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
The shopfront at Maguire’s Pharmacy, Main Street entrance is having a lovely makeover to bring it in line with the rest of the shopfront.
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Dowd’s Road
The work of expansion and building is going on apace at the top of Dowd’s Road. When I came to town in 1975, the gate here led on to the railway track. I’m presuming a family called Dowd lived in this house sand that they were the gate keepers.
I looked up Listowel and its Vicinity but could find no reference to any Dowds. Mybe someone will fill me in.
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Book Launch
Paul Byrne launched his For the Love of Kerry, a beautiful book of poems and photographs in Kerry Writers Museum on Saturday May 10 2025.
Poet and photographer Paul Byrne and Mary Cogan before the launch.
Paul poses for a photo with Anne Donegan who helped launch the book.
Music at the event was provided by Ian and Hannah O’Shea.
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In St. Mary’s
The ambo on First Holy Communion Day 2025
An Easter resurrection display
Everywhere I go there seem to be reminders of the late Donal Walsh. This icon in tribute to Listowel born Michael Morrison who served as a chaplain in Bergen Belsen concentration camp was presented to St. Mary’s by Donal’s family.
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A Fact
In 1920 women were admitted to degree programmes at Oxford for the first time.
Most of the gang on Listowel Food Festival food trail 2024. By the time we got to Jumbos we were all fairly stuffed but we made room for Jumbo’s special burgers.
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Keeping Listowel Clean
I met Willie Guiney at Carmody’s Corner on November 11 2024.
A wave from the top of the ladder and then it’s back to work.
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A Poem
Today we have a new poem by a poet with a strong Listowel connection.
Here is Paul’s email of introduction…
Hi Mary.
Good evening. I have subscribed to your blog today. I was given the details of it by my friend Seán Healy.
I lived in Listowel 1968-82 (Curraghtoosane, Ballybunion Road) , Naas 82-87, Dublin 87-2022 and Killarney 2022 to date.
My second poetry book called “For the love of Kerry” will launch in March 2025 and comprises 36 poems and related photos from all around Kerry.
Three of the poems are from Listowel ( The Carnegie Library and two set on the River Feale ).
I am attaching The Library one here in case it might interest your readers and happy for you to include it in the Blog if you felt it was worthy.
best regards
Paul
Listowel’s Carnegie Free Library by Paul Byrne
The great Andrew Carnegie
a benefactor, and man of steel
He bequeathed £1,500 with generosity
to make our education real
Now in 1931 excitement in Listowel
reached fever pitch,
As our towns new Library
swung open her doors, far and wide
Twas’ only a mere 40 years later
when in 1971, I graced those Library shelves
Introduced by my father Bill Byrne
who adored education realising its wealth
Through life and true life, the books
he’d proclaim, were our path to freedom,
Inspired oft by his wisdom, his words rang true
and I beat a regular path through her doors
Across the road, was Scoil Réalta Na Maidine
My primary home, for eight great years
Where learning abounded
To fuel the imagination,
A book that resonated deeply,
Patsy O and his wonderful pets
By the Master, Bryan McMahon
Instilling a love of words,
And language crafted beautifully,
As if to dance off the page,
Like sheets of music
My Library trips
Became a race from home,
Curragtoosane down Ballybunion road
On the bicycle, as oft I roamed
Across Convent and Market Streets,
Up William Street, across Charles Street
And then, controlling my breathing
As I freewheeled down, the tiny Library Road
Reaching my thrice weekly destination,
I loved the sensations that were evoked
On the approach, on entering,
The musty smell, like church incense
Tickling the inside of my nose
The glorious shafts of light penetrating
On high, those lofty bay windows as the
Light enveloped the room,
Reflecting off the polished floorboards,
Illuminating the tiny dust particles,
That surrounded me, like silent soldiers
From Listowel’s Free Library
The Secret Seven, The Famous Five
By Enid Blyton are most memorable,
Also, The road not taken, by Robert Frost
But my most resonant of all is
The Little Elf by John Kendrick Bangs,
A short poem, to me, about respect,
Respect, a value, which has carried me through life
And been an inspiration, for my own poetic journey
As beauty and nature fire my juxtaposed imagination
Inspiration coming from within and without
With poetry, my invisible companion
Fuelling and fulfilling my harmonious quest
An incandescent fascination for words,
Words, words, words in contemplation,
Which enliven our senses, spirit and soul.
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A Fact
The name piano is an abbreviation of Crostofori’s original name for the instrument “piano et forte” or “soft and loud”.
