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
“Meetings” were election rallies, Trump style, but on a much smaller scale.
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Tarbert Ferry 2006
Some of my old pictures of the Tarbert Ferry
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Michael Hartnett’s Last Aisling
James Kenny found a copy of handwritten poem and David O’Sullivan found a print copy.
Now Vincent Carmody has been in touch.
Mary,
Both hand written and printed Aislings are credited as written by Michael Hartnett, both dated 10 June 1991, one has John B’s name, however, looking at the newspaper copy, dated Sunday, June 9th 2002, the poet has dedicated it to John B.,, in a line of the Aisling, it is not John B’s name thats mentioned, rather his brother, Eamon Keane.
I wonder is this due to the fact that John B, had died, 12 days previous, on May 30th 2002.
It would be nice to see the published version, Book of Strays, which was due to be brought out by The Gallery Press in September 2002.
Vincent.
If someone has Book of Strays, would you please look up the poem and see to which Keane brother it is dedicated.
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A Fact
Pedestrian crossings have gone from Zebra to Panda to Pelican. Zebra crossings allow pedestrians the right of way. They can cross when ever they want as soon as the traffic stops. Panda crossings are controlled by lights which stop the traffic at regular intervals to allow the build up of pedestrians to cross. Pelican crossings are the on-demand ones we are familiar with. The pedestrian presses a button to stop the traffic.
Creative Walls is a marvellous project by Listowel Community and Business Alliance.
Here is what they have to say about the latest Listowel mural
~ Listowel Characters ~ The latest Listowel Characters mural has been commissioned by the Listowel Business & Community Alliance. With support from Kerry Co Arts and Creative Ireland.
The artist selected for the new typographic mural is the talented Master Signwriter – Martin Chute. As with our previous walls, the artist gets to choose an inspiring quote from a selection of Writers, Poets, Songwriters, and more. Martin was keen to create a mural featuring John B. Keane.
“Where’er I go I’ll love you sweet Listowel and doff my distant cap each day to you” – Sweet Listowel.
Martin lived and worked in the United States for many years. Now his exquisite lettering enriches the fascias of his native Listowel. The Chute family’s sign writing and artistic painting work are a prominent feature on Listowel’s shopfronts.
Since his return from America, Martin’s unique, handcrafted signs and shopfront designs have transformed the streetscape in Listowel. His work offers an identity and a sense of place that has contributed to the preservation of the town’s character.
Thank you Martin and all involved for this exquisite piece which has attracted massive attention and admiration already. An asset to the town of Listowel. A special thanks to Pat Nolan from Pat Nolan’s Furniture & Carpet Centre for kindly donating this wall space for this project.
Listowel Business and Community Alliance Kerry County Arts Creative Ireland John B. Keane’s Pub, Listowel, Co. Kerry
This is the other Charles Street mural. The contrast in styles is striking. Listowel Community and Business Alliance is catering for all tastes.
I particularly love the quotation Martin chose. Listowel is often described as lovely. Sweet is somehow to me more emotive, more tender, The colours, the shape and the timbre of Chute’s mural is reminiscent of an old sweet wrapper, a taste of childhood.
The doffing of the cap suggests to me respect and reverence, an acknowledgement of all that Listowel has given. It’s a gesture of gratitude and loyalty.
My blog has brought me into contact with many Listowel emigrants. This mural speaks to them and for them. I find among the Listowel diaspora, a massive loyalty to the town. I haven’t met a Listowel person yet who was not proud of where he came from.
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Kilbrin
Kilbrin is a very small village in North Cork. It has no shop and no pub now. It has a primary school and preschool and a thriving GAA club.
My family are buried in Kilbrin.
Over the graveyard wall a flock of sheep were investigating a mound of earth. Kilbrin is in the heart of the countryside.
Kilbrin is a very very old burial ground, still in use today . A wonderful restoration job has been done here by the local graveyard committee. All of the graves’ inscriptions which can be read are also online;
Chris Grayson took this photo in Killarney National Park.
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An Invitation for You
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My Trip to Newcastlewest
This is Shirley O’Regan, poet and broadcaster, in the Limerick West fm studio where she interviewed me about my book, A Minute of Your Time.
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I took a stroll around Newcastlewest and here are a few photos from the town square.
This is the inscription on the below sculpture. My half remembered Latin seems to tell me that this is a monument to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption erected in 1950 by the parishioners of Newcastlewest.
The figure is clearly a milkmaid and in her hand she has a pair of butter paddles.
The bronze coin on the pavement also confirms that she is indeed a milkmaid as does the presence of milk churns on the plinth.
This would appear to depict a cow as well.
At the other end of the leisure space in The Square is a monument to local poet, the late Michael Hartnett.
Its a brilliant statue capturing the essence of this thoughtful genius.
Even on the dirty wet day of my visit, Newcastlewest square looked magnificent.
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Someone’s Coming Home
“My G Grandmother Mary Stack born 1832 is from Kilbaha, Her mother is Ellen Shanahan, Stack, Gregory. My G and GG came from Newtown Sandes, John Walsh born 1806 and his son Patrick born about 1830 came to the states about 1850 to Paris Ky.
I am looking forward to visiting your lovely city in late March or early April in 2020 with my son. We will be in Kerry and other locations for 7 to 10 days. I have done extensive searches for family from your lovely county for many years. So now it is time to visit and see it for myself. My name is Robert Patrick Walsh Fister, My son Tony, Robert Anthony is bringing me to Ireland as a gift, I am excited for sure.
I enjoyed a lovely day out on the Dingle peninsula recently.
This friendly fellow we met at Slea Head.
Cycling was always a favoured means of transport for student and visitor alike.
I don’t know if the coin machine works. I did not hazard my money in it although I have done in the past. You put in a euro or two and you “mint” yourself a souvenir (worthless) coin.
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This piece of outdoor art is rather nice.
We met Róisín and Joan at The Halla in Ceann Trá. We helped them make somme clay pots.
Our pots when fired would hold a candle and would be released from Milltown Bridge as part of Féile na Bealtaine.
A bit of humour is always welcome. This sign was at Dick Mack’s back door.
More humour, this time in Murphy’s Ice Cream shop. It was very busy on the day we visited. The staff were super friendly plying us all with free samples. We just had to have some more. I would recommend the sea salt.
This lovely lady was minding the Dingle Candle Shop for her sister in law. She has her own business, making lovely oil cloth bags. Her business is called Pins and Needles. I bought this bag. You’ll see me carrying it around town.
This knitted sheep farm caught my eye in a shop window.
I bought some really nice soap.
Onion sets, shallots and seed potatoes in a shop window in Dingle in April 2014.
