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 Town Square Page 2 of 4

A Problem, A Bookmark and a Landmark

By

On August 26, 2021

In Listowel, Personal

Outdoor dining in Thwe Square

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Two Beautiful Bookmarks

Eamon ÓMurchú has sent us photographs of two beautiful bookmarks, the work of Bryan MacMahon, poet and Michael O’Connor, artist.

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A Problem Solved

(with the help of a good teacher)

Do you remember a while back I complained that my blogposts were showing up minus the sidebar and footers in tablets and phones. I blamed WordPress.

A bad tradesman blames his tools.

Jim Ryan, formerly of this parish and follower of Listowel Connection, came to my aid and gave me the Ladybird version of how to solve my problem. In solving that problem Jim has also solved another issue that has been bugging me (and probably my followers, although they don’t complain). When I post a “memory” on Facebook, the link takes you, not to the post in question, but to the most recent post. This “problem” has been with me for the whole ten years of my blogging life. Now, thanks to Jim, I’ve solved it.

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Sean Walsh of Killelton Ballylongford with Noel Doyle at Carrigafoyle

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St. Batt’s Well

I visited the holy well in Coolard on Sunday last. It is a haven of peace and quiet and birdsong.

This is the well. While it is dedicated to St. Batt. Much of the symbolism and the devotional rounds are more reminiscent of a marian shrine.

It is traditional to leave tokens attached to the bushes to symbolise the petitions being prayed for at the well.

It is significant that this year along with rosary beads, flowers, holy pictures and statues there are face masks hanging from the branches.

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When You’re Born into a Book loving Family

Aoife’s first book!

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Handball and Brightening Air, William Street and Newtownsandes Creamery and Some Writers’ Week Windows

By

On June 9, 2021

In Listowel, Listowel Writers Week, Schools

Listowel Town Square, May 2021

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Another on on the Move

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Listowel Handball Alley June 1 2021

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Brightening Air

Ten Days of incredible arts experience in surprising locations June 11 to 21 2021.

Listowel’s turn is on June 18 and our surprising location is the handball alley. We are part of In the Magic Hour series of dance and interview events in handball alleys around the country. Only a limited number will be able to attend the free event because of Covid restrictions but we can all see it online on June 19.

In tandem with these arts in the alleys events Coiscéim sent a project manager around the country collecting the story of handball in Ireland. My appeal encouraged a few people to talk to her and share their stories and over the next days you will be seeing lots on Listowel Connection about handball and handballsers.

Junior Griffin has compiled a history of hand balling in Listowel and most of the information that follows if from Junior.

It would appear that the site for the alley was given by Lord Listowel and the alley built in the early years of the twentieth century. The front wall of the alley is part of the big bridge. Wire netting was placed on top of this wall to prevent the ball going out on to the road above. The side walls had a railing on top. This railing was part of rail track of the `Lartigue. The Lartigue closed in 1924 so we can assume that the ball alley was built shortly after.

In a message written for the match programme to celebrate the opening of Frank Sheehy Park on May15th 1960, Seamus Wilmot, Registrar of the National University of Ireland, wrote ” When I recall the Listowel I knew before the First World War, two places come immediately to my mind, The Ball Alley and The Sportsfield….

They were the only two places where we enjoyed freedom, unrestricted in the case of the Alley, conditional as to the Sportsfield….”

This newspaper story tells us that the court was upgraded in 1954.

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Newtownsandes Creamery staff

Old Newtownsandes creamery staff

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Some Writers’ Week Windows

The theme of the children’s festival was Out of This World

Matt Mooney’s poetic tribute to the late John Lynch beautifully illustrated in Lynch’s Coffee Shop window.

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I was Forest Bathing

It was great to be part of a live event at Listowel Writers Week 2021. Forest bathing was badly named on this occasion because we weren’t in a forest and we weren’t bathing ins the usual sense of the word.

We were in Listowel’s Garden of Europe and we were bathing in the feast for the senses in this beautiful spot.

We were “high on our own supply”, mindfully concentration on our 5 senses and letting nature heal us. This was a guided experience and most enjoyable and renewing even if I was well outside my comfort zone.

Saturday June 5 2021 Guided Forest Bathing in Garden of Europe as part of Listowel Writers’ Week 2021.

Feeling Creative after my treat for the senses I wrote this little poem

A Sense of Place

I am in Kerry, a carpet of green and gold before me.

I am in Europe, Schiller and all that is best in Europe to my right.

The Holocaust and all that is worst in Europe to me left

All around me is all that is most beautiful in Nature

Forty shades of green to see,

Birdsong to listen to

Scents of flowers

A taste of summer all around

Here I can touch all that is beautiful in Creation.

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Exciting Times in Pres. Primary School, Listowel

Girls from the Presentation Primary School were delighted to be invited by the office of the Minister for Education, Ms Norma Foley to be involved in the launch of the BLAST initiative for schools. This took place on Friday June 4th in Listowel.The girls had a lovely experience and enjoyed their chat, while remaining socially distanced, with the minister. It certainly looks like an exciting programme for schools, one which the Presentation Primary Listowel will certainly be participating in.

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Listowel Connection First with the News!

Straight from the horse’s mouth

I met Lizzy slaving away to be ready in time for the grand opening. She really really really hopes to open in Church Street on June 15 2021. The extra good news is that she will have outdoor seating for 40 patrons in her new place. Lots of food related news from Church Street lately, all good.

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Observing the Pieties, Tidy Town Folk and a Fox Photo on my Trip to Kanturk and a library in Kildare

By

On May 14, 2019

In Uncategorized

Long Tailed Tit

Photo by Pauline Doran , finalist in Irish Wildlife Trust’s Photography Competition.

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Observing the Pieties

The following poem by the late Gary MacMahon was given to me by his brother, Owen. It is a great run through of all the old traditional practices in Kerry long ago. Thankfully many of these customs are still preserved here.


Observing the Pieties

Garry MacMahon

I confess I’m a creature of habit, as down life’s road I go

Observing annual rituals is a must for me, and so

Before the crib at Christmas Eve I kneel with all the clan

And on the feast of Stephen go to Dingle for the wran.

Then for sweet St. Brigid’s Day a straw cross I have made

To hang upon the threshold whereon it will be laid.

In the house of my Redeemer I chant a hymn of praise

My throat criss crossed with candles on the feast day of St. Blaise.

Shrove Tuesday I eat pancakes dipped in honey from the hive

And thank the Lord that yet I live and another year survived,

And when the long gospel is read before the end of Lent

Home I take the blessed palm and breathe its sacred scent.

On Good Friday I buy hot cross buns and before the day is past

Gather cockles from the sea shore and keep the old black fast

And then on Easter morn I rise to see the dancing sun come forth

Not forgetting Patrick’s Day between, as the shamrock I still sport.

The coming of the swallow, the awakening of the earth

The promise of a primrose I await with bated breath,

And lest ill luck should follow me and give me cause to grieve

I never bring whitethorn to the house upon May Eve.

June bonfires once I lighted on the feastday of St. John

A custom all but vanished as relentless time moves on.

July sees me hit for Milltown and Willie Clancy in the County Clare

In Marrinan’s pub I pay my sub and a song or two sing there.

And then its Munster Final time and the piper must be paid

To Thurles, Cork, Killarney the pilgrimage is made.

Again I fetch my fishing rod before the season’s out

Take the time to wet a line and coax elusive trout.

To the Pattern of the Virgin, from thence on to Puck Fair

The Races of Listowel come next and I’m certain to be there.

Dew drenched fields provide me with mushrooms gleaming white

While plump and juicy blackberries for my sore eyes are a sight.

When comes November of the souls and all the leaves are shed

Will you light a candle then for me as I do for the dead?

You’ve heard an old man’s story, each word I swear is true,

Be blessed thrice, take this advice I now implore of you

Don’t turn your back on dúchas or on history’s learned lore

And pass it on before it’s gone and lost forever more.

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Working Hard on our Behalf





I met these hard working tidy towners on Tuesday May 7 2019. They were still working hard when I came out of my meeting.


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Slow Mail in Moyvane in 1894


Kerry Sentinel Saturday, January 13, 1894; Page: 3

MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN LISTOWEL AND NEWTOWN.

A move has been made by the inhabitants of Newtown and the surrounding district with a view of inducing the Post Office Officials to accelerate the postal service between Listowel and Newtown. At present letters posted in Listowel for Newton have first to go to Limerick, then to Tarbert, and from thence by foot to Newtown. The roundabout could be easily avoided by running a mail car direct from Listowel to Newtown, and it is to be hoped that the Post Office may recognise the benefits which the adoption of the change would effect, and the desirability of connecting Listowel more immediately with the surrounding districts.


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Reynard, Up Close




This brave fellow stopped to pose for me  at my old home in Kanturk last week.



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Kildare Town Library




I was in Kildare for the weekend and I took the opportunity to deliver some Listowel Writers’ Week brochures to the libraries round about. This is me delivering to the Kildare Town librarian, Orla.  Orla loved the programme and resolved there and then do to her best to come to the festival.  She is really knowledgeable about books and loves reading. Her library runs four book clubs!

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Listowel Town Square, May 13 2019



Upgrade works have started. Should only take a few days.




Vicar Joe photobombed my picture.

Listowel Square, Knitwits, Writers’ Week in the 1970s, March 17 2019 and a Marconi Centenary

By

On March 22, 2019

In Uncategorized

Trees in Listowel Town Square

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Knitwits

Knitwits, Listowel knitting group meet in Scribes in Church Street on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11.00a.m.

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Listowel Writers’ Week , The Early Days



John Pierse has this photograph of  a very early Writers’ Week Committee. 

Recently Aidan OMurchú donated a copy of Reality magazine from 1975 to the present Writers’ Week committee.

Aidan’s dad, Luaí OMurchú was an early chair of the committee. Under his pen name, Redmond O”Hanlon, he wrote an article for Reality about the  early days.

He quotes Seamus Wilmot’s definition of Writers’ Week as “A showing of the man to the boy, the writer to the aspirant, an examination and an evaluation.”

Bryan MacMahon saw it as “a bit of impertinence on our part.”

Hugh Leonard proclaimed it “a Kerry Baccinalia”.

“An orgy of sociability”  John Boland.

Listowel Writers Week is still all of these things and more. I popped into the office recently and I got a glimpse of the storyboard of this year’s festival. It was filled with “big names”. Everyone who is anyone in Irish writing today seems to be coming our way sometime between May 29 and June 3 2019.

I have just finished reading John Boyne’s Ladder to the Sky. Brilliant! My book club has read Kit de Waal’s The Trick to Time, a book that stayed with me long after I had put it down. I am reading a brilliant new Irish writer at the moment. Anne Griffin reminds me a lot of Donal Ryan. Her book is When all is Said and it is a great read. I can get to meet all of these writers in my own home town this summer. What’s not to love about Listowel Writers’ Week?

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Listowel St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2019




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Centenary Commemoration of Marconi Station in Ballybunion


One hundred years ago this was the Marconi Radio Station in Ballybunion. Today it is Coláiste Bhréanainn. On Tuesday March 19 2019 Ballybunion looked back at the historic day when the first east to west voice message was broadcast across the Atlantic.


Above are some of the artefacts which were on display on the day. I took my photos in black and white as a medium befitting the occasion.



This man was teaching the children how to send a message in Morse Code. He favoured the mobile phone himself.

There is a great video of the unveiling of the commemorative plaque here

Marconi Centenary

Church Street, 1916 Manhole Cover, Listowel Courthouse and Brendan of Ireland.

By

On August 13, 2018

In Uncategorized



Montbretia at John B. Keane Road

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Upper Church Street then and now

Photo; John Hannon

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An interesting Manhole Cover

Most manhole covers in Listowel look something like this.

This one in Childers’ Park looks a bit different.

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Listowel’s Civic Plaza

In the centre of town, between the John B Keane Road and Charles St. are three buildings arranged around a plaza. These buildings have recently been done up.

As you stand with Charles St at your back, Áras an Phiarsaigh is on your left. This is the home of Listowel’s civic offices.

On your right is Listowel branch of Kerry County Library.

Facing you is Listowel Court house, looking very spruce after it’s recent painting.

If you turn round and look towards the town, this is the view.

The path is lined with flowers right down to the corner with Charles street.

Listowel is never too far away from its rural hinterland.

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Brendan of Ireland



Aileen Skimson sent us this Bryan MacMahon book she kept as a souvenir of her visit to Ireland, when she was a child. The story is illustrated with photographs of Brendan ( Michael Greaney) in some  North Kerry locations. Here are a few.

The book tells the story of a typical young boy growing up in Kerry in the 1950s and 60s. It was a life of saving hay and turf, card playing, cooking potatoes and making brown bread.

I hope to soon be able to bring you more details about this extraordinary book, it’s characters and locations.

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Revival in The Square on Saturday August 11 2018




Denis Carroll’s photo of some of the capacity crowd in town for the very successful Revival Music Festival 2018

The Morning After the Night Before



I was in the Square at 9.30 the morning after the music festival and it was pristine.

They even thought to protect the trees.

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