Last day before the Launch of Moments of Reflection

Ballybunion, September 2024

<<<<

We had one of these

This was always by the phone. It had all our frequently called numbers. We had a telephone directory for looking up numbers we rarely if ever called. Making a phone call has certainly been made easier by the advent of the mobile phone.

<<<<<<<

Listowel Pitch and Putt Club Honours

(Picture and text from the club’s webpage)

Pitch and Putt

Since its foundation in 1971, Listowel Pitch and Putt Club has operated on a volunteer basis. Last night, we honoured seven of those volunteers, for whom without their hard work and commitment, largely in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the club would not be in the strong position that it is in today. They are Teresa Carey, Nuala McAuliffe (RIP), Jim Cronin, Willie Enright, David O’Shaughnessy, Robert Harrington (RIP), and Jerry Brick.  A big thank you to their families, especially the families of the late Nuala McAuliffe and the late Robert Harrington, for joining us on the night to celebrate these seven wonderful people.  Unfortunately, Jerry Brick could not attend on the night, and we look forward to presenting Jerry with his award in the coming days. Thank you to Bernard and Kelvin (Trophy World, Tralee) for the lovely awards, and the Listowel Arms Hotel for hosting us on the night. Last, but not least, a big thank you to local photographer, John Kelliher, for taking the pictures on the night.

<<<<<<<<

My little book has reached Amsterdam

Fergus Ashe has a very strong Listowel Connection. His dad is a Listowel man and Fergus spent many happy holidays with his Listowel grandmother and his Listowel family.

He got an early copy of the book but the payback was he had to pose with it for Listowel Connection.

<<<<<<<<<<

In Athea

Across the road from the church I caught up with Jim Dunn’s mural.

It is almost impossible to tell where the old stone wall ends and the Jim Dunn’s wall begins.

This scene takes me back to my childhood. I love that the men are not dressed in casual clothes but, like all of us before the days of leisurewear, they are wearing old good clothes.

Once upon a time I could name every piece of tackling on that horse.

The hens are Light Sussex.

Looks like the men have called to the forge on their way home from the creamery. The tableau is just so relaxed and easy. The pace of life is slow. We have time to chat as we wait our turn.

The business end of the forge is here. A horseshoe is being hammered on the anvil, a seed drill is being repaired and a horse is being attended to by the farrier/blacksmith.

The onlookers…this is a lovely touch where people from our time look on in awe at the work of the forge.

There is something very touching about the artist’s inclusion of his own grandchildren admiring the skill of the blacksmith as we look on in wonder at their grandfather’s talent and skill.

This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of wall art I have ever seen. If a picture paints a thousand words, Jim Dunn’s picture, better than any book, achingly evokes the world of my childhood in 1950s and 60s rural Ireland.

Modern, more simple murals, are often larger than life, emblazoned with slogans and demanding our attention. Jim Dunn’s scene is just there as we pass, unobtrusive and undemanding, quietly passing into history.

I predict that, when it is finally finished, it will be a place of pilgrimage for art lovers.

<<<<<<<

A Fact

There can be up to 60,000 bees in one hive in mid summer.

<<<<<<<<<

A Break

Next week is race week. Tomorrow evening is the launch of Moments of Reflection in The Listowel Arms at 7.00p.m.. So next week I will be racing and book promoting. I will be taking a break from blogging. I hope to be back soon with lots of photos for you.

<<<<<<<<<