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

Tag: Aras Mhuire Page 2 of 3

T.F. O’Sullivan, Enterprise Town Expo and a Memento of the Roadworks

By

On December 6, 2016

In Uncategorized

Robin photographed by Chris Grayson

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The First History of the GAA…..the Listowel Connection

Mark Holan writes a very interesting internet blog. A recent post which spiked my interest was all about T.F. O’Sullivan of Listowel who wrote the first history of the GAA.  This man seems to be largely forgotten except for Vincent Carmody’s references to him in his historical walking tour of the town when he points out where he was born and mentions his fame as the first to record the history of the GAA.

Below is the text of the blogpost. If you go to Mark’s site, you will also be able to see a photos of the book’s cover.

“A journalist’s book about
the early decades of the Gaelic Athletic Association this year quietly reached
the 100th anniversary of its publication. T.F. O’Sullivan’s Story of
the GAA was based on an earlier series of newspaper articles.

The book’s 1916
publication has been lost amid all the attention to the same-year Easter
Rising. Even the 1916 entry of the special 1913-1923 centenary
section of the GAA’s website overlooks the book, written by one of its own
members. You can read the organization’s 28 May 1916 official statement after the uprising.

Michael Cronin of the International
Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University, Leicester,
England, briefly noted O’Sullivan’s book in a larger essay on “Historians and the
Making of Irish Nationalist Identity in the Gaelic Athletic Association.”

O’Sullivan was a GAA
official and the book presents a highly simplistic notion of the Association’s
past beginning with the seven pioneers who met in Thurles in 1884 to reawaken
the Gaelic nation through sport and taking the narrative up to 1916 by
recounting details of major personalities, decisions taken by the Central
Council and recording the results of matches.

Although there is no
explicit mention of the Easter Rising as such an inclusion would have meant
that the book would not be approved by military censors, there is an implicit
celebration of the Rising as those GAA men who took part are included in the
list of GAA personalities.

Although not a widely
researched history, as it is more of a contemporary account, O’Sullivan’s book
is important as it sets out an accepted chronology that is rarely challenged by
subsequent authors. This chronology, while celebrating the games of the Gael,
primarily revolves around the role of the GAA in reawakening the national
spirit.

O’Sullivan’s book does
receive several mentions in The GAA & Revolution in Ireland 1913-1923,
edited by Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, a 2015 commemorative publication specially
commissioned by the GAA.

O’Sullivan was a Kerryman,
born in Listowel, according to a short History Ireland bio. He wrote for the
Freeman’s Journal.”

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Saturday November 26 2016 in Listowel Community Centre


As part of BOI’s enterprise town initiative, we got to see a number of local clubs and charities in the community centre. Below are some of the people I photographed on the day.


Members of Listowel Tidy Town’s Committee cut the ribbon to perform the official opening.

Dawn Thomas had a beautiful display of crafts, all handmade by herself. Dawn’s work is for sale in Craftshop na Méar and at local craft fairs.

Denis O’Carroll of Fealegood Productions was there.

Eabha Joan’s Restaurant was there on Friday and Saturday.

Edel O’Connor of JK Sports made a sale to Sheelagh Dillon of BOI.


Eileen O’Sullivan is a multi talented crafter. Eileen’s ceramics and knits are available at Craftshop na Méar.


Lorraine O’Hanlon runs Listowel’s very successful play therapy business called Anam Saor.

Sand in Our Boots is a History of Beale GAA Club.

The Lixnaw area has a new Facebook page from Pride of the Parish

Christina was minding the Little Lilac Studio stall.

Imelda was taking Tom on a trip down memory lane at the Comhaltas stand.

Croí is Lyreacrompane’s Gym

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Humans of Listowel



Matt Mooney and John McGrath share an interest in writing.

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Party at Áras Mhuire



If you have family or friends at Áras Mhuire they invite you to join them for their Residents’ Christmas party

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We’ll Remember the Road Works




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Listowel Badminton Club held their annual Christmas Party in John B.Keanes  on Friday Night last and on the night the presentation of Club Person of the Year Award took place.  This Award was first inaugurated in 1987 and this year’s very popular recipient was Norma Leane for her commitment and dedication to the Juvenile section of the Club.  Norma works closely with coach Roly Chute who himself was one of the recipients of the Award in 1993.  Norma is seen here with Club Chairman, James Sheahan on the left and President/Secretary John (Junior) Griffin on the right. 

Bridge Road in the forties, BOI Expo and Ballylongford remembered

By

On December 5, 2016

In Uncategorized

Switching on the The Christmas Lights Event in Listowel Town Square Dec. 4 2016


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Mike Enright’s photos of North Kerry, Late and Early


Sunset at Cnoc an Óir



Morning in Ballybunion


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The Feale at The Racecourse Bridge

I went in search of the egret who lives here. He was not at home that day.

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Bridge Road Pals


A very young Junior Griffins is surrounded by  ladies in this lovely old Bridge Road photo from the forties.

With him are Michael Behan, Seán OBrien, Bert Griffin and Rory Callagy. Junior tells me that Rory left Bridge Rd. in 1945.

The ladies with Junior are Maureen Moloney and ……….



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Some shots from Listowel Community Centre at the Enterprise Town Night on November 25 2016

Liz McAulliffe had a great display.

John R.’s had a display of Christmas and everyday fare.

Institute of Technology Tralee

Muddy Paws brought along a satisfied canine customer.

Convent School Band were entertaining.

My friends at the Writers’ Week stand were offering chocolates and Christmas presents. They were also selling their absolutely beautiful journals. Buy one for €15 from the Writers Week office and you will find it will inspire you to write.

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Ballylongford Memories




(photo: Forur Genealogy on Facebook)

Mike Horgan and Martin Heaphy, Well Road, Ballylongford buying and selling chickens from a Kantoher Truck in Ballylongford.


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What I’m Reading


I took this photo in Garvey’s Super Valu as the gang from Aras Mhuire were promoting their great book. It’s called Striking a Chord. It costs €10 and it’s available in Scribes of Church Street.

I’m reading it in snatches and it’s absolutely lovely.

I am going to reproduce just one piece of writing here because it will resonate with many people. There is lots more like this in the book.

Tea Break

By Mary McElligott

At bedtime I would wash her.

Oh how she hated that.

I’d distract her as best I
could,

Cajole with idle chat.

She’s tell me she was washed
already,

From head to toe that day,

And what did I think I was
doing,

Sure she’d soon be washed
away.

And how bad it was for her
skin

To keep wetting it with
water.

I’d reassure her and say who
I was.

“You, you’re not my daughter!”

With washing done

She would relax, happy to be
clean.

I’d be happy too, my task
complete.

God, sometimes her words were
mean.

I knew she couldn’t help it

As dementia took its toll,

But I often thought of Jesus,

As her feet went in that
bowl.

I am Jeus as I gently soap

Her legs up to the knees.

I am Jesus as I speak kind
words

And put her mind at ease.

I am Jesus as I dry her feet

And rub in scented lotion.

I am Jesus as I ease her
fears

And bring calm to her
commotion.

Each night when she goes to
bed

She offers up her prayers

“Jack and Jill went up the
hill…”

I’d hear her from the stairs.

Dementia has changed her,

Yet she still can make me
smile.

Now I’m off to have a cup of
tea.

I’ll check her in a while.

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To cheer us up after the Road Works…..



The big trucks will roll into town next weekend.

‘Holidays’ Are Coming” is the iconic jingle of Coca Cola’s great Christmas trucks ad campaign. Now thanks to Damien O’Mahony of Jumbo’s and Love Listowel the trucks are going to stop in Listowel next Sunday, December 11th.

The trucks will make 10 stops in all on their journey around Ireland, eight of these were pre selected and the final two were decided on the merits of a pitch made by members of the public.

Damien pitched on behalf of Listowel and below is the picture of him on the phone receiving the great news. Listowel is chosen.

So what will happen?

According to the Coca Cola website:  “At each stop, the public will have an opportunity to take a souvenir photo with the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck. People will have a chance to experience a virtual sleigh ride through the forest and to play Ice Block Jenga. The Dublin Gospel Choir will perform at each of the stops on the Tour to add to the festive spirit.”

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Phew! We’re back to normal traffic flow


They came down at noon on December 3 2016.

Barriers packed for removal

Uncoupling the barriers at McKenna’s

Fixing the last manhole cover in place

Ballybunion, Junior Griffin, a Craft Fair and Striking a Chord is launched

By

On November 18, 2016

In Uncategorized

Beautiful photos of Ballybunion in Summertime by Deirdre Lyons

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Junior Griffin, Stilesman.

Junior Griffin is a great man
to tell a story and a great man to write one too.

I have to set this article up
with a back story just as Junior told it to me.

It was 1999 and Junior was on
holidays in Spain with his late sister, Joan. The compromise rules football
game was on and they decided to go to an Irish pub to see the game.

The pub is full of customers,
mostly Irish, watching the television. At half time, one of the TV analysts is
Jack O’Shea.

Junior hears one of the men
near him say, “He was one of the greatest footballers of all time.”

Some time later and Junior is
at the airport on his way home. Who is sitting next to him but the Jack O’Shea
fan from the pub? He and Junior fell to talking.

This man was Pat Cowen, owner
of the Irish World newspaper in London.

This is a tangent now. It’s
an interesting one though.

Liam McCarthy of the hurling
cup fame died in London and no one knew where he was buried. This man, Pat
Cowen, with others helped to find his grave. When the GAA congress was held in
London and a few of the past presidents were in town, Pat and his friends organized
a ceremony at the graveside.

By the way, Sam Maguire also
emigrated to London. He played three All Ireland finals with London. In those
days, 1920s, the winners of the All Ireland series played London.

Anyway back to the Spanish
airport and our two boys chatting away.

As it happened the Kerry
County final was the next week and Junior and Pat were both going to be there?  Junior told Pat that he was going to be on
the gate collecting the admission fee. In fact, he told Pat, that he had been
asked to write something about his experiences as a stilesman to be included in
the programme for the game. One word borrowed another and Pat invited Junior to
send him the article about his experiences as a gateman and he would love to
publish it in The Irish World.

That is exactly what happened
and on two consecutive weeks in December 1999 The Irish World carried a tale of
life as a gatekeeper at GAA games all over the country, a small part of the
life of the great John Junior Griffin of Listowel, Secretary of Listowel
Emmets, handballer, legendary badminton administrator and all round good guy. 

Junior has shared these articles with me and Listowel Connection will bring you next week an exclusive (almost) insight into life at the gate at GAA games.

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At The Seanchaí Craft Fair


 Cookarama looking good.


Frances and her granddaughter with their colourful display of tea cosies and hats.

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Snapped



I met Cara and Chris in The Seanchaí

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Striking a Chord


This anthology of writing by North Kerry Writers is a treasure. It was launched in St. John’s to a packed audience on Thursday evening, November 10 2016. I’ll tell you more about it when I have a chance to read a few of the contributions. A good day to get your copy would be on November 26 when it will be on sale in Garvey’s Super Valu and everyone who buys a copy on that day will have their name put into a draw for a hamper valued at €100, sponsored by Super Valu.




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And the winner is….



In Dublin on November 16 2016 Listowel Writers’ Week first poetry winner at the BGE Irish Book Awards was announced. Jane Clarke’s poem, In Glasnevin, found a resonance with the poetry loving public and they voted for it in numbers.

Finding the words carved

on their plain, granite
headstone,

faithful comrade, lifelong
friend,

reminds me of my grandmother

who used to say, there was
none of that

in my day. I wish I could ask

the faithful Julia and
Elizabeth

were they grateful for the
mercy

of sharing a grave, did they
choose

those words to save them from
shame,

did they have someone to tell

that though the words said so
much,

they didn’t say enough, and
when

they nursed the rebellion’s
wounded,

did they question the cost

of a new (free) state.


( Sets you thinking doesn’t it? Have the future generations kept faith with Julia and Elizabeth?) 

Halloween Parade 2016, family on a visit and a local Book Launch

By

On November 8, 2016

In Uncategorized



A Wintry Walk in Listowel




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KDYS Halloween Parade


Great fun for the children and the adults at Listowel’s annual Halloween Parade on October 31 2016. ( photos from KDYD on Facebook

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John Kelliher’s lovely study of O’Connell’s Avenue grotto



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From the RTE Archive



Listowel Races 25 September 1981

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Johnny Cronin School of Irish Dancing Feis



Big day for these dancers on Sunday week

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Aisling, Still Straddle Levering



Another great day to be alive!

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Book Launch in aid of Áras Mhuire



I haven’t seen the book yet but its a great cause so come along and support them.

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Do you want to get someone something really special for Christmas?



This is a Donald Teskey study of the Kerry coast. This unique print by a world class Irish artist is part of an heirloom offering from Listowel Writers Week….The Hope Portfolio.

“A limited edition portfolio entitled HOPE, is the result of a collaboration between Stoney Road Press and Listowel Writers’ Week. Five unique texts and a limited edition print were commissioned specially for this collection.  We are delighted that the following Irish authors have graciously agreed to participate in this wonderful project:  Eavan Boland, Anne Enright, Jennifer Johnston, Brendan Kennelly and Colm Tóibín.  Accompanying these five exclusive signed works is a limited edition print by Irish artist, Donald Teskey.”



This is a once off opportunity to acquire a piece of Listowel’s Literary History. This portfolio is a treasure, a worth while legacy investment. It is sure to appreciate in value with time.

For more information click HERE

James Crowley, T.D. remembered in Áras Mhuire and a few small changes at St. Mary’s

By

On June 29, 2016

In Uncategorized




A Little Reminder





A Listowel Connection to 1916


They held a great party in Áras Mhuire on Saturday June 18 2016. The occasion was the the 92nd birthday of Edward Crowley. But it wasn’t just any old birthday because Edward is the son of James Crowley member of the first Dail and TD for North Kerry from 1918 to 1932 .

In this the centenary year of the 1916 Rising it was decided to make a presentation to Edward whose father was jailed for  reading the Proclamation at a meeting in Listowel in 1918.


Jimmy Deenihan made the presentation which took the form of a framed document outlining, in brief the biography of James Crowley. This document was signed by the production team of “1916, The Irish Rebellion” documentary. In the photograph with Jimmy Deenihan and Edward Crowley is Clementine O’Keeffe,daughter of Edward and granddaughter of James Crowley.

(Thank you to Bernard O’Keeffe for the photos and the story)


Relatives and friends of Edward Crowley at his birthday celebration in Áras Mhuire.




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A Picture Paints a Thousand Words


I have observed from my little knowledge of people’s behaviour on the internet that people prefer to see a picture or video clip than to read a story as text. In fact many people tell me that they only look at the pictures in my blogpost and if the picture catches their eye they might read the accompanying text.

I was not surprised then when I learned that Facebook is planning to go all video. Snapchat has taken over from Twitter as the social medium of choice for the Millenials and by 2020 nobody will wait for a newspaper to get them the news.

You might think that this would spell bad news for advertisers. Not at all. They are way ahead of the game. Advertisers know so much about us now that they can target us with pin point accuracy. Because they know our location from our I.P. address, our profile from 100 profiles we have filled in somewhere and our interests from the sites we visit, as we walk down the street they can flash us the special offers in the shops as we pass.  Frightening!

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Statues reinstalled at St. Mary’s


St. John

St Anne and Mary



This final photo shows the spot on the pillar prepared for the next statue to be affixed. The story is this. These statues (I think they are marble) were inset around the old pulpit. When the pulpit was removed, following Vatican 11, the statues were taken by a parishioner for safe keeping.

Now they are back in St. Mary’s and you can see them on the pillars at the top of the church.

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