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
Our fellow Kerrymen in the Kerrymen’s Association in Dublin held a great award night recently to honour the recipients of their Laochra Chiarraí awards. These presentations had been held over due to Covid.
My photos of the Tidy Towns window show Dr. Patricia Sheahan who was named Kerry Person of the Year and Listowel Tidy Towns who got the Community Group Award. Well deserved recognition for all of these people.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Catholic Glossary
People of my vintage will be familiar with these terms. Non Catholics and even younger Catholics will scratch their heads.
The list was published in the paper to accompany a review of Mary Kenny’s new book.
I hope you can enlarge it to read it.
<<<<<<<<<<
A lovely restoration job
This makeover on William Street is superbly suitable for a Heritage Town. Everyone involved, take a well deserved bow!
<<<<<<<<<
Walk for the Hospice
The walk in Camp in aid of the hospice and in honour of the late Betty McGrath was held in glorious sunshine. I found these photos on Facebook.
<<<<<<<<<<
Out with the old; in with the new
Our lovely new shiny parking meters are installed. They accept coins and cards.
Lullymore Bord na Mona Visitor Park; Photo; Éamon ÓMurchú
<<<<<<<<<<<<
In Lyreacrompane
I sourced the following picture and story in the Lyreacrompane Historical Group’s Facebook page.
“People immediately recognise the image of the ‘Bull McCabe’, a character in John B Keane’s play, The Field”, Kay O’Leary from the Heritage Group told The Kerryman. She went on, “There is much debate as to which murder in the area ‘The Field’ is based on but the character of the Bull McCabe does point in one direction and John B knew the Lyreacrompane area and its happenings and secrets from a young age!”
The other image on the mural that has people asking questions is of a young girl watching the horse being shod. Joe Harrington from the Heritage group explains that this image represents Amelia Canty (1874-1955), who played an important role in the War of independence in North Kerry. He credits Kerry historian, Mary McAuliffe with unearthing the story. Amelia was born in the original Canty homestead near the forge which had been set up by her father. In her forties she worked undercover in RIC barracks in Abbeydorney and Listowel and in a witness statement to the Bureau Military History in 1955, Patrick McElligott, Commander of the Volunteers in North Kerry during the War of Independence, said that; “It would have been nearly impossible to carry on in such a hotbed of spies and informers without her aid”.
Some of the older people still remember the Forge in Lyreacrompane and the mural brings back many childhood memories. It seems that the wet day was always the busiest at the forge as farmers, unable to work in the wet weather, used the time to get horses shod, gates and farm machinery fixed and catch up with the local news. Those gatherings at the forge were an important opportunity for social gatherings back then. Canty’s Forge closed in 1951 and on Sunday last, the extended Canty family gathered to view the mural, remember olden times and pass on the story to the younger generation.
In the photo. On the left; Jeremiah and Shay O’Connor, Cathy and Evelyn Canty, Donagh and Rian Horgan, Mike Horgan, Donal Canty and Leah and Ava Canty. On the right; Finnán and Daire Canty, John, Betty and Patsy Canty, Catherine Canty Horgan and Sean Horgan, Margaret Canty Kerins, Heather O’Connor and Padraig Canty.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
International storytelling festival2022
This year’s international storytelling festival will take place in and around Kerry Writers’ Museum from September 15 to 18.
All the great local storytellers will be in action as well as international guests. There will be songs and walks and all kind of shenanigans as well. A great weekend is planned.
Get information and tickets from Kerry Writers’ Museum here;
The Sam Maguire Cup with members of the Kerry team will be in the Square Listowel on Saturday September 17th @8pm. Also in attendance will be the North Kerry Minor County Champions. As this was a historic achievement been organised by the North Kerry Board in conjunction with Listowel Emmets we are asking ALL CLUBS In North Kerry to have members of their u13 teams present at Frank Sheehy Park, Listowel on the same night @7pm sharp to parade to the Square as part of the Celebrations. We need all clubs to get on board with this to make the night a memorable event for all. All clubs can contact PJ Mulvihill secretary of the North Kerry Football Board in relation to your club participating.
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
The phrase “rule of thumb” derives from an old English law which stated that you could not beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
