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: Presents of Mind

Autumn in Kanturk and Listowel

By

On November 5, 2024

In Listowel, Personal

Lower Church Street

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Lost Souls

I found this sad poem on the internet

LOST SOULS

Sitting alone at the bar in Kilburn

Mid afternoon on a mid Summers day

Wearing a suit stained with blood, sweat and booze

Drinking the last of this months rent 

He took the boat in 57

Leaving behind Mayo

Full of hope and fear

An address in his pocket

For a ganger and a start 

Money for a week to tide him over

Sunday best on his back 

New shoes squeezing his feet 

No Irish need apply

Lodgings hard found

Working every hour god sent

Paid in the crown at the weekend

Missing home, laughs to hide the pain

Another from the top shelf 

Saving for the summer holiday

Putting a little by 

Back home for a week to the old sod

Buying pints for the lads

Bragging about the wages

Gold chains around the neck

Bought from a suitcase

When did you get home?

When are you going back?

Back to back breaking in blighty

Years passing on

Body getting tired

Drink taking hold 

No money for the holidays

Or the funerals at home 

Nights in the doss house

Sleeping on the rope

Days on the streets 

Dreams of a long gone family

Passing away in the cold

(C) Kevin McManus

This sculpture, The Crying Stone by Colm Brennan

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A Few More Hospice Morning Photos

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Brehon Laws

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Tidy Town Work

The Tidy Town organisation is about so much more than litter picking and tidying up. The replacement of these important tourist information signs is just one of their many unsung contributions to making Listowel the lovely place it is to live in, to work in or to visit.

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Book Promoting in Kanturk

Kanturk looked very autumnal on my recent visit.

Noreen O’Sullivan has a keen interest in local history.

I met Alison Murphy in Presents of Mind. My book is now available in this lovely gift shop on O’Brien Street.

Eilish O’Connor in the beautiful welcoming Olde Worlde Alley Bar bought 3 books to give to family at Christmas.

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A Fact

After its catastrophic collision with the iceberg it was a full 2 hours and 40 minutes before The Titanic sank.

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Knocknagoshel Church, Book Launches and A Trip Home

By

On November 27, 2019

In Uncategorized

Sitting on the fence


A blurry Kanturk robin taken through a window

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Dates for the Diary


It’s that time of year when concerts, plays, craft fairs and book launches are happening thick and fast. Here are a few upcoming events.

The craft Fair is on December 1

Sun 1st

KERRY HOSPICE FOUNDATION – LIGHT TO REMEMBER MEMORIAL TREE CEREMONY

Remember someone special this Christmas by purchasing a ribbon to tie on the special Remember Memorial Tree outside St John’s Theatre & Arts Centre.  Remembrance Tree Ribbons and Cards are available in the Theatre in addition to many shops around Listowel. The Ceremony will take place at 5pm.  All are welcome.


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Knocknagoshel Church

There are some lovely stained glass windows in this beautiful church. Some churches have veery richly coloured windows, which in themselves are lovely but can serve to darken the interior. This church has a happy mix of coloured and clear glass so the church is cool and bright. Here are some of the lovely windows.

The church has many generous benefactors who are commemorated in the windows and in plaques on the walls.

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The Kanturk Launch of A Minute of Your Time

This is my sister-in-law, Breeda’s, kitchen in the afternoon of the Kanturk launch.  I joined the testers who are out of this shot. A big thank you to my Kanturk family who pulled out all the stops to make this night such a success.

Cora and Aisling helped their dad to sell the books in the Edel Quinn Hall. Róisín took the photos.

My cousin, Eugene Brosnan returned to his Kanturk roots to provide the musical entertainment. He was a big hit with the audience.

One of the great parts of the night was meeting up with old friends, most of whom told me that I have grown into my mother.

My nephew, William, introduced me with such a glowing speech I hardly recognised myself.

Tony and Joan pictured here with my brother are frequent visitors to Ballybunion. I hardly recognised them in their winter clothes and on home turf.


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Presents of Mind



Presents of Mind is just one of several Kanturk shops stocking A Minute of Your Time

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