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: William Street Page 3 of 4

Charles St., gymnastics and a few changes in town

Picture Perfect on Charles Street

Winter or summer, always one of the most picturesque houses in Listowel.

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You’d Miss the Olympics




The Olympics is that time every four years when we all become experts on sports we know little or nothing about. My granddaughters are gymnastics mad and Aisling (above) has it as her ambition to represent Ireland in the future. After all, the Olympic dream came true for Gary and Paul O’Donovan.

Just remember, you heard it here first.

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Then and Now




 Today

2005

This premises has undergone many changes of ownership. Today it is Lizzy’s little Kitchen.


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Still Going Strong


This is the United Beach Mission. They are a feature of summers in Ballybunion for years. There cheerful, happy clappy presence has brightened up many a dull day on the beach.

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Heritage Week 2016…A Highlight


The role of Kerry women in the 1916 Rising

Lecture by Dr. Mary McAuliffe on the role of Kerry Women in the Rising 100 years ago.

Venue: Seanchai Centre, Seanchai Listowel

Cost: Free

Organiser: OPW & Seanchai CentreEmail: listowelcastle@opw.ie
Telephone: 0863857201
Booking Required: No
Dates: 23rd August 19:30 PM to 21:00 PM

All Welcome

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New stamps to feature some Beautiful Irish Shopfronts



Photo: an Post


William Street Upper and an Art Exhibition at The Red Door in Newcastlewest and a few Coolard Memories

Christopher Burke’s photo shows the master and hounds of the Duhallow Hunt out and about last week

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Coolard…an Exceptional School

Two of Coolard’s old boys, Robert Bunyan and Joe Murphy took us on a trip down memory lane on Saturday, March 5 2016 as they helped their friend, Maurice O’Mahony launch his book full of history and memories of the school.

Robert remembers a time when the boys and girls were segregated by a high wall, which he compared to the Berlin Wall. He was warned that, like the Berlin Wall, if he attempted to climb it he’d be shot. Undeterred the bould Robert climbed it and lived to tell the tale.

He told us about the day he was put in charge of the class while the teacher was on an errand. Even then football was a subject on his mind and, spying a ball of wool one of the girls had brought for knitting, Robert decided to try a kick in the style of one of his heroes, Paudie O’Donoghue. Unfortunately for Robert, the master chose that moment to re-enter the classroom.

That was the last time Robert Bunyan was put in charge of the class in Coolard.

Robert’s dad was also a past pupil of the school and he contributed many of his memories to Maurice in the course of his research, memories that are now there forever to be treasured by his family and the wider diaspora of Coolard.


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William Street Upper




Bernard O’Connell shared this old photo on his Facebook page. Bernard grew up on this street in the house with the TV aerial. The two donkeys on the way home from the creamery are probably waiting for their owners to pick up a few messages in the nearby shops. The railings and wall are part of the railway bridge that used to be over that part of the street.

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A Tale of two scamps

26 May 1877 Freeman’s Journal

CLEVER ESCAPE FROM A BRIDEWELL. An incident of a novel nature occurred
at  Listowel on Monday, in connection with the cleverly planned
escape from the bridewell. A lad named Mulvihill, aged 13 year, had
been convicted about five months ago at Tarbert Petty Sessions, of
stealing a dog, and sentenced to five years in the Upton Reformatory.

On his removal, after leaving Tralee gaol, he succeeded in giving the
gaol officer the slip, and managed to elude the police until last
Saturday, when he was apprehended at Ballylongford, and lodged in
Listowel bridewell preparatory to being sent back to the reformatory.

His younger brother, aged about 11 years, visited him on Monday, and
while in the cell with him the prisoner exchanged clothes with him ;
and thus disguised, he was allowed to pass out by the official, who
naturally believed he was the brother who had passed in some minutes
before. 

The mistake was of course soon discovered.  but the escaped
culprit had a good start, and has not been recaptured. The brother is
kept in custody, having been remanded to next petty sessions.

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Colourful Spirits Art Exhibition Opening Night



Craftshop na Méar was well represented at the launch of Colourful Spirits’ latest show in the beautiful Red Door Gallery in Newcastlewest on Thursday evening March 3 2016. If you are in the West Limerick area do drop in. There are some really intriguing artworks there.

Maggie and Malcolm Donald with Eileen Fitzgerald.

Viveca Amato showed us that she is also a culinary artist. Her food displays on the night were works of art. They were the big talking point of the launch.


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Operation Transformation Thought for the Day



Commentators through the ages have come to the same conclusion.



” The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like and do what you’d rather not.”  Mark Twain

“You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.” Woody Allen

Spring Cleaning, Pres. Listowel, Savannah McCarthy and some interesting Street Names


Storm Imogen in Ballybunion Feb. 8 2016



Photo: Mike Enright

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Spring Cleaning



When I saw Joan and Isobel  hard at work I was reminded of the annual ritual of Spring cleaning. I dont think people confine their cleaning to any season nowadays. In the days before vacuum cleaners and tumble dryers we did our big clean up in Spring. It was damp enough to keep down dust and windy enough to dry big items like blankets.

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Update from the Convent


I took another trip to Greenville to see if anything was going on. Things looked pretty much the same. It was Monday February 8 2016 and work was at a standstill…probably due to storm Imogen.


The railing between the convent and the schools is removed to allow access for diggers and other heavy machinery.

 A big trench is dug the length of the front lawn.



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Listowel’s Savannah McCarthy Gets a  Big Break


This is what they say about our own Listowel soccer ace on the Glasgow City website:





Glasgow
City are delighted to announce the signing of Republic of Ireland international
Savannah McCarthy from Galway WFC.

The 18
year old central defender and current Republic of Ireland Under 19 Captain,
recently progressed into the senior Ireland set up, making the last two A squad
international call-ups versus Spain in Euro qualifying and most recently for
the double header against the world champions, USA. McCarthy will also be
heading to the Cyprus Cup with the Ireland A squad at the start of March. 

Commenting
on signing for City, McCarthy said, “I would like to thank Glasgow for giving
me the opportunity to follow my dreams in becoming a professional footballer.
I’m also really looking forward to teaming up with my Ireland team mates Denise
O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn and Claire Shine and can’t wait to meet the rest
of the squad. I’m excited to be part of such a successful team and I hope that
I can help Glasgow continue that success this coming season.”

Glasgow City
Head Coach Scott Booth was not afraid to show his content and patience in
capturing the highly rated youngster. He said, “We are delighted to finally be
able to sign Savannah. She’s a player that has been on our radar for a number
of months. Sav has already proven herself in Ireland and recently fought her
way into full national team contention.

“She’s still a teenager but has the
potential to be a key player for Glasgow City over the next few years. In the
short term she offers us strength in depth along our back line. I am really
looking forward to working with her.”

City fans will get to see Savannah and
the rest of the Glasgow City team in action against Sunderland for the team’s
pre-season challenge match at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, on Sunday 14th
February, 2.30pm. Entry is £5 adults and children go FREE.

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When is William Street not William St.?


A Listowel story from Vincent Carmody

The street names, Upper and Lower
William Street, were named in the mid 1800’s by Lord Listowel. Prior to this
the whole street was known as Pound Lane, due to the location of an animal
pound, located roughly above where the present day Mermaids Complex is.


After the renaming, many of the
residents of the upper part of the street continued to refer to their part as
Pound Lane. They lovingly, would have been known as ‘Poundlaners’. This then
became a tradition.


In the 1920’s the nationally
minded denizens of both upper and lower William Street, not to be outdone by
those in Church Street ( Ashe Street ) and Main Street (Rahilly Square),
decided, again without a plebiscite, to re -name their own streets. So, to
public acclaim, Lower William Street was named Pearse Street, and the upper
part, Patrick Street.

However, again due to political
correctness, those names were never officially sanctioned, so as in the case of
O’Rahilly Square these names are only part of our oral tradition.  We have  proof that names existed.
 Look at the billheads  pictured above.

Some
time ago I was asked, ” who are Poundlaners? “, I answered, ”
as a true Cockney is one born within the hearing range of the Bow Bells, a true
Poundlaner is one born within sight of St. Patrick’s Hall. !!


How many know that the Small
Square (Main Street) was renamed, and the name used in the 1920’s and 30’s’ . However, due to political
correctness and the fact that no plebiscite had taken place, the new name faded
into oblivion and the old name was restored. The name was ‘O’Rahilly Square’ and we have
proof… 

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Goodbye, Good Luck and Thanks for the Memories




Paul O’Connell, one of the greatest rugby players of our time is forced through injury to retire from the game he loves.

“Few players get to touch the mantle of greatness. Fewer still get the wear it. Paul O’Connell made it his own.”

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Ben and Kathleen Naylor have resumed transcribing the Gleasure letters.

Gleasure Letters

Ballybunion, Damien Dempsey and a William St. emigrant.

Jason at Ballybunion Prints is a brilliant photographer. Every day, often several times a day, he shares splendid shots of  Ballybunion with us all. I think the unusual angle from which he took this one might have something to do with his other job as a chimney cleaner.

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Mike the Pies












Aiden O’Connor with Damien Dempsey behind the bar in Mike the Pies   (photo; Denis Carroll)



This venue is now the best spot in North Kerry to catch a live gig. Last week they has another huge name on stage, Damien Dempsey.

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Bernard O’Connell opens the family album

 



This is Bernard’s paternal grandfather’s brother, Edmund who grew up at 31 Upper William St. Listowel in the same house where Bernard, himself was reared. Edmund moved to the USA in the early 20th Century. He lived in Chicago, married a girl from Roscommon and had two girls. He was a Professor at Loyola University. He died tragically in an automobile accident in 1926. 



This photo was taken in the mid 1920’s.

When Bernard was in Chicago last year he went to visit his grave.

One of Edmund’s daughters married a Mr. Carp from Cleveland and he received a Bronze star for his heroic deeds of bravery in the D-Day Landings in Normandy. Bernard met the man over 10 years ago before he passed and found him to be an amazing man, very humble and did not mention a lot about the war.

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Athea










Elizabeth Brosnan took her camera to Athea Horse Fair recently



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A Callout from Junior to Former Badminton Club Members

 

The Listowel Badminton Club wish to advise you all that they will be holding their Christmas night out at John B.Keane’s on Friday night December 11th.

This will again be in the shape of the Table Quiz which has been most enjoyable for the past number of years.

 

As a member of the Club last season, or possibly in former seasons, we take this opportunity to invite you to attend. We would really love if you would take time to join us .

 

We will again hold our Kris Kringle this year, again bring something not more than €5 value, some thing seasonable or something comical, the choice is yours.

If you do bring something for the Kris Kringle do check it into me and make sure that it is numbered, don’t just lay it with the others and say nothing.

 

Unfortunately, I have deleted many of my last seasons contacts so do pass the word around to anyone you feel that might be interested in attending. There will be the normal fixed charge of €3 for the night and as usual, finger food will be provided, so for number purposes do let me know by Tuesday if you will be attending plus any other person whom you may make contact with.

 

Do try and be present for 8.10 pm as the draw and tables for the quiz must be sorted out by our quiz master Mark Loughnane and that takes time and is no easy job so your co-operation would be much appreciated.

Hope to see you all present on that Friday night, but why not join us also on Thursday night, Dec. 3rd for our Christmas Badminton competition, again let me know by Tuesday December 1st if you wish to take part in this Christmas fun tournament.

 

Junior

 

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New Website

 

St. Mary’s Listowel has a great new parish website HERE

Listowel shops then and now and Congo 1962

 Quiet Streets


Once upon a time I used to find it hard to take pictures of shops because there were always cars or pedestrians in the way. Not so any more. In my above photo of the top of William St., all those shops have  now ceased trading.

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Streets not completely deserted

It was great to run into Miriam out for a stroll on a lovely July evening. Her friend was a bit camera shy.

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What will they think of next?


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That was then; This is now


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Rebranding




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Nearing the century



This lovely lady is Eliza Mulvihill of Glin. She was born on born on 19 August 1915 to Mary Ann Kiely and Paddy Mulvihill of Moyvane,the  5th of 10 children in her family. Eliza is now living in happy retirement in Newcastlewest. 

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Street Train in Killarney


Killarney’s street train is proving popular with the tourists. The people on it here were on a school tour.


Have you noticed how neat and tidy all our towns are nowadays? It’s thanks to all of the hardworking Tidy Town volunteers who work so hard. This litter picking crew were out in Killarney.

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 Congo 1962








I don’t know who took the photos or who the members of our armed forces are.





More here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8tn2QsGtIE&feature=youtu.be

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Remarkable Achievement


Weeshie’s Week

The O Se brothers make history

July 29th, 2014
by Sylvester Hennessy
When Marc O’Sé runs out onto the pitch in Croke Park on Sunday next he will complete one of the most remarkable records in the history of the GAA. This will be Marc’s 77th senior championship appearance for Kerry in a glittering career that has spanned 13 seasons. In doing so he joins his brothers Darragh and Tomás at the top of the all time list of championship appearances for Kerry. It’s almost impossible to comprehend how this proud trio of siblings have risen to the top of the rankings after more than 125 years of Kerry competing in senior championship football. In that period of time thousands of proud men have worn the green and gold with great distinction but none have done so on more occasions that the three modern day Laochs, the O’Sé brothers from Ard an Bhothair, Ceann Trá. While the GAA has no internal record of championship appearances it also appears that this is National record. We have trawled the country looking at the top appearances in each county and it appears that three O’Sé brothers also top the all time list of appearances in the history of the GAA. We pose the question to all of the other 31 counties in Ireland – Has any other player in the history of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship made more appearances than the three O’Sé brothers. We suspect the answer is no. John O’Leary, the former Dublin keeper made 70 championship appearances, but as of now we know of no other player who has broken the 70 championship appearances barrier bar 5 Kerry men, the three O’Sé’s, Tom O’Sullivan and Colm Cooper.



( from Weeshie Fogarthy’s Terrace Talk blog)

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