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
During the week of the Listowel Harvest Festival of Racing, a local committee has always looked after entertainment away from the racecourse. The highlight of this entertainment is the All Ireland Wren Boys competition, traditionally held on the Friday night of race week.
Another highlight for many years was the selection of the Harvest Festival Queen. Betty Stack was part of the organising committee and she sent us a few photos.
Bernadette Sheehan, the 1994 Queen on the specially made float
Anna Enright, the 1991 Queen with the late Michael Dowling. Michael and Danny Hannon shared M. C. ing duties.
Dáithí OSé took over as M.C. for the last few years. The winner then went on to represent Listowel Harvest Festival in the Kerry Rose of Tralee selection.
Kathleen O’Sullivan 1993
Betty gave us a full list of all of the Queens
Harvest Festival Queens Through the Years
(With thanks to Betty Stack)
Rita Groarke, Moyvane 1989
Norma Carmody, Listowel 1990
Anna Enright, Moyvane 1991
Bridget Tydings, Listowel 1992
Kathleen O’Sullivan, Coilbee 1993
Bernadette Sheehan, Moyvane 1994
Ursula Carmody, Listowel 1995
Collette Carmody/Culhane 1996
Deirdre O’Connell, Clounmacon 1997
Elaine O’Connor, Ballygologue 1998
Sarah Griffin, Greenville 1999
Helena O’Carroll, Duagh 2000
Claire Naughton, Listowel 2001
Katie McNamara, Lisselton 2002
Olivia Dineen, Causeway 2003
Katie Shanahan, Causeway 2004
Ashling O’Donovan, Duagh 2005
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Progress
We’re a bit behind the actual work but I’m reporting to you in the order in which I photographed the creation of this latest mural. This is Sept 8 2023.
The next generation…Martin’s son, Jack, helped him out a bit on this very big project. Jack doesn’t want to be a signwriter and he was reluctant to pose for a photograph too.
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Mike the Pies has no Pies
Jumbo’s has no Elephants
When I came to Listowel first I was fascinated by some of the shop names. I was used to shops named after the proprietor. Listowel had shops with fascinating names like The Fancy Warehouse and The Cloth Hall and pubs with names like The Bees’ Knees and Journey’s End. There was a Serendipity, an Infidel and appropriately enough, an Enigma.
I hope this intriguing little Listowel quirk of giving a business a name which gives no clue as to what it might sell continues and leaves the curious visitor with a question to ask that many local people can’t answer.
Can you remember where Jumbo’s got it’s name?
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A Fact
Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest pub in Ireland. It is operating as a bar since AD 900. The building is actually older. Google it. It’s fascinating.
When I was a child of primary school age I discovered the public library. All through my growing up years summer was for reading. I lived about 2 miles outside the town. I often cycled to and from town twice in a day to exchange my library books. I read all of Enid Blyton, Patricia Lynch, Canon Sheehan and later Georgette Heyer and Agatha Christie.
Now I live within a stone’a throw of the library. Living my childhood dream!
Unlike my childhood one, Listowel Library is a marvellous place. It has books, magazines and papers, local study section, computers and puzzles.
AND it has this marvellous mystery box where people leave their old books for you to pick up for free and you could literally find a treasure there.
I found this rare, long out of date book there. It is Listowel’s Mick McCarthy’s account of his time labouring in London. If Mick writes even half as well as his brother, Seán, this will be brilliant. I can’t wait!
Thank you to the donor and to Listowel Library.
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Main Street, Listowel
Lynch’s Corner where Main Street joins William Street/Sráid an Phiarsaigh
Who are Tim and Sue and where are they now? The date looks like 19?? There’s a story there if we only had a sleuth to find it.
Main Street, like so many other Listowel streets has 2 names. Unlike most it has 2 different Irish versions of its English name, Main Street.
And still local people call it The Small Square
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Resilience in Verse
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Today’s Fact
There is an old English word called trumpery.
The meaning of trumpery is;
Trumpery comes from the Old French tromperie, with its root of tromper, “to deceive.” Definitions of trumpery. ornamental objects of no great value. synonyms: falderol, folderal, frill, gimcrack, gimcrackery, nonsense.
Planting on Eileen/Breda’s wall with cinema in background in July 2023
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The (Pink) Movie of Summer 2023
Cartoon by Mike O’Donnell
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A Verse
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Gone!
Square Deals has closed.
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Protestants in Tarbert
(from Rev. Patrick Comerford’s blog)
One of the earliest Methodist preachers to minister in Tarbert was the Revd Gideon Ouseley, an Irish speaker from Dumore, Co Galway. He rowed across the Shannon from Kilrush, Co Clare, to Tarbert, one day in 1820, and as he came ashore on Tarbert Island he declared aloud: ‘I take Tarbert in the name of the Lord Jesus.’
The Revd William Foote held regular Methodist services in Tarbert from 1820, and his twin sons were baptised in Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert) on 4 April 1821.
The Methodist Conference approved building a chapel in Tarbert in 1830, and a site on Church Street, east of the Rectory, was leased from John Leslie of Tarbert House. The new chapel and school opened for worship on 30 October 1830. It was a year after Catholic Emancipation and, by coincidence, this was the same year work began on building the first Roman Catholic church in Tarbert.
At the opening of the new Wesleyan chapel, the preachers included the Revd Elijah Hoole, a former missionary in India, and the Revd James Gillman, a Methodist minister in Limerick. The Clare Mission, based in Kilrush, once covered five counties – Clare, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry – and ministers based in Kilrush regularly rowed eight miles across the Shannon Estuary to preach in the chapel in Tarbert, often exposing themselves to great danger.
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Changes at Listowel Writers’ Week
Tom Donovan
Listowel Writers’ Week Announces Appointment of New Chairperson 20th July 2023:
The board of directors of Listowel Writers Week is pleased to announce the unanimous election of Tom Donovan to the position of Chair of the Board as well as the appointment of Richard Vance as a new, incoming director, both appointments taking effect from the 13th July 2023. The previous Chair, Catherine Moylan, retired having completed her full term as a director and Chair of the Board. The new Chair and directors would like to express their appreciation to Catherine for her hard work and contribution to Listowel Writers Week over many years. Tom Donovan is a native of Glin, and resides in Clarina, County Limerick. Before being elected to the position of Chair, Tom was already an existing member of the board as well as holding the position of Company Secretary. Tom has had a long and distinguished record in the public sector as well as extensive experience in the literary, historical, voluntary and charitable sectors. He is also the editor of the Old Limerick Journal, the Ballybrown Journal, and the Glencorbry Chronicle as well as Treasurer of the Limerick Historical Society. He has edited several publications as The Knights of Glin, Seven Centuries of Change (2009), and Limerick, Snapshots of 1840 to 1960 (with the well-known Listowel historian Vincent Carmody) in 2021. Speaking about his election, Tom Donovan said: “I am both honoured and delighted to accept the role of Chair of the Board of Listowel Writers’ Week. On my own behalf and on behalf of the board, I would like to thank Catherine Moylan and other directors I have served with, for all their good work. I look forward to a good year where everyone in Listowel can become part of the festival and maintain it as one of Ireland’s premier literary events”. Robert Vance, a native of Dublin but a long-time resident of Fenit, County Kerry has also joined the board as a new director. Robert will bring fresh and new insight and valuable skillsets to the Board having had extensive media experience through working both with RTE and the private sector in developing over 50 film productions. He also has extensive experience in the tourism sector. Robert has also written and published several books including Secret Sights and The Magic of Ireland. Writers’ Week Board is committed to inclusivity, diversity, and community involvement. These new appointments will both enhance the existing board and ensure that it will continue to serve the Company, Festival, and Listowel in the years ahead. Further appointments to the board will be announced in the immediate future. The Listowel Writers’ Week Board looks forward to celebrating and continuing the proud North Kerry literary tradition of Writers’ Week, developed over 53 years, giving a platform to new and emerging writers and bringing the best of international literary writers to Kerry and Ireland in the years ahead. It also remains very appreciative of its stakeholders including The Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry Group, Kerry County Council, The Piggott Family, The Nielson Family, Xavier McAuliffe, its many patrons and sponsors, the businesses and residents of Listowel and of course, all of our volunteers, old and new, without whom Listowel Writers’ Week would not be what it is today.
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This is a Fact
(I couldn’t believe this one either but I Googled it and apparently that is the word for it alright)
Some people ‘s fear of encountering a big word while reading aloud is so disabling that it is classed as a social phobia.
There is a word for this phobia. Believe it or not the fear of big words is
In 1960 among the highlights of The Harvest Festival were a roller skating competition, a mothers’ race around the houses and a donkey derby.
Above is the poster from 1959 and below is Vincent Carmody’s account of Harvest Festivals in his youth.
The two main off course attractions during raceweek in Listowel were undoubtedly the Donkey Derby and The All Ireland Wren Boys competition. The late John B. Keane described Listowel Donkey Derby as “A fantastic flight of asses down the historic Church St. course.”
The heyday of the donkey derby coincided with the emergence of one of the best known racing asses called Listowel Factory. This donkey was owned by Paddy Behan of Bunaghara and many of my age will remember his terrific duels with Finuge Lass.
The course for the donkey derby ran from the boy’s school to Guiney’s in Lower Church St. now Mamma Mia. For health and safety reasons consideration was given at one stage to moving the derby to Charles St. This would give a straighter course and safer viewing for spectators. At the meeting to discuss this proposal, Mr. Denis Guiney, publican, asked to address the meeting as he heard that they were considering moving the event. He threatened to withdraw his financial support of this event if this happened. The records show that this support amounted to the grand sum of one shilling and six pence.
Another donkey derby memory is that on one race night the well known commentator, Michael O’Hehir was standing on a tea chest giving a live commentary on the action. The same night the excitement of the crowd at the finishing line caused them to surge forward and topple him from his commentary box.
In a conversation later with Thomas Ashe who was on the original festival committee, he told me that he had been appointed to organize the start of the race. The official starter was none other than Prince Monolulu. The first night over 80 asses turned up at the start. Thomas was wondering whether to hold 10 heats of 8 or 8 heats of 10. When he got in touch by walkie talkie with John B., who was running the event, John B. jokingly suggested that they run all 80 off together.
The Wren Boy competition was started by the festival committee in the fifties. Dr. Johnnie Walsh was the first chairman and John B. was the first M.C. The first competitions were mainly made up of local groups, Killocrim, Ennismore, Dirrah East and Dirrah West. Two of the original “kings” were Jimmy Hennessey and Sonny Canavan.
One memory of mine is of working in a bar in London in the early 1960s and Dr. Johnny accompanied by Jimmy Hennessey in full Wren boy regalia entered the bar. The bar in question was The Devonshire Arms which was popular with film and TV celebrities. One of these, Sir Bruce Seton exclaimed when he saw the goat-skin clad Hennessey beating his bodhran “Good gracious, They’re coming in from the jungle.”
I don’t remember children in the river chanting “Throw me down something”, and I am sure that this tradition only started in the 1970’s.
Nowadays no horses are stabled in town. There are close to 200 stables at the racecourse.
The following week it was back to school and life in Listowel resumed as normal. We were left only with memories, which happily we can still recall today.
Listowel Donkey Derby 1959 by Jet Stack
The weather being fine, being fifty nine and the races drawing nigh
To win the donkey derby sure our hopes were very high.
So we called on all the donkeys that might win cup or bowl
And we started preparations for the derby in Listowel.
The donkeys came in dozens, some were fast and some were slow,
But sure that’s the way you’ll find them no matter where you go
But we put them through their paces and we raced them past the pole
And twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
We had Nixes grey and Driscolls bay, she showed a little blemish
John Joe brought our camera in case of a photo finish
When Lady Barney won the second race, Dan Riordan scratched his pole
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Nedeen Buckley came with Sad Dust and Nellies Morning Dew
This was a kind of challenge race and t’was left between the two
Then Margaret came on Forge Road Lad, He’s the sire of a foal
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
When Shanahan’s Stamps came winning home, the crowd they gave a roar
They heard it back in Coolagown and down through Ennismore
Bob Stack got so excited, he ran up the winning pole
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Scortlea’s Hope when going well, won many a thrilling race
He ran his best to half a length and that was no disgrace
But when Casey down from Dromerin, said he couldn’t run with goats
Sure his feeding was substandard, it was small Kilarda oats.
When Phil arrived on Gurtinard Lad, Sean’s donkey gave a wink
He started like a bullet and gave him no time to think
Our jockeys rode like professionals both fearless and bold
And there’s one thing I can vouch for; a race was never sold.
The crowd grew larger every night, they came from far and near
Elsey , Kit and Minnie came the winners home to cheer
We had Bertha , Paul and Bridie, sure they played their usual role
And t’was all in preparation for the derby in Listowel.
Eileen came with Kathleen and Bridge came running fast
Sure Mary nearly broke her neck in case she might be last
Ginette was there from London oh my heart she nearly stole
And t’was all in preparation for the Derby in Listowel.
So then when the fun was over and we picked our chosen few
We raced them down Church Street where we met our Waterloo
But such is life, there is always strife in trying to reach your goal
Still our hopes are high for another try at the derby in Listowel.
The dance tradition of North Kerry has extended its influence far beyond its borders, to different places around Ireland, across Europe, and over the Atlantic to America.
Dance has been part of the culture in this region for centuries, passed down through the generations by the Dance Masters, like O’Ceirín in the 1700’s to Mooreen, Ned Batt Walsh, and to the great Geramiah Molyneaux, affectionally known as Munnix, who passed on the dance, to the young girls and boys, of the area.
The Dance masters travelled, often on foot, from town to town, village to village,
such was their love of, and desire to pass on their art to the younger generation.
Munnix pupils like Jack Lyons, Jerry Nolan, Sheila Bowler, Liam Dineen, Liam Tarrant, Paddy White, Phil Cahill and many more would perform the old steps with great pride.
Long live the dancers! Long live the dance!
Featuring Dance Master Jimmy Hickey, Musician Greta Curtin.
Devised and choreographed by Jonathan Kelliher, Artistic Director, Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
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Celtic Artist, Tony O’Callaghan
When your grandad is an artist, you are lucky enough to have some marvellous bespoke piece of his work made especially for you and celebrating your name.
Few nameplates are as beautiful as these pieces that Miriam brought to share with the audience on July 6 2023.
Tony O’Callaghan, among many of the prestigious commissions he did, designed the logo for Listowel Writers’ Week.
This information comes to us from Wolfgang Mertens’ 1974 LWW memorabilia.
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Visitor
My latest summer visitor, Aoife McKenna, from Kildare loves, loves, loves Listowel library.
