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: Jed Chute Page 1 of 2

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

By

On December 2, 2024

In Listowel, Listowel Races

Lower William Street

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Some Stories from floods of November 24

The story of the floods in Listowel is a heartening story of neighbourliness, community solidarity and goodness.

An older lady was pulled through her window by her neighbours because opening the front door would have let in a deluge.

A quick thinking man knocked a few bricks out of the lower part of a perimeter wall. This allowed the water to run right through and saved some homes from flooding.

Teenage boys formed a meitheal to deliver sand bags and to help people to move their property to higher ground.

Then there was the group who came together to collect replacement clothes and toys for people who had lost theirs in the flood.

A local firm worked late into the night to pump water away from houses under threat.

Businesses gave soup and food to the emergency service workers and volunteers. Others offered accommodation.

The GAA put a call out for volunteers to redirect traffic away from Bridge Road

A local businessman organised a supply of industrial dehumidifiers and another local businessman delivered them to the flooded houses.

A restaurant offered lunch to families who are out of their homes.

A supermarket held a bucket cash collection.

These are only some of the many many stories of people helping people. I feel so blessed to live in Listowel.

Brenda OHalloran took this photo of myself and Jed Chute as we watched the story unfold.

Larry Guiney turning back traffic at the Custom Gap.

Traffic cop for a day on Church Street

Hurdles standing clear of the flooded racecourse

Listowel Town Park

Not such a green way today

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A Christmas Window

Fairytale of New York is the theme for 2024.

This is Finesse window

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From the ESB Christmas Cookbook

A few more from Maura Laverty

I love her use of household items like a bread grater, a jam jar or milk bottle.

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A Fact

On December 24 1929, during a party hosted by First Lady Lou Hoover for children of staff of The White House, a fire broke out in the West Wing. The press room was completely destroyed and some damage was done to the Oval Office.

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Kiskeam

By

On June 30, 2023

In Listowel, Personal

Molly at the Tim Kennelly Roundabout, June 26 2023

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Kiskeam, Co. Cork

Kiskeam is a lovely rural North Cork village. It has, in the last few years, taken to preserving its heritage in murals and other initiatives aimed at connecting its diaspora at home and abroad with their roots.

Kiskeam suffered during the Famine and its population was further decimated by emigration in times of tough unemployment since. Kiskeam people are lovely and they have done every thing they can to welcome home the huge population worldwide with roots in this corner of the diocese of Kerry.

My friend, Phil, met this lovely man, Dan Lane who remembered her parents and was very knowledgeable about the village and knew the location of many graves .

Barr na Sráide is one visitor initiative.

Opposite the graveyard in Kiskeam is an old lane where once local tradesmen plied their trades.

Nowadays on one side are lovely new homes and on the other side murals commemorate the many trades that once kept the village folk alive. A way of life now faded from memory is commemorated for today’s children.

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Summer Maintenance

The fine weather is ideal for painting and decorating our shopfronts. Martin Chute is working on The Harp and Lion.

The Pat McAuliffe plasterwork has stood the test of time and is now ready for Martin’s skilled paintwork.

I disturbed Martin to ask him to pose with Jed Chute who happened to be passing by. Two lovely Listowel men.

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A Last Few Dollies

Who better than Danny to reproduce a good Dolly look?

The Colorado branch of the Groarke family called in to be part of Dolly Day.

Dolly Day was a very inclusive event bringing babies, pensioners and everyone in between together for 2 great charities.

Boasting impressive frontage were Eithne, Barry and Brenda O’Halloran

These three went creative with the costumes even if some of the attire was a tad unseasonal.

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Meanwhile in Sunday’s Well

I’m dead proud of my Anne who, with her partner Kevin, won the mixed doubles in Sunday’s Well recently

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Casa Mia, Jed and Danny, Donal Ryan and The Races back in the Day

By

On September 22, 2020

In Uncategorized

 Corner of William Street Upper

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Outdoor Dining

Two of the town’s Patricians, Jed Chute and Danny Hannon enjoying the Indian Summer 2020 in Listowel’s Main Street.

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Old Age


In the 19th century they had a very poor view of the senior years.

Thank God we live in an age when 70 is the new 50


Nicholas Leonard wrote the following


What do you make of the following item, published in 1838 and  from, I believe, a U.S. origin?

 

“Periods of Human Life, from the Wexford Conservative, 1 August 1838.

Decrepitude – From 71 to 77: The age of avarice, jealousy, and envy.

Caducity– (Senility) From 78 to 84. The age of distrust, vain-boasting, unfeelingness, suspicion.

Age of Favor – From 81 to 91. The age of insensibility, love of flattery, of attention and indulgence.

Age of Wonder– From 92 to 98. The age of indifference and love of praise.

Phenomenon – From 99 to 105. The age of insensibility, hope and the last sigh.“


‘Caducity’ I never heard of, but on checking online, it refers to senility, dotage, perishable…

Not sure that the future is all that rosy- not much to look forward to in the above list, apart from the ‘last sigh.’

Nicholas


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Happiness is…..



I’m really enjoying this one.


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Listowel Races in the Papers


Eileen Sheridan came across these old 1977 newspaper photos and and Dave O’Sullivan unearthed a great Kieran OShea article from the same paper. 



The 1977 Harvest Festival Committee



The 1924 Race Committee




Friday Market , Spike Island and a jostle stone on William Street

By

On August 2, 2019

In Uncategorized

Colourful seating at Christy’s, The Well



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Jed  Chute with daughter, Gillian and Family



I was having a cup of coffee with my friend, Marie Moriarty when I spotted this lovely family enjoying he sunshine. Marie posed with them for my photo.

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Friday Market

There were many new traders at the Friday market when I visited on July 26 2019. And there was music.

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A little poem on Spike



A friend went on an excursion to Spike Island and photographed this for us.


It goes 

My dearest Kerry (I think, or maybe, Harry) I am awfully sorry

If what I write here you don’t like

But writing out rhymes is a craze of the times

With which I’m fed up here in Spike.

Any ideas who, when or why?

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How Old are our Jostle Stones?




Warren Buckley has been touch. He was fascinated by these stones ever before I took an interest and he has done a bit of research.

Warren found this one in the Lawrence Collection.  It must be at least 100 years old.

Could this local one which looks in size and shape very similar, be that old?

Danny Hannon’s Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, Thurles train station and Munster Championships for Listowel

By

On June 14, 2019

In Uncategorized

The Tidy Town corner of Listowel Town Square

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Danny Hannon Honoured at Writers’ Week 2019


Danny held his beloved Eileen’s hand at his big night at Listowel Writers Week, May 29 2019.

The Hannon family at the door of the family home as they prepare to take the short walk to The Listowel Arms for Opening Night.

Maurice escorted his mother while Joanna Keane, daughter of his great friend, John B. escorted Danny.

The night was filled with emotion, love,  pride, affection and a tinge of sadness.

The story of Danny’s contribution to the Arts was told as this very humble gentle man listened. There was talk of drama and books, of plays and playing and particularly innovation in the field of theatre. Many of Danny’s family and friends were there to celebrate him.


 V.I.P. guests Joseph O’Connor, Colm Tóibín and Carol Drinkwater listened enthralled.

And still Danny held Eileen’s hand. He later joked about the manicure.

The hall was packed. Danny has a long association with Mercier Press who co incidentally sponsored the trophy.

Danny and Eileen posed with Eddie and Helen Moylan, parents of Eileen who designed and crafted the beautiful presentation piece at her Claddagh Design studio in Macroom.

His good friend, Jimmy Hickey was on hand to congratulate Danny. He was just one of a long line of well-wishers.

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Joys of Free Travel

 I had a little rail trip last weekend and I took a photo of this Victorian post box in some train Station but I cant remember which one.

This is Thurles.

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Listowel Pitch and Putt


I was walking in the park yesterday when I spotted that the pitch and putt course was closed. There is a good reason. The hard working club members are getting the course ready for the Munster Championships at the weekend.

The always beautiful course is looking even more beautiful today.



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