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: Ballylongford Page 2 of 7

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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The Handball Alley

By

On October 6, 2023

In Ballylongford, Listowel

St. John’s Arts and Heritage Centre in September 2023

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Ballylongford Community Centre

lovely to see two local women commemorated in this seat.

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We’re Having a Mission

This will be unlike the fire and brimstone missions of old. This will be an active, walks and talks mission. This will coax us back to the church following the awful privations of lockdown from which many have still not recovered.

“The Mission will be led by the Redemptorist Mission Team, Limerick beginning at the Vigil Mass on Saturday night next, 7th Oct. and ending on Friday night, 13thThere is a comprehensive programme of events to help us to re-invigorate our faith and help us all to reconnectafter a few difficult years with Covid. Check into www.listowelparish,com or the advert in the Advertiser. All are most welcome to come to each of the daily masses 7a.m. or 10.30 a.m. or the evening sessions at 7.30 p.m.”

Parish newsletter

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The Ball Alley

Oct 1 2023

I hope you can enlarge this to read Junior’s poem.

Once upon a time this place meant so much to Listowel’s young men.

Handball Memories… It’s well worth revisiting this great site to get an insight into the significant role that handball played in the lives of those who played it.

In recent years Listowel’s alley has become an arts space, visual art and performances. There are plans to develop this aspect of this beloved place.

I would prefer to see handball make a return

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Hospice Coffee Morning

I took a good few photos at the coffee morning in The Listowel Arms on October 5 2023. I’ll post them next week but here is a photo of some of the volunteer organisers who gave us a great morning.

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A Fact

The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia

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Ballylongford and Ballybunion

By

On October 5, 2023

In Ballybunion, Ballylongford, Listowel

Listowel Town Square early morning in September 2023

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Mary Young, the biggest donor towards the building of St. John’s church in Ballybunion sits (frozen) outside the church she helped to build.

St. John’s is almost a cathedral in terms of size and splendour.

The magnificent chancel window

Beautiful windows donated by local families.

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Ballylongford Active Retired Group

Ballylongford ladies at their weekly meeting on September 29 2023.

I interrupted their Bingo session.

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When Harvest was a Critical Time

Traditionally harvest was the time, stores of food were laid down for the winter. In the days before all year round vegetables and fruit, people worried about bringing home a good harvest to see everyone over the winter.

Jer Kennelly found this great account of the panic to secure winter food supplies in the troubled post war years.

I wonder does anyone remember this time or remember hearing older people tell of it.

Rush to save Irish Harvest before October 1st 1946

(from New York NY Irish American Advocate, September 28 1946)

Most critical week in the nation’s battle to win the harvest opened .Sunday, Sept. 15. With the nation’s food supply still in danger it is imperative in the next few days that the energy and effort of the country be stretched to the limit.

Listowel farmers, taking full advantage of the dry spell, saved most of the wheat and oat crops. At the Masses in Listowel church appeals were made for more volunteers. 

The party of 25 French Scouts camping near Listowel are taking part in the local harvesting operations.

The 4,100 volunteers who left Dublin yesterday for the county areas and South Meath were not sufficient to deal with the work available.

All Sports Postponed for critical weeks of harvest.
Over 200 harvest volunteers were despatched yesterday from the offices of the Cork Co. Committee of Agriculture—76 from the Army, 41 members of the F.C.A., and about 90 others of Military. City firms and a number of motorists provided transport.

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For the Diary

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A Fact

The first mention of tennis in an English sporting magazine was in 1793

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Elevenses

By

On October 4, 2023

In Ballylongford, Listowel, Schools

Fitzpatricks of Church Street in September 2023

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In Ballylongford

A little spot of business took me recently to Ballylongford.

While I was there I visited the church.

I love this picture. Sums me up perfectly.

Interior of Ballylongford parish church

The church interior is very traditional with little stained glass and huge statues.

The windows in Ballylongford church are unusually small. The side windows which have clear glass are set very low into the walls.

The lectern has a modern looking cross with a dove (Holy Spirit) on it. I couldn’t find any account of it online. Maybe a reader knows the story.

There is a huge statue of St Michael the archangel beside the door.

St. Joseph, I presume

It’s a long time since I’ve seen such a well stocked Catholic Truth Society book shelf.

The parishioners seem to have had particular affection for Fr. Pierce.

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Your Cup of Joe

Mick O’Callaghan writes some lovely essays in his Rambler’s Blog

You’ll enjoy this if, like me, you are fascinated by the variety of coffee offerings available to coffee lovers nowadays.

Coffee at eleven

Well, isn’t life gone very strange and complicated when you want to purchase a simple thing like a cup of tea or coffee.

Recently I was out walking in Gorey Town Park, with a relation home from Australia, when he suggested that we go for a coffee, and I immediately agreed. We visited the nearest coffee shop which was in the park. I asked for a cappuccino and was asked what type of milk I wanted so naturally I said that I just wanted ordinary straight cow’s whole milk while my friend wanted a flat white. Then we are further asked as to whether the coffee was for here or to go. Having answered that we would be imbibing our coffee potions on the premises we were given a choice of drinking vessel between cup, mug, or disposable container. Being the environmentally conscious type I opted for mug while my walking colleague chose a cup. The coffee was served up without the traditional saucer but who cares when the coffee served was excellent and the service was polite and friendly. We wished the Cullen family well in their new business adventure.

Being the mathematical type that I am I glanced around and observed that most imbibees were drinking from throw away cups which I found utterly appalling as these would all end up in land fill or incinerator causing further damage to our already damaged eco system.

And so, on Wednesday morning of September 6th, 2023, we went out with five family members for some food and coffees which was all very convivial and enjoyable. The day was fine, and we sat outside in the lovely friendly Cowhouse Bistro on the Courtown Road. The food was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Next it was coffee ordering time, and a very friendly waitress came to take our order.

I was first to order and was the usual stick in the mud ordering a straight cappuccino in good old cow’s milk. And so, she moved along, and the next request was for a one-shot decaffeinated Americano followed by a normal Americano with extra hot water and ordinary milk.

I ask myself if this can get more complicated and the next barista order is for an almond milk latte with extra hot milk on the side.

I am really switched on now to hear the next order which is a normal milk latte with an extra shot. Now we are really upping the ante.

The final call was for a decaffeinated cappuccino with oat milk. All the coffees were served in cups and saucers which was nice to see and experience.

I am just flabbergasted by the sheer variety of orders. God be with the days of the bottle of Irel coffee and the spoon of Maxwell House instant powdered or granulated coffee. You got your cup, spooned in the relevant amount of coffee, added boiling water, stirred it up, added a drop of milk from the milk bottle and off you drank your coffee with your Marietta or Lincoln Cream biscuits. This was the ultimate in relaxation and had more sophistication about it than the ‘will you have time for a cup of tea in your hand’ effort.

The times have changed and so have our tastes and choices.

Are we any better for it all. I don’t know. Maybe next time I’ll have a skinny latte in mountain goats’ milk, a hot chocolate in sheep’s milk, a mocha with a slice of blackberry and apple tart or luscious strawberry in dark chocolate from Green’s Berry Farm sales shack at the other side of the road. Now that would be sophistication.

We had a very nice pleasant day out on a warm September 2023 day out in Gorey.

Mick O Callaghan 10/09/2023

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Times Past in Presentation Secondary School, Listowel

Photo from Brenda O’Halloran

May 1976

included are Anne McAuliffe, Miriam Hilliard, Kathleen Ryan, Brenda O’Halloran, Deirdre O’Sullivan

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One for the Diary

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A Fact

Bats make up 23 % of mammals by species. There are 980 + known species of bat in the world.

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A Family Reunion

By

On October 3, 2023

In Ballylongford, Listowel

Courthouse Road, September 2023

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A Big O’Sullivan Reunion

Liz O’Sullivan sent us the story.

The O’Sullivans from 5 Patrick Street gathered together from all over the world for a weekend of fun and festivities the final weekend of the Listowel races 2023.

‘The Fruit of 5 Patrick Street’, (as the WhatsApp group was named) came together from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Fermoy, Thurles, Minnesota and Rochester USA and Perth and Brisbane Australia. 

The gathering was all descended from Nora and Michael O’Sullivan who had 7 children; Seamus, Maura, Pat, Denis, Breid, Michael and Joe. Michael and Joe left Ireland and settled in the US and Australia respectively. Breid, who became a nun, lived in the US for a number of years. Altogether 45 people came to the gathering.

The reunion was magnificently organised by the Listowel branch of the family, Joe, John and Michael (Curly) and was enormous fun. The gala dinner took place at The Listowel Arms, a venue that has been the site of many get togethers for the family over the years. The food and ambience were terrific and the Arms did Listowel proud. A special thanks to the chef.

The group attended Ladies Day at The Listowel races on Friday. The American branch of the family were resplendent in fabulous hats and should have won a prize! Some good winnings were had and a fun day was had by all. After the event the gathering migrated to the Arms (of course) and ended up in the Square watching wonderful entertainment by the Wren boys.

Kerry is aptly named the Kingdom and we can’t wait to come back!

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A Taste of Yesteryear

I had family to stay for race week and they did a bit of a clearout for me.

Do you remember when chocolate boxes were only for Christmas? They were so elegant they were never thrown out but kept to store treasure (aka junk) to be thrown out later. In the case of this Black Magic box, years and years later.

Many of the sweets are still the same but in this box they were loosely packed in individual little black cases, like tiny bun cases. Chocolate used to be a treat back in the day.

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Moyvane Garda Station

Photo and story from Radio Kerry

Moyvane Garda Station has lain idle for over 10 years now. Efforts by local people to buy the building from the OPW have failed.

Now this is reported on Radio Kerry;

“The OPW would only sell the building to Kerry County Council which acquired the building; it’ll now lease it to Fáilte Isteach Gach Duine Moyvane.

Under the terms agreed at a recent council meeting, the lease is for 99 years with an annual rent of €1 to be paid to the council, if demanded.”

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A Book Launch and Exhibition for your Diary

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Fact

Every ad for Apple iPhone displays the time as 9.41 am. This is the moment Steve Jobs first unveiled the iPhone in 2007.

(This fact might be old so you’ll have to Google to see if it is still true in the post Jobs era.)

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