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
Many local heroes remember in this poem by Garry Histon
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More from a Centenary of Policing Commemorations
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Christmas Displays 20232
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Mattie’s Nose
A Nose That Knows
“Those who in quarrels interpose
Must oft wipe a bloody nose” — John Gay.
With all due respect to Mr Gay one doesn’t have to indulge in pugnacious behaviour to get an injured snout. My mugshot at the top of the page is slightly out of date. I have now less hair and more jowls and I’m wearing spectacles full time. But one thing hasn’t changed; my olfactory organ still has a Grecian bend.
Listowel Connection is usually a sport free zone, because it is a subject on which I know precious little. But this week people are talking about little else. Seán Moriarty’s giant killers brought home the spoils on Sunday , to add another trophy to Listowel’s many accolades of 2022.
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A New Addition to the Michael O’Connor Collection
This is a beautiful original artwork for s book plate that one of the O’Connor family is willing to add to the archive of the great Listowel artist, Michael O’Connor. A great and varied collection of his work is on its way back to his childhood home, No. 24 The Square, Listowel, now Kerry Writers’ Museum.
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100 Years of Policing Listowel
This is a diverse group pictured at the celebration of 100 years of policing in Listowel on Nov. 30 2022.
Gardaí, former gardaí and their families were invited to be part of the festivities.
They also invited their partners in so much of their work, ambulance staff, fire staff, clergy, search and rescue personnel, sea and cliff rescue, lawyers, voluntary groups and the general public.
Fire officer, Paul O’Sullivan and paramedic, John Kelliher
That’s me with 2 gardaí who were working on the day
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Bernie Long, R.I.P tells Tales out of School
In 1983 Clounmacon produced a Christmas journal called The Sleán. One of the contributors was Bernie Long. He wrote this autobiographical essay.
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Some Christmas Windows 2022
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Opening Soon
Remember those long queues in Ballybunion? Now this very popular coffee shop they knew as Seaside in Ballybunion is relocating under a new name to Charles’ Street Listowel.
I was in town with my visitors on Saturday Nov. 26 2022. Here are some of the people we met.
Aoife met P.J and Joan Kenny on William Street.
In the Vincent de Paul shop (now open on Saturday afternoons) we met Eileen O’Sullivan who gave Aoife a beautiful book. Thank you, ever generous Eileen.
Eileen was having a look around with her sister.
On Church Street we met Mags and Liz and the adorable Jaycee.
Mary and Clíona are old friends from schooldays. Here they are , now both mothers, with Maisie and Aoife.
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Listowel Pantomimę
Tommy Moore shared these photos a while back.
Have fun naming the actors.
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Commemorating 100 years of An Garda Síochána in Listowel
November 30 2022
This was the first garda I met on the day. Her smile says it all. Everyone was in great form. The weather was perfect. The buzz was mighty.
Schoolchildren lined the streets around the Garda Station.
Look at this lovely little man saluting the Garda car.
Everyone had a garda friend on the day
Teachers and pupils loving the break from class and learning a bit of history at the same time.
