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

Category: Asdee Page 1 of 2

Floods and Prayers

By

On November 28, 2024

In Asdee, Listowel, Poem, Schools' Folklore

Listowel Arms Christmas Tree 2024

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When Life in Asdee was Full of Prayers

Eddie Murphy , aged 14 in 1937 submitted a long list of prayers to the Folklore archive.

Here are a few;

“God bless us” is said when a person sneezes.

“God bless all here” is said when a person enters a house.

“God bless the hearers” is said when a person hears of an accident occuring or some other serious happening.

“I. P. R. I.” – a person puts those letters on his forehead when going to bed and repeats the following words: “My Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews save me from a sudden and unprepared death”. If those words are said a person will not get a sudden death.

“The Lord have mercy on the dead” Is said when a person dies.

“The Lord between us and harm” Is said when a person hears of some bad happening.

“God speed the work” is said when a person is seen hard working.

“God speed you” is said to a person going on a journey.

“God save all here” is said by a person when he enters a house.

“God bless the mark” is said when a person speaks of a máchail of another person.

“The Lord have mercy on the poor souls” is said when a person takes a pinch of snuff.

That the harms of the year may go with him” it is said when something dies.

When going to bed the following prayer is repeated: “Here I lay down my head to sleep, to God I give my soul to take. Wake now wake never, to God I give my soul for ever. There are four corners in my bed there are four angels at my head. St. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, God bless this bed that I lie on, and if any evil comes to me, the Lord of heaven protect me, and if I die before I wake to God I give my soul to take.

“The Lord forgive me my sins” is said when a person says a curse.

“As St. Peter was standing on a marble stone at the gate of Jerusalem our Lord Jesus said to him “What ails thee Peter?

O Lord Jesus I am suffering from a toothache.

Peter thou shall be healed.

Anyone that keeps this in memory or about them shall never suffer from a toothache”. This prayer is repeated nine times after each other. The person must have belief in the prayer.

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Saturday Nov. 23 2024 in Bridge Road

Bridge Road was closed to traffic.

Emergency service people were doing all they could.

The water edged further up the road and into the park after I left.

I lit a candle and said a prayer on my way home.

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History Repeats Itself

(from the National Archives)

NAI REFERENCE:CSO/RP/1822/811
TITLE:William Ponsonby, Listowel, County Kerry: request for financial aid as compensation for losses sustained by flood of 16 August
SCOPE & CONTENT:Letter from William Ponsonby, chairman, District Committee, Listowel, County Kerry, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, pleading for financial aid as compensation for losses sustained by a flood of 16 August in the baronies of Clanmaurice and Iraghticonnor, an event that brought ‘most extensive distress in a district already severely impoverished’: encloses an account indicating in tabular format name of parish, number of persons effected and the ‘amount of Damage sustained’ as a direct result of the flood water.
EXTENT:2 item; 4pp
DATE(S):26 Aug 1822
DATE EARLY:1822
DATE LATE:1822

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Athea Church

St. Bartholomew’s Church was built by Fr. John Ryan in 1832 on a site donated by Thomas Goold. It is Gothic in style with its high pitched roof and tall elegant windows. In 1862, Fr. Martin Ryan consecrated, remodelled and enlarged the church at a cost of £650 and also installed a bell. Fr George Quain added a spire to the church in 1905 and a new bell. The entire church was renovated in 1986/87 by Fr Thomas O’Donnell P.P. and was completed by Fr. Patrick Kelly P.P. It was rededicated on October 18th 1987 by Bishop of Limerick Jeremiah Newman. 

A window is Athea church

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Food for Thought

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A Fact

In 2005 Angela Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany

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Time and Tide Wait for No Man

By

On November 27, 2024

In Asdee, Listowel, Poem, Schools' Folklore

Beautiful Christmas door at Kerry Writers’ Museum

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Honoured to have my Book Presented

Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, Uachtarán Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from Co Offaly was thrilled to receive a copy of Moments of Reflection on her recent visit to Dúchas Comhaltas Centre MTU Tralee. Karen Trench made the presentation.,

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Feale Flood 2024

Bridge Road on Saturday morning, Nov. 23 2024

Emergency service personnel were stopping people from going down Bridge Road.

Local people could only look on in horror.

We knew we were witnessing a once in a lifetime event.

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Christmas Windows

Fairytale of New York is this year’s theme. This is Vision Ireland’s shop window.

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Old Prayers

Eddie Murphy of Asdee, aged 14 in 1937 recorded a long list of prayers and prayerful ejaculations in the Schools Folklore collection.

“The light of heaven to all the poor souls in Purgatory and our own souls at the last day” is said when the candles are lighted on Christmas Eve.

“That we may be all alive to see them lighted again” is said also when the candles are lit Christmas Eve.

“God save the hearers” is said when the thing happens but very seldom.

“O Divine Jesus lonely to night in so many tabernacles I offer thee my lonely heart may its every beating be a prayer of love to thee thou art always present. –

The sacramental veils in thy love thou never sleepest thou art never weary of thy vigil for poor sinners. O Loving Jesus, O lonely Jesus may my heart be a lamp of light of which shall burn and beam for thee alone. Watch Sacramental sentinel. Watch for the weary world for thy erring soul for thy poor and lonely child”. is said to wish good night to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

“God love you” is said to a young person who does something for an old person.

“Snuachan maith chugat” is also said to a young person who does something for an old person.

“Hail and blessed be thy hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight in the piercing cold in the stable of Bethlehem. At that same moment and hour vouchsafe my God to hear my prayer and grant my request through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. This prayer is said fifteen times every night from the 30th. of November to Christmas Eve.

“I wish you a happy Christmas” is said to a person on Christmas morning.

“God grant you all happiness in the New Year” is said to a person on New Year’s morning.

“A long life to you” is said to a person who gives something to the poor.

“Bad luck from you” is said to a person who does some good act for another person.

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A Poem

Poet unknown

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Placenames

Geraldine O’Sullivan has done Trojan work in translating yesterdays place names.

Dear Mary,
I used Google Translate to help me with the English translation of the Placenames on the schools folklore collection as I was very interested in your article with regard to their origin .
Coillbuidhe – The forest in which the black trees grew Dubh-Áth – A small Áth that was on the other side of the Féile river was named Cluain Tiobraid – The town in which the well was named Cluain Meacain – The place in which the thing called yellow root grows Cluain Mhagh Con – The field in which the dog was. Cnoc an Iubhair – The Iubhair tree was named after. There is a tree like that growing on the top of the hill there to this day. Fionn Uaigh – The grave that is fawn. Fionn Abha – A fawn tree (This was found by a child in the Class – Máire Uí Conaill). Mhagh Mheán – The flat plain Bun-a-Ghearra – A cut was made there for an underground road or something like that and because of the beginning of the cut there it was called “Bun a’ Ghearra”. Derry – Wood. Drom Beag – The small ridge. Gort na Sceiche – Hedges growing there. Béal – There is a bay, at the mouth of the Shannon. Cúl Árd – This is on top of a hill, it is a kind of corner. Coill a’ Ghuirtín – The wood in which the small field is. Drom Iarainn – The ridge where there is perhaps iron. Caisleán Easa Duibhe – Asdee, in English. I do not know how it got its name. Áth-an-Turais (Bedford) – Some ford that people would cross on their journey to some holy well. Ladhar a’ Crompáin Innis Mhór – Ennismore Leaca – Lacca Mín – Meen Toirbhéart – Tarbeit. Some connection with the women rulers of Toirbhearc or something like that. Cill Eachdruim – Killocrim. Baile ‘n Ghrianáin – Ballygrennane. Baile an Ridire – There was a Knight of Garraidh in residence there. Son of Réamonn Reamhar Mac Muiris. The ruins of the castle are still there. It is likely that the Mac Muiris line that is very numerous in and around Listowel descended from him. Tripail – A collection of Luachra. Biolarach – Billeragh. The name comes from “biolair”. Fuarthán – There is a spring of fresh water in the place. Perhaps that is where the name comes from. Baile an Abhainín – A small river running through it probably gave the name. Cill Mórna – A village there, and it is said that a woman named Mórna was buried there. There is some story that a coffin and other objects were found there. Baile an tSeanbhaile – Tanavalla. Garrdha Árd – Cranyard. Lios Eiltín – Lisselton – It is said that St. Eiltín had a lis or cell there – the patron saint of Kinsale. Coill a’ Mhágh’ Ruaidhe – Killomeroe. Cnoc na Gaiseal Úrlaidhe – Urlee. “Úrlaidhe” means a fight or faction fight. There may have been a fight of some kind there, at some point. Baile an Búinneánaigh } Ballybunion. Baile Bun Abhann } Leac Snamha – A slab that they would probably have to jump off when they went swimming. Ráth Fiadha – Rathea. Tuar na Gaoithe – A field where clothes are put to be washed. Clievrach } Cleveragh. This is said to be a derivation from “cliabh” which means “basket.” Barraig Plough } Or perhaps there was a monastery of Barra where some plough was built. There is a monastery of Barra today anyway. Pollach – Plough Rith Lán } Rhylane. It may be “Réidh”, meaning “Réádh-Lán” } “Réadh” means a moorland or heather plain; level plain; móinteán. Béal Cille – Bealkilla. Beithíneach – Behins. A place where birch trees grow. Brúgh Mhadra – Probably the palace of the dog…
With kind regards and best wishes,
Geraldine

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A Fact

In 2012 divers discovered a 2000 year old Roman shipwreck which was so well preserved that even the food in storage jars was still intact.

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A Play, A Train, Toast and a Poet’s Muse

By

On March 19, 2024

In Asdee, Duagh, Listowel

Bike stand with Listowel Arms in the background

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John Relihan in Kanturk

Duagh’s world famous chef and food entrepreneur was in Jack McCarthy’s world famous butcher’s and food shop in Kanturk on Saturday.

John Relihan with William and Cian Ahern in McCarthy’s on Saturday March 16 2024

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Lartigue Opening at Easter 2024

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From the Archives

Kerryman Friday, April 24, 1987

Tons of Money; comedy

GROUP Theatre Tralee takes the stage in Siamsa Tire Theatre at the end of this month with their 52nd production to date; a three act farce called “Tons of Money” by Will Evans and Valentine.

“It’s the funniest play I’ve read in years and I can recommend it unreservedly,” director Maurice Curtin told The Kerryman this week as work started on the set in Siamsa.

“Tons of Money,” which is currently running at London’s National Theatre, will be performed by the Tralee group from Thursday to Saturday, April 30 to May 2 at 8.30 p.m.

The cast of Group Theatre’s latest production in this, their 18th consecutive season, includes Betty Crowley from Ardfert, Bernie O’Connor from Moyvane and Tralee actors and actresses, Tony Collins (Lisbeg), Miriam O’Regan (Moyderwell), Brian Caball (Ashe Street), Brendan McMahon, Mary Church, Mairead Dowling, Danny O’Leary and Kay Dowling.

Mr. Curtin told The Kerryman that “Tons of Money” was one of the earliest box office blockbuster plays, reaching a record 733 consecutive performances when it was first staged, in London in 1922.

He said he believed it had been performed in Tralee before by the CYMS Drama Group and Denis Hourigan of St. Brendan’s Park, Tralee, could remember playing the part of the butler, Spules, in it.

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Stella

Stella was Dean Swift’s muse. Little is known about her. She was Esther Johnson, an English woman. She is buried beside Swift in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

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St. Patrick’s Day 2024

Kay’s Children’s Shop window

Big crowd of spectators

First sighting of the marchers

Leading the parade in sunny Listowel

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A Fact

French toast has nothing to do with France. It was the brainchild of Joseph French, an innkeeper in New York in 1724. He intended to call it French’s Toast but in his advertisement, he forgot the ‘s.

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Back to School

By

On March 15, 2024

In Asdee, Listowel

Daffodils and tulips in Market Street

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A Welcome Back

I was back in my old workplace earlier this week. I was in very prestigious company. Cora Staunton and I were the inspiring guests invited to be part of the school’s celebration of International Women’s Day. We are pictured above in the school’s new library.

Wouldn’t Sr. Benedict be so proud to see reading centralised in her old school?

The new library is colourful, well stocked and inviting. I am honoured that my two humble offerings are now on the shelves here.

The main business of the day took place in the hall. Cora and I were interviewed on stage.

The audience was attentive and appreciative.

A moving poem was delivered by Taylor Lynch. In a day away from Mother’s Day, Taylor’s poem in honour of her late mother was dignified and poignant.

Everything Wasn’t Perfect. 

Everything was perfect. 

Until it wasn’t. 

Your sweet smile, 

And loud laugh. 

Your buoyant nature. 

How birds sang, 

As you walked. 

Your hair danced, 

In the wind. 

You were perfect. 

A mother’s love, 

There’s no compare. 

Imprisoned into darkness. 

A hospital grey. 

Taken from us. 

“Paradise” you said, 

“I’m going there”. 

Four short decades. 

Freed from life, 

like a bird. 

Now your name 

Is a word, 

Carved onto stone. 

Everything was perfect. 

Until it wasn’t. 

Taylor Lynch 

_______

In a break in our interviews we had music, poetry and song from some of the very talented pupils.

A lovely event…thank you girls.

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One for the Diary

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From Pres. Yearbook 1988

Ah, happy days in the tuck shop.

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Water from the Well

This vignette of life in rural Ireland in the 1940s and 50s is from the late Jim Costelloe’s lovely book, Asdee in the 1940s and 50s.

Thanks for the memories, Jim. Rest in peace.

In the days before group water schemes were introduced to rural areas, domestic water was sourced from wells and pumps. If the water supply lasted through the summer and into October it was the sign of a good spring. I well remember trips to the local well with a white enamel bucket and trying to move the green moss on the surface of the well water so that it would not get into the bucket and make the water in the pure white bucket appear dirty.

Getting clear water into the bucket was a skilful job, between trying to avoid the green moss on the surface and the “dirt” at the bottom of the well. How wonderfully cool and refreshing a mug of water was straight from the well. There was always a mug beside the well and we often drank from it during those warm summers that we seemed to get long ago.

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A Fact

In 1999 the founders of Google tried to sell it to Excite for $1 million. The offer was turned down.

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Memories and Loss of Memories

By

On October 10, 2023

In Asdee, Ballylongford, Listowel

Greenlawn in October 2023

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Hospice Coffee Morning ; October 5 2023

Some photos from a very successful fundraiser. Some local people who were there to support a great cause.

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Ballylongford Ladies Named

Claire Healy, Bridie O’Sullivan, Deirdre Finucane, Ann Boxall, Mavis Hall, Breda Enright, Nuala Melbourne, Catherine Ahern, Joan Barrett and Mairead Lawlee

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Listowel Connections in the U.S.

Lovely memories from Eleanor Belcher.

I have been enjoying the blogs and have been meaning to email you several times with stories to add to articles. However I have been busy. 

The O’Sullivan reunion brought back a memory. My husband and I spent a year in Milwaukee and a friend of mine was visiting her uncle Dan Connolly ( from Co Limerick) who was a physician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We were invited to spend a weekend at the Connolly holiday home which was on a lake called Spider Lake  in Western Wisconsin. When we arrived Dan discovered that I was from Listowel so that evening he invited Michael O’Sullivan who also was a doctor ( pathologist I think) at the Mayo  clinic to meet me. Michael came with one of his daughters . She had a beautiful voice and later she sang a Mozart aria much to the delight of us all especially my husband who is a keen opera lover. The evening was memorable also because Ruth Connolly a formidable German lady and Dan’s wife insisted we all went to Mass at a convent across the lake. We went by boat. My husband a non Catholic was left behind with instructions to carve a smoked salmon which another guest had brought from Dublin. Ruth was most impressed by my husband’s skills ( he was a surgeon) as he extracted every last bit of salmon from the skin. 

. You might also not know that Denis O’Sullivan was a urologist in Cork and was known as Denis ‘Piss’ to distinguish him from another Dr Denis O’Sullivan a physician. Mary Lawlor from the Square went to work for the O’Sullivan family in Cork after she had done her Leaving Certificate. They (and my father) encouraged her to do nursing which she did at St John’s and Elizabeth’s Hospital in London. She and I still keep in touch, she lives outside Edinburgh. 

My Dad was the dispensary doctor in Ballylongford and Asdee so it was lovely to see the pictures of the church. He used to drop us down to Littor strand while he did his calls. We had tin whistles which we tried to play and we had a swim with Dad when he arrived. 

Eleanor Belcher

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A Caffler

Not everything is on line. Sometimes the old sources are the best.

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Dementia

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A Fact

Mockingbirds can imitate any sound from a squeaking door to a cat meowing

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