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: Just a Thought Page 1 of 4

Welcome Home!

By

On February 28, 2025

In Just a Thought, Listowel

Photo: Chris Grayson

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My Maine blog followers

I met John and Patty for the first time in 2017. They were on one of their annual, and sometimes biennial, trips to Listowel, Patty’s ancestral home.

I met them again on Tuesday last, February 25 2025. Their love for Listowel, their home away from home, was undiminished. Patty loves everything about Listowel and John has, over the years, fallen in love with the town and surrounding area and more especially with its people as well.

My first interaction with this lovely couple resulted in my introducing them to Eileen Moylan who has since become their favourite jewellery designer.

This is one of the lovely bespoke pendants John commissioned Eileen to make for Patty.

Here is Patty wearing it in The Listowel Arms this week.

Another of Patty’s Eileen Moylan designed pendants, also a gift from John.

Bridget offered the visitors and everyone else in the dining room a sweet.

Jim and Liz were in the hotel as well. John and Patty had never met them before but they know them from Listowel Connection.

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An Old Post box

My postboxes website threw up this gem from William Gibb Forsythe

Albert Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

A Irish Post box, and an odd story to the sign, it was nearly faded away, the odd part, it was black and red, which had me puzzled as it would mean it was pre revolution of 1916, 

Which didn’t make sense,

I wanted to repaint it as I thought it historical in a way, 

I found out later, after repainting it, it was first done in the 1970s ,the post office was part of a BnB then moved to the shop in the picture

My only conclusion is that it was painted in British colours for the movie Michael Collins by Neil Jordan, and the art department didn’t care about fixing it back, 

As a Scotsman living here in Southern Ireland,  

Painting it Red and Black would not be sensible 

So Cream n Green it was

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Just a Thought

Here is the link to my reflections which were broadcast last week on Radio Kerry. The texts of some of them are in my book, Moments of Reflection.

Just a Thought

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Remember These?

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A Fact

The phrase Hamlet without the Prince (of Denmark) denotes an event or occasion at which the expected principal participant is not present. It is based on the absurdity of performing, without an actor playing the title role, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (between 1599 and 1602), by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616).

The phrase Hamlet without the Prince (of Denmark) apparently originated in a theatrical incident which allegedly occurred in the summer of 1775 and was recounted in September of that year, in The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland).

 The hero who was to play the principal character had absconded with an innkeeper’s daughter; and the director, when he came forward to give out the play, added, “The part of Hamlet will be left out, for  tonight.”

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Newbridge Now, Listowel Then

By

On January 14, 2025

In Just a Thought, Listowel, Poem

Photo; Chris Grayson in Killarney National Park on January 7 2025

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A Tree of Hope Knitting Project

This is the St. Conleth’s Parish newsletter which was sent to me by Mary McKenna.

As you can see this was a massive undertaking, a huge credit to all involved. In Newbridge, knitting is a huge community thing. I have seen and documented here their previous yarn bombing and St. Brigid projects.

Detail shows how each branch and bauble was made.

And someone wrote a poem.

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A Birdseye view of Snowy Listowel

John Kelliher took this fabulous photo of the recent snow.

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Growing up in Listowel in the 1960s and 1970s

By Carmel Hanrahan

(Continued from yesterday)

… My father grew a lot of vegetables alongside all the flowers and ornamental plants he had – he was a passionate gardener and I inherited that gene.  There seemed to be a type of barter system going on amongst the other gardeners and himself as it wasn’t unusual to look out the window and see one of the neighbours collecting some vegetables, (or strawberries in the Summer), but we also picked peas and other items in Hilda O’Donnell’s Garden.  Between us and the O’Donnell’s was the Crowley’s house.  Kitty Crowley was also a keen gardener.  Together, Hilda and Kitty (it seems strange to call them by their first names as, growing up, most people were addressed as Mr or Mrs) often did “a run” to Ballybunion during the fine weather.  It seems in my memory that no invitations were issued but if you spotted a car being packed you just turned up with your towel and your togs and joined the group. I think we may have broken a few Guinness records for the amount of people in those cars.  Kitty drove a Mini and Hilda a VW Beetle and yet, their combined 6 or so children – Susan and Nuala may not have been born at that time, – plus whatever number of neighbour’s children all travelled in layers to the beach – often only one car was taken.  A veritable “Lasagna” of people.    

We were taken fruit picking by Mrs. O’Donnell, to give her her full title, to a fruit farm where you picked your own.  She would then spend several days making jam and marmalade.  Her Kenwood Chef was her pride and joy and I later visited her when I was in my 20’s and the machine was still going strong. Mrs. Jones, further down the road taught me to make apple and rhubarb tarts which I proudly brought home.  Sometimes we were sent to the Creamery for bottles/jars of cream which you filled from a tap and then paid for through a window on the side of the office building.  I also recollect a man with a bike, not unlike a butcher’s bike but with a churn of milk or cream on the front and ladles in pint and half pint measures hanging from the bike, possibly called PJ – end of an era I think. 

Another instalment tomorrow

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Just a Thought

I have been fairly busy on Radio Kerry over the holidays. Here is the link to some reflections you wont have herd before. Some of these are included in my recent book, Moments of Reflection.

Just a Thought

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A Postbox Story

From Folklore.ie’s Michael Fortune

I was just going through an old photo album from around 2002 and came across the photo on the left of an Edward Rex Letter Box somewhere in south-west Wexford and said I’d share this with ye. 

Many of you will know this already but in case you don’t, when ‘The Free State’ was setup, the old red boxes associated with the British Empire were rebranded and painted green. To this day, you’ll spot these around the country and obviously this one in Wexford caught my eye some 22+ years ago.

The letter box on the right is from over in Buckinghamshire in England and as you can see, they are almost identical in design. I’m no expert on this but I believe these were installed/made between 1901 – 1910. 

A great bit of rebranding and a sensible and practical thing to do back in the day.

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A Fact

The first cheque written in decimal currency in the UK was for £50.30p in March 1968.

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Important Visitors

By

On August 8, 2024

In Just a Thought, Listowel

Courthouse Road

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Molly on her Kerry Holidays

She has made herself at home on every chair in the house.

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Returning to the home of his ancestors

Dr. Michael O’Connor opened a door to many many memories on July 31 2024. Michael is the third generation of Michael’s to open this door. His grandfather, also Dr. Michael O’Connor lived here and his father, Michael O’Connor, the great illuminator, lived in this house too.

The house is no longer a family home. It is now Kerry Writers’ Museum. Michael is here viewing for the first time his father’s beautiful celtic artwork on display. Michael was 16 when his father died and he never fully appreciated how talented his father was.

Michael with his wife and one of his daughters in the room where Michael O’Connor’s artwork is exhibited.

The travelling party included family and friends. They were entertained to a tour of the museum by Vincent O’Brien.

Here, Vincent, in the John B. Keane room is playing his bodhrán and singing them the Sive songs.

Stephen Rynne who has dedicated much time and effort into collecting the works of O’Connor gave the visitors a talk on how he discovered various pieces by the artist. Some very important commissioned works are still out there, awaiting discovery.

Jimmy Deenihan is anxious to promote the artworks and to raise the profile of this great local artist.

The U.S. branch of the O’Connor family at the door of No. 24.

When Dr. Michael visited here on summer holidays as a child he remembers coming down these steps to go to play marbles with the local children in The Square.

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Just a Thought

All of last week’s reflections which were broadcast on Radio Kerry will be in included in my new book

https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/our-diocese/communications/listen-now/

The book will be launched next month. Look out for details here.

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A Poem

I love to do crosswords. Recently I was doing the Simplex crossword with a little help from my son. The clue was a line from this poem with a word missing. Bobby had never heard of the Gray’s Elegy. Here it is (well, a bit of it) for all of us who learned it in school.

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Flowers and a Stone Wall

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From the Archives

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1910.

New York NY Irish American Advocate

Moore and Healy-—Kerry joins Cork. On Sunday last January 22, 1911, Cornelius F. Moore, of Newtownsandes , Co Kerry, and Miss Mary J. Healy, Ardgroom, Castletown Bere, Co. Cork, were joined in the bonds of matrimony at St. Mary’s Church, Bensonhurat, Brooklyn.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Wightman,P.P., of that church.

After the ceremony was performed the happy couple were convoyed by a host of friends and relatives to their new home at 576 Seventeenth street, Brooklyn, where they entertained a large crowd of relatives and friends and gave them a most enjoyable time until a late hour on Monday morning. Mr. Moore has been president of the Jolly Sports Social Club for the past five years and is highly esteemed by its members,

The brides-maid was Miss Hannah Healy, a cousin of the bride, and the best man was James Foran, of Ballyguiltanan, Co. Limerick.

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A Fact

Why do Olympic gold medal winners bite their medal?

It is a silly tradition that harks back to a time when buyers sometimes tried to trick merchants by passing off inferior metals as gold. The trader would bite into the coin to make sure he was not being cheated, Biting into gold leaves no teeth marks. The biting now is purely symbolic as the medals aren’t gold anyway.

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Art, Memoir and Poetry

By

On June 12, 2024

In Just a Thought, Listowel Writers Week, Poem

River Feale, June 2024

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One Hundred to One

The three men on the stage at The Plaza on the Sunday of Listowel Writers’ Week 2024 were Martin Dyar, festival curator, Tom Shortt, director of Prison Education and Pat Sheedy, recovering gambling addict and author.

While half the readers of Listowel were in Kerry Writers Museum for the launch of Autumn Blooms, an anthology of work by local writers, Paddy Gavin, Cyril Kelly and John Fitzgerald, I joined the small audience for Pat Sheedy’s cautionary tale of his life in gambling.

Pat’s story is one of fall and redemption. It tells of the saving power of education for a man who had reached his lowest ebb.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in human nature, who likes a good story well told.

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A Poem to Make you Laugh ( or maybe even inspire you)

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Listowel, The world Centre of Modern Celtic Art

St Patrick’s Breastplate by Michael O’Connor

Stephen Rynne did a great job marketing Listowel to those of us attending the International Day of Celtic Art. His presentation was recorded. I hope it will be available soon on youtube. It was marvellous.

Small detail of the calligraphy and illumination on this beautiful artwork, now on display in Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel.

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Just a Thought

A link to my latest contributions to Just a Thought on Radio Kerry

Just a Thought

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Back from The Land Down Under

Niamh and Deirdre looking happy to be home to Listowel

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A Fact

King Charles 111 is only the second British monarch ever to be featured on banknotes. His mother Queen Elizabeth 11 was the first.

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Remembering and Celebrating

By

On April 16, 2024

In Just a Thought, Listowel, Poem

Charles Street, April 6 2024

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Forty Years of Gardening

Radio Kerry’s lovely new wagon was the first indication that today was a big day at Listowel Garden Centre.

Forty years in business for the MacAuliffe Roberts family

There were raffles every hour on the hour in aid of Listowel Hospice.

A great day of celebration and fun.

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Remembering Michelle

It is always unbelievably sad when a yearbook contains an obituary. Michelle had only just left Pres. and her memory was still very much alive in the school when she died. She made a mark. May she rest in peace

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Just a Thought

Here is the link to my reflections in the Just a Thought slot on Radio Kerry last week.

Just a Thought

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Immigrant Communities in Britain

This is Rook Street in London in 1912. There was a large Irish community in the Poplar area in the East end of London in the early 1900s. This photograph shows local residents preparing for their Corpus Christi procession.

The photograph is part of a collection in the National Archives in Britain. The postcard was sent to me by Ethel Corduff (formerly Walsh of Tralee). Ethel has a great interest in immigration and immigrant communities. It was she who studied and documented the story of Irish girls training as nurses in British hospitals. Her important book, Ireland’s Loss, England’s Gain tells their story.

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A Poem

John McAuliffe doesn’t find an empty house creepy at all.

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Today’s Fact

During the 1950s atomic bomb tests were a popular tourist attraction in Las Vegas.

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