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: Helen Moylan Page 1 of 2

Fuchsia Centre

By

On July 11, 2023

In Listowel

Molly in Kerry 2023

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Ard Chúram

On Friday July 7 2023, Tánaiste Micheál Martin was in town to officially open the new Fuchsia Centre at Árd Chúram.

This wonderful facility for older people who suffer from dementia will mean that more and more people are enabled to stay in their own homes for longer and the task of caring is eased for the family.

The committee who worked so hard to bring this project to fruition will leave an invaluable legacy to the area.

The celebration of the opening was planned for outdoors but poor weather forecast for the day meant that we were entertained indoors at the Árd Chúram Day Centre.

The HSE is a vital partner in the delivery of services to the older people in the community. Caroline Doyle of the HSE is here with Mike Moriarty of the Árd Chúram committee.

Caroline Doyle, HSE with Helen Moylan of Listowel Laundry for the Elderly and Marie Reen of Árd Chúram

Some of the friendly welcoming people who work in Árd Chúram.

Micheál Martin and Norma Foley enjoying the Cork/Kerry banter

(More photos tomorrow)

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Modern Celtic Art in Listowel

Stephen Rynne had no connection with Listowel until he began studying the work of Michael O’Connor, illuminator.

When he came to town and discovered the many many local artists working in the celtic genre, he fell in love with the town.

In Kerry Writers’ Museum on July 6th he made his first foray into opening our eyes to the treasures around us.

On the left is Stephen Rynne and on the right is a great friend of Listowel Connection, our super researcher, David O’Sullivan. Dave has uncovered many stories related to Listowel artists and their prestigious commissions.

The local connection; Fr. Brendan O’Connor, son of the artist, was delighted to meet up with his Kerry cousins on the evening.

This beautiful piece, Michael O’Connor’s alphabet, was handed over to Kerry Writers’ Museum. It is not clear to us which alphabet it is, certainly not English, maybe Irish or Latin. Any insight would be gratefully welcomed.

Cara Trant on behalf of Kerry Writers’ Museum, accepts the piece from Stephen.

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Forced Emigration

One of the dreadful results of the Famine was the devastation of the population due to deaths and emigration.

Worse was to follow in evictions and forced emigration.

Maybe your ancestors emigrated on The Nimrod or another of the ships that took so many of our fellowmen to the U.S and further afield.

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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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An Emigrant Returns, a Lovely Gift and more from the Open Day at Curraghatoosane

By

On August 6, 2019

In Uncategorized

Holocaust Memorial in Listowel’s Garden of Europe


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Welcome Home, Maria


Maria Canty Sham made a very enjoyable visit home recently. She reunited with family and friends and I was delighted to meet in the flesh one of the greatest fans and supporters of  Listowel Connection.

I met Maria and her sister, Kathleen shopping with Anne Dillon and while we were talking another cousin joined us.

Cousins, Muireann, Maria, Kathleen and Doreen meeting up for a trip down Memory Lane

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Catching up with Friends


Regular Flying Saucer customers, myself, Maureen Hartnett, Joan Kenny and Helen Moylan met up with Sr. Helen Hartnett on Monday. Sr. Helen is visiting her Listowel family from South Africa, where she works.

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A Gift from a Gifted Needlewoman

I received this lovely present from Jurga who made it herself using four needles. Isn’t she so talented and she knew just the kind of thing I would love. Thank you.

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Visiting the Site of an Old Cottage


Very interested local people at the site of the old O’Connor cottage on the Open Day, July 30 2019

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Reroofing in Main Street



Scullys, Armstrong Wedding and spectators at Juvenile Tennis finals in the 1980s

By

On January 29, 2019

In Uncategorized

Then and Now




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Armstrong Marriage




This handsome couple are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Armstrong of Gurtinard House, Listowel. Theirs was the society wedding of  March 7 1905 and the whole thing was reported in The Kerry Evening Post.

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Watching the Tennis


When he was photographing the juvenile tennis tournament in the late 1980s, Danny Gordon turned his camera on the spectators who were engrossed in the action on the courts.

Veronica Corridan, Una McElligott, Maurice O’Sullivan, Josephine and Paul Henry and three children whom I can’t name.



Anne Cogan, Helen and Alice Moylan, Mary and Clíona Cogan and Maureen and Denis O’Connor.

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Look Up




When you look above street level, sometimes what you see shocks you and sometimes surprises. Pictures taken on Church Street, Listowel in January 2019

Adi Roche in Changes and Betty Stack honoured by Comhaltas

By

On August 20, 2015

In Uncategorized

In Changes last week


Adi Roche, her sister Helen, Mary Sugrue, Margarita Morozova, Jesse Barry & Danny Russell in Changes to prepare for The Rose Ball

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Betty Stack honoured for her work with Comhaltas

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From Abbeyfeale to Sudan

“Welcome to Solo in South Sudan. My name is Helena Quinn from Abbeyfeale in Co. Limerick living in London. 

Earlier this year, I sent an email that would change my life forever. I embarked on the journey of a lifetime to Narus in South Sudan to live with Fr. Tim Galvin and Fr. John Joe Garvey and to get a taste of missionary life.

I was the maths teacher in St. Bakhita Girls primary school and on my second day was promoted to the lofty position of Headmistress of the Standard 8 candidate class.

I fell in love with South Sudan and every minute spent elsewhere will be just one minute closer to my return. 

This is my record of my life and experience in South Sudan. It is my way of sharing but also my way of remembering. “

Helena Quinn is back in Sudan. You can read all about her latest trip HERE

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In Craftshop na Méar



Liam Dillon and Helen Moylan

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At The Old Ground, Ennis


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Brother Denis Aherne




( Photo and text : The Irish Catholic)

Congratulations to Bro. Denis Aherne, OFM (centre standing) pictured following his first profession at the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate Friary in Burlington, Wisconsin where he went to do his novitiate having completed his postulancy in the Franciscan Friary, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

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