Postcards and Drama Remembered

Áras an Phiarsaigh in September 2024

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Touching the Future

Aoife McKenna takes her first look at her Nana, Mary Cogan’s new book, Moments of Reflection.

Launch date: September 21 2024 in The Listowel Arms at 7.00p.m.

Special guest; Mary Fagan

Everybody welcome

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Old Postcards

Picture and text from the Capuchin Annual Archive

Irish Postcard Series, Valentine & Sons

A selection of some quaint images in this postcard series printed by the well-known firm of James Valentine & Sons, one of the main producers of picture postcards in Britain and Ireland in the first half of the twentieth century. These postcards probably date to the 1920s. During the ‘postcard boom’ of the late 1800s and early 1900s, postcard publishers dispatched scores of photographers throughout Britain and Ireland to capture the visual records of towns and villages (and their inhabitants). Landscape photography was also a major focus of the business with a growing demand for topographical views, particularly among well-heeled tourists of the day.

Valentine and Sons were known to make extensive use of retouching artists (by 1907 they employed 40 artists) to hand tint or otherwise improve the scenic quality of their postcards sometimes with decidedly mixed results. The two postcards on the right show distinct signs of such retouching with some of the individuals appearing to be ‘superimposed’ onto the original print. Valentine & Sons continued to be one of the major publishers of postcards well into the twentieth century but a downturn in the trade set in the late 1950s and the company ceased postcard publishing in 1970. Most of Valentine’s valuable Irish photographic archive is now held in the National Library of Ireland. The company’s British archive is held in the library of the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. The postcard series here forms part of the photographic archive of ‘The Capuchin Annual’ periodical.

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We’re in the Money … Hopefully

Both Ard Chúran and Áras Mhuire, two great care facilities  in Greenville have been shortlisted for the Regional Finals of the AIB Community €1 Million Awards . . 

Both Committees were out in force in May & June asking for public  votes. As usual, the people of Listowel and North Kerry came up trumps, resulting in BOTH Charities coming out as two of only six charities in Munster making the shortlist. 

All in Ard Chúram and Áras Mhuire have expressed thanks and appreciation for the support in getting them to this stage. 

Best of luck to all involved in meeting with the AIB adjudication panel.. 

 Adjudication is this coming Friday so hopefully one or indeed both Ard Chúran and Áras Mhuire will be €28k the wealthier by the weekend.

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1985 Junior Infants

Photo shared on Facebook

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A Date for the Diary

This will be one you won’t want to miss. In his inimitable style, Owen MacMahon will take us through the story of amateur drama in Listowel, with lots of anecdotes and behind the scenes stories peppering the narrative.

Will we ever forget this brilliant production? Like so many involved in drama, Owen has played many roles over the years, crossing over from acting to directing to producing and back again.

In Kerry Writers’ Museum on September 21, Owen will take us back to the beginning. We will relive the highs and lows of the Drama Group, remembering so many who entertained us over the years.

I remember The Shaughraun featured a real dog. At one performance the real dog wasn’t in the mood for performing so an actor had to “Woof,woof” offstage.

Barney O’Reilly who was The Shaghraun passed away recently. May he rest in peace.

Many memories will be evoked at this event on Saturday September 21 at 12 noon.. Owen MacMahon is always knowledgeable and entertaining.

The stage shall never die.

Don’t miss this one.

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A Sad Poem

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A Definition

From The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce

dentist n. A prestidigitator, who, putting metal into your mouth pulls coins out of your pocket.

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A Fact

Marjuana is legal and is not classified as a drug in North Korea.

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