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: Athea mural Page 2 of 3

Listowel Cinema,, NKM in Dublin, Good News from Athea and The Little Lilac Studio is closing

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On February 26, 2019

In Uncategorized

 Photo: Chris Grayson

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Then and Now


Changes at the corner

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Seán MacCarthy Festival Still Going Strong

Sean McCarthy Festival 2019 is from Thursday 1st – Monday 5th August

I took this photo at the festival in 2004

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NKM Strike


NKM was Listowel’s first manufacturing industry.

But by 1925, something had gone horribly wrong and the business was relocated to Dublin.


Dave O’Sullivan has discovered that the factory owners embarked on an extensive advertising campaign to re- establish the brand as a world leader in its field after the move to Dublin.

Meanwhile in Listowel




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Update from Athea Tidy Towns Committee


We are delighted to update everyone on the progress of the repair of our mural painted by Jim Dunne and local help a number of years ago. Unfortunately the mural was knocked by a storm in early 2018 resulting in severe damage. The timbers had also begun to decay as a result of weathering. It seemed an impossible task to save the mural but following a commitment from our resident volunteer artist James Dunn, it was decided to salvage what we could of the masterpiece. The repair project was spearheaded by John Scanlon who enlisted the help of Joe Lavin and Shane Scanlon. It was not an easy task as they worked together to cut away and replace parts of the timbers essentially creating a jigsaw puzzle. Many nights/ evenings have been spent repairing the mural and we are beyond grateful to these men for sharing their time and skills all for the benefit of our village. When complete, the mural will be placed on the newly built concrete wall complete with protective canopy next to Batts Bar. We have also been successful in receiving funding from Airtricity to erect lighting to illuminate the mural at night. Thanks also to Scanlon Construction for their assistance with this project. Looking forward to the day when this mural will return to his rightful home!

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What a Loss!


This lovely friendly workshop will be a huge loss to town.  Cathy was so welcoming and so helpful and I always loved taking my grandchildren here. It is a great pity that we are losing this unique visitor attraction. 

We all know that it is really hard to make a living out of this type of artistic endeavour. I think such enterprises should be subsidised and encouraged. They are so much part of Listowel’s attractiveness to tourists and visitors

Listowel St. Patrick’s Day 2018 and Rás Mumhan in Listowel March 31 2018

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On April 3, 2018

In Uncategorized

In Listowel Town Square

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More Floats and participants in St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018

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Rás Mumhan 2018


On Easter Saturday, March 31 2018 Rás Mumhan had a stage start from Páic Mhic Shithigh Listowel. I snapped a few of the riders leaving.

There’s nothing like the support of family.

Last week it was all motorbikes and cartoon characters.

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Good news from Athea Tidy Towns’




Artist James Dunn and members of Athea Tidy Towns inspecting the mural recently. Thankfully the mural has escaped with little damage. James has very kindly offered his time to repair &restore to its former glory. A concrete wall has recently been constructed at the location and it is also hoped to construct a roof like structure with solar lighting to protect the mural from the elements and also to illuminate the mural at night. Watch this space !

Convent Street, Pitch and Putt and Athea Mural blown down

By

On January 22, 2018

In Uncategorized

From The Irish Farmers’ Journal

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A Quiet Corner of Town undergoing renewal


This site has gone Sale Agreed so we await developments.

One is sold and the other is for sale

This is the area of Convent Street that is about to change.


These houses in Convent Street are boarded up too so it will be good to see life return to this corner of town.

And in another corner of town…

A little bird tells me that Iceland is coming to Listowel shortly.

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Listowel Pitch and Putt Club


Dave O’Sulivan, a loyal follower and supporter of the work of your blogger replied to my appeal for history of the Pitch and Putt Club.



My photos taken at different times of the year show the variety and abundance of planting in the course over the years.

Here are the cuttings that Dave found for us;

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Athea Revisited on January 19 2018




That was then

This is now

The high winds last week flattened the lovely mural with the whole history and mythology of the village on it. I have no doubt that the good people of Athea will see it restored to its former glory.

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And the Winner is



The Dublin Kerry Association have announced their Kerry Person of the year

There was a goodly attendance on the night.

Colm Cooper was revealed as this year’s choice and he got a standing ovation as he entered.

Colm was a very popular choice.

Colm Cooper with  Keelin Kissane of  Listowel, chair of The Kerry Association in Dublin


Athea Mural and candlelit ceremony for Fr. Pat Moore in Ballybunion

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On May 18, 2017

In Uncategorized

Patsy Lynch took this photo in Ballyduff and  posted it on a  Facebook page called This is Kerry.

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Athea Revisited


I took a drive to Athea on a lovely sunny Monday and I snapped a few changes to Jim Dunn’s masterpiece. This is a work in progress with details being added and bits here and there tweaked constantly.


It’s such a pity about the electricity pole which you can see casting a shadow to the left of my photo.

This new figure has been added. Jim tells me that he will be recognisable to all the local people. His collar and tie give away the fact that he is not someone you would expect to see in a forge.

These hens positively walk out of the wall at me.

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Candlelit ceremony for Fr. Pat Moore


Here are some more pictures from a great night on the beach in Ballybunion on May 11 2017.

Local filmaker, Gerard Barrett remember his great friend and mentor who encouraged him in everything he undertook. Fr. Pat was as proud of Ger as a father would be of a son.

Fr. Pat’s cousin, Debbie was his go – to person when the time difference made it possible to make a late night or early morning phone call. Debbie became one of his team of dedicated carers during his last illness.

Mary Fagan, Fr. Pat’s great friend for so many years read Fr. Pat’s poem of acceptance and reconciliation which he wrote during his cancer journey.

Mario put the finishing touches to his ‘circle’ and we all gathered and placed our candles in the sand in a moving tribute to the great man from his circle of friends.

Maria Stack, Milliner, Athea Mural and The Field in St. John’s

By

On November 10, 2015

In Uncategorized

Mike Enright captured this breathtaking sunset in Ballybunion last week.

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Maria Stack in Melbourne



On the left of this picture is our very own Maria Stack of Listowel. You will remember her from Ladies Day and Recycle Upcycle Day at Listowel Races. She is also the daughter of the very talented and very stylish, Betty.

Maria is a milliner. She has converted what was a hobby into a business. I think you will agree her hat for The Melbourne Cup is an unusual and inspired creation and the perfect crowning glory for her beautiful dress. Maria was one of 100 milliners worldwide to be invited to take part in this prestigious millinery event. On the right of the photo is her model, Pearl, wearing Maria’s entry for the competition.

I think you will agree that Maria did us proud and her handiwork is up there with the best.

Her Facebook page with all the news of her trip is here Maria Stack Millinery

It wasn’t all glamour and sunshine in Australia. Maria had to improvise a rain outfit for the unexpected showers.

How about this idea at Listowel Races Ladies’ Day? 

These guys were kind of roaming Rose of Tralee escort types.

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Update on Athea Mural


Anyone visiting me has to accompany me on a trip to Athea. My 2 lovely grandsons had the usual outing during their Halloween break. 

First stop was Jim Dunn’s mural to view progress. I experimented a bit with colour, trying sepias and black and white. I think you will agree the old world charm of this scene lends itself to an old world medium.

Aren’t these 2 little observers beautifully captured.

The detail in this cameo never ceases to enthrall me.

Ah, perfection!

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The Field;   50th Anniversary Production


Don’t miss it! A really strong cast of local thespians has been assembled for this one. Who better to play John B.’s characters than his own people. The photos are Frances Kennedy’s.




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What a photo!



Dillon Boyer of Listowel took a super picture of a storm in Dingle and it was printed in last Saturday’s Examiner.

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Funeral of Leo Griffin


Photo: Tralee Today


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