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 3 of 51

Shopping

By

On February 24, 2025

In Listowel, Poem

The Square

<<<<<<<<<

Something to Crow About

<<<<<<<<<<<

An Old Postbox

Image and copy from Old Postboxes on Facebook

This is a very historical piece…the original post box dates between 1911 and 1921…and Saorstát Éireann dates from 1922 to 1937….unusual in that original door was taken off and replaced…. but retained the original logo’s…. Knocksedan Ireland….. no longer in use….

2 Comments

That Edward VII postbox dates from 1901 to 1905; after 1905 the royal cypher was used.

This wallbox has been removed..I believe stolen a couple of years ago….

<<<<<<<<

Shops and Shopping Memories

by Mick O’Callaghan

I remember Woolworths shop coming to Tralee in the early fifties. There was great excitement at the arrival of this new shopping experience for the people of Tralee. It had a special significance for me because I was starting school, and I was not happy to be held in captivity within the confines of a classroom with a locked door. Sr Immaculata told me that my mother was gone to Woolworths to buy me a present, whereupon I told her that she was a liar because Woolworths shop was not yet open. I lashed out and kicked her. That incident gave me the title for my published memoir ‘The boy who kicked the nun”.

Yes, Woolworths opened a whole new shopping experience for the people of the Tralee catchment area with its array of sweets, chocolates and a wide range of goods. I remember buying my first fishing rod there.

Woolworths was a bright star in the middle of the more traditional shops and institutions around it.

We had Revington’s store selling high class drapery and household goods. It was our Harrods of Tralee. People flocked in there and loved it

There were traditional butchers shops a plenty. I remember Mr Mulcahy in Wilsons Shop slicing rashers to perfection on the slicing machine. Mr Harmon sold loose sweets in paper tósíns, his wine gums were to die for. Yes, and we had Healy’s dairy selling ice cream and dairy products. Oh memories, memories of Havercrofts bakery, of Benners that sold every conceivable household gadget imaginable. There was Kelliher’s, McCowen’s and Latchford’s stores and yards with their hardware, fuel and building supplies. Yes, there is a rich memory bank from our early shopping days, but all is changed now with less local ownership and a huge diversity in suppliers and supplies.

We also had the Munster and Leinster bank with Bank of Ireland close by. They were revered national institutions where all shopkeepers queued up on Monday mornings to lodge the weekend takings. Young people aspired to getting a position there because it was regarded as a safe secure pensionable job for life. The local bank managers were well respected figures in the community. Little did they think that such noble institutions would crash and cause such inestimable damage and stress to the lives of ordinary people. They would also bring long serving businesspeople to their knees and cause national economies to collapse. Irish life was changed for ever by the collapse of the banks.

Apart from these we had a few grocers’ shops, and they had their regular clients. Our grocer of choice was O Connors and Mikey, the owner, was a relation of the family, on my mother’s side. He was a Fianna Fail Politician and that did not sit too easily with my father who was opposed to him politically, but practicality had to prevail because the choice of grocer’s shops was limited, and we shopped with Mikey.

More tomorrow

<<<<<<<<

Sunday in Ballincollig

I was in Ballincollig yesterday, Sunday February 22 2025.

I was there to support my granddaughter and her team, Lakewood, in The National Cup U14 soccer tournament. They beat Drogheda 5/1 and are now into the quarter finals.

Cora is on the far left, with the headband in Carine’s photo.

While I was in Ballincollig I called to the shopping centre for my newspaper.

This was the scene 10 minutes before New Look opened to begin its closing down sale.

<<<<<<<<

<<<<<<<<

A Fact

For every human on earth there are approximately one million ants.

<<<<<<<

Visitors

By

On February 19, 2025

In Listowel, Poem

Upper Church Street

<<<<<<<

Visiting Artists

Olive Stack’s Gallery and Shop

Olive Stack is a one person ambassador for Listowel. With her artists residencies she has been bringing people with many and varied artistic talents to town. Her visitors have enhanced our town and contributed greatly to the cultural life of Listowel.

Here is what some of them have to say in their testimonials

Julie Mazzoni GA USA December 2024

My December residency at the Olive Stack Gallery was a true gift, offering the rare opportunity to immerse myself in my art while exploring Listowel and its surroundings. The experience was not only enriching on a personal level, but also surprisingly communal, with a sense of camaraderie with fellow residency artists. Who else has learned to tilt their head in reflex when returning to the studio with a hot cup of tea, or been startled by the sudden honking of a tractor parade in mid-December? And who could forget the peaceful shortcut through St. Michael’s Cemetery? Of special note was the quiet strength of my studio mate, Enzina Marrari, who supported me on Christmas Day during my cold plunge at Ballybunion. I’m also deeply grateful to Mary O’Flaherty, who must have a subscription for boozy chocolate-covered cherries, and to the St. Mary’s choir, who welcomed me into their Christmas Eve performance without a second thought. Most of all, my heartfelt thanks go to Olive Stack, whose brilliant idea for this residency created an experience that was truly a win-win-win.

Enzina Marrari Newfoundland Canada December 2024

I was lucky to serve as an artist in residence during December of 2024. The best word I can use to describe my experience is: draíocht, or in English, magic. Listowel lights up during December – literally! The streets are decorated in such a festive manner it feels like you are inside of a snow globe or Christmas movie – or both! Christmas music is projected from loud speakers in the downtown which serves as this lovely sound track to the residency. I served alongside Julie Mazzoni – a brilliant mosaic artist from Georgia, USA. I didn’t know Julie or her work prior to this residency – and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Julie and learn about her and her work. I also accompanied Julie while she did the winter sea swim at Ballybunion Beach (!) – a beautiful beach a short drive from the gallery. Seeing Julie plunge into the cold waters literally brought tears to my eyes, I was so happy to see her accomplish this goal! My time in the studio was also brilliant. I felt like I finally had time to focus solely and directly on my art practice – something I am unable to do in my daily life. I came with a vision for producing a body of work, and of course, was inspired by Listowel and Ireland which served as a great compliment to my work and strengthened the pieces I was working on. I left with a new body of work that I am proud of and was made a million times better from my time at Olive Stack Gallery. I also appreciated working in an active space – I felt integrated into the community as opposed to being holed up alone in a studio somewhere. Meeting locals and tourists alike added a bonus to my time at the studio. I must also speak about Olive. I am so grateful for having met Olive! In addition to being an amazing painter and mosaic artist, Olive is so kind, compassionate, welcoming, and generous. I feel so grateful to have gotten to know Olive and feel as though I made a life-long friend. Olive and I celebrated New Years in Anascul participating in a longstanding local tradition of marching down the main street led by pipers and fire holders, and then walked along Inch beach on the morning of New Years Day – it is a memory that I will cherish forever. Other highlights: the kindness of the local people, visiting sacred wells around and near Listowel, stopping at a surprise waterfall with Julie on our way to Dingle to see Wren’s Day, finding the most delicious honey roasted peanut butter at the bakery across the street from the gallery (you must try it, it’s out of this world!), putting my feet in the grass at the Ballinskelligs Castle. You will NOT regret applying to this residency! Draíocht Draíocht Draíocht!

<<<<<<<<

A Favourite from my Schooldays

<<<<<<<<

Did you know?

These are the so called “fairy slippers” that foals have over their hooves in order to protect the mom’s uterus and birth canal. Then, right after the birth, these soft “feathers” dry up and fall off, so that the foal’s hooves quickly harden and are ready for standing up.

Nature is simply perfect

( source; David Attenborough on Facebook)

<<<<<<<

A Fact

Even when a snake’s eyes are closed, it can still see through its eyelids.

<<<<<<<

Turf

By

On February 17, 2025

In Listowel, Poem

The Square, February 2025

<<<<<<<<

Harvesting the Turf

In his memoir, O’Carroll remembers the importance of turf.

<<<<<<<<

The Crow family

Apropos my inclusion of the One for Sorrow rhyme last week, I was reminded that it refers to magpies and not to crows. So here is the crow and all his first cousins, including the magpie.

Now I can’t make out if the ones I see so many of around here are common ravens or rooks.

<<<<<<<<

Upfront

These three ladies are familiar to us from their work with Listowel Races.

This story and picture is from Tralee Today online

From left; Zoe O’Connor, Orla Diffily and Sydney Sargent at Upfront Model Management. Photo: Cian Copeland

KERRY-BASED Commercial and Fashion Agency, Upfront Model Management, has announced the appointment of Talent Development Manager and new partner, Sydney Sargent and Creative Lead and Casting Director, Zoe O’Connor to continue to grow the agency’s presence in the Irish market and to develop overseas markets.

Upfront was established in Kerry as a PR consultancy in 1995. Upfront Model Management was launched in 2008 and today represents commercial and fashion talents in Cork, Dublin, and Kerry. The Agency specialises in representing diversity and many of the talents also have acting experience.

Scouted in her native Texas, Sydney has modelled internationally in the US, Australia, and London before moving to Ireland 10 years ago.

Agency founder and owner, Orla Diffily began her PR career at Murray Consultants Dublin and then spent 4 years working on consumer and fashion accounts with Setanta Communications Dublin, before moving to the Corporate Affairs Department of Kerry Group PLC.

In 1995, she left to establish Upfront. With over 30 years of experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry, she is a respected industry voice, girl boss and proud owner of Upfront.

<<<<<<<<<

<<<<<<<

A Fact

A bat flies but cannot walk. Its leg bones are so thin his legs could not support him.

<<<<<<

Soldiers’ Houses

By

On February 13, 2025

In History, Listowel, Poem

Market Street, February 2025

<<<<<<<<

A Kerry Castle

<<<<<<<

The Big Wind in Family History

Lauren Davis wrote the following letter to us in October 2020:

Hi Mary ~
I wanted to let you know how much we’ve been enjoying your blog lately. Even with little “new”news to report on, you are keeping our interest here in America! My ancestors left Listowel around 1870 so even “news” from the 19th century in County Kerry is fascinating for me. For instance, when a piece you posted a few days ago said,
 “For three quarters of a century afterwards the people in this district and in North Kerry generally recorded events from the year the boat was drowned” or from the night of the big wind”.”I got so excited! Our family’s stories mention that my 2x great grandmother was born “the night of the big wind.” (She actually was born a few days before but everybody remembered her birth in connection with the storm.) My own granddaughter was just born a month ago here in Oregon. I’m sure we will be remembering her birth as “the time of the big wild fires.” Just knowing that other people from Co. Kerry remembered events the way my family did makes me feel so much more connected to our ancestral home.

Thank you for all that you do! Please keep it up!

Lauren Carroll Davis

Sisters, Oregon

<<<<<<<<

Hens and Eggs

Photo; Chris Grayson

Egg prices in the US have risen by 20% due to the many outbreaks of bird flu.

Did you read about the egg heist in Pennsylvania when 100,000 eggs were stolen? I must admit that with the CEO’s name given as Flocco and references to scrambling to improve security and cracking down on theft I think maybe the story was a wind up.

<<<<<<<

Soldiers’ Houses

Since Carmel Hanrahan raised the subject, I have been fascinated by the story of the soldiers’ houses in Cahirdown.

A helpful blog follower told me that the late Gerry O’Carroll had written about them in his memoir. I borrowed it from the library.

<<<<<<<<

So True

So, grief walked up to love, 
and asked if it would dance. 
Love blamed grief for everything
and rudely answered “no chance.”

Grief stood there watching love. 
Knowing there was nothing it could do. 
It shared in every teardrop 
and felt the heartache too. 

Love hated grief so fiercely,
and prayed for it to go away. 
Grief could never leave though
and it was here to stay. 

Every day it asked the same question, 
“Love, please dance with me.”
Everyday was met with the answer
“Please just leave me be.”

Grief and love shared every moment.
Every thought was just the same. 
Every day they fought a battle,
Of love along with blame. 

Grief finally stopped asking, 
and pulled love to its chest. 
Together they swayed to memories,
and shared their empty nest. 

Grief never let go of love again. 
They made better music as one. 
After all if there was no love, 
then grief wouldn’t belong…

Joanne Boyle ~ Heartfelt 

<<<<<<<<

A Fact

In 1978 the song Mull of Kintyre by Wings went to No. 1 in January.

<<<<<<<

The Big Wind in Kerry

By

On February 12, 2025

In History, Listowel, Poem

Listowel Garda Station, February 2025

<<<<<<<

Pillar Post boxes

Pillar postbox in Main Street Listowel

Anthony Trollope, the novelist, introduced the pillar box to Britain in 1852 when he worked as a Post Office Surveyor in the Channel Islands. The first mainland box was erected a year later in 1853. At first local District Surveyors ordered boxes from local foundries. In 1859 a standard design was introduced. Wall boxes appeared in 1857, Ludlow boxes in 1885 and lamp boxes in 1896.

Each new reign brings boxes bearing the royal cipher of the monarch. Pillar boxes and wall boxes have been made in different sizes and with improvements to the design incorporated over time. A large number of different manufacturers have been employed and over the years there have been many experimental boxes put in service.

<<<<<<<<

The Big Wind

I took the story and image from Joe Harrington’s Facebook page. He posted it on the eve of Eowyn.

Night of the Big Wind

The incoming Storm Éowyn would appear to be on the scale of the ‘Night of the Big Wind’, 6-7 January 1839. The centre of the storm to the north of Ireland is forecast to be as low as 938 Millibars (MB). The storm 186 years ago was 20 MBs lower at its centre. However, the pressure over Kerry at the height of this storm may well be lower than it was here on the night of the big wind.

In the 1839 storm, the number killed may have been about three hundred. It was calculated that 4,846 chimneys were knocked. How the fallen chimneys could be counted so accurately, and the dead so vaguely is strange. Trees were a valuable commodity and some Landlords had grown fine stands. These were valuable on January 6 and almost worthless on January 7, 1839. There was a glut of firewood on the market.

Many people lost their small savings, secreted inside the thatch when roofs were carried off. There was no weather forecasting at the time and the storm arrived unannounced. Winds reached 120 miles per hour in what was a category three hurricane. Twenty-five percent of the houses in Dublin were destroyed and 42 ships were sunk along the east coast.

From Kerry, it was reported that the “well-constructed Listowel Arms Hotel” was damaged and in the same town, the police under Chief Constable Fletcher were credited with saving many lives. There were no deaths in Listowel.

The 1908 Old Age Pensions Act came into law in January 1909 for those over 70 years of age – exactly 70 years after the Night of the Big Wind. Over a quarter of a million applied and within a year over 180,000 had been deemed successful. Contrary to popular belief, the acceptance of a memory of the Big Wind as proof of age in a claim for the Old Age Pension is not backed up by any records of the time. There is a belief that some official of the Board may have asked people who were having trouble providing proof of their age what they were doing on the night of the Big Wind but when large numbers answered “eating a potato out of my hand” that approach was quickly dropped.

<<<<<<<<<

Love is in the Air

Danny Russell is not only an excellent hairdresser, he is a top class window dresser as well. His Valentine’s 2025 window is a triumph.

<<<<<<<

A Poem Celebrating a Tree

Anyone who is familiar with the back gate entrance to UCC or anyone who works in The Bons in Cork or visits there will know this tree.

<<<<<<<<<

A Fact

In Finland 9 out of 10 plastic bottles and almost all glass bottles are recycled.

<<<<<<<

Page 3 of 51

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén