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: Schools’ Folklore Page 4 of 9

Old Days and Old Ways

By

On January 13, 2023

In Ballybunion, Schools' Folklore

Christmas Day 2022 in Ballybunion. Photo; John Kelliher

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Statue of The Infant of Prague

Statue of the Infant of Prague in St. Mary’s Listowel.

Marie Neligan posted on Facebook;

“I have had about three statues of the infant in Prague in my lifetime. I have a tiny one on the window ledge of my kitchen sink. Tonight, the statue fell all by itself and the head fell off. This is exactly what happened to the other two. There is an Irish superstition about this but I can’t remember what it is. Anyone out there remember?”

Apparently the statue, a well known bringer of a fine day only works its magic if the head has been severed from the body. But it is important that the head is separated from the body by accident and not by any human agency. So Marie has that invaluable meteorological genius in its most potent form.

My friend, Anne Moloney R.I.P. lent me her statue in order to ensure fine weather for my daughter’s wedding. Here he is sitting in a puddle outside my back door on the wedding morning. Too late I discovered that you have to put him under a bush for him to bring sunshine.

Then this post appeared on a Millstreet site…

Frank Reen with daughter Mairéad and the Infant of Prague statue that Frank’s father displayed when he began as a Chemist in 1938.

Picture – Sean Radley

We Irish people have a strange affection for this quirky little statue of baby Jesus in drag wearing a crown bigger than his head and carrying an orb.

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Football Club is Family

David Clifford and his son, Ogie, after his club’s victory in the Club Junior semi final. Photo; Hogan Stand

When your daddy is a superstar, you have to be part of the story.

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“The Tech” in the 1950s

These lovely old photos were posted to Facebook a while ago by Mike Hannon. I have no names but I’m sure someone will recognise people.

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St. Mary’s Well

From Duchas.ie the schools folklore collection

Long ago there was a blessed well in North Kerry near Ballyduff. It was called Mary’s Well. If any person had any pain he would go to the well and he would come home cured. The Fame of this well went through the county and they came from all parts to be cured. This went on for years and nobody ever came back from Mary’s well without being cured. Even the blind and sore-eyed people used go to be cured.

But this famous well did not always hold. There was a girl near the place who was going to be married and one day a half blind old woman came to her door looking for alms. She said, “I have nothing to give an old blind hag like you”. And the old woman said, “That the marriage ring may never go on you until you be as blind as myself”. Next morning when the girl got up she could not open her eyes and she went to Mary’s Well.

When she reached the well whom did she see but the old woman whom she refused the day before and she abused her and called her an old hag and she tried to pull her from the well but both of them fell into the well and got drowned and the well vanished and was never again seen and where the well was once there is now a stream.

Story collected by Cáit Breathnach of Tullamore School. Kilconly

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Fond Memory Brings the Light….

By

On January 11, 2023

In Just a Thought, Listowel, Schools' Folklore

Knitwits Knitting Group and Craftshop na Méar Team in Scribes on January 6 year unknown

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Listowel Old Boys Reunion at Christmas 2023

Vincent Carmody spent the holidays with the U.S. branch of his family. He sent me this very interesting message.

Dec 17 2023

Mary,

Happy Christmas from a cold Chicago.

We visited Rochester last weekend to catch up with my old neighbour and friend, Dr. Michael O’Sullivan of Mayo Clinic fame. He is regarded as a Demi God at Mayo for leading the way and doing the groundwork for his inventive research in the 1960’s which has put Mayo as a world leader today.

His daughter Finola hosted a dinner where many of the dept. heads of Mayo came together to meet, feast and party. Most of these are lovely Irish guys, many were hired by Michael when he was C.E.O. at Mayo Scottesdale and in time came back up to Rochester.

One of these is Michael O’Connor, a son of Michael the artist and grandson of Dr. Michael, as it were, the father, son and holy G.

During the evening he went to his car and brought in a family history which he has completed, on one of the pages a picture of the front of the GAA programme which I sent you, however during the evening I found another unique connection with another guest and this programme, this person, Una (O’Neill) ????, she came alone as her Doctor husband was not feeling well, Una is originally from Newry. When we were introduced by Michael, he mentioned that she came from GAA blue blood, she then told me the her two brothers played on the great Down team of ’60 and ’61, Sean and Kevin O’Neill. She was amazed when I pointed out that Down team had actually along with Kerry and Glen Rovers taken part in the matches that May day in 1960. A small world. I will be sending her the team sheet from that.

Again, great work during the year and thanks.

Vincent.

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Only in Kerry

Christmas Eve in Kerry 2022….Photo shared widely on the internet

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From the Postbag/Inbox

Hi Mary,

I am one of those crazy American genealogy geeks trying to explore my Irish roots.  I have been researching my great grandfather and his half-brother, of Newtownsandes (Moyvane).

I ran across your website while looking for info on Listowel, which is so close to where my family was from. My family is all gone now and therefore my genealogy research takes a lot of detective work, because I know how difficult it can be to find Irish records and information.

I was interested in Listowel after reading on the town website about Writers’ Week.  I am a budding family history writer and found it intriguing that a Writers’ week takes place so near to where my family roots lie.

A friend and I are planning a trip to Counties Kerry and Limerick this year, and I want to try to research family a bit while over there.   Since Listowel is so close to Newtownsandes, and to Athea in County Limerick where my great-grandmother was from, I thought it might make a good base for beginning our exploration.

Can you advise of a good local history library or research facility where I might be able to find some info?  Or do you know of a local historian or researcher who might be able to aid me in what I could look for while exploring the county?

Many of the names associated with my family exist almost entirely in either Kerry, Limerick or Tipperary, so I was hoping to find some help directly in those counties and really get to know them through some exploration.

Love your website and the stories people contribute.  I signed up and look forward to learning more.

Thanks!

Becky Clark
Denver, Colorado

I have replied to Becky and given her a bit of direction. If anyone else has any suggestions for her let me know.

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A Lime Kiln

From Schools’ Folklore Collection, Clandouglas School

The Limekiln is fronted by a stone wall with an arch underneath and it is called the breast.
About two feet from the breast is the pot and it is connected to the breast by the arch.
The bank is made of earth and stone and in a round form.
First a rail of turf is put in the bottom of the pot, then a layer of broken limestone about four inches in height is put on the turf and a layer of turf about one foot is put on the limestone and so on till the kiln is full.
Then it is set on fire through the arch. As the limestone and turf is going down through the fire, a man is putting limestone and turf into it and keep it full.
Another man is drawing out the lime at the arch. Lime needed for manure is mixed with the ashes of the turf. Lime needed for whitewashing has to be picked in lumps from the ashes.

COLLECTORMichael O’ Connell

AddressKnockburrane, Co. Kerry

INFORMANTJerry O’ Connell

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Just a Thought

Last week I was the first for 2023 to have my reflections broadcast on Radio Kerry’s Just a Thought slot.

Here is a link…

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

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First Post of 2023

By

On January 9, 2023

In Listowel, Schools' Folklore

Kerry Cow; Photo Mike Flahive

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Christmas Mail

While I’ve been absent from here I have been receiving some very interesting emails. The first one I am going to tell you about involves this handsome Kerry cow.

A Dublin lady with a Kerry mother is writing a book about Kerry. Mary Trant is hoping to include a chapter about the Kerry cow and her search for a photograph brought her to Listowel Connection.

The photograph wasn’t mine. It was Mike Flahive’s of Bromore who is dedicated to preserving this breed. I put Mary in touch with Mike. Now we can look forward to her book before too long.

I have other mails as well, a soldier of The Great War whose photo is sought for a project in Belgium, and an American with Moyvane and Athea ancestors looking to connect with her Irish family before her visit. Watch out for these stories in the next few days.

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A Sad Farewell

Listowel lost a good few friends over the Christmas break. A big shock to everyone was the untimely passing of Fr. Donal O’Connor.

Fr. Donal passed away at his home in Rathmore on January 4 2023. He was very popular during his stint as a curate in Listowel. Many people have fond memories of him. May he rest in peace.

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An Artist of the Future

It is lovely to receive a hand made card. This unique artwork from 6 year old Sadhbh is my favourite Christmas card of 2022. I am keeping it until she becomes famous and I’ll have a rare early example of her work.

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Something to Look Forward to

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The Legend of Kiltomey

From Dúchas.ie , the schools folklore collection

A little boy, the only son of a widow, was caught one day picking sticks for fuel (called here brosna) in the earls’ orchard. The earls at this time had large and extensive orchards and fruit gardens around Lixnaw. They made cider of the apples which they stored in vaults (which still exist underneath an old ruins called the Hermitage). When the boy was caught, the earl of the time ordered him to be slung up on a tree and hanged which was done.The poor widow having heard of the death of the boy became frantic with rage and despair for the loss of her only son and proceeded in her rage to curse the earl.

She came before the door of the mansion her hair hanging in disorder down to her waist and the earl seeing her became afraid of her curse, and so came out to placate her as best he could. To do so he was obliged to grant her a whole townland of his property and a rich one at that. This was the townland of Kiltomey, about a mile from Lixnaw, which she finally accepted though it did not, as she said, compensate her for the loss of her son.

The townland of Kiltomey was afterwards sold and was, up to the time of the Land Purchase Acts, in possession of a different landlord. A large portion of this property of the the earls passed over to Lord Listowel at the time of the confiscations, but the townland of Kiltomey though in the midst of this property remained in different hands, a separate property, thus in some measure proving the truth of the legend of the widow and her son.

Ballincloher School, Teacher; Seán Leahy

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Old Listowel Folk and New

By

On December 20, 2022

In Listowel, Schools' Folklore

Frosty Listowel in December 2022… Photos; Chris Scott

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The Last of my Photos from the Garda Centenary Celebrations 2022

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Singing Stars of the Past

Eileen Reid, Joe Dolan, Tony Kenny nd Brendan Grace (photo shared on Facebook)

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Folklore from Listowel in the Ducas.ie Collection

Frank Hoffman who was killed in the troubles in Tralee was a great concertina-player. After his death his comrades were planning an ambush in a barn and they heard his tune played outside on a concertina. They put off the ambush and ’twas well they did as a trap was laid for them and they’d all be wiped out.
(T. T. Doyle Tanavalla)
“The men who crucified Our Lord have to roll barrells in heaven as a punishment. Thats thunder! (Hickey Ballybunion).
There was a churchyard in Behins long ago and men ploughed up bones there and never buried them again so they got the sickness and died.
There was also a churchyard in Listowel at the back of Feale View (Sweetnams) now the property of Mr. Foley.

There is a woman and her name is Madge Shine living in the Red Cottages, Cahirdown Listowel and the way she made baskets was this. She picked hazel sticks and put them over the fire to harden and about a week after took them down and pointed them. Then she placed four sticks on top of one another and tied the four corners of them and placed more on top of them until she had it made.
There is a man and his name is Martin Sheehy and he made sgiaths out of scollops. He bended the sticks in and through one another until he had his sgiaths made. There is a man and his name is Paddy Enright of Asdee and he made baskets out of rushes and he put the rushes over the fire to get tough and then he wove them in and out through one another until he had his baskets made.

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Fleadh Cheoil in Listowel 1973

Katherine Walshe from Newmarket was in Listowel competing in the fleadh. She has shared a few souvenirs of that adventure with us.

Here is Katherine’s email;

I had a look at what remains of the copy of programme of events for 1973 that I recently came across.  I am attaching the piece from the Uachraran on behalf of the National Executive and the main programme of events which were held throughout the town in:

Astor Cinema

Sluagh Hall

Walsh’s Hall

Medell’s Hall

Plaza Hall

Realta na Maidne

Library Hall

Flicking through the pages I noted the name of Frankie Gavin from Mervue, Galway who competed in the 16-18 age category. I assume he is the well-known fiddle player that we often hear of. He played, and won, at Plaza Hall and Walsh’s Hall that year.

I have happy memories of my time there playing in and winning the Faoi 11 age Slow Air Fiddle competition at Sluagh Hall. The attached pictures were taken that day, 27th August 1973, of me (pictured left and from Newmarket in County Cork) and Jo Ann Crowley (from Kilmallock in County Limerick on the right). It’s possible to still make out the location from the background in the photographs.

Anyway, this is just a little something that may be of interest. I’m wondering how many of the seven venues still exist. Hopefully all of them.

All Ireland winners 1973
Katherine Walshe and Jo Ann Crowley

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It’s the Little Things

I watched very little of World Cup 2022 but I’m glad I didn’t miss the final. Even the French branch of my family agreed that Argentina deserved the win and Lionel Messi deserved to crown his glittering career in Doha.

This is Alexis MacAllister of Argentina. If the grandmother rule were the great great grandfather rule he would qualify to play for Ireland.

Joe Callaghan covered the championship for The Irish Examiner and he did a great job, I’m told. Here is his little quirky final takeaway.

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A Poem and a Tale from Down Under

By

On December 15, 2022

In History, Listowel, Personal, Poem, Schools' Folklore

Breeda Ahern’s wreath, Christmas 2022

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Home for Christmas.

Matt Mooney sent us his Christmas poem

Snug in our house at home Christmas Day,

Condensation heavy on the window pane,

Hearing the sudden click of our small gate,

Someone saw him come and said his name.

Mother hovering over the Christmas dinner,

Up on the Stanley range – her engine room,

Looks out in hope and then she saw her son

Walking in again the sloping path to home.

Her heart filled with joy so warm and full,

She emerges as if a wave in a warm ocean

Is carrying her to let him in and greet him,

Her embraces laced with motherly emotion.

He smells roasting goose as he sips soup,

And talks farming talk with his eager father;

Soon he melts into the man he was before

He took the boat to England with his brother.

He was happy he had made the journey west,

He knew that it was not a time to be alone;

Here by the fire he felt it even in his bones –

That at Christmas it was great to be at home.

Matt Mooney.

Taken from ‘The Singing Woods’ (2017).

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It’s a Long Long Way from Clare to Here

Marie Moriarty came across this story on a recent trip to Australia

Fr. John O’Shea was just one of many Irish missionaries who are remembered for their great work in Australia.

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A Few more Photos I took at the Garda Centenary Celebrations

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A Christmas Custom from the National Archives Folklore Collection

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A Story with Neven Maguire in it

Every now and again I get an email from a researcher asking permission to use a photograph that they have found credited to me. Usually its some fabulous picture, well outside the scope of my talents.

Here is the latest email and I’m hoping someone will know this photographer.

My name is Helen and I work at a TV production company called InProduction TV. We are currently producing an RTÉ TV series called ‘Neven’s Greenway Food Trails’ for RTÉ One. 
We would like to request permission to use an image from your website in the series if possible please? The image is attributed to Liam Downes, if you might have Liam’s contact details please? 
The context of use is that Chef Neven Maguire will be travelling the Limerick Greenway exploring the food producers nearby and learning about the formerrailway and the history of the Greenway.
This is the image we would like to use if you might be able to help please? 

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