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
Certain images say Ballybunion to us all; the castle, Virgin Rock, Nine Daughters Hole for instance. Uptown there are some unique local identifiers too.
trompe d’oeil cottage
Joyce’s, the post office
Mary Young statue seated outside St. John’s
<<<<<<<
Listowel Races 2023
I only went to The Island on one day and it was Ladies Day. This year, the celebrity designer judge, Don O’Neill, brought a New York frisson to the occasion.
Some of the style on show
Danny Russell put his millinery skills to work. He made this magnificent hat to match Norella’s silver pants suit.
My old friend and a faithful Listowel Races attendee, Mary O’Halloran was there with her daughter, Louise, both looking very stylish.
Photo: John Kelliher
The very popular winner of the top prize was local lady, Kathleen Flaherty, in a classic blue crochet suit. The judges recognised timeless style when they saw it.
<<<<<<<<<
I Remember, I Remember
This is my mother’s family home. It is no longer in the family but I paid it a visit on a recent trip home. If those walls could speak they’d tell the story of my beloved Uncle Bernie and Aunty Eily. Eily planted those flowers.
This tree was planted by my grandfather. He lives on in it and the memories it evokes.
<<<<<<<<
Catechism
I never knew, until someone shared this online, that Kerry schools once had their own approved catechism. Does the line “a general catechism for the kingdom” actually refer to Kerry or The Kingdom of Heaven?
<<<<<<<<
A Fact
The phrase “rule of thumb” comes from an old English law which forbade a husband to beat his wife with anything wider then his thumb.
I don’t play golf. Ballybunion golf clubhouse is not where you would usually find me. I know and love this year’s lady captain. Catherine Moylan, whom I regard as one of my family. So I got the golden ticket, an invitation to Catherine Moylan’s Lady Captain’s celebratory dinner and presentation of prizes on August 26 2023.
The dinner was a delicious one. I am assured that the golf was super enjoyable as well with a welcome goody bag at the start and refreshing cocktails at the half way point.
Catherine has joined a prestigious list.
Anne Cogan/ Darby, me and Catherine’s proud parents, Eddie and Helen Moylan at the prosecco reception in the clubhouse.
Norma Mullane, Betty Doolan, and Maria Lyons, just a few of Catherine’s many friends there to support her on her big night.
Catherine with her book club friends
Some golfing family members, uncle Jim Noonan who won the guest prize, aunt Tess Noonan, Mary Noonan and Eddie Moylan. Eddie also played in the golf competition but without success.
Illness including Covid kept a few people away.
Creating a welcoming ambience as we gathered was John McKenna on the piano, always a treat.
Patricia Boyle and Lady President, Norma Browne, with Catherine
The Lady Captain’s prize 2023 was some beautiful jewellery by Claddagh Design. The lucky winner, Josette O’Donnell, was delighted with her prize.
There were lots of prizes, including John Rahm’s balls…..golf balls that Catherine had the foresight to ask him to sign when she met him on a visit to Ballybunion this summer.
Photo from Ballybunion Golf Club on Facebook
It was a great night for chatting and socialising and catching up. It went on late into the night.
I think I’ll forget pickle ball. Golf looks attractive.
Owen Barrett with Catherine
Margaret Scannell and Norma Browne chat with friends after dinner.
Helen shared a laugh about a funny anecdote from the time these two last met at an opera in Dublin.
Nóirín Galvin, Catherine and Anne were in school together.
The Cork, Dublin, Listowel and Tipperary cousins were chatting ’til late.
<<<<<<<<
Drama with a Difference
Seán Moylan was a legend in my neck of the woods. Michael Patric has brought him vividly to life in this one man show which I saw in St. John’s on Sunday August 27th.
Patric was brilliant in the role of Moylan. He also wrote the script. Growing up I had heard of Clonbanin, Moll’s Bridge and other local places where ambushes were set and soldiers were captured. I learned from Patric that it was only their guns and ammunition that the boys were after and usually the soldiers were freed unharmed. The same cannot be said for Republicans captured by the soldiers. It wasn’t always the notorious Black and Tans who did the killing. It was as often as not trained and supposedly disciplined soldiers.
The show is a triumph. Even if you are not from North Cork and even if your mother’s first cousin is not one of the Men of the South you will enjoy this performance from an actor at the top of his game. If you get a chance to see it, grab that chance. You won’t regret it.
<<<<<<<<<<
What a Picture!
Philip O’Carroll has very generously opened his photograph album for us. This precious photo below was taken in 1951, according to Philip the only occasion on which all the O’Carrolls were together.
Philip has named the people in the photo for us.
The year is 1951, the only time that the O’Carroll Clan was ever assembled in one place.So, let me name the family starting from right to left:
Philip (me!) Born 1948
Gerard, who was a prominent and controversial detective
Joseph, who is a priest in Manchester
Michael, retired from the World health Organization, now living in Nicaragua
Gene, deceased
Eleanor, deceased
Dympna, deceased
Liam, deceased
Denny, alive and well at 88
Vincent also alive and well and about to celebrate his 90th
John, who was always known as Bob, deceased
Tom, the eldest, deceased
Mother, Mary Ellen Moloney deceased
Louis, in mother’s arms, deceased
Father, James, long deceased
And finally, my grandmother, Kate Moloney
In the background is the family’s rick of turf, fuel for the winter.
Philip remembers days spent in the bog.
We had a bank of turf in Coil Bui, a few miles from Cahirdown. At one time or another we all paid our dues cutting the turf. There was a wonderful stillness to the bog, so quiet you could hear people talking hundreds of yards away. The curlew’s cry only accentuated the stillness.
The turf was cut by the man on the slean, usually a man of some heft, whose reputation depended on how much turf he could cut in a day. A pike man tossed the heavy bricks to the youngsters who spread it out to dry, footing it and re-footing it into little stacks and then ever bigger stacks until it was time to bring it home. The milk and the porter (in bojonters) was cooled in the bog water until it was time for the tea. The tea tasted of the bog but it was sweet and strong. And the sandwich! I have dined in Michelin star restaurants across the planet but nothing has ever rivalled the taste of the bog sandwich.
When the turf was home and stacked, “There was great comfort in looking at that great mass of turf.”
<<<<<<<<
A Fact
The Cairo Opera House was destroyed by fire in 1970. The Cairo fire station was located inside the same building.
Kerry Evening Post Wednesday, 01 December, 1897; Page: 4
EVENING CONCERT IN LISTOWEL.
One of the most successful concerts ever hold in Listowel was the grand evening entertainment which came off in the Hall of the Total Abstinence Society, Listowel, on Wednesday evening. From every point of view the concert was a most pronounced success. The fact that the entertainment was held under the auspices of the society, and in aid of the funds of the organisation, fully accounts for the large and fashionable attendance ; but the enthusiasm of the audience can be accounted for only by the fact that the various contributions were performed in the most capable and finished manner. The programme was varied and interesting in character, judiciously drafted and calculated to appeal to every taste. In addition to local artistes, a number of other ladies and gentlemen also contributed to the programme.
The vocal items were rendered in fine style, and did not fail to draw enthusiastic plaudits from the audience; but the success of the entertainment must, to a great extent, be attributed to the recitals by the Misses Rahilly, and the instrumental contributions, which rank amongst the finest performances ever witnessed at a local concert. Every one, of course, expected that Miss Florence Rahilly would sustain her widespread reputation in a department which she has made peculiarly her own; but the excellence of the performance of Miss Tessie Rahilly, on the occasion of her first public appearance, took everyone by surprise. Needless to say, her reception was of the warmest character. The instrumental items: particularly the contributions of the Misses Creagh, were rendered in a style which betoken splendid musical ability and an appreciation of the composer’s work as admirable as it is rare, at a local entertainment, and which reflects infinite credit on local talent, which never showed up in better form than on Wednesday night.
The arrangements left nothing to be desired with the result that, though the hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, no inconvenience was caused. A special word of praise is surely due to Mrs Fitzpatrick, to whom, in a great measure, the success of the entertainment is to be attributed. She conducted the practice meetings with a degree of success, which only wide experience and splendid abilities as an instrumentalist and vocalist rendered possible. It is to be hoped, she will be long associated with our local entertainments.—Correspondent.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Gift of Ink….Update
Philip O’Carroll is sorted. Many people have offered him digitised versions of the LP . Philip and his family are remembered with great fondness in Listowel and many of his old friends were only too willing to help him. Thank you everyone who offered to source the album for him.
<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<
Aspects of Ballybunion
The Beach Mission, always a reliable on the beach in August is back this year.
Signage on the beach has greatly improved. Clear flagging of areas of rip current means that the beach is now safer for everyone.
A Feature of the beach in recent years is beach art. It is a lovely way to send greetings for a birthday, wedding other celebrity occasion.
Seats are often memorials where a visitor can rest and remember someone who loved this spot.
Areas where it is safe to swim are clearly flagged.
This lifeguard on the waters’ edge was monitoring two swimmers.
He was on red alert for any sign of danger and had his whistle at the ready in case anyone wandered into unsafe waters.
Flags and dangers clearly explained
<<<<<<<<
Think Before you Judge
Food for thought from Mattie Lennon
A famous British explorer was invited to a seaside town to give a talk about his adventures in the African jungle. “Can you imagine a people so primitive that they love to eat the embryos of a certain bird and slices of the belly of a certain animal?” the explorer asked the assembled audience. Its members gasped and looked around at each other in horror. “They also grind up grass seed, make it into a paste, burn it over a fire, then smear the result with a greasy mess that’s extracted from the mammary fluid of certain other animals,” the explorer continued. “Utterly barbaric! How can people live like that?” said a shocked individual. “All I’ve described is a breakfast of bacon, eggs and buttered toast, sir!” retorted the explorer. Moral of the story: Don’t be quick to judge cultures before you understand your own!
<<<<<<<<
Nuns or Púcas
Convent Street
Or is it Gleann an Phúca?
<<<<<<<<<<<<
Chicken Club at Leahy’s Corner
<<<<<<<<<
The Best Concert Ever in Listowel
Kerry Sentinel, Wednesday, 13 January, 1897
NORTH KERRY NOTES. Listowel, Thursday.
CONCERT FOR THE POOR.
The laudable efforts of a number of local gentlemen in organising a concert in aid of the poor of the town are meeting with sympathy and support of the people of Listowel of every class and creed. The concert has been fixed for Wednesday night, the 20th inst. In addition to the services of a large number of local ladies and gentlemen, Professor Robinson, Limerick, and a number of artistes from the city of the violated treaty, have kindly consented to contribute to the programme, which promises to be the most interesting and attractive ever submitted to a local audience.
<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
This week a kiss landed Luis Rubiales, Spanish FA President, in hot water.
Carried away by the unexpected win by the Spanish ladies soccer team in the World Cup, Luis kissed the captain, Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Not acceptable behaviour at all, at all.
Our new public toilet is less conspicuous than the old one and less costly. It is also more user friendly. It is in the same location as the old one.
<<<<<<<<<<
Jet OCarroll’s of William St. or Pearse Street
This popular bar is located at 32 William Street.
Or Uimhir 32, Sráid an Phiarsaigh. It is one of the quirks of Listowel that the street names in English hark back to times before independence. The same streets have Irish names that honour the signatories of the declaration of Independence.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Poem for late August 2023
Leaving (July 1st, 1966)
by John McGrath
Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation
A young boy smiles and wipes away his tears
July morning, Ballyhaunis station
His mother cries and curses emigration
That takes away her boy of tender years
Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation
Young mind filled with hope and expectation
The rhythm of the rails is all he hears
July morning, Ballyhaunis Station
Boarding school a feeble preparation
For Sixties’ Manchester, a web of snares
Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation
Climbs on board his future with elation
Anticipation ringing in his ears
July morning, Ballyhaunis Station
His farewell kiss a meagre consolation
She turns away as through the glass he peers
Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation
July morning, Ballyhaunis station
<<<<<<<<<
An August Visitor
Carine loves Ballybunion.
She was impressed by this litter picking initiative.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Can you help a Listowel Emigrant?
I would love to get a copy of A Gift of Ink. I vividly remember listening to Eamon Keane’s magical voice the night it first broadcast. I am a neurologist in Newport Beach California but born and raised in Cahirdown, a mile outside the town. My 14 brothers and sisters lived in the Soldiers Cottages ,a gift of the British government to its WW1 veterans. My brother Louis was in love with his town and was immersed in every aspect of Listowel life. He died too soon but he died in the place closest to his heart.
I wait for your blog every week. It makes me feel connected to the past and to family. Please let me know how to access or purchase A Gift of Ink. I will be very grateful Dr Philip O’Carroll
(A Gift of Ink is no longer available to buy but maybe someone who has a vinyl copy could copy it to cd for Philip.)
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
Bedouin feasts, celebrating weddings or other significant life events may include roast camel.
Whole roast camel is a delicacy in Dubai restaurants. A good sized camel can feed 80 to 100 people.
Whole camel stuffed with a sheep’s carcass, which is stuffed with chickens, which are stuffed with fish which are stuffed with eggs is not a thing.
