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: Sonny Egan

Ballybunion at Night, Life on the turnstile, Neodata Remembered, a return to school and a Book Launch

By

On November 21, 2016

In Uncategorized

Spooky Photos of Ballybunion during in the early morning on the nights of the Super Moon



photos by Mike Enright



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Memories, Memories



Liz Galvin, who worked in Neodata, has very kindly opened her photograph album to us. Here are some of her photos from the good old days in the Bridge Road.

The girls relax during a break from typing

If you see yourself here or if you see someone you know be sure to share a memory.

Noreen Mc Mahon Mary O’Connor Sheila Hanafin and Liz Galvin.





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The Life and Times of a G.A.A. Stilesman   a.ka. Junior Griffin


The Talk at the
Turnstiles  John Griffin’s article, written for the souvenir programme of the County Final in 1999 and published in The Irish
World (London)

December 3 and December 10
1999

Quite rightly, the players on
duty in today’s eagerly awaited  county
final will be the chief focus of attention as they do battle for that coveted
county championship medal.

Perhaps decisions by the
referee or by his umpires or linemen at some stage in the game will also give
rise to comment.

But have you ever given thought
to the function of the  man who more than
likely,  will be the first official you
will encounter at today’s final- The Man Behind The Wire.

The whole structure of our
games has changed a lot over the past 30 years. Facilities for boith players
and spectators have improved tremendously with the whole country now dotted
with some wonderful stadia.

Finance, of course, is a fact
of life in the GAA and whilst sponsorship is much welcomed and needed, the most
important contributions come from you, the patron, by your attendance at our
games.

Hence the role of the
stilesman. The work of the stilesman is not as easy as some may think and, indeed it carries a lot of responsibility. I look on the stilesmen as the
front line troops of the GAA.

The abuse hurled at referees
often hits the headlines but it pales into insignificance at times with what
the stilesmen have to endure. I know stilesmen who have been hit, kicked and
even spat at. Indeed my own shinbone bore the brunt of many a well placed kick
on more then one occasion.

Definitely some people have a
Jekyll and Hyde personality when they go to a match. If the entrance fee is
considered dear- blame the stilesman.!

If there are no programmes
available- blame the stilesman! The festival of Kerry Sunday was a nightmare.
For many years, County semi finals were held on that Sunday and traffic and
parking was chaotic. Did people make allowance for delays/ Yerra- no! Sure
we’ll blame the stiles man!

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1916 Commemorative Garden in Listowel Town Park



The box hedge has been planted and the heathers are in. It’s looking beautiful. I hope the surrounding hedge does not grow too tall and cut off the lovely view we have of it currently.

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Like Old Times




Today is Presentation Day, a kind of Irish equivalent of Founder’s Day. In the good old days all Presentation schools closed on November 21, the pupils got a holiday and the sisters celebrated in their convents. Then the school year was standardised and everyone had to take the same school holidays. So the day was celebrated during the school day.

This year in Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, all the retired staff were invited back for a little get together. Here I am among my old school colleagues as we reminisced and reconnected. I think we were all delighted to hear that it is planned to make it an annual event.

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A Book Launch to Cap all Book Launches 


On November 18 2016, John Kelliher was among the many photographers and videographers recording for posterity the biggest book launch the Listowel Arms has ever seen and it has seen a good few. The outpouring of goodwill and support for one of our own as he made his first big public appearance since his tamall grappling with serious illness was uplifting to behold. The ballroom was heaving and there were hundreds more waiting to get in.

Fr. Pat was surrounded by friends helping him to celebrate this great night. The success of the book was never in any doubt. The event in the hotel was more a show of support and affection and  a rejoicing that a beloved priest had dodged another bullet.

Many of his friends were on hand to entertain us as well.

Sonny Egan opened the evening’s entertainment.

Jer Barrett, well used to being behind the camera, was recording the event for social media.

Joe Costello, Fr. Pat’s great friend and supported sang his song.

This was our super M.C.



The highlight of the proceedings was a duet of Ballybunion Town from the above two.

Mary Fagan sent me the following great memories of the night to share with you.

Listowel’s Jimmy Hickey, Dancer and Dancing Teacher

By

On October 26, 2016

In Uncategorized

St. John’s in Listowel Town Square in October 2016

The roadworks are on schedule and seem to be causing a minimum of disruption.

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Jimmy Hickey; His early success as a dancer


This fine display of trophies speak of Jimmy Hickey’s great success as a dance teacher.

Before he became a dancing teacher, Jimmy was one of the most successful dancers of his day.

I spent a great morning with
Jimmy Hickey, dancer, choreographer and cultural ambassador for Ireland. Jimmy
has a great story to tell and no better man to tell it. He told me how his lifetime of involvement with Irish Dancing began.

Jimmy was first introduced to
dancing while a schoolboy in the old boys’ national school in Listowel. Bryan
MacMahon who was a great champion of Irish traditions, in song, music, dancing
and folklore invited the local dancing master, Liam Dineen, to come into the
school to teach the boys. The arrangement didn’t last very long but it was long
enough for Jimmy to be bitten by the dancing bug. His mother saw his obvious
talent and his enthusiasm for the dance so she sent him to dancing lessons in
Liam Dineen’s hall in Church Street on Saturdays. This was the start of Jimmy’s
long and successful career in Irish dancing. He went from one success to another
locally and nationally. And he is still going strong today.

He won the O’Hagan cup which
was a National competition and he also won the Munster Belt, in a competition
in which he, as a juvenile, had to compete against senior and far more
experienced dancers.

He counts among the
highlights of his dancing career, appearances on BBC, on RTE, in the National
Concert Hall, on countless foreign TV stations and the greatest glory of all bringing
international honour to Listowel with appearances at the Harmonie festival of
culture in Germany on three occasions. I’ll tell you more about these foreign trips in the next few days.

Jimmy with his Munster Belt

Jimmy with the O’Hagan cup.

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Early Morning in The Square

St. Marys’

St. John’s

This distinction was awarded to our town in 2002 but I dont know for what. The award stands in the Square near the Feale sculpture.

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News from Writers Week








Listowel Writers’ Week is this year sponsoring a prize for Poem of the Year at the Bord Gais Book awards. Here are some of the short listed poets. Jane Clarke, Andrew Soye & Michael Shanks Naghten with Liz Dunn, chairperson of Listowel Writers’ Week .

The poems are HERE

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Eight Gary MacMahon Singing Festival



The annual Abbeyfeale festival was held last week. Below is Sonny Egan’s performance of

Kerry Long Ago


Dr. Francis O’Loughlin,Graham Norton and the Irish Anzac Project

By

On April 21, 2015

In Uncategorized

2015 Lamb


(photo: Timothy John MacSweeney)

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Brave North Kerry man


The following great story comes from Historical Tralee, a page well worth visiting for anyone interested in local history.

Bravery of Titanic Surgeon Dr. William Francis Norman O’Loughlin

New York Herald

Monday 22nd April 1912

In accounts printed about the Titanic and the bravery of her officers little has been said of one who probably was the most widely known and best beloved of all classes. He was Dr. William Francis Norman O’Loughlin, senior surgeon of the White Star Line, who perished with the ship.

During the forty years Dr. O’Loughlin has been a surgeon aboard ships of that line he gained the close friendship of innumerable men and women of prominence. Known as one of the most upright and kindly men, he also was regarded as a leader in his profession and a student of the highest order.

Survivors say they saw Dr. O’Loughlin on deck going from one to another of the frightened passengers, soothing them and aiding them in getting into the lifeboats. As the last lifeboat left the vessel he was seen standing in a companionway beside the chief steward, the purser and another officer swinging a lifebelt. He was heard to say: “I don’t think I’ll need to put this on.” He was in the companionway when the vessel went down. From those who knew him well statements were obtained yesterday regarding the fine character of the friend all were mourning. All agreed he was one of the kindest men they had ever met. Many incidents showing his unselfishness were related. One of the friends said: “He was the strongest personal friend of every officer and seaman he ever left a port with, and he was a most thorough officer. He would give his last dollar to charity and was never known to speak ill of anyone. He was the most tenderhearted man I ever met.”

One of Dr. O’Loughlin’s intimate friends in the profession was Dr. Edward C. Titus, medical director of the White Star Line. He said: “Dr. O’Loughlin was undoubtedly the finest man that I have ever known. Kind at all times, his work among the persons he met endeared him forever to them. Always ready to answer a call for aid at all hours of the day and night, he would go into the steerage to attend an ill mother or child, and they would receive as much consideration from him as the wealthiest and mightiest on board. “He was one of the best read men I ever met. Dr. O’Loughlin was always doing some charitable act. Of his income I believe it will be found that he left little, having distributed most of it among the poor. There is no doubt that he died as he wished. Once recently I said to him that as he was getting on in years he ought to make a will and leave directions for his burial, as he had no kith or kin. He replied that the only way he wanted to be buried was to be placed in a sack and buried at sea.”

Dr. O’Loughlin was a native of Tralee co kerry in Ireland. Left an orphan he was raised and educated by an uncle. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. When twenty-one years old he went to sea because of ill health and followed the sea continuously thereafter. Prior to being transferred to the Titanic he was surgeon on board the Olympic.

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Listowel Writers Week 2015

Be sure to keep May 27 to 31 free for Writers’ Week. This year’s programme promises to be a cracker.

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The Early Birds and their Golden Tickets







Two happy ladies with their tickets to Graham Norton

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Irish Soldiers in Australia



This document was found by Ger Greaney on Irish Anzac Project If you are looking for documentation on Irish relatives wqho served in the Australian forces, then this is the site for you.



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 To answer your question; Bridge Road, I hear.



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Eigse Michael Hartnett



One of the highlights of this years NCW festival was a a session in St. Ita’s Retirement Hone with the inimitable Sonny Egan and friends. Jer Kennelly was lucky enough to be there and he recoded it for us.



Sonny Egan in St Ita’s April 2015




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