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

A School Reunion, American Interest in Irish politics in 1921, Gunsboro House and Football Talk

Sheep’s Head, Co Cork photo by Bridget O’Connor

I have learned, only recently, from Catherine Moylan, who also learned only recently,  that many Irish geographical features are named after parts of the body or animals simply because that is what they reminded people of, e.g. Shrone = Srón or, in this case, Sheep’s Head.

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Lovely ladies at a school reunion a few years ago

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald

 

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From a US paper

New York NY Irish American Advocate 1964 

…Continuing the story of Con Dee in the name of his dead comrades in the Valley of Knockanure, the early weeks of May 1921 were weeks of great religious, political and military activities. A convention was to be held in West Kerry for the appointment of TD.’s for Kerry. 

We, the fighting men of North Kerry decided that at all costs, Thomas O’Donaghue, who originally came from West Kerry, should represent our section. Mr O’Donohughe had been active in Irish affairs all his life and at a very early age had attained membership in the very elective organization for tried and true patriots, the LR.B. 

Before the Rising, In 1916, he resigned his position In the Home Office in London and returned to Ireland. He came to North Kerry as an organizer and member of the Flying Column. It was decided that Jeremiah Lyons and Christy Broderick, both of Duagh, could best represent the fighting men of North Kerry and bring about the election of Thomas O’Donoghue.


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Gunsboro House




(from Glin Historical Society on Facebook)


1*882 : At Gunsboro petty sessions 8 men and 4 women were sentenced to one month hard labour under the Crimes’ Act. Two youths were sentenced to 7 days in gaol with bread and water for “practising hop, skip and jump on a farm where a man had been evicted”*

**1885 : Land act enables tenants to buy out landlords, eg. George Philip Gun-Mahony sold Gunsboro’s 3,464 acres for £37,000 which was equal to 15 years’ rent, and Herbert sold Urlee to Kissanes. These were among the last landlords in the parish**

*1892 : An election held. Gunsboro was the only voting place in the parish. Alcohol was not permitted to be sold on the day. Mr T Sexton, a late-entry Whig candidate, was the winner. 416 voted in Gunsborough out of 593.*

**1892 : A large number of people were charged at Gunsboro with being inebriated on Pattern Day, August 15th!**

*1916 : Gunsboro beat Glouria in parish league in McElligott’s Quarry Field.*

**1921 : Paddy Walsh of Gunsboro killed at Gortaglanna by Black and Tans on May 12th, along with Patrick Dalton and Jeremiah Lyons. Also killed this year was Michael Galvin**.

**1961 : The current Ferry Bridge built, with many parish people involved. It was dedicated to Seán Houlihan (killed by Black and Tans, 1920) and Paddy Walsh of Gunsboro (shot at Gortaglanna, 1921).
*1925 : Gunsboro courthouse closed.*

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At St. Michael’s



Don’t you know that these socially distanced conversations were about football. Bernard Brogans senior and junior were in St. Michaell’s to help launch the fundraising golf competition planned for October 23 2020.

Kerry in 1972 , A Social, a golf fundraiser and Kanturk Grotto

 Mouth of the Cashen

Photo: Bridget O’Connor

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In the Papers in 1972

New York NY Irish American Advocate24 June 1972


North Kerry Milk Products—————–
Biggest factory of its kind in both Ireland and England and its finished product, which goes into edible foods, is being exported to the American Erie Casein Company of Illinois which holds a 15 per cent share in the North Kerry Company. Of the remaining 85 per cent of shares half are held by the Dairy Disposal Company and the balance by nine Co-operative Creameries. 

DYNAMIC MANAGER 

Young dynamic General Manager of the North Kerry Company is Mr. Denis Brosnan, M.Sc, a native of Kilflynn near Tralee, who said that there was 34 million gallons of milk in the North Kerry area last year which is as big an amount as in the areas of the other major processing groups. At this time about 11 million gallons of whole milk and four million gallons of skim milk were being sold while the remainder had to go back to farmers.


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St. Senans People at a Social

 

Photo: Tom Fitzgerald

Included are Carmel Barry, Anne Fitzmaurice, Nora Mary O’Hanlon, Peggy Fitzgerald, Jane Behan, Maria Curtin

Pat O’Hanlon, Marie Keane, Mike O’Connor, Michael Curtin Mike Greaney, Marie O’Connor,Jerry Brennan, Mike Behan and Tony Fitzmaurice

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St. Michael’s Fundraising Golf Classic



Bernard Brogan, Jimmy Deenihan, Bernard Brogan, Liam Hassett and Johnny Mulvihill lined out for a photograph to launch St. Michael’s latest fundraising venture, a golf classic in Ballybunion on October 23rd 2020.

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Kanturk Marion Grotto

Recently I enjoyed a short staycation in my hometown, Kanturk. While I was there I made a kind of pilgrimage of sorts to grottos, holy wells and churches. These places are some of the very few sites we are free to visit nowadays. God knows, we need a few prayers too.

This is the beautifully maintained Marion Grotto at the junction of the Buttevant and Mallow roads. An interesting little fact about this grotto is that, while it ‘belongs’ to Kanturk, it is located in the parish of Castlemagner.

The grotto is a little oasis of peace in a busy world.

An Gabha Beag, Harp and Lion, Courthouse Then 2004 and Now 2020 and Thin Lizzy in Ballybunion

St. John’s, Listowel in August 2020


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An Gabha Beag

Picture and text from Cathleen Mulvihill of Glin Historical Society

An Gabha Beag , Gunsboro Cross , near Listowel County Kerry

For it was here on Good Friday, April 15, 1808 that James Nolan, a Whiteboy known as An Gabha Beag, was hanged by British forces for attempting to kill a member of the gentry. He had taken a shot at John Raymond as he was travelling on horseback with fellow members of the gentry, Maurice Cussen, Oliver Stokes and George Church, after whom Church Street in Listowel is named. Nolan was eventually tracked down and captured in December 1807.

As a Whiteboy he had massive support in the area, as the movement was very strong in north Kerry. Of course those who were caught paid the ultimate price. The agrarian organisation that struck fear into the hearts of the landed aristocracy at the time was brutally suppressed by the Crown forces in turn and An Gabha Beag was executed for his part in their rebellion. He went to his death not knowing that 100 years down the road the land would be in the process of repossession by the native peasantry .
Organised by Coolard National School Principal, Maurice Mahony, and relative Christine Nolan, the commemoration proved a celebration of clan, community and memory. And a right grisly folk memory it is too for not only was An Gabha Beag hanged, but he was hanged three times until he eventually gave up the ghost.
Bearded, and with long locks, Nolan – a blacksmith by trade, hence the nickname – was able to conceal a protective collar under his flowing hair, Mr Mahony explained, while recounting the story. He was hanged once, survived, hoisted again and dropped again, and again survived. Intelligence received by the local militia, however, uncovered the collar and on the third drop Nolan’s life was extinguished.
His deeds passed immediately into the stuff of legend, ensuring that 200 years later his relatives and the descendants of his neighbours would come out in force.
Thanks to the work of the organisers, An Gabha’s anvil was there at the event and a special plaque was unveiled by relative Collette Nolan who was among the many Nolan’s gathered there to remember An Gabha Beag.

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Lovely Pat MacAulliffe Stucco Work

Harp and Lion, Listowel

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Listowel Courthouse 2004


Listowel Courthouse 2020


Tim O’Leary wrote the following on Facebook

The courthouse, built 1880s, has now been refurbished to its old elegance and is the stand out building of Listowel Civic Centre which also includes Council Office/Meeting Chamber, Library, Fire Station, Public Car Park, Electric Car Charger Unit.

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June 19 and July 4 1982, Great Times in Ballybunion



From Facebook

Paddy Faley, US Presidential Elections explained and some photos from a staycation in Co. Clare

Meenogahane photo by Bridget O’Connor

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Since I have identified the late Paddy Faley in this photo, I’ve learned lots about him. Jer Kennelly sent us these examples of his verse. Apologies that I couldn’t make the first one any bigger.

 

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Beautiful County Clare


Lahinch photo by Bridget O’Connor


The longest hanging statute in Europe is in a Doolin cave . It is 23 feet long. It was photographed by Bridget O’Connor



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US Presidential Election

If, like me, you are intrigued by the the election race going on in the USA, John Anthony Hegarty sent us this .

Hi Mary ,

Came across a simple explanation of US  Presidential election everyone will talking of this in November both why because both Al Gore and Hillary Clinton had more votes from the people but still lost the election due to the Electoral College .

Past results the two main candidates got these results.

2000 Popular vote Al Gore won by  543,895  votes , 

But lost the Electoral College he had 266 Electors his opponent got 271.

2016 Popular vote Hilary Clinton won by 2,868,686 votes.

But lost the Electoral College she had 227 Electors her opponent got 304.

More from Helios Cultural Tour of Listowel, Pitch and Putt

TidyTown community wild flower and herb garden near the Feale

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Missing Helios

I took him on a final tour of local landmarks before he went home.

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Regular Pitch and Putt Players


I met these folks last week. They are regulars on the pitch and putt course

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Taken at a Horse Fair

Photo; Tom Fitzgerald 

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Then and Now

 

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