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: Roadworks Page 1 of 2

The Bog

Road works on Church Street 2022

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It’s that Time of Year

A picture is worth a thousand words. These pictures which Mary O’Donnell took in the bog last week tell the story of our forefathers. Handcut turf drying in the May sunshine is a sight that spans the decades.

The turf is harvested with skills and tools passed on from generation to generation. It’s a link with our ancestors, a beloved tradition that is fiercely defended whenever it comes under threat.

In the first picture you will observe the wind turbines on the right, the past and the future side by side.

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Tara Griffin Shares Some ads

There is a great swell of nostalgia on a Facebook group named Listowel and North Kerry do you know.

A recent contributor to this site is Tara Griffin, the late Bert’s daughter. She is sorting through her father’s archive of photographs and memorabilia. Look at the above great Listowel advertisements from a match programme.

Listowel where everyone is a poet.

For a bus to Duagh

A plane to New York

A slow boat to China

Or a train to Cork

Consult Michael Kennelly

I presume the Fountain Café was Roly Chute’s with “the finest chips to pass your lips”.

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Old Ballybunion

A while ago, Glin Historical Society shared some lovely old photos of Ballybunion is the days of changing huts and donkey rides.

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Jimmy Hickey, Dancing Master

Photo shared on Facebook, Listowel and North Kerry,do you know

Siamsa Tire have shared a great video of Jimmy Hickey.

Here is the link;

Jimmy Hickey, Dancing Master

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A Brian Bilson Poem for you

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Listowel and Ballybunion

Vincent Higgins, Mallow Camera Club. He captioned it Take no Notice

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Old Listowel

This very old image of the Square was shared on line by Dave Curran.

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Stained Glass and Moya

All roads led to Ballybunion on the weekend of May 31 to June 2.

I was in St. John’s for this.

Fr. Hannafin introduced us to 5 of the windows in St. John’s that are rarely seen.

This is the view from the gallery. Behind me as I took this photo are the windows which were the subject of our talk.

The gallery is reached by a narrow dark spiral staircase which has to be used going up and going down. I can see why it is not open to the public.

The saints depicted on the windows all have a connection with Munster in general and North Kerry in particular. They are St. Brendan, St. Ita, St. John the Evangelist, St. Senan and St. Brigid.

The windows are absolutely beautiful. It’s a pity they are hidden away up there.

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A Star Attraction

I’ve got my ticket for Donie and Malachy at Listowel Writers’ Week 2022 but they are selling fast. Wouldn’t it be great if something important turned up and John King, CNN’s chief national correspondent, had to talk to Donie while he is in Listowel.

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Road Works

Listowel Credit Union were in a prime location to take this picture of the recent roadworks on their doorstep.

It looks like Roadworks are a constant in Listowel as this picture from 1986 shared on Facebook by Mike Hannon proves.

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On Saturday May 7 2022 in Kerry Writers’ Museum, Minister Norma Foley launched a exhibition of memorabilia of Kerry’s Amateur Dramatic history.

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Ballyvourney, Listowel’s One Stop Sweet Shop, roadworks at the courthouse an the 2019 Parade

Jim McSweeney

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Séipéal Bhaile Mhuirne


I often pass through Ballyvourney on my way to Cork. It’s a lovely little Gaeltacht village full of old world charm and character. One day last week I took a pit stop in the village and I explored the lovely  church. The photos speak for themselves.



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One Stop Shop on Church Street



For all your confectionery needs

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Gas Works?


Last week they were digging up the pavement at the library plaza.

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Listowel St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2019



Some people were in Listowel and some people wish they were.

Steve Scallon LAPD from Monaghan ,Tony Curtin NYPD Clounmacon, Greg Sterns LAPD at the St Patrick’s Day Parade New York. 

(Photo: Facebook)

Philomena Kuhn at her home in Germany

Maria Sham celebrated with her friends in London

M.S. Busking Day, Roadworks and Entertainment in summer 2018

Photo; Graham Davies

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North Kerry M.S. Society Busking Day



The North Kerry branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society had three blessings on their busking day for 2018. They had  a great group of hard working volunteers, they had some brilliant musicians and they were blessed with the weather.



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Roadworks are still a feature of our Lives in Listowel 




Workmen temporarily removed the John B. Keane Road sign while they placed  the pipes.

Traffic is heavy in town these days too,

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Musicians at the Friday Market

On the Friday I was in The Square there was a much increased number of stalls  and some talented young musicians creating a great atmosphere.

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Living Literature at The Seanchaí



I met Angeline O’Donnell in character for her Living Literature performance in The Seanchaí

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From 1938 Schools Folklore Collection



Han Savage of Lisselton  had a story about William Diggin. Mr. Rice from Moybella had several men digging potatoes. He promised a quarter of tobacco to the man who would produce the biggest potato. William Diggin was one of the men digging the spuds. He dug a big potato and cut it in half. Then he got another potato and quartered it and he tied the two potatoes together with string to make one enormous potato. He won the quarter of tabacco.

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Lartigue Friends Reunited

In a marquee in the sunshine on June 2 2018 this group of Lartigue theatre friends met up and reminisced.

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A Food Hub for Listowel?




I met this delegation in Tralee yesterday., June 19 2018 as they were readying their pitch to Kerry County Council for a food hub in Listowel.

Bridge Road in the forties, BOI Expo and Ballylongford remembered

Switching on the The Christmas Lights Event in Listowel Town Square Dec. 4 2016


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Mike Enright’s photos of North Kerry, Late and Early


Sunset at Cnoc an Óir



Morning in Ballybunion


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The Feale at The Racecourse Bridge

I went in search of the egret who lives here. He was not at home that day.

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Bridge Road Pals


A very young Junior Griffins is surrounded by  ladies in this lovely old Bridge Road photo from the forties.

With him are Michael Behan, Seán OBrien, Bert Griffin and Rory Callagy. Junior tells me that Rory left Bridge Rd. in 1945.

The ladies with Junior are Maureen Moloney and ……….



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Some shots from Listowel Community Centre at the Enterprise Town Night on November 25 2016

Liz McAulliffe had a great display.

John R.’s had a display of Christmas and everyday fare.

Institute of Technology Tralee

Muddy Paws brought along a satisfied canine customer.

Convent School Band were entertaining.

My friends at the Writers’ Week stand were offering chocolates and Christmas presents. They were also selling their absolutely beautiful journals. Buy one for €15 from the Writers Week office and you will find it will inspire you to write.

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Ballylongford Memories




(photo: Forur Genealogy on Facebook)

Mike Horgan and Martin Heaphy, Well Road, Ballylongford buying and selling chickens from a Kantoher Truck in Ballylongford.


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What I’m Reading


I took this photo in Garvey’s Super Valu as the gang from Aras Mhuire were promoting their great book. It’s called Striking a Chord. It costs €10 and it’s available in Scribes of Church Street.

I’m reading it in snatches and it’s absolutely lovely.

I am going to reproduce just one piece of writing here because it will resonate with many people. There is lots more like this in the book.

Tea Break

By Mary McElligott

At bedtime I would wash her.

Oh how she hated that.

I’d distract her as best I
could,

Cajole with idle chat.

She’s tell me she was washed
already,

From head to toe that day,

And what did I think I was
doing,

Sure she’d soon be washed
away.

And how bad it was for her
skin

To keep wetting it with
water.

I’d reassure her and say who
I was.

“You, you’re not my daughter!”

With washing done

She would relax, happy to be
clean.

I’d be happy too, my task
complete.

God, sometimes her words were
mean.

I knew she couldn’t help it

As dementia took its toll,

But I often thought of Jesus,

As her feet went in that
bowl.

I am Jeus as I gently soap

Her legs up to the knees.

I am Jesus as I speak kind
words

And put her mind at ease.

I am Jesus as I dry her feet

And rub in scented lotion.

I am Jesus as I ease her
fears

And bring calm to her
commotion.

Each night when she goes to
bed

She offers up her prayers

“Jack and Jill went up the
hill…”

I’d hear her from the stairs.

Dementia has changed her,

Yet she still can make me
smile.

Now I’m off to have a cup of
tea.

I’ll check her in a while.

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To cheer us up after the Road Works…..



The big trucks will roll into town next weekend.

‘Holidays’ Are Coming” is the iconic jingle of Coca Cola’s great Christmas trucks ad campaign. Now thanks to Damien O’Mahony of Jumbo’s and Love Listowel the trucks are going to stop in Listowel next Sunday, December 11th.

The trucks will make 10 stops in all on their journey around Ireland, eight of these were pre selected and the final two were decided on the merits of a pitch made by members of the public.

Damien pitched on behalf of Listowel and below is the picture of him on the phone receiving the great news. Listowel is chosen.

So what will happen?

According to the Coca Cola website:  “At each stop, the public will have an opportunity to take a souvenir photo with the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck. People will have a chance to experience a virtual sleigh ride through the forest and to play Ice Block Jenga. The Dublin Gospel Choir will perform at each of the stops on the Tour to add to the festive spirit.”

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Phew! We’re back to normal traffic flow


They came down at noon on December 3 2016.

Barriers packed for removal

Uncoupling the barriers at McKenna’s

Fixing the last manhole cover in place

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