Listowel Castle in August 2023
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Football Quote
I found this quote from the legend that was Páidí O Sé in Gabriel Fitzmaurice’s book, In Praise of Football.
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Listowel Harvest Festival of Racing 2023
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Where the streets have 2 Names
This sign at Mike the Pies commemorates features of that end of town which it calls Patrick Street.
The presence of St. Patrick’s Hall leads people to believe that this is Patrick Street.
The proper name of this street is William Street Upper. We won’t even go into the other Patrick who gives it its name in Irish.
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The Concert to End all Concerts
Jer Kennelly researched these concerts ion the newspaper archives and he found this glowing account of one held in the Presentation School in 1900.
Kerry Sentinel, Saturday, 16 June, 1900; Page: 4
CONCERT IN LISTOWEL. SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT IN THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.
On Monday evening a grand vocal and instrumental concert was held in the schools of the Presentation Convent, Listowel. From every point of view the entertainment was an unqualified success. Vocally and instrumentally, it was a treat of a very high order. There was a galaxy of talent in which local artistes were conspicuous. The audience was large, fashionable and appreciative, and handsome receipts were realised. The attendance was in itself a tribute of respect to the sisters of the community, who have by their zealous, unostentatious labours, on behalf of religion, and education, established a strong claim on the sympathy and support of the public. The programme submitted for discussion was admirably prepared and well balanced, while all the items were rendered in a most creditable style. In fact from start to finish their was not a single hitch in the arrangements. For the success of the entertainment, Mr Gibson, who presided over the practices, and conducted the concert, deserves the heartiest congratulations on the unqualified success which has attended his efforts. To those who have witnessed recent mediocre entertainments in Listowel, Monday night’s concert was a revelation of the high order of proficiency which our local artistes have attained.
The opening chorus, “Hail to the Chief” (Bishop), which was rendered by a choir composed of the artistes taking part in the concert, with Miss M. Hayes gave the audience a foretaste of the treat in store for them. ” I Fear No Foe” (Pinsuti), by Mr Gibson, was highly appreciated, while his encore contribution, “The Heart Bowed Down” (Balfe), was equally popular. Mr Hayes sang “The Warrior Bold” in dashing style, and for an encore, ” Nancy Lee,” and was as usual popular with his audience. Miss Crowley sang “The Flight of Ages” (F. Bevan), with a good deal of expression, and was warmly appreciated. The duet, “Whisper and I shall hear” (Piccolomini), by Miss Harnett and Mr. Gibson, was a pretty vocal item, which evoked a hearty encore, which was not, however, much to the disappointment of the audience, responded to ” The Last Rose of Summer,” with violin and piano arrangement, by Misses M’Auliffe (violin) and O’Callaghan (piano), was an instrumental item which was executed with & good deal of ability, and was deservedly popular. Mr. Hamilton’s fine tenor voice was heard to advantage in “The Lighthouse Keeper,” while in his encore song, ” The M’Gregor’s Gathering,” he was even more successful. Miss M’Elligott sang ” For All Eternity'” (Mascheroni), and as usual acquitted herself creditably. The violin solo, “The Broken Melody” (Van Beine), was rendered by Miss Dillon, in a charming manner—the execution being finished and sympathetic. In ” Thoughts and Tears” (Hope Temple), Mr. Wheatly Ellis sustained the popularity which he has achieved with local audiences, while in the martial Irish ballad, ” The Ministrel Boy,'” which he gave in response to an encore, he brought down the house.
The second part of the programme opened with the ” German Band Quartette,” played on two pianos by Misses Walsh, Keane, Collins and Fitzgerald, pupils of the concert schools. It was certainly one of the most popular items on the programme, and deservedly so. The time and execution were perfect, and the rendering reflected the highest credit on the artistes, and on those who were responsible for their training. Mr. Hamilton sang “Beloved Again” (Barri), and he was compelled to yield to an encore, in response to which he sang “Beneath Your Window,” a humorous serenade, which tickled the audience immensely. Miss Harnett, who does not take part in concerts as often as the public would wish, sang the beautiful ballad “Asthore” (Trotere), with infinite taste and expression, and in response to an encore, ” Killarney,” which was rendered even in a more capable manner, and was enthusiastically applauded. Miss Creagh’s violin solo, “La Serenata” (Bragga) was a beautiful instrumental contribution, which was artistically interpreted, and an encore was imperatively demanded and acceded to. Mr. Gibson’s singing of ” Eileen Allanah” (Thomas) captivated the audience, while the “Bedouin Love Song” (Pinsute) was rendered in capital style. Miss Crowley was warmly appreciated in her singing of the “Winter Lullaby.” “The Moon has raised her Lamp” (Benedict), a vocal duet, by Messrs Hamilton and Gibson, was one of the most pleasing items, and was rendered in the most artistic fashion. The last verse was sung as an encore. Miss M’Elligott sang the ” Kerry Dance” (Molloy) in a fetching style, and was rewarded for her success by an encore, in response to which she sang ” Come Back to Erin,” which was extremely popular. Mr Ellis sang ” Last Night (Kergurf) with his usual ability, while his rendering of ” Kathleen Mavourneen” was highly appreciated. The singing of “Night, Lovely Night” (Berger), by the choir, brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close.
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A Horsey Fact
A horse can breathe only through its nose, never through its mouth.
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