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
One entrance to the greenway is just off the Tim Kennelly roundabout.
In Cahirdown the walking and cycle paths are generously wide.
The cycling section ends at St. Michael’s.
The entrance to Páirc Mhic Shithigh is at the junction with Ballygologue Road so it was not possible to extend the widened path that far.
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Alice in Wonderland Day
This quartet were participating recently in Cork’s Alice in Wonderland Day.
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De Valera, an Israeli Forest and a Listowel Connection
Stephen Rynne is nothing if not diligent in his quest to track down samples of Michael O’Connor of Listowel’s beautiful artwork.
Here is his latest update.
Michael O’Connor on the far right of picture
Hand illustrated ‘Book of Honour’ presented to President de Valera on 5 November 1965 to mark the planting in 1965, of a ‘Forest of Trees in his honour and in his name at ‘Kfar Kanna’ near the ancient town of Nazareth in Israel in recognition of his many years of devoted service in the cause of peace and freedom’. Includes quotation from Bunreacht na hÉireann and tributes to de Valera from Dr. Isaac Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Dr. Robert Briscoe, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Dr. Immanuel Jakobvits, Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Mrs. Sarah Herzog, wife of the late Dr. Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Israel, and Arthur Newman P.C, list of names of members of the Irish Jewish community and the names of the Eamon de Valera Forest Committee. Lettered and illuminated by hand, using Celtic symbols and decorations from the Book of Kells. Parchment leaves.
Illumination and Calligraphy by M.A. O’Connor, Dublin and Design and Presentation by Maurice Fridberg. Album (31pp), in bespoke presentation box;
Kayaking in Ballybunion at sunset. Photo: David Morrison
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Beautiful Illuminated Picture
Michael O’Connor and Bryan MacMahon celebrated 100 years of Listowel Races in a beautiful work which was handed over to Kerry Writers’ Museum during Listowel Races 2022.
The piece has now begun the next stage of its journey. Stephen Rynne collected it from the museum and it is now on its way to a paper conservator who will do whatever preservation work is necessary before the museum prepares it for display.
Stephen took these photographs to give us an idea of how stunningly beautiful this is. Combining the work of two of Listowel’s greatest artists, I venture to say that it is Listowel’s and maybe even the Ireland’s greatest modern treasure.
These photographs were taken with a mobile phone through glass. They only give us a small inkling of how magnificent this piece is.
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Ladies’ Day, Listowel Races 2022
Here are some photos I took on the Island on Friday September 23 2022
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A Winter Poem
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Schoolgirls
The class reunion of the Pres. girls from the 1960s saw some old photos on display.
This is the late Michael O’Connor who was born and reared in No. 24 The Square, the house that now houses Kerry Writers’ Museum.
In the above picture Michael is looking at the Book of Kells. He is not just looking, he is studying the work of the masters of the art he loved so much.
Michael was a calligrapher and illuminator and his work is now acknowledged to be on a par with the work of the monks who created The Book of Kells.
“No one is a prophet in his own land.” according to the bible. Not so in the case of Listowel’s Michael O’Connor. In collaboration with Bryan MacMahon, he produced Christmas cards, bookmarks and other commissions for the local market. Far and away the largest of their Listowel projects was a big illuminated picture with words by Bryan MacMahon and calligraphy by Michael O’Connor which was commissioned by the Race Committee to commemorate its centenary in 1958.
On the right is Thomas O’Connell, chairman of the Race Committee with Michael Kennelly, Michael O’Connor, Dan Moloney T.D. and Dr. Bryan MacMahon on the occasion of the handover of the work to the race committee during race week 1958
The Stokes family, descendants of Thomas O’Connell who have kept this important piece safely until a home was found for it, handed over the picture to Jimmy Deenihan, representing Kerry Writers’ Museum during Listowel Races 2022.
Pictured at the handover of the piece to Kerry Writers’ Museum on Friday September 23 2022 are Olive and Oonagh Stokes with Owen MacMahon and Jimmy Deenihan
The O’Connor family, children of the calligrapher/illuminator have many pieces of their fathers work in their possession. They have agreed to donate these to Listowel’s Kerry Writers’ Museum. Stephen Rynne, who has been co ordinating this round up of the work of our most famous artist has also located many more pieces and he has also agreed to donate work in his own possession as well.
Now the good news….Kerry Writers Museum has secured funding to mount this important exhibition. Very soon we will all be able to see and admire these beautiful examples of Celtic Art.
People who study celtic art will flock to Listowel to see these national treasures.
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Ladies’ Day, Listowel Races 2022
Ladies Day is always a big Day on The Island. It is also traditionally the day the students come as its Friday and the start of their weekend.
Not so many students this year but lots and lots of ladies.
There was music and prosecco in The Square to get everyone in the mood.
Martin McCarthy was giving out roses and glasses of bubbly.
Classy’s bus was shuttling people to the racecourse.
Sharon and Anthony were waiting for the shuttle bus.
The very dapper veterans were taking up a collection from racegoers in The Square and at the gate.
I took shanks mare by the river. There was strict searching for alcohol and drugs at the entrance. They didn’t bother me. Old age has some perks.
(more tomorrow)
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A Fact about a Genius of our Time
This was shared on line by Janice Williams and Simone Langemann
“Alan Turing ended his own life on June 7, 1954. He bit into an apple laced with cyanide and ate a bite of it. He did it because the British government chemically castrated him, humiliated him, and prosecuted him for being gay.
For that reason there is a bitten apple in the Apple logo… In honor of Alan Turing. He invented computer science and using his early designs cracked the Enigma code – the encrypted machine that the Nazis and the German Army used to communicate secret commands to each other during world war – thereby saving millions of human lives and bringing us to the modern computer age.
Pride month isn’t just about dancing on floats in gold shorts and waving a rainbow flag. It is about remembering that everyone has the right to be happy, to love who they want to love and to recognize the outstanding contribution that everyone can make in a society free of fear or prejudice.” Vía: Alejandro Jodorowsky/Samira HM
Front : Kieran Fitzgerald, Maurice O ‘Sullivan, Mick O’Connell, Tom Lyons, David Kissane .
Middle: John Hynes, Tadhg Moriarty, P J Browne, Timmy Shanahan , Jimmy Deenihan, Pat Stack .
Rear : Eamon O’ Carroll, Maurice O’Connor, Pat Stack, Tommy O ‘Flaherty, John O’ Connell , Jerry Kiernan, Pat Quilter .
Tim Kennelly was also on that team but was missing on the day of the photo.
Morning has broken…continued
The Teachers
… the last month of St Michael’s College engaged us. In comes Mr Pat Joe Given to bestow Greek on us. I can still count in Greek…heis, duo, treis, tessares. pente, hex, hepta, octo, ennea, deka…and later he would return to impart the last of the English course. He was a quiet teacher who never lost his cool and had that distant gaze between notes that could turn a passing blackbird or thrush into a poem. “Lord Jim” by Joseph Conrad left a huge impression and the quotes learned by heart have stuck a lifetime: “Each blade of grass has its place on the earth from where it draws its life, its strength; so is man rooted to the land he loves from where he draws his faith together with his life…”
Likewise the Romantic poets filled us with blue, crystalline dreams and Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” challenged our understanding of the female psyche. Mr Given had been a boxer and we tried to imagine him in the ring delivering a left uppercut and found it difficult to equate that with the gentler man who carried us through the magic of the English course. Then our former English teacher, Mr John Molyneaux came in with his Latin nouns and interesting stories and Caesar’s exciting Gallic wars. Johnny O’Flaherty took us through the green fields of the Gaeilge and into the minds of the Irish rural characters created by the Ó Céileachairs and the enigmatic Liam Ó Flaithearta. Johnny had the composure, self-assurance and into-class march of a military leader and a keen sense of humour. I was to spend a life teaching Gaeilge afterwards, partly due to the class experience he exuded.
The college president, Fr Danny Long reminded us of “man’s inhumanity to man” during the religion classes with his chopping hand-guillotine mannerism and was relentless with any student who lost concentration! As were all the teachers!
Then comes the other “M”, Mr John Molyneaux Junior with that twinkle in his eye and his unique sense of humour. “Fierce battles” in history were his speciality – every battle he imparted to us was “a fierce battle” – and his favourite exam questions were the “causes, course and results” of the Geraldine War or any other war he had to wage. It was not by accident that I pursued history to MA level because he led me along the enchanted way to the secrets of the story of humanity.
Mr Paddy Rochford brought us to Leaving Cert maths and reminded us that idle chat was just “cluck, cluck, cluck”! He took over the role of de facto career guidance teacher when there was no such role in the school (or in many schools at the time).
to be continued
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June 1 2022 at The Listowel Arms
Eamonn Dillon introduced me to this man and now I’ve forgotten his name.I remember though that he was at Writers’ Week representing Fáilte Ireland. Eamonn is a great fan of Listowel Connection and he told this man all about our little community here in this corner of the internet. He took great interest. Time will tell if it translates into action.
Eddie and Helen Moylan, proud parents of Catherine, chair of Listowel Writers Week and Eileen of Claddagh Design who created the beautiful bespoke Presentation piece for the Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Moira Murrell
Local ladies out for a walk, observing all the carry on at the hotel.
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The Brazen Head
This is a photo from the internet of The Brazen Head pub in Dublin. It claims to be Ireland’s oldest pub. It has a Listowel Connection. One of Michael O’Connor’s beautiful illuminations is on the wall. In fact he did that art work twice as the first one was water damaged in situ.
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Winners
Anne and Kevin won their competition in Sunday’s Well. I am never too old to be proud of my children’s achievements.
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Just a Thought
Last week it was my turn to fill the twice daily Just a Thought slot on Radio Kerry.
I posted this picture yesterday and I wondered why there were so few boys in the class. Vincent Carmody solved the mystery.
There were always junior (locally called Babies) classes in both the boys and girls schools in Listowel. There was a custom for boys who lived in O’Connell’s Avenue or other houses near the convent or for boys who had an association with the convent to go there up to First Communion class.
I presumed that the full class of communion boys must have been in the new school. Not so. Éamon ÓMurchú remembers boys communion classes in the old school and in The Carnegie.
Everyone agrees that Quirkes of Church St. was the place to go for the best after communion breakfast.
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Lovely Listowel
This Church Street shop has very elaborate and unusual embellishments on the first storey.
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St. Vincent de Paul Society Honours Hannah
Listowel St. Vincent de Paul Society recently honoured one of its most treasured members, Hannah Mulvihill.
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Illuminated Parchment Presentation
This photo was shared by Mike Hannon on Facebook. I recognise the occasion. It is the handover during race week 1958 of an illuminated work of art to the directors of Listowel Race Company.
The picture being presented is the work of Bryan MacMahon and Michael O’Connor.
Jer Kennelly found a great clip online that explains the work of an illuminator.
It is well worthwhile to watch this to appreciate the genius that was Listowel’s Michael O’Connor.
I am looking forward to developments at Kerry Writers’ Museum which will see O’Connor’s work displayed for us all to see. Many examples of the great artist’s work have been promised by their owners, often his family members, to the museum as soon as it has a place to conserve and display them.
Example of a Michael O’Connor illuminated letter
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Betty Remembered at The Races
In memory of Betty McGrath, her good friend, Larry Buckley, has organised a race at this weekend’s race meeting. The race will be run on Sunday June 5 2022, Ladies Day
In The Lingerie Room, Elaine is a is also remembering. Her window display remembers Betty, a queen of style.
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New on Church Street
I checked out their website. I think it is a kind of government recruitment agency. This is what the website says;
“Get the tailored support you need Turas Nua is delivering the JobPath programme to help long-term unemployed people get the support they need to move into suitable, sustainable employment….”
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NCBI Window Display
NCBI Listowel is getting behind Writers’ Week with this apt window display.
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Mary O’Halloran was pictured at Navan recently.
Mary is a frequent visitor to Listowel Races where she is always one of the best turned out ladies on the course.
Mary is living with Motor Neurone Disease.
I can’t give her the 2 page spread Charlie Bird got in last Sunday’s Independent. But I can tell you that I greatly admire Mary and all the other people with MND who are quietly getting on with life.
