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
Last week I brought you an email from Mitch McKenna is Australia . Mitch was researching his Mc Kenna family and their Listowel origins.
Then this happened. Martin Moore got in touch. Martin is in the process of research for his next book. It is a book about Kerry men who made a difference in Australia. One of the people he was researching was a Dr. Maurice McKenna, another of the clan. Mitch and Martin are now in touch and, from what I hear, Martin’s book will have some colourful stories about the Australian branch of the McKenna clan.
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People I met on St. Patrick’s Day 2025
Róisín Quille and family
Some people have to work.
Teresa and Helena were enjoying the parade.
I met these friends stopping for a chat as I was on my way home.
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A Good book
I love a book I can dip in and out of. Maybe that’s why I wrote two of them.
This is just such a book. I picked it up this week in the swap box at the library. Even for someone like me who is not particularly well up in GAA matters, I’m loving it.
The book is really well laid out. It tells the occasion first and then we get how the player remembers the great game. Above is Jimmy Deenihan’s memorable moment.
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It’s the Little Things!
On Monday I was walking down Church Street when I spotted the little Easter chic I knitted for my friend, taking centre stage on her front window. It made my day.
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A Fact
Female Orca whales keep their sons with them for life. Even when they occasionally leave to mate with females from another group, they always return to Mammy.
Could they be more Irish than the Irish themselves? The enormously talented musicians, Yershovy Sisters, last night were crowned winners of the TG4 Réalta agus Gaolta. Ukraine’s loss, our gain.
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The Famine in Listowel
John Pierse included these extracts from the schools folklore collection in his book, Teampall Bán.
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Emigration is Hard on Everyone
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In an Unkind World
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025
A few I took on Church Street
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Daffodil Day 2025
A few of the hard working committee in the very poorly lit Mermaids. Some beautiful blooms donated for Daffodil Day.
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A Fact
Irish magpies are suffering similar problems to Irish humans. Lack of houses, or, in the magpies’ case, nesting sites, mean that up to 50% of magpies don’t breed.
I had Clíona and Aoife for the weekend, always a pleasure.
Our three year old loved Listowel children’s playground.
Sunday was sunny so we headed to Ballybunion.
We didn’t bring a bucket and spade as we thought it was a day for a brisk walk. Aoife made a sandcastle of sorts using only her bare hands. The overcoats and sunglasses sum up the kind of weather we are having lately.
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An Australian with a Listowel Connection
We’ve had an email from down under.
Hello Mary,
My great grandfather Dr Jeremiah McKenna (same name as your hardware founder) emigrated on the famous and ill-fated SS Austral in 1882 at the age of 24-25 years to Melbourne – I believe he also came from Listowel, because his older brother certainly did – about a decade prior – Archpriest McKenna – both gentlemen appear numerous times in our national archives for very different reasons !!!
My imagination was captured by your article on McKenna’s of Listowel, and I was just wondering if there was a family connection with the hardware store Jeremiah McKenna founder ? I know both parts of the name were quite common in those days ? – If it helps, Archpriest McKenna was born in I think in the Rathea district of Listowel.
Cheers,
Mitch McKennna – Melbourne Australia
Maybe someone can help Mitch with an account of his famous ancestors before they left these shores.
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St Patrick’s Day Parade
The world’s worst wound
The awful war in Gaza was highlighted by this dedicated group. Israel, with the full backing of the US, has resumed its slaughter of men, women and children in this poor ravaged country.
Matt Mooney, who has a long association with the St. Patrick’s Day parade was marching the streets to raise awareness of this cause which is close to his heart.
Trojan Boxing Club was represented by these young boxers.
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Tom Waits
Turns out, everyone knew Tom Waits. In fairness, I would have known his voice. His face was a mystery to me.
Anyway, in case you didn’t know, I will now tell you what I have learned. Tom Waits spent his honeymoon in Tralee in The Brandon Hotel. Waits’ wife is Kathleen Brennan, whose Irish roots are in Tralee. Waits recorded tracks for an album in Ballyseede in 1981.
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A Concert
John Hooton found this treasure and posted it on Facebook
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A Fact
George Washinton’s second inaugural address was the shortest ever by any US president. He spoke 135 words.
Donald Trump’s 2885 word “weave” was twice as long as his first speech in 2017.
