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 Page 14 of 33

Old Listowel, The funeral of Austin Stack and the first of my Banna pictures

By

On April 22, 2016

In Uncategorized

Rainbow over Ballybunion

Photo: Jason O’Doherty

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State Commemorative event to remember Roger Casement, Banna April 21 2016



Everyone who was in Banna on Thursday agrees that it was a great day, a day to be proud to be Irish. I was immensely proud of our army and army reserve, our National Folk theatre , our Kerry County Council who organized everything so well and I was especially proud of our president. 

Thousands of us gathered on “the lonely Banna Strand” to remember the complex character that was Sir Roger Casement and his doomed mission to arm the rebels of 1916.

I went to Banna on the free shuttle bus from Tralee.

I met this lovely lady wearing her Cumann na mBan medal.

The band was having a minute of down time before their performance.

Emergency services were out in force.

The army were beautifully turned out. Here I caught them in the moments before their big performance.

And doing Listowel proud was army reservist, Sergeant Aisling Griffin.

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Old Listowel Map

Damien Stack showed me this old map one day in town.  In the days before the drone these panoramic photos were taken from high buildings or maybe even from a plane.

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Austin Stack’s Funeral Comprehensively Covered in The Kerryman



Kerryman, Saturday, 04
May, 1929; Page: 5

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SCENES. HUGE
KERRY ATTENDANCE.

The remains of Mr. Austin Stack
were  removed last evening from the Mater Misericordiae Hospital to St.
Joseph’s Church, Berkeley St. There was a remarkably large assembly of friends
and sympathisers, who lined Rd. and Eccles St., and the deepest sorrow was
manifested in the sad ceremony.

The remains were borne from the
hospital to the church door by relays of Sinn Fein ex-T.D.’s and other members
of the organisation, and were received at the church by Rev. J. O’Callaghan,
C.C.

The priests present were:—Very Rev.
Canon Breen, P.P., Castlegregory; Rev. R. P. O’Reilly, C.C, Tuosisi, Co. Kerry;
Rev. G. Cleary, 0,F.M., and Rev. J. O’Mahony, C.C, Booterstown.

A guard of honour of members of
Oglaigh na h-Eireann was present at the church door.

The chief mourners were:—Mrs. Stack
(widow), Nicholas Stack (brother), Mrs. Nicholas Stack and Mrs Louis Cassidy
(sisters-in-law), Liam and Austin Stack (nephews), Nanette and Marie Stack
(nieces), Mrs. Long, Mr. and Mrs. William O’Neill, Mr. and Mrs. James O’Neill
the Misses Mary, Martha and Gertrude O’Neill, Tallaght (cousins), J. O’Dolan.,
Belcoo; Miss Margt. O’Dolan, do.; the Misses Stack, Listowel; Miss May
Quillinan, do.; Mrs Cassidy, Monesk; Dr. A. Cassidy, Ballyjamesduff; Miss
Harkins, London; M. Cassidy, Dowra; Dr. and Mrs. C. Martin, Dublin; T. P.
Reynolds, Portarlington; M. Cassidy, Ballyshannon; J. Reynolds, Dublin; Mr. and
Mrs. J. J. Galvin, Listowel; Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Dublin; Mr. and Mrs. Lynch,
Omagh; Mrs. Doherty, Dublin; Mrs. Mullen, Omagh; Mrs. Dunne, Dublin; Kathleen,
Eveleen, Moya, Lily, Joe and Maurice Dunne, do.; Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh, do.;
Dr. and Mrs. Lynch, Omagh; P. J. Cassidy, Co. C; J. J. Cassidy, Mr. ann Mrs. J.
Byrne, Dublin. The following were amongst those who represented the Republican
organisations:—Sean O Ceallaigh (“Sceilg”), Pres. of Sinn Fein; Maurice Toomey,
Count Plunkett , M. Price, Brian O h-Uiginn , Maire Nic Shuibhne, Proinnsias
O’Riain , Sean O’Mahoney, Mrs. Cathal Brugha , Eithne Ni Chumhaill; Liam Mac Giolla
Mhuire; Domhnall O Donnchadha, Cathal O’Murchadha , Eamon Enright, L. Raul Dr.
Kathleen Lynn, Brian O Maoilliosa, Gobnait Ni Bhruadair , T. J. M’Elligott
(“Pro-Patria”), Listowel; P. J. Cahill , Tralee; ‘P. Murney, Newry; Seoirse O
Pluingcead , Jos. Clarke , Sean Goulding, J. Mitchel, Blathnaid Ni Chartaigh ,
Padraig MacAndrew, Eibhlin Ni Thobraide , Maedh Ni Fhaolann, P. Whelan, Fiona
Ni Pluingceid , Eamon Mac Giolla Mhuire, Nora O’Seaghdha, Sighle Ni Bhoinn, M
Nunan, M. Kelly, Bob Slane, P. O’Shea , B. Kelly, Newry; D. O’Brien, Nenagh;
Miss M Elroy, Miss Scully , the Misses Laidhin, T. Power, Seamus O’Neill, P.
O’Donoghue, G. Gilmore, Sean RusseII, Seamus_McArdle , Mr. Cole, Mairin
O’Moore.

Others present were: Messrs. P S
Doyle, T.D.; E Mullins ex-T.D.;D. O Briain , sec , Gaelic League; R. Stokes, P
O’Brien, M. J. Spillane (Co. Kerry); E. J. Toomey, J. Fogarty, W. Dove, J.
Burke, solr. ; T Galvin,  Prof. A. Clery, Prof. Hackett, P O Maille, J. J.
Walsh, A. McCabe, D. O’Callaghan , Con Collins , Maurice Collins, V. Doyle ,
Co. Surveyor, Kerry; Sean O’Mahony, Daithi Ceannt , D. Fawsitt, B.L.;  S.
Mac Cathmaoil, Town Clerk , Bray; Joe Berley, Liam Pedler, Gilbert Ward, the
Misses Daly, Limerick; T McMahon Miss N . Daly, Kerry; J. D. O’Connell, solr.,
Tralee; Mr.  and Mrs. P. J. Kenneally, do.; Tim Hurley, Charlie Nolan, P.
J. Murphy, solr.; P. Cabill , ex-T.D.; D. Brown, solr.; Miss K. M . Breen,
Vice-Chairman , Kerry Co. Council; W. O’Connor, Dr. and Mrs. J. Comer, Joe
Griffin, Phil Ryan, Miss Somers, D.I.D.A.; J. J. O’Cavanagh, Greg Ashe, Donall
O’Connor, Mr. and Mrs. J. Cabell, Dublin, and Mrs. Slattery, Tralee; Di.
Fitzmaurice, Castleconnell.

Mass will be celebrated at 10
o’clock this morning, and the remains will be removed to Glasnevin for
interment at 2  p.m.

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.

The messages of sympathy received
by Mrs. Stack included:—Daly family, Knockane; P. Power and family, Tralee ;
Father O’Reilly, Kilgarvan ; Canon Breen , Castlegregory; Kate Breen,
vice-chairman, Kerry Co.C; Domhnall O Dalaigh, Liostuathail; Padraig O
Ceallachain, Liostuathail; Judge Mc-Elligott, Limerick; P. Hogan and family,
Tralee; MacElligott (Pro Patria), Listowel; W. Mullins , Tralee; John and
Bessie Galvin, Listowel; O’Donnell, Brosnan, O’Connor, Duhig, Kennedy, Bohan
and O’Shea , Castlegregory; — Shanahan, Valentia; S Ruttle, Adare; Dan and
Kathleen Flavin, Listowel ; O’Riordon family , Caherciveen ; T. and Mrs.
Griffin, Caherciveen; E. and Nora Dore, Limerick; J. and Kathleen MacCarthy,
Dunboyne; Seamas Mac Guill, Dundalk; Mrs. M. O’Callaghan, Limerick.

Madge and Maura Kidney, Tralee; T.
O’Shea, solr. , Killarney; B. and M. Gleeson Killarney; M. P. Culivet,
Limerick; Frances, and Con Casey , Tralee; P. C. O’Mahoney and Kathleen,.
Killarney; Mr. and Mrs: Lynn, Tralee; Annie and Terence Liston, do.; Father
Behan, Killorglin; Stokes and Slattery, do.; J. MortelI, Tralee; Teresa
O’Brien, Tralee; Rita Lucey, Tralee.

Mossy and May Sheehan, Tralee;
Gearoid MacAuliffe, Newcastlewest; J D. O’Connell, solr., Tralee; W. Mangan, Caherciveen”,
Rev. Joe Breen, C.C..; Kenmare; Mr and Mrs. Joe Harrington, Tralee. Hannah
O’Connor, Tralee; P. O’Sullivan, Caherciveen; R. J. Woulfe, Abbeyfeale; P .
Fahy, T.D.. P O’Sullivan, .solr., Limerick; Dr. and Mrs. Quinlan, Tralee;
Muinntir Ui Dhalaigh , Luimneach; Mr and Mrs. Maurice MacCarthy, Tralee; Mary
Anne O’Donnell, Annascaul.; Liam Healy, Ardnacrusha; Annie Leahy and family,
Listowel; M. Giffin, do.; Mrs. Barrett and family , Tralee; The Enright family,

Tralee; J. K. Fyfe, Rathkeale; Tom
Fitzgerald ,Tarbert; Mrs. Brady, Tralee ; Supple family, Ballyheigue; R . C.
and Miss Barton, Annamoe; Ciss and Katie Green, Fenit; Wm. and Kit O’Doherty ,
Tralee;  Kirwan , Limerick ; P. Kenneally, Tralee; The Misses Stack,
Listowel; P. O’Brien, Tralee; P. Rosney, solr., Caherciveen.

Mrs  Slattery, Tralee; P.
Murphy Brosna;  Walsh, Ballyheigue; J. Mc-Carthy and family, Tralee; Lena
Kavanagh Shoreditch,London.

Mary C. Kearney, Limerick; Denis
Bunyan and family, Tralee; Bridie O’Connor, Tralee; Killarney Cumann Sinn Fein
, J. Sugrue, Listowel; Ashe, Devane , Dingle; Miss Noirin O’Reilly, Waterville,
T. Golden , Caherciveen; Fitzmaurice, Castleconnell; Jack Collins, Currane .

Messages of sympathy were received
at Sinn Fein H.Q. from:—M. Mac-Grath , Ballina; Peadar Murney, Newry; Mary
Brady, sec , Cavan S.F. Executive; Sean Glynn, Williamstown; Tipperary I.R.A.
Memorial Committee; J Babington, Carrick-on-Suir; Dan Hanley, Pres., New Ross
Sinn Fein; E. T. Keane “Kilkenny People.”

James Connolly Workers’ Club, 41
Parnell Sq. , Dublin; Cait Ui Ceallachain, Limerick; Miss Mary B, Dowling,
Drogheda; D. O’Connor, chairman, Portlaoighise F.F. Cumann.

SYMPATHETIC TRIBUTES. The National
Executive of Fianna Fail, on the motion of Mr. de Valera, seconded by Mrs .
Pearse , recorded their deep regret at the death of Mr. Austin Stack, tendered
sincere sympathy to Mrs . Stack, and adjourned as a, mark of respect.
Resolutions of sympathy with relatives of Mr. Stack were also passed by
Limerick City Cumann na nGaedheal and Wexford Corporation. Donnchadh O’Briain,
Secretary, Gaelic League , has arranged for a Mass to be celebrated in St.
Joseph’s, Berkeley St., on Sunday next at 8 a.m. Thursday. Impressive scenes
were witnessed in Dublin yesterday when the remains of the dead patriot, Austin
Stack, were laid to rest in Glasnevin Cemetery. The body lay in St. Joseph’s
Church, Berkeley Road, overnight, and at 10 a.m. Requiem Mass for the eternal
repose of his soul was celebrated at 10 a.m. The Rev. J. O’Callaghan, C.C, was
celebrant of the Mass, assisted by Very Rev. John Canon Breen, S.T.L., P.P.,
Castlegregory; and Rev. R. F. O’Reilly, CC., Tuosist , County Kerry. A large
congregation was present in the Church, including representatives, of the
Standing Committee of Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail Deputies and Kerry sympathisers
who had made the long journey to Dublin to be present at the obsequies.

Mrs. A. Stack (widow), Mr. Nicholas
Stack ((brother), Mrs. Nicholas Stack and Mrs. Louis Cassidy (sisters-in-law),
Liam and Austin (nephews), Nanette and Marie Stack (nieces) and other near
relatives and friends occupied seats in front of the Altar.

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Fundraiser for CF at The Well on April 15 2016




Well done to the hardworking volunteers

blackbird, The Rattoo Swan, Government difficulties in 1927 and a better photo of the Dan Keane Variety Show cast

By

On April 19, 2016

In Uncategorized

Photo: Chris Grayson

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Swans Return


This is Bridget O’Connor’s beautiful picture of Mammy swan with her brood of 2015. Earlier this month the same swan and her husband returned to the exact same spot to build their nest. 

Anyone who knows anything about swans knows that they value their privacy and independence so Bridget kept well back to take her first photo of the returned swans.

Then came the biblical deluge of April 10 2016 and all her friends were worried for Mammy swan as the water rose around her nest threatening to swamp it. Mammy swan became agitated, toing and froing from the nest. Two local friends of the swan staged a quick intervention while she was on one of her wanderings and, using pitchforks, raised the nest to a higher spot. Thankfully, the swans accepted the new higher location and they have now returned to hatch their eggs in their beloved nesting spot.

Don’t go near them. I’ll keep you updated.

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Deja Vu all over again



Back in 1927, Ireland was in a similar pickle to today’s shaky political situation.

The Irish general election of June 1927 was held on 9 June 1927. The newly elected members of the 5th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 23 June when the new President of the Executive Council and Executive Council of theIrish Free State were appointed.

The election saw the establishment of Fianna Fáil as a participant in the Dáil, taking most of the support and many of the members of the abstentionist Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin. The impact of this shift was to remove Cumann na nGaedheal‘s working majority among TDs attending, making the Dáil short-lived. (Wikipedia)

Irish Independent Saturday, 27
August, 1927; Page: 10

PROSPECTS IN KERRY FIANNA FAIL
DIFFICULTIES

The news of the decisive dual
victory of the Government in the Dublin by-elections caused great jubilation
amongst all Government supporters in Tralee. The announcement of the Dail
dissolution and such an early General Election, while creating general surprise,
came as a veritable bombshell to the Opponents of the Government, says the ”
Irish Independent” correspondent. President Cosgrave’s decision has the
unanimous approval of all his supporters there as well as of merchants,
traders, farmers, and all others having a stake in the country. The lead given
by Dublin is taken as ominous, and the belief here is that it will be fairly
generally followed throughout the Saorstat at the General Election. The chances
of Fianna Fail are being freely canvassed, and while many of their supporters
are confident of doing better this time owing to the party having entered the
Dail, the extreme section of followers, confined mainly to the younger
idealists. are so disgusted with the taking of the oath that a big number of these
young voters who worked so hard for the party last June will take no part
whatever in the coming election.

VICTORY FOR GOVERNMENT.

Supporters of the Government are
convinced of a sweeping victory on this occasion. ” If the Government don’t
sweep the country this time,” said one prominent Tralee gentleman, ” God help
the country; but the people have got so sick of political wrangling now that
they will put an end to it for ever.”

An influential member of the
Farmers’ Union Party heartily welcomed the early General Election. His only
regret is that it will not give sufficient time to the farmers to meet and
throw in their lot with the Government party, which they so loyally stood by in
the recent crisis. Their duty, however, he said, was to stand by the Government
candidates.

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Picturesque streetscape on Bridge Road

Hill Top, Bridge Road, Listowel April 2016

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The Whole Picture



Betty Stack has sent us the full picture of that cast from the Dan Keane Show in the mid seventies.

Here is the list of names, all except one man,

From back;  Kieran Kelliher,Patrick Flaherty, Seán Ahern, Timmy Leahy, Seán Broderick, Liam Tarrant, P.J. Ryan, Jerry Nolan, …….  ……, Gerard Buckley, Michael Dowling Christy Stack, 

Muriel Dowling, Geraldine Dowling, Kathleen O’Connor, Betty Stack, Maureen Dowling, Honor O’Connor,  Mary RyanPaudie Keane, Timmy Brosnan, Peggy Sweeney, Philomena Dillon and Dan Keane

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What a week!



Last week started out for your blogger with a lovely family birthday.




Then was marred by the illness and hospitalization of a beloved grandchild.

The week ended with a feast of great things in North Kerry; Women in Media in Ballybunion, A Hen Night Epiphany in St. John’s, and a celebration to mark Brendan Kennelly’s 80th birthday.

If you are not interested in any of these things you are in for a lean few days on Listowel connection as I intend telling you all about my adventures, complete with pictures.

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The Ones to Watch




Padraig O’Connor of Ballyduff is on the far right. He is pictured here with his UCC team who were honoured in Cork for their participation in an international business competition in Canada.

Left to right; Brenda Nestor, JMUCC Coach with the 2016 Cork University Business School team: Jess Griffin, Julian Hoare, Klara Sarkovska and Padraig O’Connor being recognised for their participation in the John Molson University Case Study Competition 2016.

Ard Churam Official Opening, Upper William Street, Siamsa in London in 1991and WIM 2016

By

On April 18, 2016

In Uncategorized

Mallard duck photographed by Chris Grayson

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Some More Local People at the Ard Churam Opening



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Siamsa in London 1991


From the archives of The Kerryman

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Correcting a Mistake

Upper William Street, early April 2016

County Council workers are replacing the window in the house next to St. Patrick’s Hall and restoring the streetscape to its original beauty.

This is how Upper William Street has looked as far back as anyone can remember. Then in 2014 when the council bought and refurbished the house next to St. Patrick’s Hall they replaced the upstairs window with a tiny one.

How it looked up to the mid eighties. Photo: Vincent Carmody

You can see in this photo how in 2014 they bricked up the lower half of the window and installed  a window half the size of the original.

The window ruined the uniformity of the streetscape. Vincent Carmody who is a lifelong resident of the street was determined to have the situation remedied. He complained to all the relevant bodies and singlehandedly fought a battle to have the historic panorama of the street restored. Last week he was thrilled to see that his perseverance was vindicated and a new window of the original shape was installed. Harmony is restored on Upper william Street.

Follow Vincent Camody’s very interesting Living History posts on Facebook to learn all about this street and its residents.

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An Invitation for You




Among the Listowel people featured in the book are;

Patrick ‘Sonny’ Griffin

Servelus Jones

Patrick (Paddy) Landers

James Sugrue

And the book also has an essay by Fr. Antony Gaughan entitled Austin Stack, a portrait of a Kerry separatist.

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I was in Ballybunion at the Weekend


Once again the Women in Media Weekend was a Great Success. I’m sorting my photos for you. Check back here during the week for my account of my trip.


Spring in Listowel, A memory of Tom Doodle and a Listowel teacher out on the Biddy

By

On February 3, 2016

In Uncategorized

Spring has Sprung

It lifts my heart to see the flower containers back on the streets after a bad winter….a welcome sight indeed.

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Memories of a Different kind of Election Candidate



Tom Doodle was a fictitious character who stood for election in Listowel in the 1950s. So popular was he that when the jape was over John B. and his band of supporters continued to keep his memory alive with an annual “Frolic”. Junior Griffin has some of the souvenir menus from these frolics. Here is the first one for you. It gives a background picture of Doodle’s early life and the menu for the meal that was to be held in 1957 in his honour.

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From The Advertiser



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Oh the Days of the Kerry Dances…


Liam OHainnín kept this cutting of a crowd gathered in The Square watching Jimmy Hickey’s dancers perform during a Fleadh Cheoil.

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Out on The Biddy


St. Bridget’s Day was on Monday, February 1. Traditionally, the Biddy Boys started their rounds on St. Bridget’s eve and they went from house to house “mumming”, i.e. dressed in fabulous costumes and their faces disguised with straw hats, they welcomed spring with music, singing and dancing. 

I was delighted to see a series of photos from that great photographer, Valerie O’Sullivan, which told me that the tradition is still alive.

This is what Valerie wrote to accompany her photos;

Members of Kilgobnet Biddy Group, Beaufort, Co Kerry, calling to Mike McGillycuddy’s House in Shanera.The tradition of the Biddies is one of the oldest and most colourful customs in Ireland, a blend of pagan and christian pageantry, held on the 1st February each year. Heralding the beginning of Springtime and honouring St Bríd the patron saint of the farming community. The Kilgobnet Biddies well spend the next few nights calling to houses and halls playing music and collecting funds for Kilgobnet National School.

When I looked a bit closer at the photos,  there I saw, among the musicians, a familiar face from my days in Presentation Seconday School. Mr. Coffey was out on the Biddy to raise funds for his local school. The man pictured making the hats is his father.

These three photos were taken by John O’Sullivan

Irish Abroad blog has this to say about this tradition;

In many of parts of Ireland ‘Biddy Boys’ (or girls) went from house to house with ‘Biddy’, an effigy of the saint, often a straw doll, collecting money and food for a party in her honour while reciting a rhyme similar to this one:



Here is Brigid dressed in white.
Give her a penny for this dark night.
She is deaf, she is dumb,
For God’s sake, give her some.”



Brian Coffey gave me an account of the Biddy in Beaufort. The tradition was always in the area with rival troupes of Biddy Boys doing the rounds of the houses and the pubs. In the 60s and 70s when it was at its height there was a competition among the Kerry Biddy groups with a plaque and a sum of money as a prize. The prize money as well as the donations collected in the pubs were always given to charity.



Four or five years ago when the tradition was waning, a group decided to revive it as a means of raising funds for the local primary school. It was decided as well as doing the pubs to go back to the old traditional way and to visit houses. 

The Biddy costumes and straw hats are stored from year to year. Every year there is a need for one or two new ones or some old ones need a bit of smartening up with plaited straw or fresh tinsel.



A route is laid out and a troupe of about 20 local singers, musicians and dancers gathered. This year there were 3 troupes in Beaufort, the adults, the 6th class and the 5th class. Many houses had a candle lighting at the door to welcome the Biddy.  The leading man carried a sign announcing who they were. Often, when he knocked on the door he saw that the house was full of neighbours and friends gathered from far and near to welcome the Biddy. Chairs and sofas were moved back and a way cleared for the singing and dancing. Often a singer or musician in the house would join in and if there was room, they might dance a set ora waltz with the people off the house People were generous. Brian told me that it was not unusual to collect €100 in a house.



“It’s not only about the money,” said Brian. It brings the neighbours together in a spirit of community and friendship. On Monday night they called to the Community Centre where a card game was in progress. The cards were set aside as the card players welcomed the Biddy and the singing and dancing continued for a long time.



The night ended up, as per tradition, with a dance at the crossroads. The dancing area was lit by the headlights of several cars and the dancing and music continued into the small hours of the morning.



Take a look at this RTE video to see the craic they have in Kilgobnet on February 1st. Long may the tradition continue!



Keeping the Biddy Tradition alive




O’Connell’s Avenue folk, A Sad Poem and The Square in summer

By

On January 19, 2016

In Uncategorized

Photo Memories of O’Connells’ Avenue



Maria Sham grew up in O’Connell’s Avenue. Her father was Timmy Canty who worked in the creamery. Maria has fond memories of her old home, her family and neighbours in Listowel. She rooted out a few old photos.

This is a Listowel group on an outing in Killarney. Maria thinks that the man was a driver from Malone’s on Church St. Maria is sitting on the grass with the ribbon in her hair .

The others are:

Left to R, Nan Canty, Maria’s grandmother, Betty Clancy, Molly Cooperager,  Driver for Malones Church St,  Maria’s aunty Sarah Clancy, Joan Dillon they had a barber shop in the Small Square, Maria and Conny Clancy

Mam Dad uncle Peter and neighbour Jack Hurley; R.I.P all

Friends and neighbours in O’Connell’s Avenue.

Maria writes:  I am going to name what I can.   

Back Row left to R , Mrs Mary Galvin and Paddy Galvin,Tadhg Murphy with the fork,  Mrs Murphy, Elly Nolan, man on right home from UK,  Derick Woods,

next row my Mother, Birdie Canty,next to her woman with dark hair Nan Murphy, children boy on left Andy Hayes, Sheila O’Connor with arm around her sister Marie, Kay Galvin, next is Taig Murphy’s Daughter cant remember the name, then a Flaherty, Breda Woods hollidaying from UK, in the pram might be Mars Fitzmaurice, Junie Canty my Brother,  Noleen Reidy, little boy is Hayes cant remember the first name, lovely Neighbours





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Nancy



Do you remember my Christmas card story from December 22 2015?

This is the sender, Nancy Kelly, formerly of O’Connell’s Avenue and now living in England.

Nancy is legally blind but she loves the internet and particularly Facebook. She likes nothing better than to travel down memory lane to her childhood in Listowel.

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This lovely little poem I came across lately will bring a tear to your eye


Father’s Day   by Leo
Cullen

Now he had pneumonia,

“Old man’s friend,” said the neighbours.

It was time to go. His doctor insisted,

So did his three daughters.

They hunted out his best clothes-

The previous year’s Christmas presents

He hadn’t worn since they’d bought them

Preferring the bunched up woolens

And suit waistcoats. Now he was decked-

Looking more washed out then snow-

In loose fawn gansey and pink shirt,

Standing for the last time at his door,

Quivering into his walking stick,

The door he’d passed through for forty years

Through which he’d carried shopping bags

And coal and schoolbags and medals and girls.

He saw the hospital up on the hill.

It didn’t have the big extension

Those times he’d visited. His daughters stood

Unrelenting in the room behind him.

The ambulance drew up, the attendant got out,

Opening the door on high hinges,

Lowering the trolley, and he heard

“This one is his house, this is.”

He drew himself up, his mouth forming

Words, his shadow growing thinner,

Slicing the sunlight on the hall floor. “I’m not,”

He said, “leaving here on a stretcher.”

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Listowel Town Square




I took this photo in summer. St. John’s is in the background and between the two leafy trees is Tony O’Callaghan’s Feale sculpture.

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Notices from the Parish Newsletter




LISTOWEL
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTREtalk on effective communication with children
and teenagers will be given by David Coleman at Listowel Family Resource Centre
on Thursday. February 11 from 7-8,30pm. Booking – 10 euro per
family/student/carer/guardian and 15 euro per professional person. Further details from (068) 23584. Names are
currently being taken for a new five-week course entitled ‘Parenting when separated’
commences at Listowel Family Resource Centre on February 22 at 7pm

LISTOWEL
COMMUNITYCENTRE FREE
30min Taster Classeson Monday 18th Jan. Spinning 7.00pm
and 7.30pm, Kettlebells 8.00and 8.30pm. Nutrition Workshops with Kerry Senior Team
Nutritionist Kevin Beasley starts 7.00pm Monday 25th
January. FREE for members. €10 non-members. Massive gym Membership Sale…WAS
€360 NOW ONLY AN AMAZING €277 Special Offer on Fitness Classes…Buy 7 and get 1
FREE!

KERRY STROKE SUPPORT GROUP  for
those who have had a Stroke Meet the last Friday of each month  from 11.15
am  to 1.15 pm in  Baile Mhuire Day Care
Centre, Caherslee Tralee Kerry. Various activities ; For  further info
contact  087 3586451.



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Name the Stars




I posted this yesterday because of the David Bowie connection. I didn’t know who all the others were but ,in response to a request, I looked them up on the internet and here are the names;

Bob Geldof’s wedding to Paula Yates in 1986. Back row, from left: Johnnie Fingers, Garry Roberts, Tony Hadley, John Taylor, Simon le Bon, Martin Kemp, George Michael, Gary Kemp, Simon Crowe, Steve Norman, Aled Jones. Seated, from left, Midge Ure, John Keeble, Paula Yates, Bob Geldof and David Bowie

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