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

TCD, The White House and Church Street

Taelane Store, Church Street, February 2023

The Taelane Store isn’t in Taelane. It’s on Church Street.

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Reprieved!

The new owners of the Iceland chain have had a change of heart. Iceland, in Mill Lane, Listowel is staying open.

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In Listowel Library

Vincent Carmody and Kathy Buckley’s niece, Orla Buckley.

On Friday February 24 2023, local historian, Vincent Carmody introduced us to one of Listowel’s most illustrious emigrants. Kathy Buckley of William Street, Listowel was the White House cook for three U.S. presidents.

Kathy’s Listowel home

Plaque unveiled by the US ambassador during Listowel Food Fair a few years ago.

Sections of the audience as we listened in fascination to Vincent’s story of this formidable lady who represented us so well in the U.S.

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Uplifting poem

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A Bookplate

This is another chapter in the MichaelO’Connor story. The Cork Examiner account found by Dave O’Sullivan explains this novel fundraising initiative by Trinity.

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Fact of the Day

Butterflies smell with their antennae and taste with their feet. The monarch butterfly’s feet (proper name tarsi) are approximately two thousand times more sensitive than a human tongue.

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Just a Thought

My last week’s reflections as broadcast on Radio Kerry

Just a Thought Feb, 20 to 24 2023

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1 Comment

  1. Mary Enright Guilfoyle

    How very interesting! Who were the presidents Miss Buckley worked for?
    The Emily Dickinson poem reminds me of a song by the Irish Tenors ” If I can Help Somebody”!!
    I just spoke to my sister Catherine Ahern in Ballylongford & told her about the upcoming exhibit of Michael O’ Connors works at the Writers Museum. She is very excited to see these
    beautiful illustrations!
    Mary Enright Guilfoyle
    South Carolina USA

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