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
Meitheal at work; Tidy Towers and volunteers from the nearby estate cutting back the grass that was encroaching on to the footpath at Carriganarra Road, Ballincollig.
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Something for the Weekend
from the internet
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J.J. Foley Entertainer
Maeve Heneghan has been in touch. Maeve is the great granddaughter of John Foley of Tralee.
For those of you who have forgotten the story of this man and his entertaining rhyme of Thade Kelly’s hen, I hope to revisit it all next week. I have forgotten how it started but it was an American scholar who was researching a little known Irish poet.
Look out for a laugh on this one next week.
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A Fact
A typical microwave oven uses more electricity keeping its digital clock on standby than it does heating food.
I have looked at the statue of John B. In Main Street, Listowel many times over the years. I marvel at the skill of the sculptor in portraying John as he will always be, in my mind’s eye; his arms waving in a joyous welcome to Listowel and a delighted smile on his face at meeting you.
In his youth John was a Greek scholar in St Michael’s College, Listowel, so I think it appropriate to show here a conversation between Socrates and the Athenian sculptor, Crito; written by Xenophon, a student of Socrates and a name very familiar to any Greek scholar.
“Socrates, in conversation with the statuary Clito, showeth his skill and good taste in the Finer Arts.
Talking with Clito, the sculptor, Socrates said to him, “I wonder not that you make so great a difference between the statue of a man who is running a race and that of one who stands his ground to wait for his antagonist with whom he is to wrestle, or to box, or to play a prize at all sorts of defence; but what ravishes the beholders is, that your statues seem to be alive. I would fain know by what art you imprint upon them this wonderful vivacity?” Clito, surprised at this question, stood considering what to answer, when Socrates went on: –“Perhaps you take great care to make them resemble the living persons, and this is the reason that they seem to live likewise.” “It is so,” said Clito. “You must then,” replied Socrates, “observe very exactly in the different postures of the body what are the natural dispositions of all the parts, for when some of them stoop down, the others raise themselves up; when some are contracted, the others stretch themselves out; when some are stiff with straining, others relax themselves; and when you imitate all this, you make your statues approach very near life.” “You say true,” said Clito. “is it not true likewise,” replied Socrates, “that it is a great satisfaction to beholders to see all the passions of a man who is in action well expressed? Thus, in the statue of a gladiator who is fighting, you must imitate the sternness of look with which he threatens his enemy; on the contrary, you must give him, when victor, a look of gaiety and content.” “There is no doubt of what you say.” “We may then conclude,” said Socrates, “that it is the part of an excellent statuary to express the various affections and passions of the soul, by representing such-and-such motions and postures of the body as are commonly exerted in real life whenever the mind is so-and-so affected.”
The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates, Xenophon 431 BC -350? BC”
Appropriate prior thoughts for the Sculptor of our Greek scholar.
For those of us who knew John B. in real life it would be an enjoyable exercise for us to reflect on Socrates words; standing in front of the statue in Main St Listowel.
Thanks
Billy McSweeney
My recent visitors at the statue in question
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A Fact
You are 14% more likely to die on your birthday than on any other day.
Marlene and Liz met up with their friends, Mary and Miriam for a bit of well earned rest and recovery. Miriam sent the pictures.
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Eileen Moylan, Designer in Gold and Silver and Precious Stones
Photo credit; Ger Holland
For a few years Eileen Moylan was the designer commissioned to design and make the presentation piece, named for John B. Keane and sponsored by Mercier Press which was presented by Listowel Writers’ Week to the person chosen to receive recognition for their lifetime contribution to the Arts.
These pieces are one-off treasures, researched, designed, customised and lovingly made at Eileen’s studio in Macroom. Eileen’s attention to detail in all her work is legendary.
If you win an Oscar you just get a statuette, the same as everybody else’s. If you won a Lifetime Achievement award at Listowel Writers’ Week you got something unique, an absolutely beautiful hand made bespoke piece from a silversmith at the top of her game.
Fr. Antony Gaughan was the recipient of one such piece. He absolutely loved it, as did everyone who was lucky enough to get one. Fr. Tony has donated his piece to Kerry Writers’ Museum where it is on display for us all to see and admire. It is even more special for Listowel people than the beautiful Edna O’Brien piece because Eileen’s design incorporates so many lovely Listowel landmarks.
I’m including this great poem today as a tribute to Kamala Harris who has risen to top rung of the ladder.
Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak is the genealogist who traced Barack Obama to Moneygall. She has spoken out on the subject of Harris’s family tree. Detractors have pointed to slave owners in her pedigree as well as slaves. But it is a horrid fact of slavery that owners regarded female slaves as their property to rape at will. Rape was a fact of life for female slaves. Not only their owners, but sons of owners, foremen, friends of owners and other random white men saw it as their right to rape slave girls. So the fact that she has slave owners in her ancestry is no surprise to genealogists.
It’s simply a fact of life.
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A Postbox in Kildare Train Station
Victorian, I presume. Still in use.
Does anyone know why they used to put postboxes in train stations?
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A Fact
A greeting card that can play Happy Birthday has more computer power than existed in the whole world in 1950.
I found your website from google search and with the recent passing of my Dad i decided to look into my family tree, i starting using the tools available to my online and i came across that my Great Grandad was in the army in the early 1900s based in Listowel , i have found alot of documents of his but most are unclear. I was just interested to find out more but struggling to find much information. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. He had something to do with horses at the age of 18 with 21st reserve Bn Lancs, and it seems he continued that interest on after leaving the army.. There are records that say he may have lived on William Street and has connections with a shoe repair shop by the name J.J walsh approx 1915s… Any more information you could provide would be gratefully appreciated..
Kind Regards
Andrew Cain
Kay Caball is helping Andrew to research details of his great grandfather’s time in Listowel. Maybe someone reading this has information that might help Andrew with his Listowel connection.
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On The Greenway
I was having a cuppa and a chat in Lizzie’s busy café when two ladies came in. I remembered Marlene (sitting next to me in the photo) but I discovered that her sister, Liz (far left) is also a bit of a fan of Listowel Connection and Just a Thought.
Marlene and Liz were fuelling up before they cycled the Greenway. Liz promised to send me a photo and an account of their adventure. Marlene confessed that she had never ridden a bike with gears. When she last rode a bike, the only power was pedal power.
Liz and Marlene (daughters of the late Bill and Pat Kearney) all kitted out and ready to go. Marlene told me that one wag asked if she had made her will.
The ladies had a ball and really enjoyed their first cycle on our greenway.
Here is Liz’s account.
Two ladies, formerly Listowel, currently residing in ‘Tír na nÓg’, pedalled the Greenway from Listowel to Abbeyfeale, Tuesday, 23 July. Grateful for the encouragement of LikeBikes staff, Andy – ‘you will surprise yourselves’ – and Diane – definitely avail of his help to adjust your bike – and for our encounter with John in Kilmorna – ‘ye have all day’ – and the two ladies who pointed out that we had cycled past Abbeyfeale and directed us to ‘An Siopa Milseán’, a homely sweet shop, surprising visitors with option of coffee or ice cream too! Our two ‘99s set us up for homeward journey! It was a lovely section of Greenway, mostly flat, edged with wildflowers and offering a peaceful view of Duagh and beyond. We couldn’t help hearing the lilt of some of John B’s songs referencing Abbeyfeale in our minds! Great amenity!
Note from me….my visitors made the same mistake and overshot the exit for Abbeyfeale. Maybe it needs better signage.
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A Listowel Gardener
James Kenny with his first sunflower of 2024
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+ Edna O’Brien R.I.P.+
A Listowel connection
Photo credit (all photos) ; Ger Holland
This is the absolutely beautiful trophy awarded to Edna O’Brien as the recipient of the John B. Keane Lifetime Contribution to the Arts Award at Listowel Writers’ Week 2018.
Eileen is not just a master silversmith goldsmith, she is a supremely talented jewellery designer. She researched the recipient thoroughly and executed a unique personalised piece that was received with joy and treasured.
Ger Holland’s photo of Edna O’Brien in The Listowel Arms on opening night 2018.
Eileen Moylans, in her Facebook tribute to the late novelist, shared the grateful, appreciative note that Edna wrote to her after the presentation ceremony.
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A Fact
One in fifty Americans claim to have been abducted by aliens.
This poem, first published in 1861, tells the story of an Irish rebel from County Wexford who leaves his lover behind to help fight against British colonial rule.
The “barley” in the title forms the symbolic center of the poem; it was carried by rebels as a source of food, and eventually comes to remind the speaker of his forsaken love.
The title was borrowed by Ken Loach for his 2006 film, starring Cillian Murphy.
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Wild Flowers
Listowel this summer is ablaze with wild flowers. Listowel is looking after the pollinators. Molly, my doggie visitor, loves to explore the flowery verges on our morning walk.
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A Definition
from The Devil’s Dictionary
by Ambrose Bierce
consult, v to seek another’s approval of a course already decided on.
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A Fact
Hitler’s home phone number was listed in Who’s Who until 1945. It was Berlin 11 6191.
