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

Biden, A Lorgadawn and other stories

By

On April 25, 2023

In Listowel, Tralee

Lower Church Street in April 2023

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Friday Market

Our Friday Market in The Square has been slow to get back on its feet after Covid. There were only three stalls there on the April Friday I visited. Hopeful we will soon see the market back to full strength and maybe even with a bit of music.

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Trees on Listowel Pitch and Putt Course

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President Biden, A Listowel Connection

I’ve posted this before but it is timely to post again.

Eamon OMurchú in 1974 is seated on the steps of Capitol Hill with Senator Joe Biden.

Here in Éamon’s words is the story behind the picture:

During the summers of 1974, 1975 and 1976, it was my pleasure and privilege to act as  Group Leader on Summer Teacher Programmes to University of Delaware, U.S.A. Teachers from first-level, second-level and third-level from Irish Schools, Colleges and Universities participated in these programmes on Comparative Education.  A central element of these programmes was that we stayed at weekends with host-families.  It was my privilege to stay with a family in Wilmington each year – and I am ever since in very close contact with that family.  Another element of the programme was a five-day stay in Washington D.C., during which we visited the White House, the Capitol, the Irish Embassy, the Kennedy Centre, Arlington Cemetery and other locations of importance and of interest. 

It was also my privilege to greet Ted Kennedy on the steps of the Capitol in 1975 – and I also have a photograph of that occasion!

Through these teacher programmes many Irish teachers during the 1960s and 1970s had the opportunity to visit the United States during the summer, study at American Universities, stay with American families, learn about the American educational system and way of life, while at the same time bringing to America the rich cultural heritage of music, song and literature here in Ireland. We used every opportunity to do this.  The man who spearheaded these programmes was Mr. Stephen Daly of ITP Travel, Terenure, who, sadly, is no longer with us.

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In Tralee

I took this photo recently of The Kerryman building in Tralee. What a lovely old streetscape, well preserved.

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A Lorgadawn Hurler in Kilbaha

(From Kilbaha School in the Schools’ Folklore Collection in the National Library)

One day below in Mick Hanrahan’s field there was a hurling Match and a lorgadán came out of the ditch with a hurley, and he sided up with one team and it was him that was hurling all the time, so the two teams said they would play the lorgadán and as fast as he would hurl the ball he would have it hurled again before it would reach the ground so it was him that won. Then they all gathered around him to catch him but when they were near him he leaped over their heads and went nto the ditch.

This tale was told to Patrick Kennelly to Patrick McMahon

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A Fact

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most extraordinary people who ever lived. He was a painter, sculptor, architect and engineer.

He was the first to record that the number of rings in a cross section of a tree trunk reveals its age. He also discovered the the width between the rings indicates the annual moisture.

His party trick… he could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.

He could also bend iron with his bare hands.

Extraordinary or what?

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A Big Birthday

By

On April 24, 2023

In Ballybunion, Listowel, Personal, Poem

Lower Courthouse Road in April 2023

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Pitch and Putt

My 2 eldest grandchildren are all grown up now. Visits to pet farms and fairy trails don’t cut it anymore. They have found a new passion, Pitch and Putt. They played the Listowel course three times on their recent visit and pronounced it an excellent course.

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A Poem by Listowel’s John McAuliffe

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An Emigrant Remembers

John Leahy wrote to us again. His Listowel Connection, I’ll remind you, is with the Leahy’s of Leahy’s Corner Shop. John’s father was Sean Patrick Leahy. His grandather was Jack Leahy.

John is a poet and publishes his poems on The Kemptown Verses website

Here is his recent email;

Dear Mary

Thank you so much for including my poem and picture in your beautiful 
magazine.
I was so proud. I seldom write love poems, but that one was specifically 
for Carina and means a lot.
This has really brought out deep emotions and memories for me.
On a trip home when I was about 13 or 14 my cousins took me to a 
restaurant in the Square;
one of them nudged me and said with great satisfaction “look on the next 
table, that’s John B. Keane”
Some days later one of his sons came to Tralee with us to see a band.

It was my late farther who got me into writing because of his great love 
of literature.
He passed away in 2005 at the age of 93, I really wish he could have 
seen your magazine.
Mum came from Donegal in a small holding near Killybegs. Her maiden name 
was Callaghan.
I lost her in 1993.

Kind Regards
John

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Listowel Writers’ Week 2023

If you are in town on Saturday June 3 2023, why not come and join me and my band of able assistants on our morning walk. We’ll have songs and stories and not much walking.

There’s a Writers’ Week Parkrun at 9.30 for the more energetic.

Charlie Nolan’s video of the walk in 2018 is here;

Saturday Walk 2018

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I was at a Birthday Party on Saturday

Mary Boyer is 85.

Mary with her two sons in Namir’s in Ballybunion on Saturday April 22 2023. Mary was joined by family, friends and neighbours to celebrate the milestone birthday.

Mary with Mairead Sharry

Mary with Patricia Borley

With Maria Leahy

With Ruth OQuigley

These are just some of the friends Mary has made as she engaged in her many activities. If ever there was a poster girl for lifelong learning it’s Mary Boyer. Mary’s skills include, knitting, crochet, macramé, flower arranging, cooking, jewellery making and creative writing. A little bird told me she is learning the keyboard.

Mary with her old friend, Namir Karim, who opened his doors on Saturday especially to host Mary’s party.

Mary has that enviable ability to make friends and to keep them for life. We’ll be back for the 90th and for many more le Cúnamh Dé.

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A Fact

The first ever safety feature for a car was invented in 1908 by John O’Leary.

What was it?

He patented a large net like a giant shrimp net to be attached to the front bumper to scoop pedestrians out of harm’s way before they could be run over.

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Michael Dowling Memorial bench

By

On April 21, 2023

In Listowel, Schools

Sunny Sunday in Listowel in April 2023

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Remembering Michael Dowling

This is the Darren Enright sculpted seat in the grounds of Kerry Writers’ Museum aka The Seanchaí.

Darren’s clever and very apt design features an exact replica of Michael’s bodhrán, perfect in every detail, even the studs on the rim.

The bodhrán from the back.

Michael’s life was selflessly entwined with his Listowel community. Music was just one string to his bow.

Here is Michael front and centre among a group of Kerry Diocesan young people in Knock to see Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Michael with Derry Tatten and Gerard Lynch on a Gorta Walk in the 1980s

Members of the Listowel Mission Bazaar group making a presentation to Michael Dowling, Listowel , second from left, to mark his 44 years of service to the Bazaar committee at Scoil Realta na Maidne. L-R : Julie Gleeson, Michael Dowling R.I.P., Brendan Behan, Billy Moloney, Mary Hanlon & Kay Hanley R.I.P.

Michael was a great entertainer as auctioneer at these annual bazaars. If you have never been to one of these legendary events you have missed an iconic Listowel treat.

The night consisted of raffles for hampers and vouchers donated by local businesses. While the ticket sellers were wandering among the crowd selling the raffle tickets the auctioneer entertained everyone by selling items which have been donated. These items may be a Christmas cake, a bottle of spirits, a box of biscuits, a picture, or a set of ware. Michael, as auctioneer, would have no idea what was next for sale until he saw it in front of him.

A great source of amusement was Michael’s lack of familiarity with intoxicating drink. He was a lifelong pioneer and all wine to Michael was “a lovely bottle of table wine”. Before you put in a bid you had to strain to see if you were buying Cork Cream Sherry from the back of someone’s drinks cupboard or Chateauneuf de Pape from Galvin’s off licence.

He bantered continuously with the audience, commenting on their shrewd judgement in making a purchase or jokingly inviting himself to tea to sample the just purchased cake.

Michael was happy as long as he was raising money for a good cause.

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In Vincent’s

I met the lovely gentle Eileen O’Sullivan in Vincent’s recently. She was accompanied by her son who had come to Listowel for a while to look after her.

Eileen had surgery recently, but like the trooper she is, she is making a great recovery. She was delighted to be pampered by her sons but now ready to get back into the driver’s seat, literally and metaphorically.

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A Fact

Elvis Presley wore a cross, a star of David and the Hebew letter chi as jewellery. When questioned about this strange mix, he replied

“I don’t want to miss out on heaven due to a technicality.”

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Dancing and Music

By

On April 20, 2023

In Listowel

Entrance to The Garden of Europe from path by the town park

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Dancing in Killarney

My niece, no. 633 on the podium, having won the under 40 Reel competition at the World Dancing Championships in the INEC last week.

I was at a feis for the first time in years, and boy! was this a feis. There were dancers from all over the world with all age groups covered.

This lovely lady is Mary Jones. She was the oldest competitor at age 73.

The feis was a miracle of organisation, with 4 stages operating at once and then another room announcing winners and distributing medals. There were lots of stalls with all the dancing merchandise, and of course all the catering.

My niece has, like a lot of these adult dancers, returned to Irish dancing after a lull since her teens. They are like kids with all the gear, Tshirts and tracksuits as well as the performance dresses etc. Dancers were supported by husbands/partners and family as well as all their dancing friends. It’s a huge industry. Admission was a steep €20 for a spectator.

Here is a Listowel Connection. These ladies each has a Listowel aunt; in Christine’s case, me, Mary Cogan, and in Mairead’s case, Margaret O’Sullivan.

The “dance moms’ discovered a family connection.

Meanwhile back at the ranch….

The “Dance Dad ” was happy with the odd text update.

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Then and Now on Church St.

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Michael Dowling Remembered

Michael Dowling was one of the founders of Kerry Writers Museum.

Michael front and centre of the 1970 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Committee

Photo and names from Betty Stack

Front Row: Mairead Walsh, Eamon Hartnett, Jackie Walsh, Michael Dowling, Geraldine Hartnett, Joan Curtin, Maria O’Gorman
Middle Row:
Pat McAuliffe, Michael Stack, T. Dillon, Maureen Nolan, Betty Stack, Patricia Cronin, Helen Leahy, Peggy Gleeson, Patsy Kennedy, Jack Molyneaux, Christy Stack
Back Row: Ben Landy, PJ Kirby, ? , Mossie Molyneaux, Timmy Brosnan, Sean Broderick, Ian Nugent, Paul Nolan, Vincent O’Sullivan, Joe Gleeson, Peter O’Sullivan

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A Sunny Day and a pleasant meeting

John and Kathleen Reidy were out and about in Listowel this week. Wasn’t I brave to ask a photographer to pose for my phone photo?

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A Fact

The Titanic sank on April 15 1912.

No one actually said it was “unsinkable”. That is a myth.

The band did play on though. That is a fact.

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Looking Back and Forward

By

On April 19, 2023

In Listowel

April 2023

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Thirty Years as Listowel’s Saint Patrick

Photo; John Lynch

Photo; Danny Gordon in 1980s

Photo; Mary Cogan 2007

Michael Dowling contributed enormously to Listowel in his lifetime. St. Patrick was just one of his easier roles, which he undertook with enthusiasm. He was an exceptional entrepreneur, a man of vision. He gave unstintingly to every cause he involved himself him, never asking anything for himself. He was a born leader. Listowel owes him a lot.

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A Changed and Changing Language

This relic of another age is still intact on a wall in Ballincollig. Young people are puzzled by it. It is clearly a notice prohibiting something but the word bills now has evolved so that this meaning, as in posters or notices, is lost in the mists of time. The sign forbids the attaching of posters to this wall.

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Listowel Writers Week 2023

Lucy Caldwell will be in town for Listowel Writers Week 2023 on Sunday June 4.

I haven’t read this yet. It’s in my teetering “to be read” pile. I intend to have it read by the time Lucy Caldwell joins Claire Kilroy for their event at 6.00 on June 4. I loved Kilroy’s All Names have been Changed. I’m looking forward to this event.

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A Fact

Winston Churchill superstitiously feared January 24. His father died on that day and he had a morbid premonition that he himself would die on January 24. Churchill did indeed die on January 24th 1965.

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