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

Tag: Aras Mhuire Page 1 of 3

A poem, Covid 19, Duhallow Knitwear and an old Áras Mhuire photo

Lower William Street in 2016

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A Timely Poem


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Duhallow Knitwear, a Listowel Connection

I included this old advertisement last week. It prompted Mike Moriarty, whose family ran Moriarty’s on William Street for years to tell us his memories of Duhallow and the Sheehan family.


                 My parents would have done business with Duhallow down through the years. I still have vivid memories of their rep, Tim Vaughan. The brand was very highly rated by our customers. Once a year we would visit the factory with our parents, This was at a point of the year when they would be selling “seconds”. Now you would be hard pressed to find a flaw in these garments but the regular customers to our shop could not get enough of them.

                  There was a strong personal bond between the owner, John Sheehan, and the retailers. We would have been entertained in his house. Indeed, when my brother, Ned, died John Sheehan, although quite frail, made his way to Listowel to the funeral. Later, when John himself passed away I was in Kanturk to represent the family at the wake in his house.

Rgds.,

Mike Moriarty.

P.S. “Hose” was/is simply socks. Eventually I guess it referred to knitwear generally.

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Áras Mhuire

I took this at a birthday party in Áras Mhuire a few years ago.

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More of Mike O’Donnell’s Covid Cartoons

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Old Neighbours, New Neighbours

Patrick Godfrey who has family  roots in Charles Street shared this photo of Mrs Moloney and Mrs Stack with us.

Marie Nelligan Shaw saw this photo of her old Charles Street neighbours and sent us this photo.

This is Mrs. Stack’s daughter, Doreen, celebrating her 80th birthday last year. Doreen and Marie are now neighbours in New York.

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It’s a Fact


Rounded corners on electronic devices have been patented by Apple. 

(From Facts to make your Jaw Drop)

Watching Tennis, Barna Bog, Féile an tSolais 2019 and a 1972 pantomime

Abandoned House in Valentia Island

Photo: Chris Grayson

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Watching the Tennis in the 1980s



Photos; Danny Gordon



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Bord na Mona and Barna Bog




This photo was taken by a Bord na Mona employee, Mr. E Switzer, (related to the Grafton Street family) in 1948. It shows a tipper full off hand cut turf being loaded on to a Cadbury’s Rathmore truck.

Photograph and information from Bord na Mona Living History

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Can you Help?


THE LEVIATHAN PROJECT

Féile an tSolais is looking for 15-20 volunteer artists and craftpeople, to complete an amazing project for its 2019 festival this October/November.

Key Skills

– Metal Fabrication

– Wirework

– Experience using Dremel tools

– Sculpture

– Upcycling

Please send a short bio with your name, age, skills and experience.

Email: feileantsolais@yahoo.com

The beautiful Illustration below is called ‘The Destruction of Leviathan’ by Gustav Doré.

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When the Pantomime was the Talk of the Town


Jack and The Beanstalk in 1972 was a show not to be missed.  With scriptwriters like John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon and the panto king himself Declan Mangan, Colm O’Brien and Cathal Fitzgerald in charge of the music and a cast of thousands this panto had all the ingredients for success. So successful was it that it awakened an appetite among the audience for an annual panto and the players   and other participants had been bitten by the bug. So pantomime became part of Listowel’s entertainment calendar for a few years. People cherish very fond memories of those years. It also raised much needed funds for the building and fitting out of Listowel Old Folks’ Home, now Áras Mhuire.

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People You Meet at a Conferring


Bob Geldof was lucky enough to run into Martin Moore at a recent conferring ceremony.

Windows and Statues in Ballybunion and Jimmy Hickey at West Point

Rough Seas this week photographed by Mike Enright

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The Old Brigade


The Old Brigade

 This poem by Daniel J Broderick was published in Striking a Chord, a fund raising anthology sold in aid of Aras Mhuire. Try to get your hands on this book before they are all gone.

‘Tis often my thoughts go back to the days

When our homes were more Irish in a good many ways,

People were happy, good humoured and gay

And they danced and went gambling at the end of the day.

At night they’d walk in and pay you a call

And sit by the fireside or around at the wall.

But the years have rolled by and great changes are made

Since the days of our childhood and The Old Brigade.

There were the Johnnies, the Gers and the Keanes,

And Dan Leary beside them with his hands on the reins.

Mollie Murphy, they said, could be heard miles away,

While the Dagger was
monarch of all he’d survey.

Bill Lyons had the learning but his grammar caused dismay.

I remember “Let to have I”, he oft did say.

While the Picker would smile as he sat in the shade,

Three cheers you old devil, you of The Old Brigade.

Ol’ Lane, as you know, a great ball of a boy,

In his youth often lifted a horse to the sky,

He would jump o’er the horse and do it back-ways again

“Twas mane strength, a bhuachaill,” said Tadhgh the Twin

And Joe Falvey ‘pon my soul, had a way all of his own

And many’s the argument he rose with Jack Meade.

They had hunour and wit – the Old Brigade.

And while I am writing I cannot forget

All those who toiled in the sun and the wet.

Remember “Ol Kelliher with his shovel and spade.

Sure they worked like Trojans and never got paid.

“Thank God” kept Our Lord in the heel of his fist

And called on His name at each turn and twist.

Sometimes I think of the troubles they had.

Though they still worked for ol’ Ireland- The Old Brigade.

Now the old guard are gone, bar but a few.

They were honest, kind hearted and true.

And looking back as the light starts to fade

I’m glad I paid tribute to The Old Brigade.

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More Photos from St. John’s Ballybunion

This is the most famous window in the church. It was created by Harry Clarke, who had a family connection to Ballybunion. Some of the other windows were made by the Dublin firm of Earley.

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Jimmy Hickey Danced in West Point

I told you before that Jimmy Hickey brought North Kerry dance all over the world. One corner of the world he forgot to tell me about until now was this very prestigious venue in the USA.




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Party at Oaklands


There aren’t many that can say they have attended a birthday party to celebrate someone turning 105 !! However, on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, celebrations were in full swing as Bridie MacNiel, a resident of Oaklands, Nursing Home, Derry, Listowel celebrated her 105th birthday with her nieces, grand-nieces, and extended family. Bridie was born Bridie McNamara, Cahara, Glin in the year 1912. She emigrated to Boston, USA in 1928. She married Don MacNiel of Nova Scotia, Canada and lived there until Don’s death (RIP) Bride returned to Ireland in 2002, and lived with Breda and Jack Culhane at Cahara until recently (Breda is Bridies niece) Huge congratulations to you Bridie on turning 105 .

 (Source; Glin Community News)

Convent Cross, Kerry lorries in the seventies and Christmas cards

Convent Cross in January 2017



This is on the wall beside the cross near the secondary school. It looks like some sort of hatch. Its concrete.

Ballybunion Road at Convent Cross

 The path to town

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Happy Days

To counteract the sad photos of the convent, Vincent Carmody sent me these two photos taken on the convent grounds after his daughter Norma’s wedding to Mark Boyle from Co. Waterford. The picture shows the Carmody and Boyle families at the main door to Presentation Convent, Listowel in 1998. Norma and Mark were married in the convent chapel while the parish church was under repair.

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Postbox at Convent Cross



This Christmas there were less Christmas cards posted then ever before. Are we witnessing the end of an era? 

Snail mail is far too slow for the millennial generation. But surely the custom of connecting with people at Christmastime is too precious to lose. Ideally it is a time for visiting and partying. The next best thing to a personal encounter is a greeting card, carefully chosen and written, bringing good wishes from afar.

Christmas card buying, writing and sending is a custom passed on to us from our parents. Carrying on this tradition connects us to our forefathers and keeps happy memories alive.

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From The Kerryman archive

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Big Plans for Áras Mhuire



Áras Mhuire are fund raising and they’re doing it in style. All the information is on the

Aras Mhuire

The story is that they have acquired valuable jerseys to auction to raise funds for their vital services.

Dublin jersey signed by the All Ireland winning team

All Blacks jersey

Ireland rugby jersey signed by all of the Irish team who defeated the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016

Exits 2016, Christmas in Florida, a ball and A Letter from a Watchman





Losses of 2016    (Photo from Twitter)






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I Still Wouldn’t Trade Places. Would you?




(from the internet)





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Our Friends at Áras Mhuire are planning big Things




NEWSFLASH!

Meet your sporting heroes for the Cause of Causes

at the Áras Mhuire Black tie Ball. All proceeds will go to acquired brain and spinal injury services at Aras Mhuire Nursing Home.

It is a black tie ball event to be held in the Listowel Arms hotel on Saturday February 11th.

 Drinks reception at 7.15pm Dinner at 8pm.

We will have a number of national sporting heroes present on the night. 

The main theme of night involves having an online auction of sporting memorabilia. The auction which will be held beforehand is for the only  jersey that was signed by the Irish team in Soldiers Field in Chicago after the win against the All Blacks. 

The auction will also include a jersey signed by the 2014 All Ireland Champions and a signed Dublin Jersey from the 2016 Champions. 

Other Jerseys to be auctioned will be announced later. The online auction will conclude on the night and the winners will be announced at the dinner.

Tickets are €100 and are available from The listowel Arms and 

Áras Mhuire Nursing Home, 068 21470

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One from the Archives

Letter
from Listowel, published in the Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier of
11th May 1865.

Local Grievances and
Local Scenery

We forward the subjoined letter which has been handed to us by
“Lame Paddy,” our news boy. Hitherto, we did not give the writer credit for
such flippancy of thought, but he ensures us that the effusions are his own,
and though we differ broadly from him in his views as regards the duties of the
night watchman referred to, yet there are some locally important matters adverted
to which may render the letter worthy of a place :-

“To
the Editor of the Daily Reporter.

Church-Lane,
Listowel, 10th May 1865,

Dear Sir – In my meanderings and up-and-down
wanderings through the town, I pick up a great deal of news early and late,
without much profit to myself, or benefit to the public, but as I am now on the
staff of the Cork Reporter, for you know it is myself, Sir,  that carries about your paper every day, and
it gives me much pleasure to state that it is well received by all classes and
all parties, irrespective of creed or political feelings, which, by Dad, gives me a large commission.

The great desideratum of  our gaining a local name and habitation among
the “Northerns” is  already achieved and,
although the “South” may have many attractions, they are not a bit beyond us in
intelligence; we can estimate measures, not men,  and we can draw a distinction between what is
for our good and otherwise, but that is not here or there to what I want to
say.

Some few weeks ago the watchman
that is here spied upon Maurice O’Halloran,  and in consequence was he fined £1 and costs
for having some persons in his house at 11 o’clock at night.  This was all right you will say, but I say it
was all wrong, as the watchman, being paid by the shopkeepers only to sing out
the hour, ought to let the police mind their own business. At any rate, a few
persons in the town, determined to put down the wretched crew of informers  that exist here, signed a paper appointing
another man and the people were afraid 
of signing this for fear of causing anger to themselves, or annoying the
head who put his tail into it.

But as I am heartily sick of the
low tricks and ignorant devices of officialism in Listowel , I hasten to inform
you that I am going out on Sunday to see that far-famed and justly celebrated
watering place called Ballybunnion, on a visit to your agent there.  Mr. Harence, the popular Landlord of that
locality , was there last week, and was welcomed with bonfires, &c. He
placed a splendid clock, at his own expense solely, in the church, which is of
great advantage to the folk, as they will know “the time o’ day.” He is about
fitting up a hotel, which I do not see much use of, as there is a first-class
one there before, kept by one of the most obliging landlords in the country. I
do not know how will he act towards this hotel-keeper, as the place will not
support two; if he is strong he ought to be merciful, and look to what he
exemplifies in his own case- vested rights.

I am told he is about to build a
number of cottiers’ houses which will be of service to the working classes,
that is if the working classes are there for them. He is also to start a public
car, connecting it with Foynes Railway, so that tourists may proceed at once to
Ballybunnion without waiting at Listowel. All these arrangements to be effected
this season.

Ballybunnion, as a watering place, stands
unrivalled for scenic beauty. All along, an iron bound coast is lashed by the
billows of the mighty Atlantic, and the wild scream of the sea-birds, as they
rise on high, fills one with awe. The healthful breeze blowing landward, braces
the nerves and gives renewed courage to face manfully the trials of life and
struggle among those contending upward and onward. There are some beautiful
natural caves through which, at high-water mark, the sea rolls, disporting itself
through the basalt rocks until it makes an outlet at Doon Bay, a sad and
solitary spot, where the curlew’s wail is heard far away.

The strand is a beautiful level table of sand, firm
and unyielding, and the places set apart for male and female bathers are well
selected, and possess every advantage. Mr. Harence, it is said, will erect
baths, a consummation devoutly to be wished for, as we calculate, after a
little trial they will compete with any in the country. The town of
Ballybunnion consists of a number of houses with a large and commodious hotel,
where every accommodation can be got. Mr. Scanlan, the proprietor, is an
intelligent gentleman, who gives his best attention to tourists, and all
parties visiting the waters. As the season is likely to be a crowded one there,
I will after my visit give you a few more particulars – I remain, Sir, your
obedient servant, LAME PADDY.”


Local Grievances and Local
Scenery –

Letter from Listowel, published
in the Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier of 11 May 1865.

We forward the subjoined letter, which has been handed to us
by “Lame Pady,” our news boy. Hitherto we did not give the writer credit for
such flippancy of thought, but he ensures us that the effusions are his own,
and though we differ broadly from him in his views as regards the duties of the
night watchman referred to, yet there are some locally important matters
adverted to which may render the letter worthy of a place :-

“To the Editor of the Daily Reporter.

Church-Lane, Listowel, 10th May 1865,

Dear Sir – In my meanderings and up and down wanderings
through the town, I pick up a great deal of news early and late, without much
profit to myself, or benefit to the public, but as I am now on the staff of the
Cork Reporter, for you know it is myself, Sir, 
That carries about your paper every day, and it gives me much pleasure
to state that it is well received by all classes and all parties, irrespective
of creed or political feelings, which by dad, gives me a large commission.

The great desideratum of 
our gaining a local name and habitation among the “Northerns” is  already achieved and, although the “South”
may have many attractions, they are not a bit beyond us in intelligence, we can
estimate measures, not men   and we can
draw a distinction between what is for our good and otherwise, but that is not
here or there to what I want to say.

Some few weeks ago the watchman that is here spied upon
Maurice O’Halloran,  and in consequence
was he fined £1 and costs fo having some persons in his house at 11 o’clock at
night.  This was all right you will say,
but I say it was all wrong, as the watchman, being paid by the shopkeepers only
to sing out the hour, ought to let the police mind their own business. At any
rate, a few persons in the town , determined to put down the wretched crew of
informers  that exist here, signed a
paper appointing another man and the people were afraid  of signing this for fear of causing anger to
themselves, or annoying the head who put his tail into it.

But as I am heartily sick of the low tricks and ignorant
devices of officialism in Listowel , I hasten to inform you that I am going out
on Sunday to see that far-famed and justly celebrated watering place called
Ballybunnion, on a visit to your agent there. 
Mr. Harence (sic), the popular Landlord of that locality , was there
last week, and was welcomend with bonfires, &c. He placed a splendid clock
at his own expense solely in the church, which is of great advantage to the
folk, as they will know “the time o’ day.”

He is about fitting up a hotel, which I do not see much use
of, as there is a first-class one there before, kept by one of the most
obliging landlords in the country. I do not know how will he act towards this
hotel-keeper, as the place will not support two; if he is strong he ought to be
merciful, and look to what he exemplifies in his own case- vested rights.

I am told he is about to build a number of cottier’s houses,
which will be of service to the working classes, that is if the working classes
are there for them. He is also to start a public car, connecting it with Foynes
Railway, so that tourists may proceed at once to Ballybunnion without waiting
at Listowel. All these arrangements to be effected this season.

Ballybunnion,
as a watering place, stands unrivalled for scenic beauty. All along an iron
bound coast is lashed by the billows of the mighty Atlantic, and the wild
scream of the sea-birds, as they rise on high, fills one with awe. The
healthful breeze blowing landward, braces the nerves and gives renewed courage
to face manfully the trials of life, and struggle among those contending upward
and onward.

There
are some beautiful natural caves through which at high water mark the sea
rolls, disporting itself through the basalt rocks, until it makes an outlet at
Doon Bay, a sad and solitary spot, where the curlew’s wail is heard far away.
The strand is a beautiful level table of sand, firm and unyielding, and the
places set apart for male and female bathers are well selected, and possess
every advantage. Mr. Harence (sic), it is said, will erect baths, a
consummation devoutly to be wished for, as we calculate after a little trial,
they will compete with any in the country.

The
town of Ballybunnion consists of a number of houses with a large and commodious
hotel, where every accommodation can be got. Mr. Scanlan, the proprietor, is an
intelligent gentleman, who gives his best attention to tourists, and all
parties visiting the waters. As the season is likely to be a crowded one there,
I will after my visit give you a few more
particulars – I remain, sir, your obedient servant, LAME PADDY.”

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