated initially in Listowel, and subsequently in the military hospital in Tralee.
Paddy’s son, Ned, told me 23 years ago that the White family came to North Kerry from Antrim about 1704.
Crown Forces bullets could not curtail the dancing of Paddy White, shot at Bedford, 103 years ago.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Reminder of Another Age
My crib figures were passed on to me in this box by my late mother in law.
Lamb Brothers had a jam factory in Inchicore. It was still run by the Lamb family when it rebranded a Fruitfield in The 1950s or 60’s. Before the business was acquired by Jacobs, Fruitfield it was owned for a time by Nestle and the brands were incorporated with those of Little Chip and Chef.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
Gmail launched for the first time on April 1 2004. The timing was unfortunate as many people believed it was an April Fools’ Day prank.
In Listowel Town Park as you start your journey on The Greenway.
<<<<<<<<<<
Sheehys of Main Street
John, Martin and Michael Sheehy were my first internet friends. There would be no Listowel Connection today without John’s encouragement and fostering of my early forays into online information spreading.
All three of these very bright charming men emigrated to the U.S. and prospered there. They kept Listowel in their hearts always and revelled in news from “home”. I think of them whenever I pass their commemorative seat in Listowel Town Park. They would be so pleased to know that we now have this little community connecting emigrants with home.
<<<<<<<<<
APPLICATIONS FOR CONTRACTS AT ANNUAL SALARIES
Road maintenance applications as reported in Tralee Mercury, Wednesday, 03 February, 1836
1 Maurice Connor and Richard Bunnion, to keep in repair for 7 years 802 perches of the Road from Tralee to the Cashion Ferry and Listowel between the Bridge of Moybella and the East bounds of Glowrie contracted for by Michael Grady, Securities James Kissane and William Collins at 4.5d per and by the year for
2 Michael and Robert Cox to keep in repair for 7 years 1356 perches of the Road from the Cashion Ferry to Ballylongford between the cross of Curraghdarrag and the Church of Ahavallin contracted for by Michael Cox, Securities Robert and Philip Cox at 4d per, and by the year for £22 12s 0d.
3 William Perryman and Thomas James, to keep in repair for 7 years 1302 perches of the road from the Sea at Ballybunion to Ballylongford between the Chapel of Glonmacore and the cross of Curraghdarrag, contracted for by William Perryman Securities John Lawor and Cornelius Cahill at 4d per and by the year for £21 14s 0d ‘
4 James and Edmond Slack, to keep in repair for 7 years 1114 perches of the Road from Tralee and the Cashion Ferry to Tarbert between Edmond Stacks house at Litter and Farranstack, contracted for, by James Stack, Securities Patrick M’Elligott and James Flahavan at 4d per and by the year °
5 Timothy Molony and Maurice Connor to keep in repair for 7 years 495 perches of the Road from Tralee and the Cashion Ferry to Ballylongford between Mrs. Tracys house at Gunsboro and Mrs, Forhan’s house at Kilgarvan Contracted to by Maurice Connor Securities, Samuel Raymond and William Raymond, at 5d per. and by the year.
6 Thomas Lynch and Denis Harty, to keep in repair for 7 years 1863 perches of the road from Listowel to the sea at Ballybunion and Kilconlie, between the cross of Moybella and the bridge of Bromore, contracted for by Ambrose Gallivan, security Thomas Lynch and Roger Harty at 5.5d per, and by the year for.
7 Garret Stack and Michael Mulvihil, to keep in repair for 7 year’s 1145 perches of the road from the sea at Ballybunion to Ballylongford and Tarbert, between the cross of Lahanes and Garret Stack’s house at Tullihinel, contracted for by Michael Kissane, securities Richard Kissane and Thomas Collins at 3.5d per and by the year for
8 John Fitzmaurice and Thomas Scanlan, to keep in repair for 7 years 844 perches of the road from Tarbert to Abbeyfeale, between the cross of Tarmons and the pipers cross near Newtownsandes, contracted for by John Fitzmaurice, securities Thomas Scanlon and Maurice Walsh at 7d per and by the year for,
9 Thomas Mangan and Daniel Loonie, to keep in repair for 7 years 680 perches of the road from Tralee and the Cashion Ferry to Ballylongford between the cross of Leamsahane, and the west bounds of the warren of Beale, contracted for by John Kennelly, securities Thomas O’Connor and Thomas Mangan at 4d per and by the year for.
10 Wm Connor and John Horgan to keep in repair tor 7 years 1716 perches of the road from Listowel to the sea at Ballybunion, between the cross of Scortleigh and the bridge of Ballyloughron, contracted for by Wm. Connor, securities George Hewson and Gerald M’Elligott at 9d per and by the year for
11 Wm. Brunskill and John Hanlon to keep in repair for 7 years 410 perches of the road from Tarbert to the harbour of Tarbert, between Mrs. Hamilton’s house and Patrick Moore’s house both in Tarbert, contracted for by Wm. Brunskill, securities John Fitzmaurice and John Hanlon at 7d per, and by the year for. .
<<<<<<<<<<<
Some more old Convent Photos
These are from an envelope of photos given to me years ago by the late John Pierse.
<<<<<<<<<
Big Changes at Charlie’s
This iconic premises situated just opposite Páirc Mhic Shithigh is undergoing major rebranding since it became O’Flynn’s Centra.
Lovely friendly local shop
<<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
Belly button lint is made up of clothing fibres, hair and dead skin cells.
Path through the trees, Listowel Town Park, January 2024
<<<<<<<<<<
Park Run, Saturday January 13 2024
The weekly park run is a bit (a lot actually) outside my capability. I was walking in Listowel Town Park on a crisp dry January morning. I was in search of “content” for Listowel Connection. Then I saw this.
Lidl is obviously sponsoring the Parkrun.
Nearby was my friend, Jimmy Deenihan, beside a stall laden with fruit and bottles of water. Participants in the Parkrun are refreshed with fruit and water, thanks to Lidl.
Roibeard Pierse and friends were manning the finish, timing participants and welcoming strays like myself.
What a lovely way to start a Saturday. If you are thinking of joining them, do. They are very friendly and welcoming and the run didn’t look too taxing.
21 William Connor for keeping in repair 1162 perches of the road from Tralee to Listowel between the Ford of Killocrim and the street of Listowel, his half years salary.
22 Same for keeping in repair 280 perches of the road from Tralee to Listowel between the West Bounds of Killocrim and Poulnahaha, his half years salary ….
23 Cornelius Quin for keeping in repair 514 perches of the road from Listowel to Glinn between the cross of Darragvone and the cross of Newtownsandes his half years salary.
24 William Sandes Jun. Esq. for keeping in repair 2115 perches of the road from Listowel to Tarbert and Limerick between the Bridge of Gale and the County bounds near Tarbert his half years salary
25 Adam Fizzell for keeping in repair 1668 perches of the Road from Ballylongford to Tarbert, between the cross of Ballylongford and the Mail Coach Road at Tarbert. His half years salary.
26 . Timothy Finnerty, for keeping in repair 669 perches of the road from Listowel to Ballylongford between the Bridge of Kilgarvan and the cross of Ballylongford. His half years salary.
27 John Sandes Esq. his salary at 9d in the pound for collecting and paying the Treasurer as per receipt.
<<<<<<<<<<
Celtic Crosses in St. Michael’s Graveyard
<<<<<<<<<<
Mick’s Daily Musings
Thursday January 11 th Day 5 of my poetic challenge
Weather is the buzz word all this week.
It’s the only topic when neighbours speak.
Chilly today, cool last night,
Those northeast winds are really a fright.
My old chest is killing me with the chilly air.
I must rub on my Vick for my menthol air.
Flurries of Snow are forecast to hit high ground
Whitening every hillock and mountain mound
Now we are full of anticipation.
Longing, dreaming about, expectation,
For snowball fights, making snowmen, snow women too.
Slides on slopes for me and you
Northerly Arctic freezing air attacking us.
Its chilly, houses are cooler, warm woollies are needed.
Give the heating another blast
And keep us comfy and snug while it lasts.
I’ve been busy this morning.
As I headed downtown for the post office
And the January sales
The last of the big spenders was on the way.
I enter the door of Jack Dunnes, a local store
Inspecting shirts, jackets, jumpers, and more
And then I cast my eyes on what I needed today
Soft top socks which were on display
With cottons and woollens gaining equal sway
I purchased six pairs of varying hues.
With navy, blacks, greens, and blues
To keep toes and footsies snug and warm
As I tread the paths and parks around town.
Now that my shopping spree is over.
It’s time to face the hill for home.
I later went for a good lively walk of 8000 steps
With lively rhythm and full of pep.
I was well layered up and felt no chill
As I clocked up my steps on Gorey Hill.
Mick O Callaghan 12.00 noon Thursday Jan 11 th 2024
<<<<<<<<<<<
When is an Emmet not an emmett?
I can’t believe that I have been looking at this word everywhere this week and I didn’t notice that I had the wrong spelling all the time. I apologise to everyone in the football club.
Thank you, Vincent, for setting me straight.
“When I was growing up, a nail bar was a bar for pulling nails from timber.
Once, the late Bryan McMahon, called me aside when he saw that I had written Emmett with two TT,s, he explained that the football club was named after Robert Emmet,(with one T). Bryan said an Emmett (with two TTs) was an Ant or Beetle.
