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Another on on the Move
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Ten Days of incredible arts experience in surprising locations June 11 to 21 2021.
Listowel’s turn is on June 18 and our surprising location is the handball alley. We are part of In the Magic Hour series of dance and interview events in handball alleys around the country. Only a limited number will be able to attend the free event because of Covid restrictions but we can all see it online on June 19.
In tandem with these arts in the alleys events Coiscéim sent a project manager around the country collecting the story of handball in Ireland. My appeal encouraged a few people to talk to her and share their stories and over the next days you will be seeing lots on Listowel Connection about handball and handballsers.
Junior Griffin has compiled a history of hand balling in Listowel and most of the information that follows if from Junior.
It would appear that the site for the alley was given by Lord Listowel and the alley built in the early years of the twentieth century. The front wall of the alley is part of the big bridge. Wire netting was placed on top of this wall to prevent the ball going out on to the road above. The side walls had a railing on top. This railing was part of rail track of the `Lartigue. The Lartigue closed in 1924 so we can assume that the ball alley was built shortly after.
In a message written for the match programme to celebrate the opening of Frank Sheehy Park on May15th 1960, Seamus Wilmot, Registrar of the National University of Ireland, wrote ” When I recall the Listowel I knew before the First World War, two places come immediately to my mind, The Ball Alley and The Sportsfield….
They were the only two places where we enjoyed freedom, unrestricted in the case of the Alley, conditional as to the Sportsfield….”
This newspaper story tells us that the court was upgraded in 1954.
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Newtownsandes Creamery staff
Old Newtownsandes creamery staff
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Some Writers’ Week Windows
The theme of the children’s festival was Out of This World
Matt Mooney’s poetic tribute to the late John Lynch beautifully illustrated in Lynch’s Coffee Shop window.
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I was Forest Bathing
It was great to be part of a live event at Listowel Writers Week 2021. Forest bathing was badly named on this occasion because we weren’t in a forest and we weren’t bathing ins the usual sense of the word.
We were in Listowel’s Garden of Europe and we were bathing in the feast for the senses in this beautiful spot.
We were “high on our own supply”, mindfully concentration on our 5 senses and letting nature heal us. This was a guided experience and most enjoyable and renewing even if I was well outside my comfort zone.
Saturday June 5 2021 Guided Forest Bathing in Garden of Europe as part of Listowel Writers’ Week 2021.
Feeling Creative after my treat for the senses I wrote this little poem
A Sense of Place
I am in Kerry, a carpet of green and gold before me.
I am in Europe, Schiller and all that is best in Europe to my right.
The Holocaust and all that is worst in Europe to me left
All around me is all that is most beautiful in Nature
Forty shades of green to see,
Birdsong to listen to
Scents of flowers
A taste of summer all around
Here I can touch all that is beautiful in Creation.
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Exciting Times in Pres. Primary School, Listowel
Girls from the Presentation Primary School were delighted to be invited by the office of the Minister for Education, Ms Norma Foley to be involved in the launch of the BLAST initiative for schools. This took place on Friday June 4th in Listowel.The girls had a lovely experience and enjoyed their chat, while remaining socially distanced, with the minister. It certainly looks like an exciting programme for schools, one which the Presentation Primary Listowel will certainly be participating in.
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Listowel Connection First with the News!
Straight from the horse’s mouth
I met Lizzy slaving away to be ready in time for the grand opening. She really really really hopes to open in Church Street on June 15 2021. The extra good news is that she will have outdoor seating for 40 patrons in her new place. Lots of food related news from Church Street lately, all good.
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