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: Ard Cúram Page 2 of 3

Ard Cúram cycle and Prof. Kennelly

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On July 18, 2014

In Uncategorized

Ring of Kerry Cycle for Ard Cúram

A staggering number of 578 people cycled in The Ring of Kerry cycle to raise funds for the new

 day centre for Listowel’s elderly.

Ard Cúram had a busy band of volunteers out preparing and distributing food and refreshments to the cyclists. A big credit is due to all involved.

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The Early Days

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Fulbright Scholar


This is Professor Edward Kennelly and he has a strong Listowel connection. His father is Jim Kennelly of The Cloth Hall, Upper William St.

The following is from the internet:

Lehman
College congratulates Professor Edward Kennelly
of the Department of Biological Sciences for his 2014-2015 Fulbright
Scholarship to research modern Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Hong Kong. He is one of 1,100 U.S.
faculty and professionals selected for the prestigious honor.

Dr.
Kennelly will work with colleagues at the Institute for Chinese
Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong as he performs
fieldwork, in vitro activity testing, and chemical analysis in an effort to
better understand how selected modern TCM formulas may exert their effects.

As
traditional Chinese medicines continue to grow in importance outside of China,
so does the need for a thorough understanding of how it is used and how it
works. “TCM as practiced in Hong Kong offers a unique opportunity to study both
a well-regulated system of complementary medicine, and one that is undergoing
rapid modernization,” explains Prof. Kennelly.

Dr.
Kennelly’s research focuses on the biological activity of certain compounds
found in plants, also known as phytochemicals.
He is specifically interested in phytochemicals with biological activity that
may help to prevent or treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

In
addition, Dr. Kennelly serves as the Executive Officer of the CUNY Graduate
Center’s Program in Biochemistry.  He teaches and mentors
students in the CUNY Ph.D. Subprogram in Plant Sciences and Biochemistry at the
Graduate Center. His lab maintains close collaborations with Columbia
University,  The New York Botanical Garden, Minzu University (Beijing).

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Sign in Clonakilty, Co. Cork



Spotted by Ger Greaney

Flowers, flowers and more flowers, July horse fair and an air show in Foynes

By

On July 8, 2014

In Uncategorized

Ard Curam volunteers working hard to keep their cyclists watered and happy on their journey on The Ring of kerry cycle last weekend.

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Flowers in Listowel 2014…….a truer picture

A few weeks ago I had the misfortune to say that I thought that Listowel had less floral displays than other summers. How wrong I was.

 Okay, okay, you can stop pointing them out to me now. I know that I was not looking in the right places.

There are loads of flowers in town. In fact Listowel is like a veritable garden centre these days. To make up to all the people I upset by failing to see all the lovely flowers, here are some photos of town with flowers in every one.

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From The Advertiser

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Sundaes in Ballybunion

Just the ticket for these sunny days

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Horsefair July 3 2014

lorry load of logs for sale
Trading a goat
A turkey, a hen and some ferrets
goat
Admiring not buying
footwear

On Thursday last the horse fair followed a growing trend in recent years. There is so much other livestock and goods for sale that the name horsefair now seems inappropriate.

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Footage from last Sunday’s airshow in Foynes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8zk0wmjL54&feature=youtu.be

Listowel Writers Week and some photos from Árd Cúram sod turning ceremony

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On May 22, 2014

In Uncategorized

From Kids’ Programme to 

The National Children’s Literary Festival 2014

This is the Writers’Week Children’s Fancy Dress Parade in 1991. Mary Robinson performed the official opening of Listowel Writers’ Week and the theme of the parade was Mná na hEireann.

That was then; this is now.

The Children’s programme at Writers Week has grown and matured into The National Children’s Literary Festival.

A programme of readings, workshops, Treasure Hunt, Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Baby Boogie, Puppet Show, Science Experiments and so much more is on offer.

Just one of the many exciting events is taking place in Craftshop na Méar on Saturday morning May 31st. at 11.30 a.m.

Sarah Murphy is a Ballina born, Cork based teacher and art therapist. She has just written her first book, What if?

The premise behind What if? is that it provides a fun way for a parent to introduce personal safety topics to young children.

The workshop is for parents and children and aims at helping them explore topics like

What if a stranger offers me sweets?

What if my ball ran on to the road?

The workshop is free but booking is necessary as places are limited. Ring Nuala on 068 21074.

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Ard Čúram sod turning ceremony May 16 3014


Micheál ÓSuilleabháin

Marie and Mike Moriarty

Ring of Kerry cyclists with Mayor of Listowel Jimmy Moloney

Canon Declan O’Connor blessed the site

Isobel MacDonagh with some Listowel older people who avail of the day care service

Finbarr Mawe, a driving force behind the project

 Olive and Roibeard Pierse

Tom Pierse

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Busy Weekend ahead

 Local and European elections Friday May 23

M.S. Busking Day  May 23 2014

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Ta Dah!

This is the beautiful Silver River Feale piece designed in Macroom by Listowel born silversmith, Eileen Moylan and made in her Claddagh Design Workshop.

Orders are now being taken in Craftshop na Méar for the following pieces from the range;

Sterling Silver Pendant on 18′ chain………€85

Sterling Silver Bracelet on 7′ chain………….€75

Sterling Silver  cuff links………….€130

Sterling Silver Tie/ Lapel pin………..€60

All of the items come in a beautiful presentation box.

We will have a small supply available on the night of the launch which we will sell to people who attend. These handmade pieces take a while to produce so order now to avoid disappointment.

The Lartigue and Writers’ Week; then and now

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On May 21, 2014

In Uncategorized

The Lartigue is running for the summer

Some of the volunteers who man the service during the tourist season: Toddy Buckley, Brendan Kenny, John MacAulliffe, Junior Griffin, Tim O’Leary and Martin Griffin.

The Lartigue in 1855 when it ran between Listowel and Ballybunion and the restored loco in 2014

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 posted by Limerick Life

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Writers Week 1975

This press cutting which was sent to me by Aidan OMurchú will bring back many happy memories of the early days of our great literary festival.

In 2013 the festival was opened by John Bowman. In 2014 Paul Durkan will do the honours.

It is fitting that Listowel Writers’ Week 2014 be opened by a poet because this year sees the awarding for the first time of the Piggott Poetry Prize. This prize will be awarded on opening night May 28 to the writer of a collection of poems which is deemed the best of the over 80 volumns of poetry submitted to the judges. Mark Piggott, the sponsor, will travel from the U.S. to attend the festival and present the prize.

Opening Night this year is a ticketless event. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

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June holiday Race Meeting

Ladies day will be a feature of the June weekend’s racing.

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Mike O’Donnell composed this waltz in memory of Con Houlihan. If I managed to upload it correctly, you will be hearing it played for the first time in Kerry. The pianist is a Russian virtuosa and the piece is called Con Houlihan’s waltz.  Enjoy!

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Ard Cúram sod turning ceremony

Árd Cúram is a project to provide day care for Listowel’s older people. A hard working committee has worked hard for several years now to bring this initiative to a permanent location. It currently operates three days per week in Listowel Family Centre. On Friday May 16 2014  the first sod was turned in its new permanent location in the grounds of Listowel hospital.

A man who spoke on Friday at the ceremony told us that every good project must have “a dreamer, a doer and knocker”. Well, the knocker has been proved wrong and the dream is to be realized because of all the doers in the community.

The final plank of the fundraising is The Ring of Kerry Cycle. A huge team of cyclists is in training and with the support of the community they will raise that vital few extra thousands to see this worthwhile venture over the line.

The first sod was turned by Jimmy Deenihan and Micheál OSuilleabháin and Canon Declan O’Connor blessed the venture.

Mary Moylan, cyclist with Finbar Mawe and community nurses.

Marie Reen, Joan Walshe, Mary Anne O’Connor, Eithne Galvin and Noreen Queally

cyclists, organisers and Canon Declan O’Connor

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Tarbert Cuckoo Walk



If you missed Tarbert’s annual walking festival in early May, you can still watch the very interesting promotional video here;

Cuckoo Walk

Kingdom County Fair and three successful Listowel ladies

By

On May 19, 2014

In Uncategorized

Kingdom County Fair



I had one of the best days out this year at this event on May 11 2014.

My niece’s lovely horse, Mr. Riordan won his class and then went on to be reserve overall champion of the show. I was delighted to be there to record the event.

Showing animals is all about obedience and a willingness on the animal’s part to respond instantly to his master’s command. This was obvious in the horse showing ring but it was even more obvious in the sheep rounding up competition where the teamwork of man and dog was thrilling to watch. The sheepdog trials took place in a remote corner of the show field and I don’t think it got the exposure it deserves.

Mr. Riordan tried his hand at the show jumping as well and he scored two clear rounds. Maybe a future as a show jumper awaits him.

 There were competitions for all sorts of animals, skills and crafts. I took the photo below from The Kingdom County Fair’s Facebook page. It shows the enormously talented Philomena Sheehy from Duagh receiving one of her many prizes. Philomena has “a gifted pair of hands”. She has been winning  prizes at this fair for years.  2014 was no exception.




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Car Boot sale…….Community Centre 



One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

May 25 2014 in Listowel Community Centre. Drop in and pick up a treasure.

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“Oh stony grey soil of Monaghan 

You burgled my bank of youth.”

Patrick Kavanagh picking spuds  (photo from The National Gallery)

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Rhona Tarrant

This Cinderella got to go to the ball. Rhona Tarrant of Listowel is currently on an internship in New York. She recently got to go the Gala Ball for the American Ireland Fund. The famous Kerry fashion designer to the stars, Don O’Neill lent Rhona this fabulous dress from his Theia collection.

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Kay Caball

Kay is always a powerhouse of information. Her latest blogpost about thinking outside the box when it comes to researching your ancestors is entertaining and informative.

http://mykerryancestors.com/blog/

Kay writes as she speaks, in an easily accessible narrative style with lots of interesting anecdotes to illustrate her point. This is why I know that her book:

The Kerry Girls: Between the Famine & The Crown

The Story of 117 Kerry Girls sent to Australia on the Earl Grey Scheme

will make fascinating reading.

Kay will launch her book at Writers’ Week 2014 on Saturday May 31st. in Scoil Realta na Maidine at 2.00 p.m.

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Jimmy Deenihan and Micheál OSuilleabháin turn the first sod in the Ard Curam building project.

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