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: Vincent Doyle

Mosaic Artist, A Listowel Style Icon and a Hurricane in 1961 Remembered

Schiller in Listowel’s Garden of Europe, July 2019

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Because I’m Worth it…….

I bought myself this absolutely gorgeous mosaic piece from a visiting artist in residence in Olive Stack’s Gallery. The artist is Diane Mendelson and here we are, happy customer and happy artist.

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Listowel Writers’ Week Bids Goodbye to Máire Logue


It’s not really goodbye. More like,  “See you in a minute.” Máire’s new job is across the Square in St. John’s. The vibrant Listowel Arts scene is not losing this massive talent at all.

July is not a good time of year for farewell parties. Despite so many people being on holidays, a goodly crew turned out in The New Kingdom on Friday evening, July 26 2019 to give our darling girl a great send off.

The lighting wasn’t very good for photographs but here are a few that look half okay.

A final hug from Catherine Moylan, Chair of Listowel Writers’ Week for departing Festival Manager, Máire Logue.

David Browne had many kind words to say in praise of Máire

Eilish Wren and Normalla Moriarty

John McGrath

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In The Small Square

All of Listowel’s people seem to pass through the Small Square at some time during any given day. I met Damien Stack and Christy Walshe there one morning last week.

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Stylish Eilish Living up to her nickname

Eilish, looking gorgeous as always stepped outside her place of work for my photo.

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Hurricane Debbie


Vincent Doyle, formerly of Listowel, wrote;

Hi Mary,

               With your knowledge and connections of Listowel I wonder if you know anyone who remembers Hurricane Debbie that hit Ireland in 1961.I was working in Maloneys garage in Market St.when it hit Listowel ,I remember the back wall of the garage was blown down and slates flying off the roofs of the shops opposite. It was scary at the time as we never witnessed anything like that before.

                            Hope you can find someone with a better  memory than me as I was only 17 then.        I also want to thank you once again for your wonderful blog.

                         All my best wishes.        Vincent Doyle.

I decided to write to Kay Caball (formerly Moloney of Moloney’s garage ) to see if she could shed any light on this destructive weather event.

Kay replied;

Mary, I only vaguely remember it myself, looking out the window at it.  Didnt know anything about the garage but I would say Vincent Doyle is right.  It was Saturday 16th Sept 1961 and 16 people were killed (none in Kerry)  according to the Kerryman 23 Sept 1961.  See the snips from that Kerryman attached.  


Communion Day at The Convent, Artistic Windows, old stamps and a laugh



Chris Grayson’s Robin

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Presentation Convent Then and Now



Philomena Moriarty Kuhn posted a series of photos on Facebook remembering her First Holy Communion. It was the custom to have a communion breakfast in the convent after the ceremony and the children used to pose for photos in the beautiful convent garden.

This kind of commemorative picture has been kept for years.

Isn’t Philomena the picture of innocence?

When she was holidaying in Listowel in 1966 Philomena returned to the convent and here are some of the photos she took.

The convent garden and chapel hold many happy memories for Listowel  people.


Below is the old convent building as it is today.



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Artistic Windows



Listowel shopkeepers got behind the recent visual arts event by decorating their windows appropriately


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Some Old Stamps



I came across these when I was tidying up.

The lady depicted here is waving a traditional “crios” the old fashioned way.

Look how the cost of postage has increased.

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Vincent Doyle sent us a laugh




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Famous Victory




My son- in law, Seán had two reasons to celebrate last week. The GAA powers that be caved in to people pressure and allowed Kildare to play Mayo at home in Newbridge, as planned.

The icing on the cake was a sweet victory for Kildare.

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