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: Martin Chute Page 2 of 7

Ballyvourney

By

On September 14, 2023

In Listowel

Veterinary Centre, The Square

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Crann na Scéalta

Have you wondered what the story is as you passed this marvellous sculpture on your way through Ballyvourney?

Here, before they bypass it, is the story.

The tree stands in the grounds of Scoil Abán Naofa.It was a tree that had grown so tall that it was beginning to block the light from the school’s windows as well as posing a threat to life should it ever fall in a storm.

The tree is a Monterey Cypress and it was planted by a local schoolboy Seán Jerh OCeilleachair over 100 years ago. It seemed a shame to just chop it down so they set up a committee locally to see what they could do to preserve it.

They brought in a tree sculptor.

“Sculptor John Hayes has been inspired by the stories that pupils in the school have gathered together and will feature a wide compendium of local heroes and legends in Crann na Scéalta/The Tree of Stories. These include Naomh Gobnait who found the nine white deer she had been shown in a vision in a grove above the village of Baile Mhúirne and, following the message she had been given, founded an abbey there. They also include the story of Nurse Singleton, a legendary figure in the parish from the last century and who is being included, according to Sam Morton of the Tree Committee, as a tribute to local health workers who provided vital care during the Pandemic.” (The Corkman)

These and lots more stories and legends are preserved forever in this gloriously original form.

<<<<<<<<<<

Progress on the Martin Chute Mural

September 8 2023 was exceptionally warm and humid. It was evening time when I went to Pat Nolan’s gable to check up on progress. I did not expect the artist to be there but Martin was back at his task.

This man is painting this huge work from ladders!

Not content with distracting him myself I invited a passer by, Mary Broderick, to pose with him. Mary loves Martin’s work.

Martin is a master of reusing and recycling. Don’t you love his paint pot?

<<<<<<<<<

Guide to Listowel in the 1960’s

<<<<<<<<<

A Fact

In most American states, a wedding ring cannot be counted as an asset in bankruptcy proceedings. A creditor cannot seize a wedding ring no matter how much the debtor owes.

<<<<<<<<<

Harvest Festival Queens

By

On September 12, 2023

In Festivals, Listowel, Listowel Races

William Street

<<<<<<<

On Church Street Upper

<<<<<<<<<

Listowel Harvest Festival Queens

During the week of the Listowel Harvest Festival of Racing, a local committee has always looked after entertainment away from the racecourse. The highlight of this entertainment is the All Ireland Wren Boys competition, traditionally held on the Friday night of race week.

Another highlight for many years was the selection of the Harvest Festival Queen. Betty Stack was part of the organising committee and she sent us a few photos.

Bernadette Sheehan, the 1994 Queen on the specially made float

Anna Enright, the 1991 Queen with the late Michael Dowling. Michael and Danny Hannon shared M. C. ing duties.

Dáithí OSé took over as M.C. for the last few years. The winner then went on to represent Listowel Harvest Festival in the Kerry Rose of Tralee selection.

Kathleen O’Sullivan 1993

Betty gave us a full list of all of the Queens

Harvest Festival Queens Through the Years

(With thanks to Betty Stack)

Rita Groarke, Moyvane 1989

Norma Carmody,  Listowel 1990

Anna Enright, Moyvane 1991

Bridget Tydings, Listowel 1992

Kathleen O’Sullivan, Coilbee 1993

Bernadette Sheehan, Moyvane 1994

Ursula Carmody, Listowel 1995

Collette Carmody/Culhane 1996

Deirdre O’Connell, Clounmacon 1997

Elaine O’Connor, Ballygologue 1998

Sarah Griffin, Greenville 1999

Helena O’Carroll, Duagh 2000

Claire Naughton, Listowel 2001

Katie McNamara, Lisselton 2002

Olivia Dineen, Causeway 2003

Katie Shanahan, Causeway 2004

Ashling O’Donovan, Duagh 2005

<<<<<<<<

Progress

We’re a bit behind the actual work but I’m reporting to you in the order in which I photographed the creation of this latest mural. This is Sept 8 2023.

The next generation…Martin’s son, Jack, helped him out a bit on this very big project. Jack doesn’t want to be a signwriter and he was reluctant to pose for a photograph too.

<<<<<<<

Mike the Pies has no Pies

Jumbo’s has no Elephants

When I came to Listowel first I was fascinated by some of the shop names. I was used to shops named after the proprietor. Listowel had shops with fascinating names like The Fancy Warehouse and The Cloth Hall and pubs with names like The Bees’ Knees and Journey’s End. There was a Serendipity, an Infidel and appropriately enough, an Enigma.

I hope this intriguing little Listowel quirk of giving a business a name which gives no clue as to what it might sell continues and leaves the curious visitor with a question to ask that many local people can’t answer.

Can you remember where Jumbo’s got it’s name?

<<<<<<<<

A Fact

Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest pub in Ireland. It is operating as a bar since AD 900. The building is actually older. Google it. It’s fascinating.

<<<<<<<

Blue Moon

By

On September 7, 2023

In Listowel

Portmarnock moon photo by Éamon ÓMurchú

Listowel moon by Mary Dowling

<<<<<<<<<

The Imeldist

We got an email from Trinidad and Tobago.

Hello there!

I am writing from Trinidad and Tobago. Fr. Finbar Ryan became our Archbishop in 1940. Upon doing some research, I learned that he wrote the little children’s magazine, The Imeldist.

While doing some digging, I came across your blog, asking if anyone had copies. I am also looking for copies! Did you ever come across any?

I’d love to know, God Bless!

Kindest regards,

Elizabeth de Verteuil

I’ve replied to Elizabeth to explain that he didn’t write it all. I presume he edited it or wrote some of the content.

Last time I posted this no one seemed to remember it. I’ve gained a few followers since then, maybe someone kept a copy.

>>>>>>>>

An Amusing Sporting Memory

<<<<<<<<

A Corner of a Kanturk Park

<<<<<<<<<<

Our Next Mural

Our next mural for Listowel.ie will be created by our very own signwriter, painter and muralist, Martin Chute.

I met him preparing his “canvas”, the gable end wall of Pat Nolan’s Furniture Shop. The quotation will be very local. I think we’ll all love it best. I’ll keep you posted.

<<<<<<<<<

A Fact

When Montenegro became independent from Yugoslavia, its internet domain went from .yu to .me

<<<<<<<<

A Restaurant, A Captain, A Shoe shop, a Poem and a Horsey Fact

By

On September 6, 2023

In Listowel, Poem

Nanjing Restaurant and Brosnan’s Bar Market Street in August 2023

<<<<<<<<

We’re all behind you, Johnny

Photo shared online by Are Lingus

<<<<<<<<<<<<

A Spelling Lesson

Photo from Facebook

<<<<<<<<

O’Farrell’s Repainted

Beautiful vintage style sign by the master signwriter, Martin Chute

<<<<<<<<<

One to set you thinking

by Steven Willis

<<<<<<<<

Another Horsey Fact

A horse can produce 10 gallons of saliva in a day.

<<<<<<<<

The Square

By

On September 4, 2023

In Listowel

Listowel Town Square in August 2023

<<<<<<<<<<<

In Listowel Town Square

This well was discovered when the square was being reconfigured in 1997/98

Lest we forget, this stone stands at the gable of St. John’s, a reminder to us of all the lives lost in all conflicts and wars down through the ages.

<<<<<<<<<<

I found this treasure in the swap box in Listowel library. as well as some great football related poems, there are some quotations from football lovers.

<<<<<<<<

On Church Street last week

Martin Chute busy doing what he does best

Martin does it the old fashioned way, maul stick in one hand, paintbrush in the other, total concentration unaware of anyone around him. He will be surprised to see this today.

<<<<<<<<

St. Vincent de Paul shop volunteers

It is always a treat to visit this shop, open now on Wednesdays, Thursdays Fridays and Saturday mornings. Huge range of preloved and new clothing and lots of books, accessories and bric a brac at very affordable prices. And the kindliest and most helpful volunteer shop assistants.

<<<<<<<<<

Public House on Church Street Closing Down

Flanagans is another victim of high overheads and a change in the drinking patterns of Irish people. Refurbishment is going ahead next door in the old Perfect Pairs premises so hopefully Flanagans will have a new tenant shortly too.

<<<<<<<<<<<

A Horsey Fact

A horse’s digestive system is a one way passage. A horse can’t burp or vomit. This is why if your horse gets colic he is in terrible pain. There is only one way for trapped wind or fermenting undigested food to go. In a small number of cases colic in horses can be fatal.

<<<<<<<<

Page 2 of 7

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén