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: Listowel Page 76 of 177

The Carnival

By

On August 29, 2023

In History, Listowel

The Small Square looking towards the Square in August 2023

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A Beautiful Shopfront in Main Street

The colourful corner pieces at either side of the nameplate are unique to here. Notice how Martin Chute signed his name in tiny writing. He should be announcing it loud and proud. Beautiful paintwork!

The sign writing is superb.

Wow!

My photographs don’t so it justice.

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The Carnival

In 1940s rural Ireland the annual village carnival was often the social highlight of the year. My interest in revisiting this phenomenon came about because of this photo.

To recap, this is Maria Stack wearing a vintage dress first worn at a carnival queen dance in 1948.

I enlisted help and went on a search for the back story. Thank you Margaret, Lisa and Anna for the hard work and the enjoyment.

The information about this carnival came from this invaluable local journal published in 1990, full of great local lore. The book is, of course, no longer available, but Anna in Kanturk library sourced the article in the local studies archive.

The carnival in question was held in Kilcorney, Co Cork in 1948. This was the second year of the holding of this three-day event. The selection of the carnival queen and her ladies -in- waiting was made at a dance in early June. The 1948 Kilcorney Carnival Queen was the lovely Mary Ring of Horsemount. Margaret, her daughter, took this photo out of its frame to photograph it for us.

The photograph was black and white but had some colour added later. Behind the photo in the frame was this.

A precious souvenir of one of the highlights of a young girl’s life.

The queen and her ladies were dressed in regal costumes with crown and sceptre for the festival as they presided over events like horse trotting, climbing the greasy pole, football matches and in 1948 a huge attraction was the mysterious Madam Know all, who, with the covert aid of a local assistant, could read very accurate fortunes in her crystal ball.

The Queen for the duration of the festival travelled on horseback or was carried with her royal entourage in “a four wheel car pulled by two beautiful steel grey horses”. The car was usually used for carting milk to Rathcoole railway station.

I loved reading the journal’s detailed account of the carnival and its picture of rural life in the days before mechanisation and technology.

There were carnivals and carnival queens in the areas around Listowel. Id love to hear the stories or see the photos.

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There’s No Place Like Home

John McElligott welcomes home his niece, Helen (Gore) Mitchell.

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They Did It!

Photo from the official announcement on Aug 26 2023

This extraordinary bunch of people organised a day Listowel will never forget. They assembled a record breaking number of people dressed as Dolly Parton in Páirc Mhic Shithigh, Listowel on June 25 2023. In the process they raised €74,670 for two great local charities, Kerry Hospice and Comfort for Chemo. 1,137 people took part in the fun challenge and many more made donations.

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A Fact

This “fact” was sourced in a book called “Strong Absorbent Trivia for the Toilet” so don’t blame me.

On average a woman utters about 7000 words in a day while a man uses just over 2,000.

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Listowel and Ballybunion

By

On August 28, 2023

In Ballybunion, History, Listowel, Poem

Listowel Town Square, August 2023

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Quirky Sights in Listowel

At the back of Brosnan’s pub.

On the wall at Pierce and Fitzgibbon

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From the Newspaper Archives

(thanks to Jer Kennelly)

Kerry Evening Post Wednesday, 01 December, 1897; Page: 4

EVENING CONCERT IN LISTOWEL.

One of the most successful concerts ever hold in Listowel was the grand evening entertainment which came off in the Hall of the Total Abstinence Society, Listowel, on Wednesday evening. From every point of view the concert was a most pronounced success. The fact that the entertainment was held under the auspices of the society, and in aid of the funds of the organisation, fully accounts for the large and fashionable attendance ; but the enthusiasm of the audience can be accounted for only by the fact that the various contributions were performed in the most capable and finished manner. The programme was varied and interesting in character, judiciously drafted and calculated to appeal to every taste. In addition to local artistes, a number of other ladies and gentlemen also contributed to the programme.

The vocal items were rendered in fine style, and did not fail to draw enthusiastic plaudits from the audience; but the success of the entertainment must, to a great extent, be attributed to the recitals by the Misses Rahilly, and the instrumental contributions, which rank amongst the finest performances ever witnessed at a local concert. Every one, of course, expected that Miss Florence Rahilly would sustain her widespread reputation in a department which she has made peculiarly her own; but the excellence of the performance of Miss Tessie Rahilly, on the occasion of her first public appearance, took everyone by surprise. Needless to say, her reception was of the warmest character. The instrumental items: particularly the contributions of the Misses Creagh, were rendered in a style which betoken splendid musical ability and an appreciation of the composer’s work as admirable as it is rare, at a local entertainment, and which reflects infinite credit on local talent, which never showed up in better form than on Wednesday night.

The arrangements left nothing to be desired with the result that, though the hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, no inconvenience was caused. A special word of praise is surely due to Mrs Fitzpatrick, to whom, in a great measure, the success of the entertainment is to be attributed. She conducted the practice meetings with a degree of success, which only wide experience and splendid abilities as an instrumentalist and vocalist rendered possible. It is to be hoped, she will be long associated with our local entertainments.—Correspondent.

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A Gift of Ink….Update

Philip O’Carroll is sorted. Many people have offered him digitised versions of the LP . Philip and his family are remembered with great fondness in Listowel and many of his old friends were only too willing to help him. Thank you everyone who offered to source the album for him.

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Aspects of Ballybunion

The Beach Mission, always a reliable on the beach in August is back this year.

Signage on the beach has greatly improved. Clear flagging of areas of rip current means that the beach is now safer for everyone.

A Feature of the beach in recent years is beach art. It is a lovely way to send greetings for a birthday, wedding other celebrity occasion.

Seats are often memorials where a visitor can rest and remember someone who loved this spot.

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A Swim, a Concert and a Kiss

By

On August 25, 2023

In Ballybunion, History, Listowel

Market Street in August 2023

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Ballybunion

Areas where it is safe to swim are clearly flagged.

This lifeguard on the waters’ edge was monitoring two swimmers.

He was on red alert for any sign of danger and had his whistle at the ready in case anyone wandered into unsafe waters.

Flags and dangers clearly explained

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Think Before you Judge

Food for thought from Mattie Lennon

A famous British explorer was invited to a seaside town to give a talk about his adventures in the African jungle. “Can you imagine a people so primitive that they love to eat the embryos of a certain bird and slices of the belly of a certain animal?” the explorer asked the assembled audience. Its members gasped and looked around at each other in horror. “They also grind up grass seed, make it into a paste, burn it over a fire, then smear the result with a greasy mess that’s extracted from the mammary fluid of certain other animals,” the explorer continued. “Utterly barbaric! How can people live like that?” said a shocked individual. “All I’ve described is a breakfast of bacon, eggs and buttered toast, sir!” retorted the explorer. Moral of the story: Don’t be quick to judge cultures before you understand your own!

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Nuns or Púcas

Convent Street

Or is it Gleann an Phúca?

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Chicken Club at Leahy’s Corner

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The Best Concert Ever in Listowel

Kerry Sentinel, Wednesday, 13 January, 1897

NORTH KERRY NOTES. Listowel, Thursday.

CONCERT FOR THE POOR.

The laudable efforts of a number of local gentlemen in organising a concert in aid of the poor of the town are meeting with sympathy and support of the people of Listowel of every class and creed. The concert has been fixed for Wednesday night, the 20th inst. In addition to the services of a large number of local ladies and gentlemen, Professor Robinson, Limerick, and a number of artistes from the city of the violated treaty, have kindly consented to contribute to the programme, which promises to be the most interesting and attractive ever submitted to a local audience.

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A Fact

This week a kiss landed Luis Rubiales, Spanish FA President, in hot water.

Carried away by the unexpected win by the Spanish ladies soccer team in the World Cup, Luis kissed the captain, Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Not acceptable behaviour at all, at all.

The Romans had three words for kissing.

Basium was the kiss between acquaintances

Osculum was a kiss between close friends

Suavium was the kiss between lovers.

Luis should have stuck to Basium.

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Market Street

By

On August 24, 2023

In Ballybunion, Listowel

Raised bed on Market Street in August 2023

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Our New Public Convenience

Our new public toilet is less conspicuous than the old one and less costly. It is also more user friendly. It is in the same location as the old one.

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Jet OCarroll’s of William St. or Pearse Street

This popular bar is located at 32 William Street.

Or Uimhir 32, Sráid an Phiarsaigh. It is one of the quirks of Listowel that the street names in English hark back to times before independence. The same streets have Irish names that honour the signatories of the declaration of Independence.

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A Poem for late August 2023

Leaving (July 1st, 1966)

by John McGrath

Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation

A young boy smiles and wipes away his tears

July morning, Ballyhaunis station

His mother cries and curses emigration

That takes away her boy of tender years

Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation

Young mind filled with hope and expectation

The rhythm of the rails is all he hears

July morning, Ballyhaunis Station

Boarding school a feeble preparation

For Sixties’ Manchester, a web of snares

Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation

Climbs on board his future with elation

Anticipation ringing in his ears

July morning, Ballyhaunis Station

His farewell kiss a meagre consolation

She turns away as through the glass he peers  

Seventeen, no fear, no hesitation

July morning, Ballyhaunis station

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An August Visitor

Carine loves Ballybunion.

She was impressed by this litter picking initiative.

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Can you help a Listowel Emigrant?

I would love to get a copy of A Gift of Ink. I vividly remember listening to Eamon Keane’s magical voice the night it first broadcast. I am a neurologist in Newport Beach California but born and raised in Cahirdown, a mile outside the town. My 14 brothers and sisters lived in the Soldiers Cottages ,a gift of the British government to its WW1 veterans. My brother Louis was in love with his town and was immersed in every aspect of Listowel life. He died too soon but he died in the place closest to his heart.

I wait for your blog every week. It makes me feel connected to the past and to family. Please let me know how to access or purchase A Gift of Ink. I will be very grateful
Dr Philip O’Carroll

(A Gift of Ink is no longer available to buy but maybe someone who has a vinyl copy could copy it to cd for Philip.)

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A Fact

Bedouin feasts, celebrating weddings or other significant life events may include roast camel.

Whole roast camel is a delicacy in Dubai restaurants. A good sized camel can feed 80 to 100 people.

Whole camel stuffed with a sheep’s carcass, which is stuffed with chickens, which are stuffed with fish which are stuffed with eggs is not a thing.

This is a myth.

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Everywhere looks better with Flowers

By

On August 23, 2023

In Listowel, Poem

William Street, Listowel, August 2023

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Will They Ever Learn?

Bike stands at the new public toilet in Market Street

A few short steps away, bikes parked on the footpath against the shop window at Spar on Sunday August 20 2023

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Railway Station Signs

Shared online by Olive Whelan

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From the Newspaper Archive

( Thank you, Jer Kennelly)

Kerry Sentinel Wednesday, 11 July, 1906; Page: 2

Concert in Listowel

On Friday night a grand concert was given in the Gymnasium Hall, Listowel, in aid of a highly deserving local object, the maintenance of the National brass band. Having regard to the fine Summer weather, which was calculated to militate against an entertainment of an indoor character, the attendance was large and highly appreciated the various items, every one of which was warmly received and encored. It would be invidious to distinguish between the artistes, all of whom showed considerable merit, but the dance items by the Misses Kirby and Master T Breen, Killarney, deserve a special word of praise, while the contributions for which the band, under the capable conductorship of Mr J Hennessy, was responsible could not fail to evoke well-merited appreciation.

The following was the programme—Part I—Overture by band ; song, “Some Day I’ll Wander Back Again,” Mr MI Keane; song, “The Flight of Ages.” Miss Buckley ; violin solo, ” The Coulin.” Mr G Caball. Tralee; song, ” The Irish Emigrant,” Mr J O’Reilly; recitation, “An Incident of ’98,” Miss May Kirby ; song, ” Ever so Far Away,” Miss E Creagh ; skirt dance, Misses May and Joe Kirby ; song, ” Little Dolly Day Dream,” Mr M Dalton.

Part IT—Pianoforte duet, the Misses Kirby ; dance, Irish reel, Master T Breen, Killarney; song, “Pansy Faces,” Mr-M Keane; violin solo. ” Killarney” Mr G Caball; song, ” Dermot Asthore,” Miss Buckley; song.” The Idler,” Mr M Dalton; dance, Irish jig, Miss Joe Kirby ; song, ” The Memory of the Dead,” Mr J O’Reilly.

The accompaniments were skilfully played by Mrs O’Connor.

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He “Walked with Kings but Kept the Common Touch”

A great read I bought for 50c in Vincent’s Listowel. Michael Parkinson got to meet so many interesting people, he lead a charmed life….and he could have been a miner! May he rest in peace.

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Momento Mori

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Believe it or Not

No plant or wild flower yet has ever produced a blossom that is completely black. Attempts to produce one artificially have failed.

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