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Handball Ups and Downs
During the 1960s the handball club grew from strength to strength. John Joe Kenny was chairman for most of this time.
In 1964 Listowel won its first County Championship. It was a Novice Championship. It was played in Listowel for the first time. Breandán ÓMurchú won the minor singles title and partnered Richard Galvin to win the minor doubles. Tom Enright and Junior Griffin won the senior doubles title.
Aidan ÓMurchú ran a National School Tournament in these years.
At the AGM in 1996 John Joe Kenny stepped down from the chair and Aidan Keane was elected chairman.
At this meeting arrangements were put in place to run a Town League. Teams were to represent Bridge Road, E.S.B., Garda, The Boro and The Gleann.
Membership dropped off towards the end of the 60s.
In 1970 a move was afoot to establish a Pitch and Putt club in town. Bill Kearney approached the Handball Club with the view to persuading them to allow a few pitch and putt holes to be placed on the Alley ground.
A Pitch and Putt Club was formed with John Joe Kenny, chairman, Bill Kearney, secretary and Junior Griffin, treasurer.
It was decided that the area around the handball alley was too dangerous for pitch and putt and an approach was made to the UDC to include a pitch and putt course in the town park. Permission for a 9 hole course was granted.
John Joe Kenny and Kevin Sheehy who had been stalwarts of the handball club went on to give sterling service to the pitch and putt club for years after.
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O’Rahilly Family of The Square
This house in Listowel Town Square once housed one of the most famous academic families in Ireland.
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From The Advertiser
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Childers’ Park
Childers’ Park wildflower meadow in June 2021
The council have helpfully mowed paths through the field. It is a joy to walk there.
Marsh Marigolds, Vetch, clover and scutch grass are all around.
I met a pigeon on my walk through the park as well.
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In The Magic Hour
Jo Jordan was helping get everyone seated for The Magic Hour show in Listowel Handball Alley on Friday June 18 2021. On the right of the photo is young bilingual poet, Siobhán Ní Dhomhnaill who was to be the local interviewee.
We’re gathered on the slope opposite the handball alley and we are waiting for the promised incredible Arts experience. This man from Coiscéim is waiting to play his part.
This is local bilingual poet, Siobhán Ní Dhomhnaill. She is also waiting to take part.
Now this is what happens. Your man (Sorry, I dont know his name ) interviews Siobhán. His questions and her answers are not broadcast to us. We are asked to observe her body language. He videos her responses. This video is broken into individual images and the troupe of dancers in the Dublin studio, observe these images and translate them spontaneously into dance moves. The video of their dancing is then projected for us onto the back wall of the alley by the magic of technology.
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