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: Lord Listowel

Pig Market

Pigs are becoming a bit of a theme this week. 

The delightful caption on this post card reads, “Argy strikes a bargain.”

 Obviously there was a thriving pig business in Listowel one time, such that warranted a market all to itself.

When I looked for information on the internet about the pig market in Listowel, this is what I  found.

The date on this one 1906

I found this following also

Ballyhooly House (The Mansion) was built in 1871 by the dowager Countess of Listowel. At one time a Pig market was held every Monday and a Butter market every Tuesday in the village.”

Ballyhooley is a town Near Fermoy in Co. Cork. The population was 533 in 1837, 149 in 1893 and 186 in 1905 and there were 4 public houses. The village as it stands was built by the Earl of Listowel in the year 1830. Visit the village of Ballyhooly by crossing the bridge and turning left at the ‘T’ junction. On entering the village, at the left, is a picnic area and a uniquely designed Ballyhooly area map.

Ballyhooly Castle is situated in a picturesque setting overlooking the bridge on the Blackwater.

The tower house is in a good condition, having been renovated by the Countess of Listowel in 1864, but all that remains of the surrounding enclosure is a turret and section of wall.

Take 2

I hope you can all see the song this time. Apologies for last  time. I could see it so I presumed everyone could. Further apologies for the tiny size of it. you’ll have to zoom in to read it.

To do this;

 Double click on the song.

You should get it in a new window with a little magnifying class with a plus in it.

Click the magnifier over the text and hey presto! it’s readable. 

I hope you think it’s worth the trouble.

Knight of Glin R.I.P. and Lord Listowel

Desmond John Villiers Fitzgerald, also known as the 29th Knight of Glin, has passed away.

He was the father-in-law of British actor Dominic West.

The Knight of Glin is an ancient Irish noble title handed down from chieftain times.

It is still recognized by Irish governments.

Paying tribute to Mr FitzGerald, the Irish Georgian Society said that Ireland had lost one of its champions of the arts and heritage.

”A passionate man, the Knight tirelessly worked for the future of Irish country houses, their contents, parks and gardens showing the way with the restoration of Glin Castle, and making it home to his collection of Irish paintings, furniture and the decorative arts,” the society said in a statement.

It said that his ”unique contribution to Irish scholarship, indicated by the depth and breadth of his academic output (books, catalogues, articles), is awe-inspiring.

”Desmond was a man of immense charm as well as erudition; he cherished his beloved wife, Olda, and daughters Catherine, Nesta and Honor.”

His daughter Catherine is married to Mr West.

– Independent.ie reporters

There has been much coverage over the weekend of the sad passing of the last Knight of Glin. The knight had strong connections with Listowel. He was a chairman of Listowel Writers’ week. I remember a very pleasant bus trip to Glin during one Writers’ Week. The Knight opened his castle for the occasion and we got a guided tour of the buildings and grounds.

But, of course we have our own links to the British aristocracy in the person of  Lord Listowel

Tom Fitzgerald (whom I don’t think is related to the late knight) came upon this sycophantic song recently. I couldn’t find anything on the web about the visit that is mentioned but as the saying goes “What’s seldom is wonderful” and some bard surely got well rewarded for this lay,

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