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 23 of 33

St. Patrick’s Day parade 2014, Joanne O’Riordan

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On March 19, 2014

In Uncategorized

Images of St. Patrick’s Day in Listowel 2014

recording a maemory
Dromclough’s St. Patrick
Matt Mooney, grand marshall
Billy Keane, M.C.


Some of the Polish contingent
Dromclough brought livestock
and some very handsome farmyard fowl
John Lynch recorded it all
Tim O’Leary
musicians on the platform

Nine year old Daragh Hudson danced The Brush Dance:
http://youtu.be/VLm7kMhvXxY

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Meanwhile, in Sydney

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This is a photo of yours truly with Joanne O’Riordan. I was in Kanturk for the annual Arts Festival and Joanne was doing the official opening. Joanne is a star and like all stars she had a “rider” in her contract. She asked that the Kanturk hurling stars, Anthony Nash, Lorcán MacLoughlin and Aidan Walshe all be in attendance at the opening. Such is Cork GAA’s appreciation of one of the team’s most passionate supporters that all three of the hurlers attended.

On the following day, I watched Stephen O’Riordan’s film about his famous sister, No Limbs, no limits.  It was an honest documentary, sad, uplifting and life affirming. We saw a very ordinary family in a rural Irish community responding with admirable determination to the arrival of a beloved child with enormous disabilities into their family. From day one the emphasis was on Joanne’s abilities and she has grown into a vocal well adjusted advocate for the rights of wheelchair users.

Read one of Joanne’s articles in The Examiner here;

What I hate about being in a wheelchair

and as soon as it hits the cinemas go see the film. You’ll be glad you did.

<<<<<<<

We have a new business in town; Emilia’s Café

Saturday Supplement and The Royal Munster Fusiliers in WW1 and Pigott Poetry Prize

By

On February 20, 2014

In Uncategorized

Don’t Miss This

On Saturday morning next, Feb 22 2014 Radio Kerry will broadcast Frank Lewis’ Saturday Supplement  at 9.00 a.m. This programme is inspired by Vincent Carmody’s book, Listowel: Snapshots of an Irish Market Town 1850 to 1950.

Vincent’s walking tour of the town is something every Listowel person should experience at least once. If you haven’t done it, put it on your Bucket List.

Now, Thanks to Frank Lewis and Radio Kerry, you can experience this tour at one remove, by listening to it on the radio.

I am honoured to be part of the tour. I was invited by Vincent to read from Listowel greats like D.C Hennessey, John B. Keane, Joseph O’Connor and Seán Ashe. On Sunday morning, when we recorded the programme, I was in the company of illustrious natives like Jim MacMahon, Kay Caball and Gabriel Fitzmaurice. They all had individual and interesting tales to tell. There also were ordinary people, whose voices we are  less used to hearing on the airwaves like Martin Griffin, Liam Grimes and Diane Nolan. What all these people have in common is that they are North Kerry born and bred. While my love for Listowel is undoubted, my pedigree is not pure. I only made my way to the Kingdom in 1975. But I think people are willing to forget that now and I am proud to take my place among native Listowellians.

Chalk it down: Radio Kerry, Feb. 22 2014 9.00 a.m.

Below are some photographs I took on the day of the recording, Feb. 2nd 2014

The gang are gathered at Jet O’Carroll’s, across the road from Galvin’s off licence and Vincent is telling the listeners the story of the mosaic shop front.

We called to this house, a few doors up from the post office in Upper William Street. In the front room, for we were expected, a candle burned before an icon of De Valera and the walls were adorned by memorabilia from the White House. This house was once the home of Kathy Buckley who, along with 2 other North Kerry girls, worked in the kitchen at The White House during the reigns of 2 presidents.

Back on the street, Brian MacCaffrey, who was married to Kathy Buckley’s niece, told Frank Lewis all about her and her adventures.

Martin Griffin, Brian MacCaffrey and his son, John listen intently while Vincent tells another story.

On Church Street Vincent told us about the place where it was easier to write then not to write. We heard the story of John B.s lovely poem, The Street. Several others of the street’s pantheon of writers were also mentioned.

You will not be able to see this on radio but we got to admire the work of Patrick MacAuliffe and The Cement God and the beautiful handiwork of The Chute Family, Listowel painters for 5 generations.  Vincent told us what John B. used to tell visitors who asked him to explain the significance of the inscriptions in three languages.

Gabriel Fitzmaurice sang, recited and told stories to beat the band.

At John B.’s statue in The Small Square I got to read John B.s account of the Tom Doodle adventure. Liam Grimes was actually there on the night of the great Doodle rally.

We finished our tour at the castle where Diane told us the history of the castle and Joan Mulvihill, who had entertained us with song all along the route, sang one final local ballad. I’m delighted that I recorded it for you.

So here it is again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY2tt5ZOdGA

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This recruiting poster is one of many photographs on a website devoted to Irish regiments in WW1.

Eternal Fame? I don’t think so.

<<<<<<

Who is this?

This is Mark Pigott

What is his Listowel connection?

His family roots are in Listowel.

Why is he in the Listowel news right now?

Wait for it! This man is a very very successful business man in the U.S. His company is called Piccar. Read all about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Pigott

AND he has just endowed Listowel Writers Week with a huge poetry prize. This man is a lover of the arts and a philanthropist. He has decided to share some of his vast wealth with poets. He has decided to do this in the form of a prize at Writers’ Week.

Read all about it here: http://writersweek.ie/competitions/pigott-poetry-prize-listowel-writers-week-announces-new-poetry-prize

This huge prize, along with Kerry Group’s  long standing sponsorship of the Book of the Year puts Writers’ Week right up there with the big international Arts festivals.

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Penal Times in Listowel, The park after the storm

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On January 21, 2014

In Uncategorized

Penal times in Listowel

The early 18th
century was a tough time in Ireland. It was the era of the Penal Laws when
determined efforts were made to stamp out Catholicism. Irish people practiced their religion
covertly and priests were hunted down and exiled. People were afraid to attend
religious ceremonies and some were forced to swear depositions informing on
priests and schoolmasters who broke the law.

At a meeting of the Kerry
justices of the peace in Tralee in June 1741, summonses were issued to several
people to appear. They al expressed reluctance to give evidence against their
priests but in the end they made their depositions One man, Richard Connell
deposed that there were many “Popish schoolmasters still in the county.”
Connell also deposed that there were many active priests still residing in the
county.

Patrick Trant deposed that
“one Teig Connell” went to France for foreign education, as did Stephen and
Bartholomew Rice.

Warrants were issued for the
arrest of these lads’ parents.

Among the priests who were
hunted and killed during this period were many members of religious orders.
These orders sent priests all over the country to minister to Catholics and to
preach to them. In June 1711 a man named
Burke appeared in Listowel in “The Wood of Drommin”. He was barefoot, bare
headed and had a staff in his hand. He preached to a gathering of about 200
souls urging them to forsake vice and lead a Godly life. When he had finished
his discourse “he scourged himself until the blood ran down his back”. The
local magistrate sent to have him arrested but Burke escaped capture and was
later heard of preaching to two or three thousand at Rathkenny in Co. Limerick.

My source for all this
information is Fr. Anthony Gaughan’s Listowel and Its Vicinity.

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Some photos I took recently in the Town Park

Bare Wintry trees

Fallen branches gathered for collection

The Council sawed up the fallen trees

 The river in flood

Debris washed downstream.

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Michael Flahive’s picture of Bromore in Winter.

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This old photo comes from a great collection on Wistorial. It is of crossroads’ dancing on the platform at Laharn in Co. Cork.   Happy days when young and old loved to dance so much that they came even in the rain.

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Doreen Buckley took these pictures of Sean Slemon of Moyvane at a civic reception for him in Kerry County Buildings recently

The Mayor of Kerry with Seán, World Irish Dancing Champion and his parents in County Buildings 2014.

Councillor Pat Leahy of Moyvane very proud of fellow Moyvane man and his World Championship trophy

A question in parliament about Listowel, 1920, Sunday’s Craft Fair and Tar Abhaile

By

On November 28, 2013

In Uncategorized

I had a busy day on Sunday. It was a big day in town with most of the shops offering discounts. In the town park the Community Centre was holding a Craft Fair. Here are a few photos I took on my visit.

These people were there to promote a fundraiser for Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue. Watch out for a great night with celebrity chef in The Listowel Arms.

Catherine Nolan had reed diffusers, jewellery etc.

Carmel and Paddy Fitzgibbon were chatting to Vincent Carmody at his stall.

Imelda Murphy and Noreen O’Connell were catching up.

 These sisters had slate products and Tilly dolls for sale.

Enterprising pupils from Tarbert Comprehensive TY class were selling Christmas wreaths.

Another happy customer for Vincent; Paddy McElligott.

Mary Fagan was admiring Maria’s diverse array of paper products.

>>>>>>>>

Neighbours, Helen, Christy and Noreen were doing a spot of early Christmas shopping.

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Nowadays we are reading of
the re ignition of an old fiery subject….. the question of Irish language
signage.  Leo Varadkar, in response to
pressure from Irish language lobbyists, is proposing to give placenames as
Gaeilge more prominence on signposts than the more familiar English placenames
that are in daily use.

Back in 1920 Listowel had its
own signage as Gaeilge controversy. Paddy Keane found this account on line.

SIGNBOARDS
(IRISH LANGUAGE).

HC
Deb 25 November 1920 

Mr. ALLEN
PARKINSONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Miss Kearney,
Messrs. John F. M’Guire, John Kean, John Quigley, James Crowley, all of Church
Street, Listowel, Patrick Buckley, Jeremiah Foley, Thomas Beechinor, all of
William Street, Listowel, Edward Moran, Market Street, Listowel, have within
the last fortnight obliterated their names in Irish character on their
showboards; whether this was done because of threats made by police constables
in case they refused to do so; whether any of these are licensed traders;
whether he is aware that Messrs. Timothy D. O’Sullivan, Michael Fitzmaurice,
James Lynch, John Relihan, Michael O’Connor and Edward Gleeson, and Mrs.
Michael Stack, Mrs. J. J. Keane, all of William Street, Listowel, Miss Katty
Stack, Main Street, Listowel, Messrs. Morgan Sheehy, James Bunyan and John
Began, and Mrs. Counihan, all of Church Street, Listowel, licensed traders,
have, within the same period, also obliterated their names in Irish characters
on their show boards; whether all these have, and prior to such obliteration
had, their names in English characters over their doors as required by Section
25 of The Licensing Act,
1825; whether this obliteration was done under similar threats;
whether, on Friday, the 12th instant, Constables Cahill and Beiman called at
the premises of Mr. Flavin, a newsagent and flour and meal merchant, and
threatened Mrs. Flavin that unless the name in Irish was taken down within 24
hours the premises would be blown up, and if the same constables
on Wednesday night repeated this threat to Mr. Flavin’s assistant, giving her
until midnight to have the name removed, otherwise the house would be burned;
whether in consequence the women and children were afraid to sleep at home that
night; whether the same constables made a similar threat to Mrs. John B. Walsh;
whether, when Mr. Walsh produced a letter from his solicitor as to the law on
the point, they informed him this law was out of date, and that he must have
his name in English letters six inches long, under Section 10 of TheLicensing Act,
1864; whether there is such a Statute, as alleged by the police;
whether there are still several traders having their names in Irish over their
shops; and whether any assurance will be given to these that their property
will not be destroyed in consequence by the police or other forces of the
Crown, and that these traders will not be further molested in reference to this
matter?

Sir H. GREENWOODI am making inquiries
into these allegations, and shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat on
Thursday next this question, of which I only received notice yesterday.

Mr. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary
for Ireland whether he will make further inquiries into the statement that only
licence-holders were compelled to withdraw from their signboards their names in
Irish; and whether traders may now be assured that they will be free in the
future from interference of that character?

Sir H. GREENWOODIn view of the specific
allegations in a question put to me to-day by the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr.
Allen Parkinson), I am having further inquiry made into this matter.

.  
 

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I am looking forward to Tg4 on Sunday Dec. 1  at 9.30 to revisit a happy time last spring with Julie Evans and the Mahalicz  family.




The film crew went to Sydney to film Julie “at home”. Here she is Hyde Park Barracks with her cousin Barbara.

Julie at work

Filming at Hyde Park Barracks





The Tg4 programme will also feature this lady. She is Angie Mihalicz from Canada. NKRO found her Irish roots in Asdee. 







Angie brought some of her family with her. 

The connection with Peter McGrath? They are trying to make a family connection on Peter’s family’s vast family tree.


Listowel Co. Kerry today and more on Listowel, Ontario

By

On November 20, 2013

In Uncategorized

Three shops in a row on William Street, all closed.

Meanwhile McKenna’s has been repainted.

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A few more then and now photographs

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Guess what Michael Lynch (archivist) found in the archives of the County Library.

It’s the choir from Listowel Ontario who visited us in 1971.

Michael writes:

“Just a wee bit about the Listowel Ontario Choir!  I’ve found a photograph (attached) in “The Kerryman” photo archive.  It appeared in the paper on 8 May 1971, and was accompanied by a note stating that the Choir had just finished up at the Cork International Choral Festival, winning 1st prizes in the No. 2 Schools and No. 4 Schools Competitions.  They also finished 2nd in the No. 3 Schools Competition.

The Choir also played a concert at the Killarney Town Hall (3 May 1971) as part of the Pan Celtic Festival.

There’s a good article in “The Kerryman” on 19 June 1971, which states that Listowel Youth Club’s finances (which had been built up through organising “hops at the Plaza”) had been drained by their provision of hospitality for the Canadian choir.  Two dances at the Listowel Arms had severely dented their finances.”

(It sounds like they ate us out of house and home.)

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You heard it here first….maybe



Namir Karim, our genial host in Scribes is opening a craft shop. He should be up and running in time for all your Christmas gifts. Craft demonstrations, classes etc are all in the plans so watch this space!



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Good news on the Great Southern Trail



“Kerry County Council have made an application for funding for the extension of the Great Southern Trail under the National Cycle Network funding scheme. This fund of over 6 million will be allocated to Local Authorities and priority will be given to “ projects that are off road and have the potential to be world class trip attractors in their own right”.
An announcement should be made before year end from the Department of Transport on the successful applicants.”  (Jimmy Moloney)

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