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: Poem Page 21 of 53

Local, Personal and World News

By

On April 8, 2024

In Listowel, Personal, Poem

Sunny day in The Garden of Europe in April 2024

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Danny Hannon’s Bookshop

I posted this last week. Danny Hannon R.I.P. had a newsagents and book shop in Main Street where Glamourous is today.

Then in a piece of synchronicity, Aisling Neville sent me this bookmark that she found in an old book.

“Books on your doorstep by land, sea and air. All titles, all authors. The easy way.”

Danny was a great man for the grand gesture and the flowing phrase. He was ahead of his time. Listowel is the poorer for his passing.

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My Niece, the World Champion

Adult Irish step dancing is increasing in popularity. If you have danced competitively as a youngster, you may miss the camaraderie of it all in adulthood. Christine has gone back to her childhood pastime with not a little success.

Christine and her two friends won gold in the World Championships for their three hand reel. The competition was held in Scotland.

Dancers and their teacher.

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Jer’s Bits of News from the Archives

April 19 1930 New York NY Irish American Advocate

Whilst crossing a Meld in Drumcunnig, Abbeydorney, a few days ago, Maurice Hayes, a youth, was attacked by five greyhounds and a Kerry Blue. It is stated that though young Hayes sustained injuries to both his legs sad arms, still they are not of a serious nature.

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The heaviest snow-fall for thirty-years was recorded in Cashel Saturday,

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An anniversary Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Father J  Heffernan, a native of Killarney, was celebrated at All Souls’ Church in San Francisco.

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The death in Chicago of Mrs. Ellen Cregan Wallace, a native of Glin, who emigrated about 40 years ago, is deeply regretted by her numerous relatives and friends.

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James Duggan, N. T., Glin, member of Glin football team, was the lucky winner of first prize at Adare whist drive a valuable motor car.

( A car as a prize for a whist drive in 1930!!!!!! Something amiss here, I’d say)

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A Poem

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One for the Diary

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A Fact

Paper recycling was first recorded in 1031. Yes, you read that correctly, 1031!!!!!! Shops in Japan sold repulped paper.

Source of this extraordinary fact: my fact a day calendar

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Trees and racquets

By

On April 5, 2024

In Listowel, Poem

The Big Bridge from Childers’ Park

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You Win Some….

This old tree has been cut right back.

A new tree has been planted by the Holocaust memorial.

It promises to be gorgeous.

It is directly in line with the John B. Keane sculpture.

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Watching the Tennis

I was in Rushbrooke for much of Easter 2024

Rushbrooke is a really old club in Cobh, Co. Cork. They play tennis and croquet. The club is very friendly and welcoming.

We were the Lakewood support on Easter Monday. Aimee took the selfie.

Rushbrooke’s nine tennis courts were in pristine condition for their big week

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Titbits from the Newspaper Archives

April 19 1930

New York NY Irish American Advocate

The returns of the Registrar-General for the year 1929, show that Kerry had the lowest death-rate in the Irish Free State during that period

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The old Carnegie Library on the Bridge Road, Listowel. one of the few remaining traces of the stormy period of 1920-1921, has been purchased by R. Moloney, who Intends converting it into a concert and picture hall.

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A few good-steed salmon were amongst those landed within the past few days, between Kilmorna and Abbeyfeale. John Creaghe Harnett got three, 10 to 15 lbs.; J. Kelly, Kilmorna, landed a 28.5 lb. salmon; J. Hickey, one 19 lbs.; W. R. Collins, two, 10 and 12 lbs.; M. Galvin, Duagh, one, 10 lbs.; J. Relihan. one, 11 lbs.; D. Downey, two, 9 and 10 lbs.; J. Clancy, one, 11 lbs.; W C. Harnett, one 9 lbs.

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A Poem

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A Fact

Morse Code was devised as a communication system by Samuel Morse, Joseph Henry and Alfred Vall in 1837. Its huge advantage lies in the fact that the dots and dashes that make up its alphabet can be relayed in many different ways, visually, audibly and via touch to accurately relay messages across distance.

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Easter 2024

By

On April 3, 2024

In Listowel, Poem

Photo; Raymond O’Sullivan

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Easter 2024; God and Mammon

I was in Ballincollig for my Easter break.

The sun shone for a short few hours while we were walking in the beautiful Regional Park.

In the church of St. Mary and St. John the monstrance and crucifix were covered in purple drapes. The altar had no flowers and the atmosphere was solemn and prayerful.

Meanwhile in the nearby busy shopping centre it was all bunnies and chocolate.

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You Win Some; You Lose Some

The family had mixed fortunes in the Rushbrooke Easter tennis tournament.

Anne and her partner, Martina, won their competition.

It was great to get to support them. The final on Monday was played in glorious sunshine, in contrast to the earlier rounds which they played in torrential rain.

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Remember this?

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So Sad and So True

Many of us have stood in a stupor at a graveside like Greg Delanty

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A Fact

The official name of the U.K. is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Drama, Poetry and Idioms

By

On April 2, 2024

In Listowel, Poem

Ground cover in Gurtinard Wood in March 2024

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Your Entertainment for this Week

Danny O’Connor has been in touch, to alert us to the need for early booking for this one. Tickets are selling out fast.

The Patrick Pearse Motel Tuesday 2nd to Sunday 7th April at 8pm

The Lartigue Theatre Company are delighted to present Hugh Leonard’s hilarious comedy caper directed by Denis Mahony.

When her husband Dermod is away in Cork with his business partner Fintan, Grainne seizes the opportunity to spend the night with an ex-flame, who is now a TV personality. However everything doesn’t go quite according to plan !!

The Cast includes Laura Shine Gumbo, John Healy, Joanne Prendeville, Mike Moriarty, Con Kirby, Lucille O’Sullivan, Robert Bunyan and Aisling Griffin.

Tickets are €15 and are available from St. John’s Box Office on 068 22566 or info@stjohnstheatre.ie

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A Poem

Above is the anthology. Below is the poem. Many of you will remember this poem in Irish from your schooldays. it celebrates the imagination of a child, in sharp contrast to her Daddy’s “blindness”.

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Working Dog

If you encounter this cute puppy in the local shops, don’t be tempted to pat him or otherwise interact with him. He is working and needs to concentrate on his job as he still at the learning phase

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A Memory

My friend, Alice, was in Dingle and spotted this sign. Fitzpatrick’s of Kanturk once had three grocery shops in town. They had a bakery and an ice cream plant as well.

Fitzpatrick’s used to sell broken choc ices to the local children. You could buy a bag for 6d. If you were lucky you might get more choc than ice.

Happy days!

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Idioms of Yesteryear

Internet survey statistics

50 Phrases Going Out Of Fashion

(% shows how many have never used the phrase)

1. Pearls before swine 78% 

2. Nail your colours to the mast 71%

3. Colder than a witch’s tit 71%

4. Pip pip 70%

5. Know your onions 68%

6. A nod is as good as a wink 66%

7. A stitch in time saves nine 64%

8. Ready for the knackers yard 62%

9. I’ve dropped a clanger 60%

10. A fly in the ointment 59%

11. Keen as mustard 58%

12. A flash in the pan 57%

13. Tickety boo 57%

14. A load of codswallop 56%

15. A curtain twitcher 56%

16. Knickers in a twist 56%

17. Dead as a doornail 55%

18. A dog’s dinner 55%

19. It’s chock a block 55%

20. Storm in a teacup 55%

21. Could not organise a p*** up in a brewery 54%

22. Not enough room to swing a cat 54%

23. Flogging a dead horse 54%

24. Toe the line 54%

25. Popped her clogs 54%

26. Drop them a line 53%

27. Steal my thunder 53%

28. A few sandwiches short of a picnic 53%

29. A legend in one’s own lifetime 52%

30. Be there or be square 52%

31. Fell off the back of a lorry 52%

32. A bodge job 52%

33. Eat humble pie 52%

34. Having a chinwag 52%

35. Put a sock in it 52%

36. Mad as a Hatter 51%

37. Spend a penny 51%

38. Cool as a cucumber 51%

39. It’s gone pear shaped 51%

40. It cost a bomb 51%

41. Raining cats and dogs 51%

42. See a man about a dog 51%

43. It takes the biscuit 50%

44. He’s a good egg 50%

45. Snug as a bug in a rug 49%

46. Chuffed to bits 49%

47. Have a gander 49%

48. Selling like hot cakes 49%

49. Pardon my French 48%

50. A Turn up for the books 45%

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A Fact

Most of us have two Christian names. A U.S survey found that 43% of middle names honour someone in the family. Only 27% of first names do.

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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

By

On March 28, 2024

In Listowel, Poem

St. Patrick’s Day 2024

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Getting it Right

and getting it very wrong.

Tasteful, stylish grey and red branding on MBC new offices in Church Street

Garish, unsightly signage at the new Mr. Price store. We know the goods are cheap. We don’t need it shouted at us from every window.

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A St. Patrick’s Day Card

I was telling you before about my experience with An Post’s AI generated card. My friend, Catherine, fascinated by my account of this new product, sent me one.

I dont know which category of image she chose, could be strange Irish animals. Is that fellow in the centre a lion?

Catherine let AI compose a “poem” as well.

No words!!!

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Daffodil Day

Friday March 22 was cold and windy. The hardy souls of the Irish Cancer Society were out in force selling their daffodils.

Alice and Rachel were on the island in Main Street.

Anne and Áine were at Carrolls.

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More Colloquialisms

Stephen Twohig of Kanturk and Canada says;

Here are a few more old sayings that us Wild Geese may have forgotten .

Little by little  and without notice they slip away from you and you hardly ever miss them. Like the shadows of a twilight or the chatter of little birds before dark. What I am referring to are some of the old sayings, axioms and expressions of our elders. From a more simple life and time. Some of these sayings I suppose are derived from our native tongue. Some are still in use today by those of you closer to the well. As before some of you will remember them, others will come back to you like an old friend. Most are sayings you would never hear at this side of the Atlantic. Here are some of my favourites with their corresponding meanings for those who have forgotten them. 

A ruction is a commotion.

 “‘Next nor near’ nowhere near. 

“Make a fist of”, to try to be good at.

 “Fit to be tied”to be angry or annoyed

“Fair play” , the same as “fair dues”, a term of praise or acknowledgement .

‘Heel of the hunt”‘, in the end. 

“Bad cess”, an old term wishing bad luck to someone or something. ·

“For love or money “self explanatory but hopefully not a regret after marriage! 

“‘Hale and hearty … happy or joyous. ·

“With a heart and a half”, with great generosity. 

“Between two minds .. , undecided. I think. but I’m not sure! 

 “A right fix” in a tough predicament or situation. Like being “found on” after hours. 

‘Real old stock,  a term to describe someone as coming from the older and purer generation. 

“‘Great gas … great craic or fun. ·

Straight away” promptly or right way. Not usually associated with any government body or public works. 

“To put your oar in” , to put a word in, or add to the conversation. Rarely done at home! 

”Heart in my mouth, scared. 

The time that was in it … the time that was left. 

“The fat in the fire’·, trouble brewing. Like if you forget her Birthday or Anniversary. 

“ A jorum”, a drink. 

“Traipsing”, to saunter or drag yourself along. Like the County Council. 

“Mooched”, to indulge oneself in the generosity of others. And I will let the poor Cavan people alone. ··

“Highfalutin”, high on the hob, law di daw, or seemingly well off. In looks anyway. 

“Joe Soap”, a term like John Doe or your average Joe. Just as we say “‘Happy as Larry”, whoever or wherever he is. 

“The Hammers of hell”, a term to suggest immediate urgency. To do something in great haste. Like vacate the premises when the twin bulbs (squad car) shows up. 

“Within an ass’s roar”, nowhere near. As up near the counter on Paddy’s night.

“A caper”, a racket. Not as in tennis but in underhand dealings. As opposed to backhand. 

“Pulling  someone’s leg”, having them on or playing a joke on them. 

“·Putting something over” on someone as in pulling the wool over someone’s eyes or deceiving them.

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A Fact

On March 23 1906 the Wright brothers received the patent for their flying machine.

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