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: Eileen Moylan Page 1 of 6

Welcome Home!

By

On February 28, 2025

In Just a Thought, Listowel

Photo: Chris Grayson

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My Maine blog followers

I met John and Patty for the first time in 2017. They were on one of their annual, and sometimes biennial, trips to Listowel, Patty’s ancestral home.

I met them again on Tuesday last, February 25 2025. Their love for Listowel, their home away from home, was undiminished. Patty loves everything about Listowel and John has, over the years, fallen in love with the town and surrounding area and more especially with its people as well.

My first interaction with this lovely couple resulted in my introducing them to Eileen Moylan who has since become their favourite jewellery designer.

This is one of the lovely bespoke pendants John commissioned Eileen to make for Patty.

Here is Patty wearing it in The Listowel Arms this week.

Another of Patty’s Eileen Moylan designed pendants, also a gift from John.

Bridget offered the visitors and everyone else in the dining room a sweet.

Jim and Liz were in the hotel as well. John and Patty had never met them before but they know them from Listowel Connection.

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An Old Post box

My postboxes website threw up this gem from William Gibb Forsythe

Albert Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

A Irish Post box, and an odd story to the sign, it was nearly faded away, the odd part, it was black and red, which had me puzzled as it would mean it was pre revolution of 1916, 

Which didn’t make sense,

I wanted to repaint it as I thought it historical in a way, 

I found out later, after repainting it, it was first done in the 1970s ,the post office was part of a BnB then moved to the shop in the picture

My only conclusion is that it was painted in British colours for the movie Michael Collins by Neil Jordan, and the art department didn’t care about fixing it back, 

As a Scotsman living here in Southern Ireland,  

Painting it Red and Black would not be sensible 

So Cream n Green it was

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Just a Thought

Here is the link to my reflections which were broadcast last week on Radio Kerry. The texts of some of them are in my book, Moments of Reflection.

Just a Thought

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Remember These?

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A Fact

The phrase Hamlet without the Prince (of Denmark) denotes an event or occasion at which the expected principal participant is not present. It is based on the absurdity of performing, without an actor playing the title role, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (between 1599 and 1602), by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616).

The phrase Hamlet without the Prince (of Denmark) apparently originated in a theatrical incident which allegedly occurred in the summer of 1775 and was recounted in September of that year, in The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Scotland).

 The hero who was to play the principal character had absconded with an innkeeper’s daughter; and the director, when he came forward to give out the play, added, “The part of Hamlet will be left out, for  tonight.”

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Listowel People

By

On July 31, 2024

In Listowel

A Corner of The Square

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After the Greenway Cycle

Marlene and Liz met up with their friends, Mary and Miriam for a bit of well earned rest and recovery. Miriam sent the pictures.

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Eileen Moylan, Designer in Gold and Silver and Precious Stones

Photo credit; Ger Holland

For a few years Eileen Moylan was the designer commissioned to design and make the presentation piece, named for John B. Keane and sponsored by Mercier Press which was presented by Listowel Writers’ Week to the person chosen to receive recognition for their lifetime contribution to the Arts.

These pieces are one-off treasures, researched, designed, customised and lovingly made at Eileen’s studio in Macroom. Eileen’s attention to detail in all her work is legendary.

If you win an Oscar you just get a statuette, the same as everybody else’s. If you won a Lifetime Achievement award at Listowel Writers’ Week you got something unique, an absolutely beautiful hand made bespoke piece from a silversmith at the top of her game.

Fr. Antony Gaughan was the recipient of one such piece. He absolutely loved it, as did everyone who was lucky enough to get one. Fr. Tony has donated his piece to Kerry Writers’ Museum where it is on display for us all to see and admire. It is even more special for Listowel people than the beautiful Edna O’Brien piece because Eileen’s design incorporates so many lovely Listowel landmarks.

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A Poem for Our Time

Still I Rise

BY MAYA ANGELOU

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don’t you take it awful hard

’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines

Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I’ve got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I’m including this great poem today as a tribute to Kamala Harris who has risen to top rung of the ladder.

Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak is the genealogist who traced Barack Obama to Moneygall. She has spoken out on the subject of Harris’s family tree. Detractors have pointed to slave owners in her pedigree as well as slaves. But it is a horrid fact of slavery that owners regarded female slaves as their property to rape at will. Rape was a fact of life for female slaves. Not only their owners, but sons of owners, foremen, friends of owners and other random white men saw it as their right to rape slave girls. So the fact that she has slave owners in her ancestry is no surprise to genealogists.

It’s simply a fact of life.

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A Postbox in Kildare Train Station

Victorian, I presume. Still in use.

Does anyone know why they used to put postboxes in train stations?

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A Fact

A greeting card that can play Happy Birthday has more computer power than existed in the whole world in 1950.

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Outdoor Pursuits

By

On July 30, 2024

In Listowel, Listowel Writers Week

Molly in clover on the John B. Keane Road

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From My Inbox

Hello 

I found your website from google search and with the recent passing of my Dad i decided to look into my family tree, i starting using the tools available to my online and i came across that my Great Grandad was in the army in the early 1900s based in Listowel , i have found alot of documents of his but most are unclear. I was just interested to find out more but struggling to find much information. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. He had something to do with horses at the age of 18 with 21st reserve Bn Lancs, and it seems he continued that interest on after leaving the army.. There are records that say he may have lived on William Street and has connections with a shoe repair shop by the name J.J walsh approx 1915s… Any more information you could provide would be gratefully appreciated..

Kind Regards 

Andrew Cain

Kay Caball is helping Andrew to research details of his great grandfather’s time in Listowel. Maybe someone reading this has information that might help Andrew with his Listowel connection.

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On The Greenway

I was having a cuppa and a chat in Lizzie’s busy café when two ladies came in. I remembered Marlene (sitting next to me in the photo) but I discovered that her sister, Liz (far left) is also a bit of a fan of Listowel Connection and Just a Thought.

Marlene and Liz were fuelling up before they cycled the Greenway. Liz promised to send me a photo and an account of their adventure. Marlene confessed that she had never ridden a bike with gears. When she last rode a bike, the only power was pedal power.

Liz and Marlene (daughters of the late Bill and Pat Kearney) all kitted out and ready to go. Marlene told me that one wag asked if she had made her will.

The ladies had a ball and really enjoyed their first cycle on our greenway.

Here is Liz’s account.

Two ladies, formerly Listowel, currently residing in ‘Tír na nÓg’, pedalled the Greenway from Listowel to Abbeyfeale, Tuesday, 23 July. 
Grateful for the encouragement of LikeBikes staff, Andy – ‘you will surprise yourselves’ – and Diane – definitely avail of his help to adjust your bike – and for our encounter with John in Kilmorna – ‘ye have all day’ – and the two ladies who pointed out that we had cycled past Abbeyfeale and directed us to ‘An Siopa Milseán’, a homely sweet shop, surprising visitors with option of coffee or ice cream too! Our two ‘99s set us up for homeward journey!
It was a lovely section of Greenway, mostly flat, edged with wildflowers and offering a peaceful view of Duagh and beyond. We couldn’t help hearing the lilt of some of John B’s songs referencing Abbeyfeale in our minds!
Great amenity!

Note from me….my visitors made the same mistake and overshot the exit for Abbeyfeale. Maybe it needs better signage.

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A Listowel Gardener

James Kenny with his first sunflower of 2024

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+ Edna O’Brien R.I.P.+

A Listowel connection

Photo credit (all photos) ; Ger Holland

This is the absolutely beautiful trophy awarded to Edna O’Brien as the recipient of the John B. Keane Lifetime Contribution to the Arts Award at Listowel Writers’ Week 2018.

Eileen is not just a master silversmith goldsmith, she is a supremely talented jewellery designer. She researched the recipient thoroughly and executed a unique personalised piece that was received with joy and treasured.

Ger Holland’s photo of Edna O’Brien in The Listowel Arms on opening night 2018.

Eileen Moylans, in her Facebook tribute to the late novelist, shared the grateful, appreciative note that Edna wrote to her after the presentation ceremony.

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A Fact

One in fifty Americans claim to have been abducted by aliens.

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Music, Sport and Jewellery

By

On July 12, 2023

In Listowel, Schools

Hi ho, hi ho, a working we will go. Heading out for the calves, Kilbrin,

July 2023

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Pickleball

Pickleball is the latest racket game sweeping the ranks of more mature players. This group of Listowel ladies took part in the pickle ball global event in UCD recently.

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The Hanging Gale

This stone is an example of primitive stone carving. Stephen Rynne brought it to Listowel. It was found in a field in the midlands and it says “Home Rule; Down with Landlordism. We have no idea who did it or when but landlords have been a hated class in Ireland for a long time. Here is an extract from Fr. John ORiordáin’s book. He is writing about North Cork but the story was replicated all over the country.

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Celtic Art in Listowel

Listowel has produced Celtic artists unlike any other town in Ireland. Michael O’Connor is acknowledged as the foremost illuminator calligrapher. At the top of the list of jewellers working in the global celtic design field is Eileen Moylan of Claddagh Design.

If you have one of these treasures, keep it safely because it will in time be a collector’s item

Stephen Walker is a US based jeweller and designer. He is an expert in the area of Celtic Design and he has published several books about modern celtic art. He is the founder of the international conference of Celtic Design.

Here is what he says about Eileen Moylan’s work;

“The very nature of Celtic design and traditional Irish jewellery is a reference to the past. The challenge of our modern Celtic Renaissance is to preserve that style and those traditions in a way that goes beyond mere copying.  Eileen Moylan’s jewelry work is an excellent example of adapting the ancient style for a contemporary audience. Her designs preserve a sense of nostalgia and identity, yet are solidly contemporary. It is artists and designers like her, whose skill and imagination continue to innovate, that insure that Celtic design will continue to produce meaningful treasures into the future.”

Claddagh Design Celtic Cross

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Friday July 7 2013 in Fuchsia Centre

While the occasion was the official opening of the Fuchsia Centre , our party was in Art Chúram.

We were serenaded on our arrival by the delightful Ukrainian family musicians.

Thank you Marie Moriarty for sharing and Jim Ryan for helping me to post this clip of these superb musicians playing the national anthem.

Amhrán na BhFiann

So young and so talented. The Russia Ukraine war is a dreadful occurrence but we are so lucky in North Kerry that it brought these charming and talented musicians into our midst.

Mike Moriarty was excellent in his role as MC.

Finbar Mawe eloquently reminded us of all the effort that had gone into getting the project to completion. He remembered all the fundraisers and he had a special mention for people like Brendan O’Sullivan who made a huge contribution to the project but passed away before the official opening.

The quality of speech making on the day was admirable. Speakers were well prepared and stuck to the script.

Una Buckley stole the show. She spoke movingly of her family’s interaction with Art Chúram.

Bobby and Mary Buckley

Una’s parents live in the country and now that they are no longer driving, they are dependent on family and friends to get them out and socialising. Una thanked the community nurse who introduced them to Art Churam. Now they look forward to their weekly outing. She spoke of the welcome and respect with which they are always treated. Her father has been known to sing a song or two.

Bobby and Mary are just two of the service users whose lives have been enriched by Art Churam. Una spoke for many families who are so grateful to see their parents engaged and happy.

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Your Help Needed

Charlie Nolan found this very old photo of boys and girls in the convent school yard. We have no date . Sr. Claire and her fellow sister are in the old habit which puts it probably in the 1950s.

Maybe someone could enhance the photo. We’d love to identify some few of the pupils.

There wasn’t a school uniform in those days but the nuns used to give material and knitting wool to families and they could get a skirt made and a jumper knitted. If you remember wearing one of those skirts or knitted jumpers we’d love to hear from you

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Fr. Anthony Gaughan

By

On May 3, 2023

In Listowel, Tralee

April 2023

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Fr. Anthony Gaughan

Fr. Anthony Gaughan, who has donated all of his awards to be displayed in Kerry Writers’ Museum is the author of 45 books, most of them scholarly histories of important people and places. His best known book of local interest is Listowel and its Vicinity which is now a much sought after collector’s item.

At age 91 he is still going strong and will launch another book, a collection of his reviews, at this year’s Listowel Writers’ Week.

Helen Moylan, mother of the silversmith artist, holding Fr. Gaughan’s Writers’ Week Lifetime Achievement trophy at the handover of his precious decorations on April 24 2023. This piece of Eileen Moylan artwork depicts Listowel landmarks, dear to Fr. Gaughan and it has a quotation from his dear friend, John B. Keane. . It is very generous of Fr. Tony to bring it back to Listowel, where it can be be displayed and appreciated.

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Gardaí Raise Awareness of Domestic Abuse

On Friday last, April 28 2023, Listowel Garda Station joined other Garda stations nationwide to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Purple day was winding to a close as I passed but I was welcomed in and treated to a bun.

John Ryan joined Sergeant Fidelma O’Leary and the representative of Adapt Women’s refuge in Tralee for my photograph.

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Steinbeck Letter

Found on the internet;

In 1955 John Steinbeck wrote to Marlyn Monroe.

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In Tralee

The telephone kiosk is back.

This is the new public telephone in Tralee.

The phone accepts coins and cards. There is a minimum charge of €2. Not cheap but it could be a lifesaver in certain conditions. Beside the phone there is a touch screen with vital phone numbers and other handy information. The sun was shining on it so I couldn’t photograph it for you.

This looks to me, like a welcome development .

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A Fact

Bagpipes were introduced to The British Isles by the Romans.

Bet you thought they originated in Scotland.

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