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: Celtic Art

A Walk and A Talk

Kerry Writers’ Museum in June 2024

Allos

Allos has had a beautiful facelift.

I attended the online conference on the International Day of Celtic Art. Stephen gave a great account of Listowel as the cradle of modern Celtic Art. He told the conference of 12 different Listowel artists who worked in 14 different genre of Celtic Art. He told the world of Pat McAuliffe, Paddy Whelan, Tony O’Callaghan, Two Michael O’Connors, Paddy Fitzgibbon, Eileen Moylan , Micheál Kelliher and more.

I’d say all the Celtic Art gang listening to him around the world will be anxious to visit. Stephen illustrated his talk with artwork visible on the streets of Listowel and in Kerry Writers’ Museum.

A Washer Woman

This is a great miscellany by three local writers.

The below poem is by Paddy Glavin.

A Friday Walk

Martin Moore was our guide on the Friday Morning Walk during Listowel Writers’ Week 2024.

A good crowd gathered at the starting point, The Listowel Arms, in anticipation of a treat of history and anecdote from this learned local writer and researcher.

Helen, Martin, Liam and Michael, all keen local historians

Owen, Christy and Noel with Martin

There was a bit of a delay at the start, (microphone issues) so I took the opportunity to snap a photo with the most famous person in attendance, Éanna Ní Lamhna.

We stopped at the castle and Martin told us all about the Fitzmaurices and the colourful history of Listowel Castle.

On then to the Bridge Road and Childers’ Park.

A Fact

Queen Elizabeth 11 was the first British Monarch to have her image on a banknote. Her face was added to the £1 in 1960.

I read the above fact along with all the other British currency “facts” , in The Guardian (available to read for free on the library’s Borrowbox app.) BUT a follower of Listowel Connection knows better.

Michael O’Sullivan tells us that there were banknotes with the image of George v issued during World War 1. Thanks Michael.

<<<<<<<

Art and Literature

Civic Plaza, Listowel in June 2024

Update

Cashell Solicitors, I’m told

I Love Listowel Library

The library has to be the best free facility in town, lovely building, lovely staff, well stocked shelves and always a surprise in store.

Today’s surprise; Colm Tóibín’s latest book had no waiting list. I have it for 10 days. Yippee!

Last week when I was in the library I met these lovely people who were on a mission of appreciation to one of their favourite places.

They are the Pathways Level 3 learners from Kerry College, Listowel Campus. The course co ordinator is Rena Liston.

Holding the plant they brought as a thank you to library staff is Maria and fellow librarian, Susan, is in front.

All is Slowly Being Revealed

The pages my friends are reading are the first proofs of my new book. It will be called Moments of Reflection. Just now it is in the capable hands of Paul Shannon at Listowel Printing Works. He is doing a splendid job.

It will be a while yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

2 Day International Day of Celtic Art

The International Day of Celtic Art 2024 is actually 2 days. Coming from a town where Writers’ Week is 4 days we can hardly quibble with that.

I think I may have had the link wrong yesterday so here again is the link for registration.

Register

I think it’s all free. They didn’t ask me for any money anyway.

The lady in the above photo is Susan Corr, Ireland’s leading conservator. I took this photo of Susan in The Brendan Kennelly room in Listowel Writers’ Museum on the day she returned the Michael O’Connor pieces after conservation.

This is not the piece in the picture. It’s another of O’Connor’s magnificent letters.

Here is the schedule for the 2 days this weekend.

June 2024

Sat Jun 812:00pm – 1:00pm 

ZOOM SUPPORT1:00pm – 1:20pm 

— WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS —1:20pm – 1:40pm 

Donncha MacGabhan (How long did it take to make the Book of Kells?)1:40pm – 2:00pm 

Catherine Crowe (Celtic Art and Enameling)2:00pm – 2:20pm 

Stephen Walker (Naming Knots; challenging symbolism and meaning in the marketing of modern Celtic art)2:20pm – 2:40pm 

— BREAK —2:40pm – 3:00pm 

Ruth Black (Celtic Ecclesiastical Embroideries)3:00pm – 3:20pm 

Stephen Rynne (Celtic Art Podcast Discussion & Launch) 3:20pm – 3:40pm 

Steven Lawes (Fibonacci Celtica)3:40pm – 4:00pm 

Hamish Douglas Burgess (Creating a Celtic art whisky label – an interesting story with many twists and turns.)4:00pm – 4:20pm 

— WRAP-UP —Sun Jun 94:00pm – 5:00pm 

ZOOM SUPPORT5:00pm – 5:20pm 

— WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS —5:20pm – 5:40pm 

Alix Sandra Huntley-Speirs (Finding the Music in Celtic Art: The Journey to Findlaystone)5:40pm – 6:00pm 

Jeff Fitzpatrick Adams (Irish Celtic Illuminations)6:00pm – 6:20pm 

Aidan Breen (Chasing Early Irish Saints & Celtic Bangles)6:20pm – 6:40pm 

— BREAK —6:40pm – 7:00pm 

Susan Corr (Conservation of Michael O’Connor artwork) 7:00pm – 7:20pm 

Stephen Rynne (Listowel, The World Capital of Modern Celtic Art)

7:20pm – 7:40pm 

David MacGovern (Monakie Rock Art)7:40pm – 8:00pm 

Nicola Dixon8:00pm – 8:20pm 

— WRAP-UP —

Susan Corr, as you can see, will talk about her conservation work on Sunday at 7.00 pm

Stephen will give his not to be missed presentation about Listowel on Sunday at 7.20

A Fact

Running hell for leather, the first woman to record a sub 5 minute mile was Diane Leather. The British runner recorded this time in 1954

<<<<<<<<


Listowel, World Centre of Modern Celtic Art

June 2024

Listowel Centre Stage at the Day of Celebration of Celtic Art

International Day of Celtic ArtIDCA Online Conference

SPEAKER: Stephen Rynne

TOPIC: Celtic Arts Podcast Discussion & Launch

TOPIC: Listowel, The World Capital of Modern Celtic Art

Stephen lives in the West of Ireland where he raises his three children after being widowed in 2012. He has an Honours BSc. from Oxford Brookes University in England and he has been caring for his son who has Epidermolysis Bullosa and Autism since his birth.

In 2019 he discovered, fell in love and picked up all he can to do with the Celtic Arts, in particular Modern Celtic Art from the late 1800s onward. Having spent years discovering the joys of Celtic Art he has decided to put his discoveries to good use in a podcast called ‘Celtic Arts Podcast’ that launches at the International Day of Celtic Art Conference, 2024

________________________________________

BE SURE TO REGISTER:

https://us06web.zoom.us/…/tZMkf-uurjgpGdHR242SJQQvtc0R…

EVENT CALENDAR {According to your own time zone}: 

https://teamup.com/ksh7rbwbu4otdgusji

CELTIC FRAME CREDIT: Shelby Whitesell

These presentations by Stephen are well worth attending. We are lucky in that they are now available in a livestream online.

Michael O’Connor formerly of No. 24 The Square Listowel is, without doubt, Listowel’s greatest visual artist. Some of his work is displayed in Kerry Writers’ Museum, his former home.

Stephen in his presentation to this year’s international conference will present the work, not only of O’Connor, but also the incomparable work of Listowel artists like Pat Mc Aulliffe and the inimitable Paddy Fitzgibbon.

There is nothing remotely like this anywhere in the world. Listowel is grateful to Stephen for bringing world attention to this under appreciated genius.

Opening Night LWW 2024

Here are a few photos I took on May 29 2024

Matt and Mary are regulars at Arts events in town, particularly if such events are as Gaeilge and involve two of Matt’s passions, music and poetry.

Dick is another amateur poet. Eileen and Dick discovered a connection with me through this blog recently. I posted a picture of Castlemagner church. Dick recognised the beautiful exposed stonework of a church he and Eileen had seen when they attended a wedding in the late 1960s. Fact is often stranger than fiction. Eileen is a great friend of one of my Kanturk cousins and she and Dick attended the wedding of Julie O’Callaghan, who was Eileen’s pal in nurse training, to the late Flor Sullivan (Tourist).

There really are only three degrees of separation.

Friends, Ena, Jean and Áine

Mary Frances and Helena

Jim and Mrs. MacMahon

Con, Catherine and Seán were there to enjoy the occasion.

A Poem

Brian Bilston is an extraordinary poet. He hits the nail on the head every time.

A Fact

Laughing 100 times is equal to 15 minutes of exercise on a stationary bicycle.

<<<<<<<

Artwork, History and Poetry

Áras an Phiarsaigh in July 2023

<<<<<<<<<<<

Happy Doggie

A very cute local puppy is wagging her tail on the double this week.

<<<<<<<<<<<

Listowel World Centre of Celtic Art

Since attending Stephen Rynne’s talk on July 6 2023, everywhere I look in Listowel I see Celtic influence.

Carmel Fitzgiibbon with her late husband, Paddy Fitzgibbon’s beautiful artwork. There are three pieces of Paddy’s extraordinary celtic artwork on display in Listowel. One piece is in the offices of his old firm, Pierse and Fitzgibbon. This one was kindly lent to Kerry Writers’ Museum for us to see up close on the night,

My photos give only a small insight into this unique design of artwork. Remember there was no template or instructions for this. It is pure genius.

<<<<<<<<<<

Ballybunion Castle on the Internet

wild atlantic way castle and beach with beautiful reflections

Ireland and Peg’s Cottage

BALLYBUNION CASTLE!

Ballybunion Castle is one of fifteen cliff forts along the North Kerry coast; it was built by the Fitzmaurices in the 1300s. In 1582 the castle was acquired by the Bonyan family, which is how Ballybunion derived its name, but in 1583 William Og Bonyan lost the castle and lands because of his part in the Desmond Rebellion.  By 1604 the castle was back in the possession of the Fitzmaurices and remained so until the mid-18th century. 

Today, the 40 ft high east wall is all that remains of the castle.  An underground passage leading from the cliff face to the castle, was discovered in 1987. 

Pic. iStock, credited to morrbyte

<<<<<<<<<

LWW 1974

Wolfgang Mertens kept a comprehensive folder of memorabilia from his sojourn in Listowel for Writers’ Week 1974. He developed a special relationship with Bryan MacMahon, whose work he was studying.

This is MacMahon’s postcard to Wolfgang, accepting his application to join the short story workshop.

<<<<<<<<

A Smile for you

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

Different Kinds of Art

Snow – Killarney – 17-01-2023 Photo: Kathleen Griffin

<<<<<<<<<

Incidents at a Fleadh

When researching Listowel Marching Band stories for us, Dave O’Sullivan came upon this amusing account from John B. Keane in The limerick Leader

<<<<<<<<<<<

It’s the Little Things

I am blessed in my friends. I have a friend who, when she makes scones, makes me some and a friend who, when she makes marmalade makes me some. Thank God for friends.

<<<<<<<<<

Celtic Art

Work is still ongoing at Kerry Writers’ Museum in preparation for the Michael O’Connor exhibition planned for later this year.

As research continues, and Stephen Rynne is locating examples of O’Connor’s work here there and everywhere, Dave O’Sullivan has unearthed this really interesting article about our great illuminator.

In this article, OConnor cites celtic artwork he saw in newsletters from Ballykinlar as an early influence on him.

Dr. Michael OConnor was one of several republican prisoners interned in Ballykinlar Internment Camp during the War of Independence. Another prisoner was the “Michael Reedy” referred to in the newspaper article.

Google had nothing on Michael Reedy, Killarney artist. I knew that Frank Lewis would be the man to know something about him. I was right.

Frank told me that he went by the name Micheál O’Riada and he told me that this artist had a huge influence on Eamon Kelly, Seanchaí. Frank pointed me to the exact pages in Kelly’s autobiography, The Apprentice where he tells of the massive influence this artist woodworker had on him.

The library didn’t have the book in house but they ordered it for me. In the meantime I knew that my friend, Éamon ÓMurchú was a great friend of the late Éamon Kelly. He was sure to have the book.

Eamon scanned the pages for me and then the library came up trumps as well.

“Meeting this man, Michel O Riada was his name,
was the means of changing the direction of my footsteps and
putting me on the first mile of a journey that would take me
far from my own parish. He taught me and others the craft
of wood and in time we passed examinations set by the
technical branch of the Department of Education….”

“O Riada didn’t tell us, but we discovered that he had been
interned in Ballykinlar Camp during the trouble. While there
he made an illuminated book in Celtic strapwork design in
which were the names of all the prisoners. This book is in
the War of Independence section of the National Museum.”

Reading further I discovered that O’Riada’s ” Celtic strap work” adorns shopfronts in Killarney and “as far away as Listowel”.

ORiada also introduced Kelly to music, acting, astronomy and the great big world in general.

<<<<<<<<<<

Something for the Weekend

Barbara Derbyshire sent us this invitation:

The Just Write creative writing group in Listowel is celebrating its 20th year in existence. I was not there at the beginning, but am now a member. We are celebrating this great achievement at St John’s Theatre on Saturday 28th January from 2pm until 4pm. There will be some music and readings and general mingling! There is also a book stall where members will be able to sell some of their published works. John McGrath is hosting and we’re hoping to have a bit of a party. It’s free to the public and if you feel you would like to come along, you would be more than welcome, of course. There are a few original members there, I think – Helen Broderick and Dee Keogh, Teresa Molyneux, Ena Bunyan. Marian Relihan now facilitates the group. There will be some poems read which were written by members who have passed away.

Helen Broderick shared online this early photograph of the group

<<<<<<<<<<

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén