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 Worts

St. Patrick’s Day 2023, and Tony o’Callaghan Remembered

By

On March 24, 2023

In Listowel

Corner by the old Slua Hall in March 2023

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Some People I met on St. Patrick’s Day

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More of Tom O’Halloran’s Pitch and Putt Photos

My photo of The Dandy Lodge and Gable of Pitch and Putt Clubhouse in March 2023

Toddy Buckley R.I.P., Tom O’Halloran R.I.P, Eileen Worts R.I.P. and Pat Walshe

Tom O’Halooran R.I. P. and Anne Hartnett

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Tony O’Callaghan , Artist in Copper

The Sculpture in Listowel Town Square is the design work of the late Tony O’Callaghan, a man better known for his copper plaques which are now proudly displayed in houses in Listowel and beyond.

I’m going to tell you more about Tony O’Callaghan and his work next week . Today I’m going to share with you a beautiful piece he made to be presented to Éamon ÓMurchú.

The story in Éamon’s words;

St Ciarán

Bronze plaque is of St Ciarán.  I got a present of it when Principal of Scoil Chiaráin, Glasnevin (1970-2000).  St Ciarán was born in 512 and was a pupil of Mobhi who had a monastery in Glasnevin – hence the connection with the locality.

His feast day is on September 9th and he was the first abbot of Clonmacnoise.  He is renowned for his learning and production of books.  

The impact of education and the natural world occur again and again in the stories about Ciarán.  It is written that a stag wandered up to Ciarán to hold his books in his antlers and retired daily without getting his books wet – hence the depiction on plaque.

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That “Comely Maidens” Speech Remembered

(from The Irish Times)

The maiden referred to in the final paragraph is the unfortunate girl caught kissing her beau in public. She never served her sentence because she returned home to Scotland but it was left hanging over her should she ever return to these shores.

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Then and Then and Now

2007 to 2023

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Writers’ Week Opening Night 2022

By

On June 14, 2022

In Festivals, Listowel, Listowel Writers Week, Poem

Simple Snaps by Sharon

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Celebrating 50 years of Kerry in Kerry

Kerry chief executive, Edmond Scanlon with Minister Norma Foley at the 50 year celebration.

It’s 50 years since the “12 Apostles” led by Denis Brosnan came to Listowel to set up a dairy enterprise.

From that little acorn a mighty oak has surely grown.

Denis Brosnan with Catherine Moylan at the celebrations.

Some local people representing local supporters were also invited to the do.

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Meanwhile in the U.K. More Celebrations

While we were going to the races or to plays, book launches or lectures on the June bank holiday weekend 2022, our friends and relatives across the pond were in party mode.

Everyone was baking buns for the street party. You’ve heard them called queen cakes. These are queen- to- be cakes, I suppose.

Artist: Eleanor Tomlinson’

The hit image of the celebration was the queen sloping off home hand in hand with Paddington after their marmalade tea party.

Wait ’til I get you home.

There is always one! In a buttoned up family where rules of behaviour are tight and restrictive, it was lovely to see the naughty behaviour of Prince Louis “showing them up” on their big day.

In case we were in any doubt, his mother is a saint.

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Opening Night Listowel Writers’ Week 2022

Éamon and Nora ÓMurchú
Writers’ Week volunteers
Linda Galvin greeted the guests with some jazz

Joan and Rose couldn’t resist the pull of the music and they broke into a little impromptu jive.

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+Eileen Worts R.I.P.+

Eileen passed away peacefully on June 9 2022. She slipped away from us quietly but Eileen had made her mark in life and she leaves many memories. She will not be forgotten.

This is my favourite photo of Eileen. She is in Halo with her dear daughter, Elaine.

Eileen was a dedicated Listowel woman but above all else, her family came first,

Here she is having a chat with her brother, Charlie.

Eileen was always ready to stop and chat. It was a joy to meet her on her stroll around town.

I snapped her having a chat with Martin Chute as he took time out from sign writing.

We all know Eileen as a dedicated member of Listowel Tidy Town Committee. But do you know that Eileen was volunteering to look after Listowel even before Tidy Towns?

This picture is from a an organisation that predated Tidy Towns. It was called TABLE…Towards a Better Listowel Everyday. Eileen is helping Ned O’Sullivan to plant a tree in Feale Drive in 1994.

One of Eileen’s proudest moments was Listowel winning the overall prize for Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2018.

In 2019 Eileen and her fellow Tidy Towners welcomed President Michael D. Higgins to Listowel.

In 2016, when Listowel was Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, Eileen was there at the unveiling of the lovely commemorative seat.

Eileen was not just there for the glory days. Here she is helping out with the annual recycling event at Listowel Harvest Festival of Racing.

Despite failing health, Eileen Worts rolled up her sleeves and joined her friends, Breda and Jackie to do some of the hard work.

May the sod rest lightly on her gentle soul.

I hope this little poem is a small comfort to Elaine and those who loved Eileen in life.

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