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
Photo credit: Chris Grayson in The National Park, Killarney, October 2024
<<<<<<<<<
Moments of Reflection
My granddaughter, Cora, reading my book. I’m truly grateful to all the people who have bought it so far. It really is the ideal gift for young and old.
<<<<<<<<
Formica
There was a time when we thought plastic was a marvellous discovery. It was strong, durable, easy to clean and store and virtually indestructible. Of course this indestructibility has lead plastic to fall out of favour.
Formica was a tough, glossy surface, easy to clean and disinfect, didn’t splinter or stain. It was ideal for tables where spillages could be easily mopped up and there was no need for a table covering of any sort and no polishing and protecting. I wonder if anyone still has a formica kitchen table.
<<<<<<
Ah, so sad!
from Discover Duhallow magazine
<<<<<<<<
The Farrier
When I called home recently this sight met my eyes, the farrier’s van complete with an array of horseshoes. Horses, like people, have different shoe sizes.
My brother holding the horse and the busy farrier working away.
The farrier works his way from hoof to hoof and the horse waits patiently for the job to be done.
Pat’s grandchildren came to take a look at this age old skill.
Now, it’s the turn of the stable companion.
The rasp, the equivalent of our nail file, evens off the hoof’s edges.
This trade is no longer carried out by blacksmiths. It is a skill all of its own now and the farrier travels around to pay home visits to his equine customers.
<<<<<<<
Brehon Laws
A few more sensible rules to live by…
The Brehons who were the judges were not above the law.
<<<<<<<<
Date for the Diary
This usually books out quickly.
<<<<<<<
A Fact
A cat will clean itself with tongue and paw after a dangerous experience or when it has fought with another cat. this is an attempt by the cat to soothe its nerves by doing something instinctive and natural.
My Cork family had a bit of a staycation in Killarney. Rain, mist and wind was the order of the day.
One of the highlights was having deer grazing on their lawn.
<<<<<<
My Staycation
I had a lovely break with my Kildare family. Be forewarned. I’ll be posting Kildare photos for a while.
I travelled by train from Cork. Cork railway station, when the stations were renamed to commemorate the signatories of the 1916 proclamation of independance, got Thomas Kent.
I like to arrive early. I had plenty of time for a wander around the station. This is what I saw.
There are opportunities for entertainment in the foyer as well.
the “take a book; leave a book” library is a good idea but….. the selection was poor and displayed on open shelves in a very busy area. The books were old and grubby. To be successful, the books need to be protected from dirt and dust. They need to be replaced regularly and displayed in a tidy and inviting manner. It wouldn’t take much to make this a very useful service for travellers.
Next stop Portlaoise…
<<<<<<<<<<
A Horsey Photo
Photo; Fred Ward
My brother, Pat, admiring Felicity’s horse at a recent show
<<<<<<<<<
The Joys of Gardening
by Mick O’Callaghan
Cabbages and Catterpillars
Whenever I hear the word butterfly, I recall my late father and his horror when he saw the cabbage butterfly, or large white, appear in the garden in summer. He grew a lot of cabbage, and the white butterflies loved to lay their eggs on the cabbage leaves and the ensuing caterpillars could devour lots of cabbage overnight.
I was appointed the exterminator person to dispose of these eggs before they emerged into caterpillars. I rather enjoyed my role as inspector of cabbage leaves. You had a choice of squashing them or throwing them into a bucket of water. I was successful in protecting the cabbage crop most years. There was also an added incentive in that I was allowed sell some fresh cabbage every day and enjoyed the pecuniary reward for my labours and industry.
I, like many more people admired the butterfly who got all the publicity and admiration, because of their elegant colours and flight patterns, while their offshoot commandos, the caterpillars, did all the destruction of the cabbage crop and later devoured our nasturtium leaves as well.
Apart from my father’s hatred of the large white we loved to see the Red Admiral butterfly appear and we ran around after them with our jars and lids to catch them and have a close-up view of them. We never damaged any and they were released quickly.
I also loved the ‘Comma” butterflies which appears around gardens and woods and are particularly fond of areas where nettles flourish . I have seen quite a few in our garden this year despite our lack of nettles. They are very like the ‘Tortoise Shell’ butterfly and are very attractive with their light brown colouring.
Pride of place must go to the “Peacock Butterfly’ for all its beautiful colours. We have noted quite a few of them in the woods this summer season. They frequent an area near the river where nettles abound. They are truly aesthetically beautiful and add so much colour to the environment they inhabit.
All butterflies start as tiny eggs and then out comes wriggly caterpillars ready to gorge on juicy cabbage and other leaves. Later the caterpillar makes a chrysalis and starts to change. In the season after the chrysalis the caterpillar has turned into a lovely butterfly after the cocooning and is ready to fly and start the whole metamorphism all over again.
Mohammed Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time. I remember him being asked about his style of boxing and his movement in the ring. He said, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” What a lovely description of his boxing performance. You can mentally paint a picture of a butterfly floating around the sky on a nice sunny day and then picture Mohammed’s ducking and diving and floating around the ring.
People use butterflies to describe nervousness. Before any tense situation a person might say, “I’ve got butterflies in my tummy, ‘or” I’ve got butterflies flying around in my tummy”.
I leave the final bit of this to that lovely Danish writer of children’s’ literature, Hans Christian Anderson in his book ‘The Butterfly “when the butterfly says “Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower “.
Go on, be a daredevil, get out and taste the freedom of the great outdoors today and come home with lungs full of the fresh outdoor air and your nostrils full of the aromas and smells of the great outdoors. You might even see a butterfly and evoke some childhood summertime memories.
Mick O Callaghan
05/08/2024
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
The five Olympic rings are symbolic of the five continents, and the colours were chosen because they all appear on the flags of all the competing nations around the world.
Field of Rapeseed at Glenlohane outside Kanturk in April 2024
<<<<<<<<<
I was at Cian’s First Holy Communion
On Saturday April 27 2014 I was back in the church where I was married, St. Mary’s in Castlemagner. I’m from Kanturk but from the parish of Castlemagner which stretches right into the town of Kanturk.
The church is small but very well cared for. This is the Easter altar display.
When you attend a family occasion back in your old place you inevitable meet old friends and neighbours. Will Collins came from Donegal for his niece’s communion. Will’s parents, Peggy and Willy are dear neighbours to my Kanturk family.
I met Catherine Fitzpatrick and Abbie Kelly, two ladies I had not met since my schooldays.
The man of the moment, Cian Ahern with his dad, William, and his grandad, Pat, my brother.
<<<<<<<<<
Sports Writing
As followers of Listowel Connection will realise, sport is not a topic I touch on often. It is well outside my area of expertise.
Good writing is something I always appreciate. Some of the best writing is often found in sports journalism.
I love this witty snippet from Joe Brolly on the dangers of calling your child after your favourite song.
If you have no idea what Joe, from Derry, is talking about, then just move on.
I found this book in the library swap box. I only know a small bit about this ex footballer and pundit but I thought he might have something interesting to say. He does but a lot of it is delivered in a very critical tone. However, this next piece is pure poetry so I’m sharing it with you.
<<<<<<<<<
Fr. Kieran O’Shea R.I.P.
from Knocknagoshel Phoenix 2007
<<<<<<<
Babóg na Bealtaine
In a very old may custom a May Baby was fashioned from straw and decorated with rags and ribbons and used to decorate the May bush. The May Bush was never a whitethorn even though this shrub was usually in full bloom in May. The whitethorn was thought to be unlucky and people did not bring it indoors.
The May Bush could be a furze or other flowering shrub. Yellow is the colour of May and many of the flowers that bloom on May are yellow- furze, buttercups, marigolds, primroses and cowslips.
The beautiful rapeseed fields in Glenlohane are a modern take on the yellow theme.
Everywhere you look here is a sea of green and gold.
<<<<<<<
A Fact
In 1752 The British Isles moved from the old Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. In that year September 2 was followed by Sept. 14.
Detail from mural on Flesk Cycleway, Killarney, January 6 2024
This magnificent mural celebrates the flora and fauna of the surrounding countryside. It is the work of artist Curtis Hilton assisted by Magda Karol.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Panto Time
Once upon a time pantomimes were a feature of January in Listowel. I dont have a year for this one but the names of the cast give a bit of a clue.
May all of those local people who brightened lives with this, and who are since gone too their eternal reward, rest in peace
<<<<<<<<<<<
Kanturk Postboxes
Christmas is a time for connecting with the family. Here I am in Kanturk with some of my brother’s gang and some of mine.
My sister in law took me for a bit of a spin to check out a few postboxes.
Thank you to Susan Hickey for alerting me to this one at the entrance to St. Patrick’s place. It dates from the era of George V. His rule ran from 1910 to 1936.
This one at Glenlohane has the royal cypher sheared off. This type of vandalism was rife during The Troubles. This box is no longer in use.
This one in Castlemagner is actually in use, although in need of a little TLC.
It is the An Post replacement for this Edward VII one in the wall nearby.
Edward the 7th was king from 1901 to 1910.
<<<<<<<<<<<
The Convent
While doing a bit of a clearcut I came upon an envelope of photographs which the late John Pierse gave me years ago. I am not sure if he took all the photos himself of if some are the work of his friend, the late Timmy Griffin.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Old Friends
Danny O’Connor sent us this.
Hello Mary ,
When I lived abroadI always looked forward to meeting the late great Danny Hannon for coffee or sometimes lunch in the Listowel Arms on my visits home .
Danny truly loved Listowel and everything about it and the conversation was always flowing .
This photo was taken on Dec. 27th 2018 at the Listowel Arms Hotel .
(I am seated 2nd to left ).
Unfortunately some of the people in the photo are no longer with us .
RIP ( Danny Hannon , Pat Scanlon and Frank Greaney ) .
Kind Regards ,
Danny O’ Connor
Gurtinard Listowel .
<<<<<<<<<<
A Fact
Googol.com is named after the number googol, a one followed by 100 zeros.
Entrance to The Garden of Europe from path by the town park
<<<<<<<
Dancing in Killarney
My niece, no. 633 on the podium, having won the under 40 Reel competition at the World Dancing Championships in the INEC last week.
I was at a feis for the first time in years, and boy! was this a feis. There were dancers from all over the world with all age groups covered.
This lovely lady is Mary Jones. She was the oldest competitor at age 73.
The feis was a miracle of organisation, with 4 stages operating at once and then another room announcing winners and distributing medals. There were lots of stalls with all the dancing merchandise, and of course all the catering.
My niece has, like a lot of these adult dancers, returned to Irish dancing after a lull since her teens. They are like kids with all the gear, Tshirts and tracksuits as well as the performance dresses etc. Dancers were supported by husbands/partners and family as well as all their dancing friends. It’s a huge industry. Admission was a steep €20 for a spectator.
Here is a Listowel Connection. These ladies each has a Listowel aunt; in Christine’s case, me, Mary Cogan, and in Mairead’s case, Margaret O’Sullivan.
The “dance moms’ discovered a family connection.
Meanwhile back at the ranch….
The “Dance Dad ” was happy with the odd text update.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Then and Now on Church St.
<<<<<<<<<<
Michael Dowling Remembered
Michael Dowling was one of the founders of Kerry Writers Museum.
Michael front and centre of the 1970 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Committee
Photo and names from Betty Stack
Front Row: Mairead Walsh, Eamon Hartnett, Jackie Walsh, Michael Dowling, Geraldine Hartnett, Joan Curtin, Maria O’Gorman Middle Row: Pat McAuliffe, Michael Stack, T. Dillon, Maureen Nolan, Betty Stack, Patricia Cronin, Helen Leahy, Peggy Gleeson, Patsy Kennedy, Jack Molyneaux, Christy Stack Back Row: Ben Landy, PJ Kirby, ? , Mossie Molyneaux, Timmy Brosnan, Sean Broderick, Ian Nugent, Paul Nolan, Vincent O’Sullivan, Joe Gleeson, Peter O’Sullivan
<<<<<<<<<<<<
A Sunny Day and a pleasant meeting
John and Kathleen Reidy were out and about in Listowel this week. Wasn’t I brave to ask a photographer to pose for my phone photo?
<<<<<<<
A Fact
The Titanic sank on April 15 1912.
No one actually said it was “unsinkable”. That is a myth.
