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 Races 2014

Homecoming heroes, A trip to the Island, Listowel Races 2014

Just like The Good Old Days

John Kelliher has this and more great photos of the homecoming on his page here;

Kerry Team home with Sam

It was a joyous return to The Kingdom for the 2 teams. In Killarney, the hugely talented Tomás ÓSé and Donnchadh Walsh show that they are not just footballers. Enjoy this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeiL0GjppSA

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Walking to the Races 2014

These men were selling Kerry favours to those going to the match or even to some who intended watching it  on TV.

Across the Square you could buy fast food, a flag or a republican poster.

 I encountered a past pupil of mine doing a steady trade in gourmet take away food. Her business is called Lizzie’s Little Kitchen and you can sample her wares at the Friday Listowel market. A touch of London catering in our home town!

Given the fine weather, Moloney’s was doing a steady trade in ice cream. Lotto and newspapers were popular buys as well.

At the entrance to the racecourse, this car was advertising a raffle for a car.

These boys were loving the attention. Their job was to attract attention to a raffle for Bothar. I decided to buy a ticket when my initial fears were allayed. I thought the two billygoats were the prize!

This young musician was trying to make a bob or two to spend on the amusements.

Throw me down something. The level of water in the Feale was low this year so standing below the bridge did not seem too much of a hardship.

These punters are heading towards the track along the path by the river.

This year there was a big drive to stamp out underage drinking.

 Gardaí on duty at the entrance.

I like to take up a position beside the parade ring. It’s where all of the action is before and immediately after each race. This year the horses walked on lovely dry cow matting so comfort for horse and groom is greatly improved.

Neighbours on my position at ringside told me that this is Joseph O’Brien “receiving instructions” before the race. He is in the colours of J.P. MacManus.

Aidan O’Brien and J.P. MacManus

This is Tony OHehir, a print sports journalist and son of the famous broadcaster, Micheál O’Hehir

If your horse wins, you get this lovely trophy and you get to stand on the podium and have Pat Healy take your photograph. I have decided if I win the Lotto I’m going to buy a racehorse and live this dream.

 This is the scrum of journalists around Katie Walsh after she won the Kerry National on Wednesday.

This is the horse she rode to victory. Your Business is being led back to the stables for his reward.

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Some people I met at the races on Ladies Day


The following photos are all of North Kerry people enjoying themselves on the island on Friday.



Listowel Races 2014 and some style from Ladies Day 2014

At the Races

Recording it all
Winner alright, but exhausted.
Back to the weigh room
Interviewing a winning trainer, Katie Harrington, on Monday. She rode a winner on Wednesday.
studying form

Two of the best known faces on Irish racecourses, JP McManus and Aidan O’Brien. I took the photo before the Kerry National where their star did not shine as brightly as usual.

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More style from Ladies’ Day 2014



Listowel Races, The Kerry National 2014, The Market and The Island

Katie’s Day



Katie Walsh is the first female rider to win The Kerry National.  Here she is in the parade ring after winning yesterday on Your Busy.

The horse is owned and trained by James Nash, formerly of Askeaton, Co. Limerick. It was a big win for both Nash and Walsh in a field of high calibre horses.

James Nash with his parents and the winning owner’s trophy.

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Racing for the line with lovely Listowel in the background.

Race cards are now €3

 The action in the parade ring

Young and old love the races.

Its a chance to meet up with old friends

 Bookies have got very glamorous.

Picking winners

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Familiar Faces at Killarney Library Event

Killarney Library celebrated Eamon Kelly, the Seanchaí.

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Images from The Market

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There’s a Lot More to Come from these two



Cadbury’s ad. with Dunphy and Giles “dancing” is a gem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE8TvsYMPkg

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Star is gonna shake,shake, shake them off



I bet the pupils of Moyderwell Mercy N.S. had great fun making this one;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgVkFSDOTpM&feature=youtu.be

Up Kerry, Imelda May and Listowel Races 2014

Loving Listowel Races Photography Competition




There I am among the finalists. As you can see, I did not win. The competition was won by John Kelliher, an excellent photographer and a great friend of Listowel Connection. John won with a lovely study of a countryman at the races.

Here are my 2 which were short listed:

Love at the races
Throw me down something


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Stacks of Stacks




 In the Listowel Arms on Saturday night, a group of Damien Stack’s extended Stack family who were on a visit “home” met up with Anne Dillon, nee Stack of Listowel.

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Gneeveguuilla N.S. showing support





(Source: The Little Memory Gallery on Facebook)

AND

The boys and girls of Dromclough N.S. recorded a song of encouragement to local man, Eamon Fitzmaurice and the Kerry team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iz7FMQBoA

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Teddy and Sinead, G.A.A. stalwarts



Duagh GAA



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You have to love Imelda May



Imelda May posted this photo of her “bag explosion” before her gig. You’ll be surprised to hear that she doesn’t have a style team looking after her. She needs one.

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