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Listowel Old Boys Reunion at Christmas 2023
Vincent Carmody spent the holidays with the U.S. branch of his family. He sent me this very interesting message.
Dec 17 2023
Mary,
Happy Christmas from a cold Chicago.
We visited Rochester last weekend to catch up with my old neighbour and friend, Dr. Michael O’Sullivan of Mayo Clinic fame. He is regarded as a Demi God at Mayo for leading the way and doing the groundwork for his inventive research in the 1960’s which has put Mayo as a world leader today.
His daughter Finola hosted a dinner where many of the dept. heads of Mayo came together to meet, feast and party. Most of these are lovely Irish guys, many were hired by Michael when he was C.E.O. at Mayo Scottesdale and in time came back up to Rochester.
One of these is Michael O’Connor, a son of Michael the artist and grandson of Dr. Michael, as it were, the father, son and holy G.
During the evening he went to his car and brought in a family history which he has completed, on one of the pages a picture of the front of the GAA programme which I sent you, however during the evening I found another unique connection with another guest and this programme, this person, Una (O’Neill) ????, she came alone as her Doctor husband was not feeling well, Una is originally from Newry. When we were introduced by Michael, he mentioned that she came from GAA blue blood, she then told me the her two brothers played on the great Down team of ’60 and ’61, Sean and Kevin O’Neill. She was amazed when I pointed out that Down team had actually along with Kerry and Glen Rovers taken part in the matches that May day in 1960. A small world. I will be sending her the team sheet from that.
Again, great work during the year and thanks.
Vincent.
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Only in Kerry
Christmas Eve in Kerry 2022….Photo shared widely on the internet
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From the Postbag/Inbox
Hi Mary,
I am one of those crazy American genealogy geeks trying to explore my Irish roots. I have been researching my great grandfather and his half-brother, of Newtownsandes (Moyvane).
I ran across your website while looking for info on Listowel, which is so close to where my family was from. My family is all gone now and therefore my genealogy research takes a lot of detective work, because I know how difficult it can be to find Irish records and information.
I was interested in Listowel after reading on the town website about Writers’ Week. I am a budding family history writer and found it intriguing that a Writers’ week takes place so near to where my family roots lie.
A friend and I are planning a trip to Counties Kerry and Limerick this year, and I want to try to research family a bit while over there. Since Listowel is so close to Newtownsandes, and to Athea in County Limerick where my great-grandmother was from, I thought it might make a good base for beginning our exploration.
Can you advise of a good local history library or research facility where I might be able to find some info? Or do you know of a local historian or researcher who might be able to aid me in what I could look for while exploring the county?
Many of the names associated with my family exist almost entirely in either Kerry, Limerick or Tipperary, so I was hoping to find some help directly in those counties and really get to know them through some exploration.
Love your website and the stories people contribute. I signed up and look forward to learning more.
Thanks!
Becky Clark
Denver, Colorado
I have replied to Becky and given her a bit of direction. If anyone else has any suggestions for her let me know.
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A Lime Kiln
From Schools’ Folklore Collection, Clandouglas School
The Limekiln is fronted by a stone wall with an arch underneath and it is called the breast.
About two feet from the breast is the pot and it is connected to the breast by the arch.
The bank is made of earth and stone and in a round form.
First a rail of turf is put in the bottom of the pot, then a layer of broken limestone about four inches in height is put on the turf and a layer of turf about one foot is put on the limestone and so on till the kiln is full.
Then it is set on fire through the arch. As the limestone and turf is going down through the fire, a man is putting limestone and turf into it and keep it full.
Another man is drawing out the lime at the arch. Lime needed for manure is mixed with the ashes of the turf. Lime needed for whitewashing has to be picked in lumps from the ashes.
COLLECTORMichael O’ Connell
AddressKnockburrane, Co. Kerry
INFORMANTJerry O’ Connell
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Just a Thought
Last week I was the first for 2023 to have my reflections broadcast on Radio Kerry’s Just a Thought slot.
Here is a link…
https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/our-diocese/communications/listen-now/
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