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: Horizons

One is Nearer God’s heart in a Garden

than anywhere else on earth.

Beautiful sunflower Photo: Éamon ÓMurchú

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Molly in The Garden of Europe

I took a walk with M0lly Madra through this oasis of peace and calm.

Schiller’s yellow roses are not yet in bloom

This weeping willow is at its best just now.

The Holocaust memorial stands out in its semi circle of yellow.

This new seat is perfectly placed to contemplate Patrick Tarrant’s extraordinary sculpture.

This is one of two lovely mosaics, the work of visiting artists.

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Schoolgirls in The Black Valley

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My favourite Iraq1 Kerryman

This is the Karim family from Ballybunion. Namir is an exceptional person, the most kind and generous man you will meet in a lifetime.

The Karims are a lovely family.

We heard Namir tell his extraordinary story to Mary Fagan on Horizons yesterday. Listen to it here;

Horizons

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Sam’s in his Heaven

And all’s right with the world

Photo from Kerry GAA Fans on Facebook

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Piseoga, a Rainbow and the Opening of Moyvane Church in 1956 and A minute of your Time Launch nears

Listowel Castle, October 2019

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More Folklore from the Dúchas collection

More Piseóga from Lyreacrompane in 1936

27. It is said that you should not throw away feet-water at night.

28. It is said that you should never sweep the dust of the floor out the door.

29. If you see a sod falling out of the fire it is said that someone will come into the house soon after.

30. If a sod falls out of the fire and sparks hop out of it, it is said that money will come into that house.

31. If you see two cocks fighting it is said that you will have strangers. (to visit)

32. If you see two looking into a mirror together it is said the two will fight.

33. If anyone goes to the well after 12 o’clock on Little Christmas night (January 6)it is said that that person will be dead before the next morning.

34. If you get meat you should never return it.

35. You should never kill a pig on a Monday for it is said that the meat will get bad.

36. Some people say that if you throw a cake of bread against the door on New Year’s Eve, it is supposed to keep the hunger away for that year.

37. Some people bless the cattle on May eve, expecting that they would not die during the year.

38. If you put your dress on wrong in the morning it is supposed that you will have good luck for the day.

39. If a widow’s curse will fall on you it will stay on you.

40. If you steal anything out of a forge it is said you will never have a day’s luck.

41. If you put on your right shoe first in the morning it is said that that you will have good luck for that day.

42. If a spider hops on your shoes or on your clothes it is supposed that you will get new shoes.

43. If you break a cup on Monday it is said to bring bad luck.

44. If a ring falls from a person who is getting married it is said that that person will not have a day’s luck during life.

45. If you go on a journey you should if possible go into a church before you perform it.

46. If you met a greyhound at night it is said that he is a devil. (A person was ill one night and they sent for the priest. When the priest was coming he saw a greyhound singing inside a fence and it was said that that was a devil singing Cailín Deas Crúidh na mbó and that song was never sung again.)

47. If you give away a black cat it is said that you give away all your luck.

48. If a spoon falls from a table it is supposed that a lady will come in.

49. If a knife falls from a table it is supposed that a gentleman will come in.

50. You should never refuse good money for a horse. (A few weeks ago a man refused thirty pounds for a horse and a few days after, the horse fell and broke her leg and the owner of her shot her.

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A Rainbow over a Shed

Could there be a pot a gold behind the cowshed?


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Opening of Moyvane Church in August 1956


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Still Promoting A Minute of Your Time

Yesterday I gave a few sneak peeks to local people. The reaction was invariably good from the hairdressers, the pharmacy, the theatre and the bookshop.

Danny and Yvanna

Brenda of Woulfe’s Bookshop liked what she saw.

Máire Logue of St. John’s is enjoying her promotional copy.

Oonagh thought it was one of the nicest books she has seen launched in Listowel in a long time.

Listen out for me today Oct. 17 2019 talking to Deirdre Walsh on Radio Kerry.

Below is the link to the piece I did with Mary Fagan on Horizons.
Horizons

Buíochas; Thanks

A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who contacted me since Jim’s death. I greatly appreciate your kind words and I especially appreciate the sentiments of people who only know me through the blog and who have never contacted me before. Knowing that so many people are thinking of me and praying for me has been a small consolation to me at this very sad time in my life.

I intend getting back to blogging in September. In the meantime, I’m sharing with you a link to the programme Mary Fagan did with me on Radio Kerry. I have had such a good reaction to the interview that I thought you might like to hear it before it disappears from the Diocese of Kerry website.

http://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/page/communications/horizons/listen_now/

If anyone has any material suitable for inclusion on this blog,  I’ll be delighted to receive it .  I’d love to include photographs of events I missed over the summer.

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with you all very soon.

FCA, Horizons and Connect 4 in Berlin

Canon Declan shared some of his old FCA photos with us.

The quality of the pictures is not great but the memories are priceless.

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This is Fr. Pat Moore P.P. Duagh and Mary Fagan, presenter of Horizons.

What are they doing on today’s blogpost?

On Friday last, Mary recorded a Horizons’ programme with me as the subject. Since chattering away is a forté of mine, it all felt very easy and enjoyable. Maybe it was down to Mary’s skill as an interviewer, but the time flew and I felt that we had just had a friendly chat.

 I’ll alert you to the broadcast date when Mary gives it to me and you can hear for yourselves.

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Above is Listowel Town Square last week and below the same place in the 1940s. I have no idea who the people are but if you know, do let me know. They look to me like visitors posing with a local lady.

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My daughter, Clíona, went to Berlin recently for a  holiday and she found this marvellous bar in which the customers were encouraged to play board games.

Here she is channelling her inner child with her friend, Philip, and a good old game of  Connect 4.

Seán takes on the winner. Notice behind them the shelves lined with every boardgame you could imagine. Would it catch on in Listowel I wonder?

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