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
The prestigious Listowel Writers’ Week 2025, had one of its outstanding events on May 30. It was, “ Poetry: Celebrating the Poetry of Paul Durkan-An Evening of Music and Poems to mark Paul’s eightieth birthday and the publication of Paul Durcan 80 at 80.” Unfortunately Paul didn’t live to see it, he died on May 17th
There is a tradition, among the good people of Ringsend, of gathering at a funeral procession to carry the coffin over the hump-backed bridge over the River Dodder just before the village. Needless to say at the funeral of one of our greatest poets the Ringsend people turned out in their droves to help the bereaved to, “carry Paul over the bridge.”
Prolific Irish Times journalist Frank McNally treated his readers to a story from some years ago. The volunteers overdid their enthusiasm for the tradition. They stopped a hearse, with three limousines behind it, at the bottom of the bridge and immediately launched into the routine of organising each other to carry the coffin into Ringsend until the driver of the hearse intervened. “Lads, lads stop,” he said, “This funeral is going to F…ing Bray.”
What did Paul think of the afterlife? I’m sure we can glean something from one of his poems.
Staring Out the Window Three Weeks After His Death.
Staring Out the Window Three Weeks After His Death
On the last day of his life as he lay comatose in the hospital bed
I saw that his soul was a hare which was poised In the long grass of his body, ears pricked
It sprang toward me and halted and I wondered if it
Could hear me breathing
Or if it could smell my own fear which was,
Could he but have known it, greater than his
For plainly he was a just and playful man
And just and playful men are as brave as they are rare.
Then his cancer-eroded body appeared to shudder
As if a gust of wind blew through the long grass
And the hare of his soul made a U-turn
And began bounding away from me
Until it disappeared from sight into a dark wood
And I thought – that is the end of that, I will not be seeing him again.
He died in front of me; no one else was in the room.
My eyes teemed with tears; I could not damp them down.
I stood up to walk around his bed
Only to catch sight again of the hare of his soul
Springing out of the wood into a beachy cove of sunlight
And I thought – yes, that’s how it is going to be from now on:
The hare of his soul always there, when I least expect it;
Popping up out of nowhere, sitting still.
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Blessing the Herd
Photo by Elizabeth Ahern
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Kerry Women in Literature
Here are three of the writers featured in KWM’s new exhibition.
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Shared On Line
An old photo of The Castle Hotel Ballybunion
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KDYS
The ramped entrance to KDYS Listowel
It’s Pride month.
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A Fact
Black cats are considered lucky in Ireland and the U.K but in the U.S.A. it’s white cats that are the lucky ones.
Killian and his friends climbed Carrauntuathail on a sunny day in May 2025.
Ballincollig lads on the summit, Killian, Riain, Sorin and Callum
A photo Killian sent on his way up.
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Congratulations
What an achievement for Billy Alexander and all the wonderful crew at Kells Bay, a third gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.
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Listowel Writers’ Week 2025..Listowel Literary Festival
Opening night is tomorrow night. There is a great programme planned for the week.
Here is a new venture involving the local community… Your chance to be part of the story.
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Clarification
An eagle eyed reader spotted yesterday that Fr. Antony Gaughan in this extract from his Listowel and its Vicinity refers to the street we know as Church Street as Ashe Street.
We have been down this road on Listowel Connection before. A quick recap is all I’m going to give here. A burst of republican fervour at one time in Listowel lead to requests to change the street names to commemorate Irish patriots. That campaign failed. Changing street names poses a huge problem for businesses with several issues, some of them fairly costly as well as inconvenient, of changing their business address on all printed and other documents, on bank accounts and invoicing accounts with suppliers etc.
Anyway the issue was eventually resolved by a compromise which saw the Irish version of the street names commemorating the dead republicans and the English version left unchanged. The above sign is an example.
Some people, unhappy with this solution, went on to call Church Street Ashe Street. Fr. Antony Gaughan, it would appear, was one of these.
Probably the best example today is Patrick Street which is in fact Upper William Street. There is no Patrick Street in Listowel.
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Progress at Lidl
This is where Dowd’s house used to be.
The present Lidl store on the left will be demolished.
The store was busy yesterday. Monday is always busy with the “specials’.
This big lorry arrived to the site while I was photographing.
We are going to get a brand new store, just like the Tralee one and the bigger carpark will be where the shop is now.
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A Fact
In 1310 shoes were made for the left and right feet for the first time.
Indianapolis, colloquially known as Indy, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County. Indianapolis is situated in the state’s central till plain region along the west fork of the White River. (Wikipedia)
Indy has a thriving American Irish community and they have just got a step closer to us.
Joe Cahill brings us the story.
Aer Lingus inaugurated direct flights between Dublin and Indy with a big gala yesterday evening.
We were there for the festivities – Céilí band, Irish Dancers, swag, fantastic spread of Irish hors d’oeuvres & more. I’m guessing 300 people (+passengers) were there at the gate.
1 minute on local TV station shows LAOH members Lucy & Susan a couple of times.
Nice touch – the plane flying the American and Irish flags from the cockpit windows as it approached the gate.
Susan happy to see the new destination.
The LAOH welcome party
Joe adds, “Somewhere I heard that over 500 people leave Indy airport for European destinations each day. Aer Lingus is hoping to capture a lot of that market channeling it through Dublin.
Indy has one of the nicest – and most efficient – airports.”
“We have several nice Irish pubs – and of course, those fantastic, huge breaded pork tenderloins.”
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Ballybunion for the MOYA Weekend
Reggie is cosying up to me as he sees Listowel as his home away from home in the fine weather.
Sunday morning on the beach was sunny but a bit chilly.
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In Kilcullen
On my Kildare trip I took in Kilcullen, a truly lovely little town.
Intriguuing piece of street art
I’ll be back in daylight to explore more.
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A Coincidence or Synchronicity
Sometimes two things happen at the same time. The two things have a relation but there is no obvious reason why they occurred at the same time. This happened last week.
My granddaughter, Róisín, went with her TY class on a pilgrimage to Knock as part of her wellness programme. The event was being held in memory of the late Donal Walsh. His father was one of the speakers.
Róisín is not particularly religious but she was very impressed by the events of the day. She prayed for me and she brought me holy water and prayer cards. I am the most religious person Róisín knows.
While the young people were in Knock the papal conclave was in progress. The young Irish pilgrims prayed that the cardinals would make a good choice. Then, the new pope was confirmed, Leo XIV.
On Saturday I read this in the Irish Independent.
Staggering coincidence surely?
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A Fact
The first International Women’s Day was obseved in 1911.
I had Clíona and Aoife for the weekend, always a pleasure.
Our three year old loved Listowel children’s playground.
Sunday was sunny so we headed to Ballybunion.
We didn’t bring a bucket and spade as we thought it was a day for a brisk walk. Aoife made a sandcastle of sorts using only her bare hands. The overcoats and sunglasses sum up the kind of weather we are having lately.
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An Australian with a Listowel Connection
We’ve had an email from down under.
Hello Mary,
My great grandfather Dr Jeremiah McKenna (same name as your hardware founder) emigrated on the famous and ill-fated SS Austral in 1882 at the age of 24-25 years to Melbourne – I believe he also came from Listowel, because his older brother certainly did – about a decade prior – Archpriest McKenna – both gentlemen appear numerous times in our national archives for very different reasons !!!
My imagination was captured by your article on McKenna’s of Listowel, and I was just wondering if there was a family connection with the hardware store Jeremiah McKenna founder ? I know both parts of the name were quite common in those days ? – If it helps, Archpriest McKenna was born in I think in the Rathea district of Listowel.
Cheers,
Mitch McKennna – Melbourne Australia
Maybe someone can help Mitch with an account of his famous ancestors before they left these shores.
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St Patrick’s Day Parade
The world’s worst wound
The awful war in Gaza was highlighted by this dedicated group. Israel, with the full backing of the US, has resumed its slaughter of men, women and children in this poor ravaged country.
Matt Mooney, who has a long association with the St. Patrick’s Day parade was marching the streets to raise awareness of this cause which is close to his heart.
Trojan Boxing Club was represented by these young boxers.
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Tom Waits
Turns out, everyone knew Tom Waits. In fairness, I would have known his voice. His face was a mystery to me.
Anyway, in case you didn’t know, I will now tell you what I have learned. Tom Waits spent his honeymoon in Tralee in The Brandon Hotel. Waits’ wife is Kathleen Brennan, whose Irish roots are in Tralee. Waits recorded tracks for an album in Ballyseede in 1981.
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A Concert
John Hooton found this treasure and posted it on Facebook
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A Fact
George Washinton’s second inaugural address was the shortest ever by any US president. He spoke 135 words.
Donald Trump’s 2885 word “weave” was twice as long as his first speech in 2017.
Christmas Recalled in Garry MacMahon’s Nostalgic Poem
A Kerry Christmas Childhood
Garry MacMahon
Now I cannot help remembering the happy days gone by,
As Christmastime approaches and the festive season’s nigh.
I wallow in nostalgia when I think of long ago,
And the tide that waits for no man as the years they ebb and flow.
We townies scoured the countryside for holly berries red,
And stripped from tombs green ivy in the graveyard of the dead,
To decorate each picture frame a hanging on the wall,
And fill the house with greenery and brighten winter’s pall,
Putting up the decorations was for us a pleasant chore,
And the crib down from the attic took centre stage once more.
From the box atop the dresser the figures were retrieved,
To be placed upon a bed of straw that blessed Christmas Eve,
For the candles, red crepe paper, round the jamjars filled with sand,
To be placed in every window and provide a light so grand,
To guide the Holy Family who had no room at the inn,
And provide for them a beacon of the fáilte mór within.
The candles were ignited upon the stroke of seven,
The youngest got the privilege to light our way to Heaven,
And the rosary was said as we all got on our knees,
Remembering those who’d gone before and the foreign missionaries.
Ah, we’d all be scrubbed like new pins in the bath before the fire
And, dressed in our pyjamas of tall tales we’d never tire,
Of Cuchlainn, Ferdia, The Fianna, Red Branch Knights,
Banshees and Jack o Lanterns, Sam Magee and Northern Lights
And we’d sing the songs of Ireland, of Knockanure and Black and Tans,
And the boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wran.
Mama and Dad they warned us as they gave each good night kiss,
If we didn’t go to sleep at once then Santa we would miss,
And the magic Christmas morning so beloved of girls and boys,
When we woke to find our dreams fulfilled and all our asked for toys,
But Mam was up before us the turkey to prepare,
To peel the spuds and boil the ham to provide the festive fare.
She’d accept with pride the compliments from my father and the rest.
“Of all the birds I’ve cooked,” she’s say, “ I think that this year’s was the best.”
The trifle and plum pudding, oh, the memories never fade
And then we’d wash the whole lot down with Nash’s lemonade.
St. Stephen’s Day brought wrenboys with their loud knock on the door,
To bodhrán beat and music sweet they danced around the floor’
We, terror stricken children, fled in fear before the batch,
And we screamed at our pursuers as they rattled at the latch.
Like a bicycle whose brakes have failed goes headlong down the hill
Too fast the years have disappeared. Come back they never will.
Our clan is scattered round the world. From home we had to part.
Still we treasure precious memories forever in our heart.
So God be with our parents dear. We remember them with pride,
And the golden days of childhood and the happy Christmastide.
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More Fairytale of New York windows
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Cookery Book Memories
Memories of Maura Laverty and her complete guide to good cooking, Full and Plenty, bond Irish mothers and daughters still.
Helen Moylan, Judy MacMahon, Bidgetta O’Hanlon all remember their mothers using recipes from this book.
The daughter in today’s Full and Plenty story cherishes the cookery book as a link to her mother but for a different reason.
Carmel Hanrahan told me her mother daughter Full and Plenty story.
Carmel’s parents, John and Breda Hanrahan at a social in the 1950s.
Breda bought her copy of Maura Laverty’s book in 1960. She wrote her name and the date she bought it on the flyleaf. This is precious to Carmel because it was just 2 months before she was born.
Carmel was only two weeks old when her mother passed away. So Carmel has no memories of her mother making the recipes. She treasures the book and she herself uses it.
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Christmas Stories from the Schools Folklore Collection
Christmas Day Christmas comes but once a year; When it comes it brings good cheer, When it goes it leaves us here, And what will we do for the rest of the year.
When Christmas morning dawns everyone is up early and goes to early Mass, and many receive Holy Communion. When people meet on their way to Mass their salutes to each other are:- “A happy Christmas to you” and the reply is – “Many happy returns”. The children are all anxiety to see what Santa Claus has brought them. When Mass and breakfast are over the children play with their toys while the elders are busy preparing the Christmas dinner. The chief features of an Irish Christmas dinner are – roast turkey, or goose and a plum pudding. The remainder of the day is spent in the enjoyment and peace of the home, and the family circle. Christmas customs vary from country to country but the spirit of Christmas is the same the wide world over. It is the time of peace, and it is also the feast for the children, because it was first the feast of the Child Jesus who was born in Bethlehem nearly two thousand long years ago.
Collector Máighréad Ní Chearbhaill- Address, Ballybunnion, Co. Kerry. Teacher: Máire de Stac.
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In the year 1839 on little Christmas night there was a fierce storm. The people were very happy and enjoying Christmas ; they had the Christmas candles lighted and the night was very calm. At ten o’clock they went to look at the cows and took lighted splinters as candles were very scarce in those days. It was so calm that the splinter kept lighting till they had secured the cattle for the night. Afterwards they went to bed, and were sound asleep when the storm arose at midnight. It was so bad that the people ran out of the houses. The houses were thrown down, cowstalls were flying half a mile away, and cattle were bellowing with no roof over them. The people were screaming for help, and tried to hold on to each other, and were very much exhausted. The storm lasted from twelve o’clock at night till seven in the morning. Then the people collected and made up little houses that they could sleep in, until a time came when they were able to build their houses once more. Afterwards when people talked of it they used to call it the night of the Big Wind. Pat Stack, Told by Nurse Stack, Newtownsandes, 62 years.
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Holly
Picture and text from Killarney Outlook online, December 2024
Saving the Holly
By Anne Lucey
The Brehon Laws had particular provision for the Holly Tree. So it is good to see the reminder from the Killarney National Park not to decimate this ancient tree.
The holly was one of the seven noble trees – along with oak, hazel, yew, ash, scots pine, and wild apple.
Cúchulainn made his carriage and spear shafts from the slow growing cuileann tree with the white wood. During the winter, then as now, birds visiting and native, survived on it.
Not only birds – the badgers, pine marten and wood mice – and the squirrel if he woke up feed on it.
The national park has an interesting line on the spikey leaves – these mainly occur at lower levels.
“If you look closely next time you see a holly tree, you might notice that they also produce many leaves without spikes, these are normally up higher up in the branches of the tree.”
The tree was seen as a fertility symbol and a charm against bad luck. The druids and Celts brought evergreens into their homes during the winter, believing that the plant’s ability to keep its leaves was magical and assured the return of spring. It was thought to be unlucky to cut down a holly tree, the park tells us.
But it wasn’t just “luck” that preserved the trees – many of which are hundreds of years old. The sophisticated Brehon laws had a penalty for cutting down holly. You could be fined two cows and a heifer for cutting a holly down on your own land. If you cut the branch of a neighbour’s holly the fine was a yearling heifer.
The national park is warning against collecting holly or other greenery from the park for Christmas decorations. I have news for them: the holly around Mangerton is nearly gone already. So, they might want to go back to the Brehon laws and confiscate a few cows!
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A Fact
Nelson Mandela was not removed from the terrorist watch list in the U.S. until 2008
