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: Listowel Military Festival 2018

Tralee path, The Lartigue, Industrial Schools and another old one

By

On May 17, 2018

In Uncategorized

Cherry blossom on a path by the library in Tralee

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The Butler Centre


This beautiful building in the corner of The Square was once a tannery. Then it was a bank. Now it is in a far more fragrant recreation as a language school and beautiful venue for meetings, weddings etc.

http://butlercentre.ie

I am researching this and other buildings in Listowel Town Square for my gig at this year’s

 Listowel Writers’ Week

Why don’t you check out the full programme at the link above?

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Lartigue at 130


I popped in to the lovely Lartigue museum as they were celebrating 130 years since the service first ran. Read all about it here 

Lartigue

The good people at the Lartigue Museum have amassed their own National Treasures and they are on display in the museum. If you love to take a trip back in time or if you have visitors to entertain, be sure to visit this summer.

Volunteers and visitors.

 John and Mary and their friends from Listowel Writing Group gave readings of their work on the day. They are with Judy and Jimmy in my photo.

As I headed back to town I met some reenactors. They are not real soldiers but when they offered to take a selfie with me I didn’t feel I could refuse.

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Halo has Moved


Elaine has moved to a bigger premises on Upper William Street and she has expanded her range. She also now serves  coffee to take away or drink in the store or in the sun.



When I called in she was serving one of her faithful customers, Ruth O’Quigley

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Reasons for Commital to Industrial School in 1939




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Guerin’s Londis

Photo from the John Hannon Archive

Garvey’s Super Valu is here now.

Mike the Pies, Remembrance Day and Romance in Cork

By

On May 15, 2018

In Uncategorized

In Listowel’s Pitch and Putt course



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Mike the Pies, Upper William Street


Brief history of Mike the Pies by Vincent Carmody

McElligott and O’Connor families.

Number 28 Patrick St (Upper William Street), has been the family home for only two families since it was built in the 1890s. The McElligott family who built it, resided there until their emigration to the United States in 1907 and the O’Connor family purchased it that year. 

In 1906, as news of the San Francisco earthquake filtered through, William McElligott visualized how his architectural skills could be of value in the rebuilding of the now badly devastated city. Having decided to sell the business, it went up for auction in February 1907.
The successful new owners, Michael and Kate O Connor did not have to travel far to relocate, they had been tenants of Lar Buckley, cooper, at number 24, just two doors down. Here, they had ran a grocery shop and here Kate baked meat pies, which she sold at fair and market days. In an amazing twist, the O’Connors had been in America and had returned to set up a business in their native North Kerry, while the McElligott’s were selling out in Ireland, eager to find out could they to make fame and fortune in America. 

Michael and Kate concentrated on running the public house and had a busy grocery and flour and meal business, Kate continued with her pie making, so much so, that the pub acquired the name ‘Mike the Pies’. Their son, Michael, married Mary McElligott from Moyvane in the 1940’s. They had six sons, Michael, Thomas, Roger, Eamon, Denis and Maurice. Mike the Pies is still operated by the O’Connor family, it is as busy as ever and over time has developed into a popular music venue.
The photographs include,
The frontage with the McElligott name on the fascia board.
A family group taken in Moyvane, (c) 1945. including,
Back,
Michael O Connor, his father in law, Thomas McElligott, brother in law, Dinny McElligott, Mary (Mac) O’Connor.
Front,
Bridget McElligott holding Thomas (Tom) O’Connor and Michael O’Connor.

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Wreath laying at Listowel History Festival on a glorious May weekend 2018


In The Square Listowel on Saturday May 5 2018 we had the annual veterans parade and wreath laying. The Killorglin Pipe and drum band led the parade and dignitaries from church and state, including Minister Brendan Griffin attended.





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Who said Romance is dead?




This is the Mills and Boon section in Ballincollig library. God knows, we need a break from all the doom and gloom but do we need so much romance?


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