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 Page 2 of 20

Summer 2024

By

On May 22, 2024

In Listowel, Schools

Path in the park

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Remembering Toddy Buckley

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Local People at The Kingdom County Fair

Jer Kennelly was there with his camera and he sent us these. Jer is the man with the garda, at the other side of the camera for once.

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A Superpower Needed

I saw this man for the first time at last year’s Writers’ Week where he was collecting his prize on opening night. He was there on release from prison and he and his warder who accompanied him left me with a lasting memory of a great acceptance speech, one of my highlights of Listowel Writers’ Week 2023.

He is back, reading from his book, telling the story of his awful disease, gambling addiction, on Sunday June 2 at 1.00. I have read Sheedy’s book and it is a frightening account of the highs and lows and the terrible heartache of addiction. With alcoholism there is only so much a person can drink before passing out. With gambling, a gambler can lose everything in a matter of seconds. It is a frightening story and Pat Sheedy tells it very honestly.

BUT, at exactly the same time as Pat is in the Plaza, Cyril Kelly and friends are launching an anthology of their writing in Kerry Writers’ Museum.

If I were granted a super power for a day, it would have to be bilocation.

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Poem I discovered in an old Ballyguiltenane Annual

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Strong Tea

My fact about tea reminded Mattie Lennon that John B. Keane wrote a book called Strong Tea. Mattie treasures his copy

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A Marvellous Concert

My friends in Listowel Schools Creative hub invited me to their concert in St. John’s on Monday last. It was an extraordinary showcase of the great young talent in North Kerry.

We saw Joan Mulvihill on screen and in the audience. Damien Stack was another of the local people the students interviewed for their project. His wife, Joan was there for the first concert.

Music, singing and dancing were a big part of the show. Their music and dance teachers, Katie McNamara and Jimmy Hickey were on hand to support and perform.

Katie Lucey, Katherina Broderick and Julieanne Galvin were on hand to keep the show on the road.

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A fact

On this day, May 22 in 2015 Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson set a Guinness World Record for the most selfies taken in three minutes. He took 105 selfies on the red carpet at the world premiere of his new film San Andreas.

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In Dublin

By

On April 24, 2024

In History, Listowel, Poem, Schools

Easter 2024 altar in St. Mary’s Church

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It all Happened Again, and Again and Again

From Pres. Secondary School yearbook 2004/05

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Knocknagoshel Phoenix 2006

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The Big Smoke

I took the train from Farranfore with my friend, Peggy, on a mission to see our old friends who usually travel in the other direction to meet us.

This sign is at the entrance to the station. Take a half a look at the translation of Live train/ platform information.

Did no one check it before it went up?

Who signed off on it?

We visited The National Gallery. It’s a beautiful place, so much more worthwhile than the shops.

The only shopping we did was in the National Gallery. There I spotted a Listowel connection, two displays of Anna Guerin’s Sock Co op souvenir socks.

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More Flowers

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We have a Champion

Schools 5- a -side soccer is like World Cup when you are 11.

Cora and her Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin team are Cork champions and Cora got the award for “Player of the Tournament”. On now to Munster in May.

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A Fact

The most difficult tongue twister in the world is

“The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick.”

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Dan Keane, Poet

By

On October 25, 2023

In Ballybunion, Listowel, Schools

Ballybunion, Sunday October 22 2023

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Old Telephone Exchange

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Seeking a Listowel Connection

A request for help from Tom Gould in the US…

Hello Mary!

I hope you may be able to point me in the right direction.

My wife , who is a Delaney, had a grandfather born in 1895 in Listowel
by the name of Jeremiah Brandon. He left for the US , we believe,
somewhere between 1912-1918 ( ? )  and ended up in the New York/New
Jersey area/ He died July 1958.

We are making a trek to Ireland in July 2024 . My wife Noreen would
love to find to see if there are any relatives of Jeremiah still in
the area of Listowel.

If you have any great thoughts , or can point me in the direction of
any databases that may help us track down any relatives, we will be
most grateful.

Thanks.

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A Much Loved Local Poet

Dan Keane R.I.P. was a great scholar and preserver of local lore and stories. Here is the foreword Bryan MacMahon wrote for Dan’s book The Heather is Purple.

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Emmets Abú

Flags, bunting and this window display at Scully’s Corner, all telling the world that next weekend is a big one for Listowel Emmets…

Sunday 29th October throw in 2pm Austin Stack Park for the County Final.

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A Fact

Fleas can jump more than 200 times their body length and can accelerate 50 times faster than a space shuttle.

(I waited until after our French travels were over for that one.)

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Listowel Then and Now

By

On October 20, 2023

In Listowel, Schools

Statue of Schiller in The Garden of Europe in October 2023

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Another Memorable Irish Industry

Glen Abbey was a textile company set up in Dublin by brothers Colm and Rory Barnes in 1943. They grew the business from knitwear manufacturing to ladies stocking and underwear. It was a market leader in the 1960s and 70s.

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1980s Guide

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Buildings Praised

The report of the Tidy Town judging for 2023 is available in the library.

It makes interesting reading. The judges loved the colour scheme on this building. Purtill, Woulfe, Murphy Solicitors.

They also praised Listowel Primary Care Centre.

The report also stated that the old mart site has been recently sold. This was news to me.

The report on the whole was full of praise and admiration for the hard work of our Tidy Town Committee and Listowel Businesses and community.

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Presentation Secondary School

It was Sunday when I was taking my walk in this area. The usually busy school yard was quiet.

I have long admired this beautiful old horse chestnut tree. What a tale it could tell!

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Sounds like a Plan

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A fact

Johnny Sexton is a life long Manchester United fan. He once said in an interview that his childhood dream was to play at Old Trafford.

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October Horse Fair

By

On October 11, 2023

In Athea, Listowel, Schools

Listowel Community fruit and Nut garden

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Nothing to Crow About

Crow on a headstone in St. Michael’s cemetery

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More from Hospice Coffee Morning

These are just some more of the people who were at the hospice coffee morning on Oct 5 2023. Because I don’t know all of the names I’m putting none of the names.

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Another Coffee Morning

Presentation Secondary School staff

Photo: from Facebook

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October Horse Fair

October 5 was also the day of the quarterly horsehair. There were dogs and goats, hens and ducks but few enough horses.

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Athea Tidy Towns

“Fresh from yesterday’s Tidy Town’s results, we have our first project for next year’s competition complete! Many thanks to John Brosnan for sharing his talents and professionalism in building the perfect frame to house the below plaque which reads ;  ‘These trees planted on the 11th of April 2020 are dedicated to the Hurley family in honour of their commitment and service to Athea Creameries. Denis W. Hurley, founding member and Chairman for 45 years (1913 –1958). His son Willie, 47 years’ service at both Cratloe & Athea Creameries  (1932 – 1979). His wife, Nan (née Stack), Butter-maker from (1939 –1953). Many thanks to the Hurley Family for sponsoring these trees.” Athea TT on Facebook

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A Fact

Ever heard of a pleonasm?

It’s the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning.

Examples;

Kick it with your foot.

I saw it with my own eyes.

The two twins were on the team.

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