Listowel Connection: Kerry versus Cork, Ballyduff people and Mary Kenneally

For a change, I bring you a modern match programme and from it a little bit of history. Kerry have continued their winning streak with a victory over Tyrone yesterday.

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Ballyduff group at the Rosary at Tober Leighs Holy Well, The Cashen, December 2004
(photo by Noel O'Connor)

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According to Jer this lady has Listowel roots. She is "huge' In Australia.

Mary Kenneally

WRITER, PERFORMER, SINGER

Mary Kenneally is one of Australia’s leading comedians and amongst the most influential and respected performing arts entertainers in this country.

In a career spanning over thirty years, she has made a significant and

profound impact on the development of Australian comedy in particular and on the performing arts in general.

While studying Law and Arts at Melbourne University, Mary participated in The Architects’ Revue, and had gone on with several other cast members to write, produce and perform in shows at the Guild Theatre, The Pram Factory and newly opened The Flying Trapeze, in Brunswick Street in 1974.

From 1975 to 1983 she wrote and performed for 3ZZZ, Radio National, and education, current affairs, and entertainment programs for ABC Television in both Sydney and Melbourne. She wrote, produced and performed in shows which have been recognised for developing a distinctive Australian comedy, and performed at venues such as the Flying Trapeze Cafe, Fitzroy, The Last Laugh Theatre Restaurant, Collingwood, and Foibles Theatre Restaurant, Carlton. She also compered rock concerts, working with emerging rock bands at the time such as Skyhooks, Split Enz, Little River Band, Renee Gayer and many others.

In 1979, with four fellow comedians, Mary opened the iconic Comedy Café Theatre Restaurant in Brunswick Street Fitzroy, which was dedicated specifically to the development of original Australian Comedy. An inspiring, innovative and path breaking move this venue was to provide the forum for the promotion of distinctive Australian comedy and provide the context for the further development of Australian culture. The talents of Australian artistic performers were nurtured here and many were to go on to successful careers in the arts, notably, Mary Anne Fahey, Wendy Harmer, Ian McFadyen, Sue Ingleton and Jane Turner to name a few.

Several television offers culminated for Mary and her co-performers in the enormously popular and award winning comedy television series, Australia, You’re Standing In It. The characters of Tim and Debbie in particular encapsulated the highly intelligent and innovative artistic achievement of Mary and her co-comedians.

Mary has been involved in several other activities associated with the performing arts. She spent seven years as an advisor to the Performing Arts Museum (now The Performing Arts Collection). Mary's extreme versatility and competence are also reflected in the Gold Medal awarded at the New York International Radio Awards in 1986 for a campaign written, produced in association with Stephen Blackburn. She has also been lauded as a superb cabaret performer for her shows including Lazy Crazy Love Songs at Mietta's, Trades Hall and Hamer Hall.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australian cultural life, in 2000, Mary was awarded the Kenneth Myer Medallion for Services to the Performing Arts."

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The first of the horse fair photos: