Tag: Karen Trench

Time and Tide Wait for No Man

By listowelconnection

On November 27, 2024

In Asdee, Listowel, Poem, Schools' Folklore

Beautiful Christmas door at Kerry Writers’ Museum

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Honoured to have my Book Presented

Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, Uachtarán Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from Co Offaly was thrilled to receive a copy of Moments of Reflection on her recent visit to Dúchas Comhaltas Centre MTU Tralee. Karen Trench made the presentation.,

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Feale Flood 2024

Bridge Road on Saturday morning, Nov. 23 2024

Emergency service personnel were stopping people from going down Bridge Road.

Local people could only look on in horror.

We knew we were witnessing a once in a lifetime event.

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Christmas Windows

Fairytale of New York is this year’s theme. This is Vision Ireland’s shop window.

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Old Prayers

Eddie Murphy of Asdee, aged 14 in 1937 recorded a long list of prayers and prayerful ejaculations in the Schools Folklore collection.

“The light of heaven to all the poor souls in Purgatory and our own souls at the last day” is said when the candles are lighted on Christmas Eve.

“That we may be all alive to see them lighted again” is said also when the candles are lit Christmas Eve.

“God save the hearers” is said when the thing happens but very seldom.

“O Divine Jesus lonely to night in so many tabernacles I offer thee my lonely heart may its every beating be a prayer of love to thee thou art always present. –

The sacramental veils in thy love thou never sleepest thou art never weary of thy vigil for poor sinners. O Loving Jesus, O lonely Jesus may my heart be a lamp of light of which shall burn and beam for thee alone. Watch Sacramental sentinel. Watch for the weary world for thy erring soul for thy poor and lonely child”. is said to wish good night to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

“God love you” is said to a young person who does something for an old person.

“Snuachan maith chugat” is also said to a young person who does something for an old person.

“Hail and blessed be thy hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight in the piercing cold in the stable of Bethlehem. At that same moment and hour vouchsafe my God to hear my prayer and grant my request through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. This prayer is said fifteen times every night from the 30th. of November to Christmas Eve.

“I wish you a happy Christmas” is said to a person on Christmas morning.

“God grant you all happiness in the New Year” is said to a person on New Year’s morning.

“A long life to you” is said to a person who gives something to the poor.

“Bad luck from you” is said to a person who does some good act for another person.

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A Poem

Poet unknown

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Placenames

Geraldine O’Sullivan has done Trojan work in translating yesterdays place names.

Dear Mary,
I used Google Translate to help me with the English translation of the Placenames on the schools folklore collection as I was very interested in your article with regard to their origin .
Coillbuidhe – The forest in which the black trees grew Dubh-Áth – A small Áth that was on the other side of the Féile river was named Cluain Tiobraid – The town in which the well was named Cluain Meacain – The place in which the thing called yellow root grows Cluain Mhagh Con – The field in which the dog was. Cnoc an Iubhair – The Iubhair tree was named after. There is a tree like that growing on the top of the hill there to this day. Fionn Uaigh – The grave that is fawn. Fionn Abha – A fawn tree (This was found by a child in the Class – Máire Uí Conaill). Mhagh Mheán – The flat plain Bun-a-Ghearra – A cut was made there for an underground road or something like that and because of the beginning of the cut there it was called “Bun a’ Ghearra”. Derry – Wood. Drom Beag – The small ridge. Gort na Sceiche – Hedges growing there. Béal – There is a bay, at the mouth of the Shannon. Cúl Árd – This is on top of a hill, it is a kind of corner. Coill a’ Ghuirtín – The wood in which the small field is. Drom Iarainn – The ridge where there is perhaps iron. Caisleán Easa Duibhe – Asdee, in English. I do not know how it got its name. Áth-an-Turais (Bedford) – Some ford that people would cross on their journey to some holy well. Ladhar a’ Crompáin Innis Mhór – Ennismore Leaca – Lacca Mín – Meen Toirbhéart – Tarbeit. Some connection with the women rulers of Toirbhearc or something like that. Cill Eachdruim – Killocrim. Baile ‘n Ghrianáin – Ballygrennane. Baile an Ridire – There was a Knight of Garraidh in residence there. Son of Réamonn Reamhar Mac Muiris. The ruins of the castle are still there. It is likely that the Mac Muiris line that is very numerous in and around Listowel descended from him. Tripail – A collection of Luachra. Biolarach – Billeragh. The name comes from “biolair”. Fuarthán – There is a spring of fresh water in the place. Perhaps that is where the name comes from. Baile an Abhainín – A small river running through it probably gave the name. Cill Mórna – A village there, and it is said that a woman named Mórna was buried there. There is some story that a coffin and other objects were found there. Baile an tSeanbhaile – Tanavalla. Garrdha Árd – Cranyard. Lios Eiltín – Lisselton – It is said that St. Eiltín had a lis or cell there – the patron saint of Kinsale. Coill a’ Mhágh’ Ruaidhe – Killomeroe. Cnoc na Gaiseal Úrlaidhe – Urlee. “Úrlaidhe” means a fight or faction fight. There may have been a fight of some kind there, at some point. Baile an Búinneánaigh } Ballybunion. Baile Bun Abhann } Leac Snamha – A slab that they would probably have to jump off when they went swimming. Ráth Fiadha – Rathea. Tuar na Gaoithe – A field where clothes are put to be washed. Clievrach } Cleveragh. This is said to be a derivation from “cliabh” which means “basket.” Barraig Plough } Or perhaps there was a monastery of Barra where some plough was built. There is a monastery of Barra today anyway. Pollach – Plough Rith Lán } Rhylane. It may be “Réidh”, meaning “Réádh-Lán” } “Réadh” means a moorland or heather plain; level plain; móinteán. Béal Cille – Bealkilla. Beithíneach – Behins. A place where birch trees grow. Brúgh Mhadra – Probably the palace of the dog…
With kind regards and best wishes,
Geraldine

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A Fact

In 2012 divers discovered a 2000 year old Roman shipwreck which was so well preserved that even the food in storage jars was still intact.

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Santa, Carol Singing and the launch of A Book and cd of Kerry Songs of the Revolution

By Listowel Connection

On December 20, 2018

In Uncategorized

A Christmas Photo from 2016

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Carol Singing

Photo: Scoil Realt na Maidine

Boys entertaining shoppers at Garvey’s Super Valu Listowel last week.

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A Story that tells how Times have changed in a Picture

Extra public phonebooks being installed in Dublin for the Eucharistic Congress of 1932

“All’s changed, changed utterly”

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Their Memory Will Endure

On Saturday evening, December 15 2018, I attended another launch of an extraordinary Kerry book. This is a project compiled by Gabriel Fitzmaurice and Pádraig Ó Concubhair. We got a book and a cd for €20 . In the book and on the cd we have songs commemorating events of the wars in Kerry from 1916 to 1924. This was a particularly violent divisive and bloody time in our county’s history, a period that is not much talked of nowadays, probably because of the very bitter rifts that occurred in communities and even in families

Here are some of the people who attended the launch which was done by Dr. Declan Downey.

Gabriel was kept busy signing books. Padraig couldn’t be present.

Vincent Carmody, David Browne and Gabriel Fitzmaurice

As you can see there were many well known faces among the attendance.

Karen Trench is one of the singers featured on the cd.

David Browne introduced Declan Downey who officially launched the package.

This man rendered his ballad in a mellow mature voice.

Gabriel Fitzmaurice is himself a well known balladeer. For this project he took on the mantle of that great collector of Kerry ballads, Bryan MacMahon.

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A Nebraska Parish with a Listowel Connection

We’re a bit late with this one but it’s worth celebrating.

St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Omaha celebrated 100 years in 2017. Marie Neligan alerted me to the connection with her Listowel family.

“Founded in 1917 as a mission of St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn, the parish’s first pastor, Father David Neligan, celebrated St. John’s first Mass on Christmas in its original church – a former Baptist church, purchased and moved to the parish site by an early parishioner, John Zeis Sr.”

Source: The Catholic Voice

Fr. David was born in Listowel. He was Marie’s uncle. Here is what she told me about him;

The first pastor at this church Fr, David Neligan, born and raised in Listowel said the first mass at this church when it opened on Christmas Day 1917. David was my uncle and was ordained at All Hallows’ on June 23rd 1912 and assigned to Omaha, Nebraska. He was buried there at the tender age of 33.

Placenames from Dúchas collection, a 1994 quilt for charity and The Haunting Soldier in Dublin

By Listowel Connection

On November 30, 2018

In Uncategorized

In Gurtinard Wood I was thrilled to see a little bird at home. No bats about though.

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Duagh from the Dúchas collection

Photo; Caoimhín Ó Danachair

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Place Names

Informant, Mrs K. Quilter

Collector-Maureen Lynch- Informant- Muiris Ó Loinsig

GLEANN na BRÓN

The name is still used by the local inhabitants and probably means the Glen of the Quern. It is beside this glen the “brittlen” woman used to be heard.

In the farm of Pat Trant Jnr, Behins, there was a blessed well. This was known to the older people as Tobar Uí Leidhin. There was an old midwife living in Behins named Moll Barry. One May morning she went to the well for a can of water. She had hardly reached the well when she was lifted off the ground and the next place she found herself was below at the monument in Lixnaw, spirited away by the good people.

Beside the well there was a graveyard. A glen beside it is still known as Gleann Dóighte.

Beside our house is a place called Pike, on the main road between Listowel and Castleisland. Old Ned Prendiville use to say that there were two gates here and everybody who passed the way with cattle or cars had to pay a toll of a halfpenny. There was also a pound there.

There is a Dispensary at Pike. In this building was the old National school whose first teacher was John O’Connor. O’Connor was not long there when he had to flee the country owing to his connection with the Fenians. Then came my Grandfather old Master Lynch who taught there for six years and who opened the school at Rathea in 1875.

My Grandfather was a native of Knockanure. He used to tell stories about a woman name Joan Grogan of Knockanure. This woman used to be “out” with the good people. One night they were on their way to Castleisland to decide whether a girl there named Brosnan was to be taken away or not. On their way they called in to my grandfather’s aunt the wife of Michéal Ruadh Kirby of Behins and took her snuff box as a joke. Micéal Ruad’s wife met her a few days after at the big fair in Listowel (13th May). Joan asked her did she miss her snuff box on such a morning and she said she did. Micheal Ruadh’s wife told her she heard them laughing in the kitchen that night.

Maureen Lynch

M’athair Muiris Ó Loingsig O.S a d’innis an méid sin dom. Rathea Listowel.

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Kerryman 1994

Does anyone know where this is now? Does anyone remember it, the making of it or the handing over of it?

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The Haunting Soldier

I went to Dublin to see The Haunting Soldier and I was mightily impressed.

This art installation commemorates all the soldiers who served and suffered in the Great War . The artist was invited to bring the creation to Dublin to remind us of the tens of thousands of Irishmen who soldiered in WW1. Many of them were killed or received life changing injuries.

The statue is forged entirely from scrap metal, bits and pieces of nuts, bolts, cogs, springs, horse shoes, chains etc., etc.

My two friends, Assumpta and Peggy, posed with two people with a Listowel connection who were also in St. Stephen’s Green to see the Soldier.

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Ard Churam Concert in St. Mary’s, Listowel

A super variety concert with the very best of music, singing and recitation was enjoyed by a packed church in Listowel on Friday evening, November 23th. 2018

Owen MacMahon was our host for the evening. No better man for the job. He entertained us with anecdotes, jokes and poems as he provided continuity between the acts.

Finbar Mawe welcomed us on behalf of Ard Churam. He told us about the ambitious plan to build a dementia unit, following the success of Ard Churam which is soon to be working six days per week.

Karen Trench’s Silver River Feale was a highlight of a show full of highlights. We also heard Seán Ahern, Kim Healy, the excellent Ballydonoghue Comhaltas group as well as a group from Listowel Comhaltas and a junior choir from The Kerry School of Music.

It was a night for meeting old friends.

The Ard Churam choir were the stars of the show. They were a credit to their musical director, Mary Culloty O’Sullivan. Mary, a world class soprano. also sang for us . Heavenly!

Mike Moriarty said a few words on behalf of Ard Churam.

John Kelliher who did a great job of photographing the proceedings has posted a video of the performances on Youtube

Ard Churam Concent in St. Marys

It comes in at the end of Owen’s joke so I’ll fill you in. The wife of the great Seanchaí, Eamon Kelly once said that he wore his hat at all times only taking it off in the church and in bed. “And he slept in both places.” she said.

Duagh Summer Festival 2014, a war story and some successes

By Listowel Connection

On August 12, 2014

In Uncategorized

John Relihan, Fr. Pat Moore and Nina Hayes

When Duagh put on a festival, they do it in style. I was at their summer festival on Saturday last, Aug 9 2014 and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The festival was all about food and particularly about a local lad, John Relihan, who has made a name for himself as a chef. We were told that he was on Eastenders too, but I don’t know in what capacity he appeared in the soap.

This was the scene at the school gate where hundreds of people were queueing to get in. For €10 (all money going towards the restoration of the church bell tower) you got a wristband that entitled you to all you could eat of the barbecue, cookery demonstrations, competitions, face painting, balloon twisting, a craft fair and a chance to meet up with friends and acquaintances.

I met Marie, Ena and Catherine and we hung out for the afternoon.

My friend, Helen O’Connor was very proud to be photographed with her famous godson, The Jamie Oliver trained chef, John Relihan.

This was the Duagh schoolyard with chefs everywhere and animals cooking everywhere you looked.

If you look closely you will see that the chickens have a can stuffed where the sun doesn’t shine!

Above is the production line. I was snapping away as I queued for my dinner.

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Can’t Cook;Wont Cook

The three Ready, Steady Cook contestants get some last minute instructions from Brendan O’Connor of BBQ Joe’s.

Is Jerry getting a little helping hand or is it a case of the blind leading the blind.

Duagh Cooks get down to business.

Brendan keeps the contestants on track.

Jerry seems to be very pally with this judge.

Fr. Moore is interviewed about his cooking credentials. He tells a few tall tales of early rising and bread baking before breakfast.

How does it taste?

Should I add an egg?

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Demonstration

John Relihan and Brendan O’Connor gave food demonstrations and we got to taste.

The festival went on late into the evening and there was a second day of festivities on Sunday.

Well done to everyone involved. It was a huge success.

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Duagh is also famous for footballers

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War Story

From Kerry’s Eye

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Then and Now

2010

2014

2010

2014

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River Feale August 9 2014

The level of water in the river is very low.

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Rory McIlroy in heaven

(Photo from the internet)

Definition of VALHALLA

: the great hall in Norse mythology where heroes slain in battle are received

: a place of honor, glory, or happiness : heaven <an academic’s Valhalla>

These are the two definitions of Valhalla in Miriam Webster Dictionary. Both are apt for the players in Valhalla, Kentucky after Rory’s super win on August 10 2014.

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Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Sligo 2014

Tomorrow night (Tuesday) in the Clarion Hotel Sligo the very talented Singer from the Ballydonoghue/Lisselton branch of comhaltas Karen Trench (Walsh) will receive prestigious Bardic award. We congratulate you Karen on your award and shows how highly you are thought of in Comhaltas. We hope you enjoy your night and we have no doubt that you with your children Aoife,Tom, Fionnuala, and Meabh will put on a beautiful performance and fly the Kerry Flag with pride.
Comhghairdeachas Karen from the Kerry County Board of Comhaltas and everyone throughout Kerry.

Bardic Awards
Comhaltas honours a number of significant performers from the traditional music world at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann every year.
This year eight people are receiving these prestigious awards. The awards will be presented in the Clarion Hotel and the concert will involve performances from each ceannródaí and guests.
Receiving Bardic Awards are
Brian Conway, U.S.
Paddy Mc Donagh, Sligo
Neansaí Ní Choistealbha, Galway
Pat Mc Cabe, Monaghan
Con Herbert, Limerick – button accordion
Karen Walsh, Kerry – singer
Mary Kelly, Kilkenny – harpist
Willie Fogarty, Tipperary – button accordion

(photo and caption from the official CCE webpage)

More from Writers Week 2012

By Listowel Connection

On June 5, 2012

In Uncategorized

The town was jam packed with people for Writers’ Week, some of them the greats of Irish literature. On Thursday I went on a walk to commemorate John B. Keane and on Friday for a while I just stood on Church St. and photographed whoever was passing.

First the walk; On Thursday morning it poured rain but this did not deter the hardy souls who wanted to stroll around Listowel and learn more about John B. Keane.

Here we are at the starting point; The Listowel Arms, with our guide, Vincent Carmody.

We headed off up Church St., past Fitzpatrick’s Hatcheries where John B. worked as a fowl buyer. We stood for a while at the house where he was born and then headed on to the KDYS premises which in John B.’s day was the library.

A lovely man walked beside me and introduced himself to me. He is Tim O’Donovan and John B. was first apprenticed to his father in their pharmacy in Rathkeale.

Tim with Vincent

In the KDYS we went upstairs to the room where John B. was taught by his father while the boys’ school across the road was being refurbished. Here we heard amusing anecdotes from Tony Barrett.

Here is Tony with John Keane in front of the mural of John’s late father. I apologize that I got so excited about picturing them in just this spot that I had my camera on the wrong setting and consequently the photo has a horrid blue hue but I’m including it anyway.

Karen Trench sang John B.s haunting Sweet Listowel and Maria Dillon read a snatch of Mena from Sive

This is part of the audience who enjoyed every minute of the performance.

We moved on from there to St. Michael’s where John B.’s grandson, Bill O’Flynn read John B.’s The Street in the very room where John B. first recited it and was punished by a troubled priest who refused to believe that a pupil could have written anything so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2tZpt0fKR8&feature=youtu.be

We finished our walk with a visit to the cemetery where we said a prayer at the graveside of the great man.