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: Ballybunion Page 5 of 23

Listowel and Ballybunion

Listowel Town Square, August 2023

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Quirky Sights in Listowel

At the back of Brosnan’s pub.

On the wall at Pierce and Fitzgibbon

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From the Newspaper Archives

(thanks to Jer Kennelly)

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.

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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.

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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.

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A Swim, a Concert and a Kiss

Market Street in August 2023

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Ballybunion

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

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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!

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Nuns or Púcas

Convent Street

Or is it Gleann an Phúca?

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Chicken Club at Leahy’s Corner

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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.

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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.

The Romans had three words for kissing.

Basium was the kiss between acquaintances

Osculum was a kiss between close friends

Suavium was the kiss between lovers.

Luis should have stuck to Basium.

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Market Street

Raised bed on Market Street in August 2023

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Our New Public Convenience

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.

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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.

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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

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An August Visitor

Carine loves Ballybunion.

She was impressed by this litter picking initiative.

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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.)

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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.

This is a myth.

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Winners

Main Street in July 2023

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A Piece of GAA History with a Listowel Connection

A gaelic football team from New York, composed entirely of US-born players, won the All-Ireland Junior Championship on July 16 vs. Kilkenny. The captain of the team, Danny Corridan, is the son of Listowel native, Richard Corridan. Rich is the son of the late Dr. Robert & Ella Corridan of The Square, and he emigrated to New York in 1983, where he still resides.

Rich was one of the early members of Shannon Gaels GAA, a Queens-based GAA club which was started in 2004 and for which two of his (now adult) sons have played since they were little. Danny, now 25, has played GAA since he was 6 years old and has played with other New York teams that have travelled to Ireland over the years, including the Feile football team when he was 13, the College team, and the World Games team, in addition to the New York Junior team.

After the big win, Danny and his girlfriend Erin spent a few days in Listowel visiting with aunts, uncles and cousins. He paid a visit to John Bs where Erin was briefly a guest bartender and also fitted in a climb of Carrantuohill, Killarney races, and a visit to Skellig Michael.

Dan is a frequent visitor to Ireland and even spent a semester at UCD while studying for his degree in Civil Engineering.

Rich and his American wife, Marge, have three sons and one grandchild and live in Queens.

New York players and staff celebrate their All-Ireland Junior Football Championship final win over Kilkenny at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The “county ” anthem on the day was Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York.

Richard is a credit to the Corridan family and their great love and respect for Irish history and traditions. The loyalty and sacrifice of all the families involved in bringing all of these young men to this level of footballing skills is admirable. This is thanks in no small part to Richard and Robert Corridan of Listowel. You have achieved a truly amazing feat.

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A Few More Names

Muireann O’Sullivan has been studying the photo of her old classmates and she has a few more names for us.

That class picture is a blast from the past!! Not sure of the year but we finished primary school in 1974!! How time flies! I am definite about some of the identities and those I am no fully convinced of I will denote with an *. Hopefully you will receive lots of replies and definite names.

Front row: Audrey Sheehy, *Eleanor Browne, *Christine O Driscoll
Middle row: Marie O’ Halloran. *Avril O Driscoll ……, Eleanor Costello *Ann Kennelly ….. Mary Daly – Margaret Stack ….. Annette O Gorman – Phyllis O Mahony
Back row: Norma Doyle, *Kate Kennelly ….. Noreen Canavan, Helen Daly, Máire Óg Hourigan, Dana Mulvihill, *Joan McElligott RIP …. Muireann Moloney, Ann Gammell

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Volunteering for Saint Vincent de Paul

The ever smiling Helen, Mary and Eileen were minding the shop on the day I called.

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August 15 2023

August 15, always a red letter day in Ballybunion’s calendar. Let’s hope this year is dry.

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Back chat

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Happy, Sad, and Happy Sad

Carmody’s AKA Sheriff’s Corner in July 2023

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Beach Hive

If you have a bit of time to kill in Ballybunion or if you are in search of a different locally made present, this recently opened shop is the place for you.

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In Fota

We took the little lady to Fota with her Cork cousins for the birthday celebrations.

Her first sight of a rhino in real life underwhelmed her a bit.

When you’re two, blowing bubbles is more fun than looking at animals.

The Cork cousins minus one.

The reason they are stuck to the phones is that they were in the queue for tickets to Coldplay. Aisling saw them play recently in Amsterdam and they were “fantastic”. No joy with the ticket hunting so she’ll have to live with the memories.

One tired girl with her Mammy at the oryx enclosure.

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Poetry Corner

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TFI Transport for Ireland

People waiting at a bus stop…in Listowel

This has to be Ireland’s most unusual bus seat. The seat was sculpted by local sculptor Darren Enright to commemorate the town’s success in the Tidy Town Competition.

A double decker bus to Ballybunion in July 2023

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