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: Bryan MacMahon Page 3 of 10

Christmasses Remembered

By

On December 17, 2021

In Listowel

Christmas card from Listowel’s Bryan MacMahon, illuminated by Listowel’s Michael O’Connor.

<<<<<<<<<

Christmas 1957

Noreen Keane- Brennan shared this photo of friends and neighbours in Sheahan’s of William Street at Christmas 1957.

<<<<<<<<<<

A Kerry Christmas…a poem by the late Brendan Kennelly

<<<><<<<<<<<

<<<<<<<<<<<

A Listowel Bridge Champion

Earlier this week when I was writing about John Comyn’s 50 years writing the Bridge column in The Irish Independent, I included the observation that he thought that Pat Walshe of Listowel was the best player he had ever encountered in a long career playing Bridge at championship level.

But who was Pat Walshe?

Jim MacMahon has the answer.

“… Pat was the son of the late Dr Toddy Walshe and Siobhan, nee Ashe, a cousin of Thomas Ashe. Pat lived in Church Street (or Ashe street). I recall my late father Bryan saying to me one day when Pat was about 8 years old ,…..Do you see that young fellow, Toddy’s son, he has an unusual aptitude for maths…and so it proved to be.”

( What was in the water in Church Street? I wonder if any other street has produced so many exceptional scholars.)

<<<<<<<<<<<

Edwardian post box at Convent Cross. This box dates from the 1930’s. Many is the Christmas card started its journey here.

<<<<<<<<<

Craft Hub at Kerry Writers’ Museum

If you’re looking for a beautiful locally made Christmas present, drop into Kerry Writers’ Museum.

This is what I bought and I’m delighted with my haul. The beautiful intricately detailed bookmarks are made by Karen Pleass. They are absolutely beautiful and perfect for that air mail present for someone who loves the Irish countryside.

The hand made cards are a steal at €3.75 each. Maggie Donald makes these unique frameable cards from local plants. They are absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to buy the lot.

Everyone who knows me knows that I love Woodford Pottery. Pat Murphy has been very busy in lockdown. This new range is a new departure from his block colours. I bought a little jug, ideal for those of us who dine alone. And then because it was so sweet and I love a posy on the table I bought this lovely little vase.

Be sure to drop in before Christmas and support local artists.

<<<<<<<<<

Listowel Memories and a New Business in Town

By

On November 22, 2021

In Listowel, Schools

Listowel Garda Station in November 2021

<<<<<<<<<<<

The Master

an essay by Cyril Kelly

<<<<<<<<<<<

Homeward Bound

A nun walks home to the convent in 2007. A lot has changed.

<<<<<<<<<

A Listowel Fact

Lord Listowel visited the town in 1814 and he handed over sites for two churches, one Catholic and the other Church of Ireland. Both were built almost ten years later. St. Mary’s was built in 1829. The spire and porch were added in 1865. Initially the congregation stood during mass as there were no pews. The seats were added and side aisles built in 1910.

<<<<<<<<<

Pixie has made a Calendar

If you’re looking for a gift idea for a Covid bound emigrant, this could be the answer to your prayers.

Pixie will deliver or drop for you to collect if you are local.

You can contact him with your order at the email address below.

pixieskingdom@yahoo.com

<<<<<<<<<<<

Santa at McKenna’s in 1959

Were you one of the lucky children who visited Santa in Listowel in 1959?

Kathy Reynolds has put a lovely collection of Santa photos from that occasion up on line. The link is here;

https://vimeo.com/647951277

If you recognise yourself or someone you know please email Kathy. The photos are numbered and you can give her the number and the names of the people in the photo. Kathy’s email address is on the video. She asks that you respect copyright.

Santa in McKenna’s in 2021

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Another Change on Church Street

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Ballylongford, A Pebble, a poem and a Very Clever Sculpture

By

On October 7, 2021

In Ballylongford, Listowel, Poem

Ballylongford Mill today; Photo by Breda Ferris

<<<<<<<<<<

It’s the simple things like sharing a donut….

<<<<<<<<<<

A Tribute to a Beloved and Missed Mentor

Elizabeth Carroll (Liz Chute) remembers Bryan MacMahon and his influence. The story is told in Liz’s screenshots from her Instagram feed.

The Pendant

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

That Naas Sculpture

Helen O’Connor and Dave O’Sullivan filled me in on this one.

Title: Siren

Artist: By Alex Pentek

Location: Siren is located on the green adjacent to Naas Fire Station on the Newbridge Road.  

History of the project:
Over the last number of years, Athy and Naas have both opened purpose built fire stations.  A refurbishment of the fire station in Monasterevin has also taken place.  As part of the building programme, Kildare County Council engaged three Irish artists to further enhance each building by means of commissioning art works, through the Per Cent for Art Scheme.  The Fire Officer, Michael Fitzsimons and County Arts Officer Lucina Russell considered the physical building and their particular location when designing a brief for the commissions.   


Artist statement:
The sculpture shows how I think the sound of the fire alarm would look if it were not a sound but an object.  As the sound of a fire alarm broadcasts the message that the help of the Naas Fire Service is required, it is not a soothing sound, but a loud and shrill noise that forces anyone who hears it to consider their own personal safety for a moment.  As the traditional fire-bell has been replaced with the wailing cry of the air horn, the form of the proposed sculpture comprises of a series of fluted horns, pointing outwards in all directions as if to make sure that everyone gets the message.  

About the artist: 
Alex Pentek is a graduate of the Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork and currently works from a studio at Monard, Rathpeacon, Co. Cork.   

With the style of the work ranging from abstract to figurative, he have worked predominantly on large-scale public art sculpture commissions for outdoor locations using durable materials. Some of this work includes two life-size female figures from cast marble sand in Tralee, Co. Kerry; three giant leaves in cast bronze in Clonakilty, Co. Cork; and four giant seeds from carved oak in Tower, Co. Cork, to name but a few.  During this time he has also carried out several smaller scale, private commissions for both indoor and outdoor settings.

While continuously exploring aspects of Nature in a variety of materials ranging from sheet metals, cast bronze, ceramic, carved wood and cement, he also enjoys the challenge of new materials. 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Bog in Ballylongford, an old Christmas card and Listowel Printing Works is Relocating

By

On October 6, 2021

In Ballylongford, Listowel, Poem

In the bog; photo by Breda Ferris

<<<<<<<<<<<<

Lord Listowel 1963

photo found on Glin Historical Society

This is the 5th earl, William Hare. The current earl is Francis, his son from his third marriage.

<<<<<<<<<<<<

A Listowel Christmas Card

Listowel; men, Michael O’Connor and Bryan MacMahon collaborated in the making of six Christmas cards. The cards were produced by Oriel Press.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

A Poem as Halloween approaches

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Fuel of the Future?

Enjoy this old ad.

This month we read that Ireland is now importing horticultural peat from Latvia.

Read all about it here;

4000t of Horticultural Peat arrives in Drogheda

<<<<<<<<<

Listowel Printing Works is gone from Church Street

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Memories, Listowel People and Ballygologue Park

By

On June 23, 2021

In handball, Listowel

Canon’s Height, Listowel Co. kerry

<<<<<<<<<<

Jimmy O’Quigley Remembers

Jimmy gave me this photo from his box of treasures. Some of the people in it are Philomena Chute, Mrs Joe Broderick, Anna Moore, and Jerry O’Flaherty

Back; Mikey Fitzgerald (a tailor from Charles Street) Seán Grogan, Mr. Prendeville from Castleisland.

This old letter was given by Owen MacMahon to Jimmy. The quality is poor as it’s a copy of a copy but it’s worth the effort to read it. It is a letter from Bryan MacMahon, then Príomhoide of Listowel Boys National School to Canon Brennan, the school manager. He is reporting an accident in the school grounds in which Jimmy broke his arm. Jimmy had his arm in plaster for his First Communion.

The tone of the letter tells us a lot about the relationship between the Canon and his parishioners who, by all accounts, lived in fear and dread of him.

<<<<<<<<<

Hi Ho, Hi ho as off to work we go

It’s always a pleasure to meet cheerful happy people when I’m out and about. I met Peter and Anne Marie on their way to work bright and early on a Saturday morning.

<<<<<

This lovely old stile is on the John B. Keane Road.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Listowel Squash Club

Sean Tracey, Charlie Nolan, Billy Galvin, John McGuire, and Sean Comeford at a squash tournament in Tralee.

Charlie, who gave me the photo, doesn’t remember the year.

<<<<<<<<<<

Ballygologue Entrance in June 2021

Residents of Ballygologue Park always take great pride in their estate. It was lovely to see wild flowers like daisies, buttercups, vetch and clover allowed to bloom alongside the cultivated flowers and shrubs.

<<<<<<

In The Magic Hour

Brightening Air was an initiative of The Arts Council. Between June 11 and June 20 2021 Coiscéim Dance Studio brought us ” Ten days of incredible Arts experiences in surprising locations nationwide.”

Listowel was chosen to be part of the project and In The Magic Hour was presented to us in The Handball Alley. It was live-streamed on the following evening. I presumed that that video would be left up but I cant find it now. So this is what happened.

I called by earlier in the afternoon of June 18th. The ball alley looked the same except for the presence of 20 chairs. I was relieved to hear that we would be seated for the performance.

I’m back at 9.30 p. m. for the performance. The Magic Hour is dusk which they estimated would be 9.30 to 10.30. It was later on this particular evening so we had to wait until 9 50 to get the show on the road.

Above are some of the lucky people, socially distanced, who got tickets. I’ll tell you about the magic tomorrow.

>>>>>>>>>>

Page 3 of 10

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén