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
Regular readers of this blog will know that this is my kind of book. I picked this one up in Listowel’s Vincent de Paul shop and I’m loving it.
Here is a gem for you.
Greg Norman, the golfer is known as The Shark (He comes from Queensland, home of the great white and he plays very aggressively)
Once while fishing in Florida he caught an 80 pound blacktop shark. It was immediately eaten by a hammerhead, ten times as big.
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Ballylongford Windows
During the blacksmithing festival a local shop in Ballylongford displayed some old implements. Breda Ferris took the photos.
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New Shop in Town
In Mill Lane
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Update re spam comments
A big thank you to the people who helped me solve my spam problem. Peace has been restored. Comment away, if you like, but you must do it within 5 days of my posting.
Elizabeth Carroll (Liz Chute) remembers Bryan MacMahon and his influence. The story is told in Liz’s screenshots from her Instagram feed.
The Pendant
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That Naas Sculpture
Helen O’Connor and Dave O’Sullivan filled me in on this one.
Title: Siren
Artist: By Alex Pentek
Location: Siren is located on the green adjacent to Naas Fire Station on the Newbridge Road.
History of the project: Over the last number of years, Athy and Naas have both opened purpose built fire stations. A refurbishment of the fire station in Monasterevin has also taken place. As part of the building programme, Kildare County Council engaged three Irish artists to further enhance each building by means of commissioning art works, through the Per Cent for Art Scheme. The Fire Officer, Michael Fitzsimons and County Arts Officer Lucina Russell considered the physical building and their particular location when designing a brief for the commissions.
Artist statement: The sculpture shows how I think the sound of the fire alarm would look if it were not a sound but an object. As the sound of a fire alarm broadcasts the message that the help of the Naas Fire Service is required, it is not a soothing sound, but a loud and shrill noise that forces anyone who hears it to consider their own personal safety for a moment. As the traditional fire-bell has been replaced with the wailing cry of the air horn, the form of the proposed sculpture comprises of a series of fluted horns, pointing outwards in all directions as if to make sure that everyone gets the message.
About the artist: Alex Pentek is a graduate of the Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork and currently works from a studio at Monard, Rathpeacon, Co. Cork.
With the style of the work ranging from abstract to figurative, he have worked predominantly on large-scale public art sculpture commissions for outdoor locations using durable materials. Some of this work includes two life-size female figures from cast marble sand in Tralee, Co. Kerry; three giant leaves in cast bronze in Clonakilty, Co. Cork; and four giant seeds from carved oak in Tower, Co. Cork, to name but a few. During this time he has also carried out several smaller scale, private commissions for both indoor and outdoor settings.
While continuously exploring aspects of Nature in a variety of materials ranging from sheet metals, cast bronze, ceramic, carved wood and cement, he also enjoys the challenge of new materials.
Pat Healy of Healyracing working on The Island on Monday.
Gordon Elliot, trainer, back in Listowel for another year.
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Welcome Baby Aoife
What a blessing! I get to hold the hand of my newest granddaughter.
(The painted nails are the remains of the wedding.)
Aoife with her Mammy, Clíona Cogan McKenna. Aoife is 2 months old.
Aoife has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger already.
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Ball Alley Transformation
Listowel Ballalley has had many makeovers. The latest is a series of lovely murals by local artists. Paul (not so local), Erin and Eimear were hard at work when I visited at the weekend. The murals are a work in progress and we should have the grand launch soon.
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Old Post Box
At Kelly’s, The Six Crosses
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We all grow into our mothers eventually
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Last few from the Blacksmithing Festival
There was lots more than smithing going on in Ballylongford on Saturday September 25 2021. There were pony rides for the children, a wandering musician, stalls with vintage stuff for sale and other side shows.
This “lord and lady’ were dressed in period costume, sword and all.
Indoors I met my friend, Dan Hartnett, with lots of vintage tools, cutlery and miscellaneous stuff.
Listowel native, Niamh Kenny won a prize for her beautiful hat. It complemented her outfit perfectly.
Wllie and Jackie Mullins in the winners enclosure.
The ever stylish Mary O’Halloran was one of the Ladies Day finalists. She did a moving interview with Celia Holman Lee. Mary loves Listowel Races and comes every year.
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Talking Poetry
John Given and Jimmy Deenihan are finalising plans for the publication of John’s father, Pat Given’s, next book of poems.
Here is a poem from Pat’s last anthology. It was reproduced for Poetry Town.
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Post Box on College Road, Cork
This lovely post box is on College Rd. Cork near the junction with Highfield Road.
I had occasion to be in the Bons. The paper shop in the hospital was closed. I made my way to what in my day used to be Flirty’s shop and post office. It is now a Daybreak. There I made a discovery.
Students don’t buy newspapers. I was in the shop at 8.30 a.m. and there was only a handful of papers available.
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A Tinsmith at Work
At the Ballylongford Blacksmithing Fair Sept. 25 2021
