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: Jim Cogan

Fathers’ Day and Presentation Convent Listowel then and now

Yesterday was Fathers’ Day.  In honour of the day I bring you this photo of Jim Cogan and family and this “thought for the day”.

Photo by John Stack

‘It’s good to be blessed.
It’s better to be a blessing. ~Author Unknown




So often we do not realize what a blessing we are to others. We might
not think we make an impact, but often we do make a huge impact in someone
else’s life. The following story is just one example. 

In the faint light of the
attic, an old man, tall and stooped, bent his great frame and made his way to a
stack of boxes that sat near one of the little half-windows. 

Brushing aside a
wisp of cobwebs, he tilted the top box toward the light and began to carefully
lift out one old photograph album after another and his old journal. Opening
the yellowed pages, he glanced over a short reading, and his lips curved in an
unconscious smile. 

His eyes brightened as he read the words that spoke clear
and sweet to his soul as he read the inscription for June 14th . It stood out
because it was so brief in comparison to other days. In his own neat
handwriting were these words: ‘Wasted the whole day fishing with Jimmy. Didn’t
catch a thing.’

 With a deep sigh and a shaking hand, he took up Jimmy’s journal
and found the boy’s entry for the same day. Large scrawling letters, pressed
deeply into the paper, read: ‘Went fishing with my dad. Best day of my life.’

From  http://www.todayismygifttoyou.ie

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Presentation Convent, Listowel

Now

I took these photos on May 28 2013.

Then

A picture paints a thousand words.

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Update on our 7 little chicks of three different breeds.  See how they have grown!

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Fungi taken from a Baltimore boat last week

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Alas, no more!

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They have a lot to answer for.

1947!!

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As an addendum to last week’s article about Cyril Kelly and Writers’ Week, Martin Sheehy, all the way from Phoenix, Arizona sent this comment:

“Hats off to Cyril Kelly and honour to his late mother-Mai Naylor ( Mrs. Kelly) and her friends from Upper Church St., all of whom brought joy to my boyhood-Babe Jo Wilmot ( Mrs. Collins), Masie Gleason ( Mrs. Sweeney), Maureen Horgan ( RIP), Noreen Horgan ( Mrs. Lynch), Marie Kiely, Moira Madden ( my late mother, Mrs. Sheehy), Josie Madden ( my late aunt, Mrs. Flynn), etc. Before and after Vatican II, with or without Mai’s hats, they were and are a memorable crowd. ”

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June 15 2013 in Ballylongford

“Oh Sweet Listowel, I’ll love you all my days….” and Ballybunion too

“Life is mostly froth and bubble.

Two things stand like stone.

Kindness in another’s trouble

Courage in your own.”

(Adam Lindsay Gordon)

During my husband, Jim’s, recent illness and hospitalization I experienced these twin blessings. I had to dig deeply into my own reserves of courage.  And I was overwhelmed by the kindness and caring of those around me. This kindness did not surprise me. I have experienced it many times before. In fact I experience it continually in Listowel.

Jim and I are “blow ins” to town but it has been our good fortune to blow in to one of the very best spots in the world for us who need constant help and support. I am not going to name individuals, but, at work, in our neighbourhood, at home and in all the agencies that we deal with, we have met with practical help, moral support and caring encouragement.

Heaven was as brightly lit as Hell with all the candles that were lit and prayers that were said for us recently.

So here is a big thank you to everyone and a few photos of Jim back on the streets of town, “bloodied but unbowed” from his recent tussle with “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”.

Áras an Phiarsaigh in the background.

In Church St.

On Charles St.

Glad to be heading home.

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In our travels I spotted some work being done at The Garda Station.

The path to the front door is being repaved.

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It was Friday when we were out and about and the market was in full swing.

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On Saturday, the sun shone and we paid a visit to Ballybunion.

Sunny Jim at castle.

The beach was busy.

The Nine Daughters’ Hole from the cliff walk.

The sea arch

The Nuns’ Beach

Warm enough for people to swim!

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A friend found this medal among her family treasures. It commemorates the 1932 Eucharistic Congress

A Friday Miscellaney

I was in the cinema last night. I saw Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s brilliant Stella Days with Martin Sheen in the main role. I was back in the 1950’s of my childhood. It was a moving, beautifully executed film. A must see.

Before the main film, Kieran showed a short film of The Listowel Vintage Wireless Museum, beautifully captured and edited by Rory Kirby. It was difficult to go indoors on such a balmy night but it was an effort that was well rewarded.

Kieran Gleeson of Listowel Classic Cinema with Rory Kirby, filmmaker and Eddie, Mary and Catherine Moylan of Listowel Vintage Wireless Museum.

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New Spotlight May 25 1967. The Irish model with him is Liz Stack. Any Listowel connection, I wonder?

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In the interests of clearing my backlog of random pictures from the internet, here is that photo of the “art” installation at Brown Thomas, Dublin last week.

Rats!

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Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets is 22 years dead.

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Now to some more relevant photos.

1961 in Solengen, Germany; Michael McElligott, P.J. Shaughnessey, John O’Connell

 John Enright R.I.P. at the back

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Today I spoke to Weeshie Fogarty on behalf of NKRO. He is going to do his “In conversation with….” programme with us on July 11. Note that in your diaries although I will remind you again.

Weeshie gave me an early preview of his forthcoming autobiography. Remember you heard about it first on listowelconnection!

MY BEAUTIFUL OBSESSION=CHASING THE KERRY DREAM 

The book is gone to press, Collins Presss and hopefully will be ready for a September launch.

It includes an account of : 38 years working in a hospital starting in 1962

Refereering

Growing up on the side of a street in Killarney, New St

Round the world with Kerry in 1970

A new life in the media and winning an All Ireland PPI award as Sports Broadcasterof the Year

and 70 photographs of Weeshie’s life experiences. 

I predict it will be a bestseller.


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Ah! the good old days

http://www.thepaddie.com/interesting/50-irish-things-your-kids-will-never-know-about/



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The fine weather had me out and about in town yesterday. Here are some photos I took.

Jim Beasley was off to Cork to welcome home a new granddaughter.

Ever friendly, Nicky and Peter O’Loughlin recognized their old teacher, Jim Cogan and posed for a photo. The reason for their trip home from Australia, where they now live,  was not a happy one. They came home to visit their dad who is ill in hospital. We wish him well.

End of an era as The Man’s Shop is being rebranded. It will soon open as the Sue Ryder Thrift shop.

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Finally a big apology to two friends of Listowel.

Theresa and Kate are not mother and daughter. They are sisters. Sorry girls!

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