1959 donkey Derby, Healeys in search of cousins,

War Games

We have had a weekend of remembering and reenacting. I'll post my photos from Listowel Military Tattoo 2014 in the coming days.

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1959 Donkey Derby

John B. Keane described Listowel as a town "where it is easier to write than not to write".  As well as the famous writers who have supped at the Writers' Well, Listowel has produced many writers whose lights have been hidden for a long time. 

One such writer is the late Jet Stack of Greenville. Jet was better known as a dancer and accordion player but he also dabbled in poetry and prose. One of his relatives has contacted me and shared with us a poem Jet wrote about one man's experience of the 1959 Donkey Derby.  Apparently when it came to the big day, this very well prepared donkey was well in the lead coming down Church Street, when he suddenly veered off course and cut into Colbert Street, leaving his jockey, trainer and many supporters disappointed. The donkey in question was Scartlea Night and was ridden by Sean Hartnett of Cahirdown. 

Listowel Donkey Derby 1959    by Jet Stack

The weather was fine, being fifty nine and the races drawing nigh

To win the donkey derby sure our hopes were very high.

So we called on all the donkeys that might win cup or bowl

And we started preparations for the derby in Listowel.

The donkeys came in dozens, some were fast and some were slow,

But sure that’s the way you’ll find them no matter where you go

But we put them through their paces and we raced them past the pole

And twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel

We had Nixes grey and Driscoll's bay, she showed a little blemish

John Joe brought our camera in case of a photo finish

When Lady Barney won the second race, Dan Riordan scratched his pole

And ‘twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel

Nedeen Buckley came with Sad Dust and Nellies Morning Dew

This was a kind of challenge race and 'twas left between the two

Then Margaret came on Forge Road Lad, He’s the sire of a foal

And 'twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel

When Shanahan’s Stamps came winning home, the crowd they gave a roar

They heard it back in Coolagown and down through Ennismore

Bob Stack got so excited, he ran up the winning pole

And 'twas all in preparation for the derby in Listowel

Scartlea’s Hope when going well, won many a thrilling race

He ran his best to half a length and that was no disgrace

But when Casey down from Dromerin,  said he couldn’t run with goats

Sure his feeding was substandard, it was small Kilarda oats.

When Phil arrived on Gurtinard Lad,  Sean’s donkey gave a wink

He started like a bullet and gave him no time to think

Our jockeys rode like professionals both fearless and bold

And there’s one thing I can vouch for; a race was never sold

The crowd grew larger every night, they came from far and near

Elsie, Kit and Minnie came the winners home to cheer

We had Bertha, Paul and Bridie, sure they played their usual role

And 'twas all in preparation for the derby in listowel

Eileen came with Kathleen and Bridge came running fast

Sure Mary nearly broke her neck in case she might be last

Ginette was there from London oh my heart she nearly stole

And 'twas all in preparation for the Derby in Listowel.

So then when the fun was over and we picked our chosen few

We raced them down Church Street where we met our Waterloo

But such is life, there is always strife in trying to reach your goal

Still our hopes are high for another try at the derby in Listowel.

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Healy/Healey

These are the Healey brothers whom I met last week as they retraced the footsteps of their great grandparents.

John Healy was born in Listowel on June 17 1830 to Timothy and Margaret Healy (Nee Linnane). John emigrated to London after the Famine. His marriage cert. says that his occupation was a furrier or farrier. He subsequently joined the London Metropolitan Police.

The Police Recruiting Act of 1853 in New South Wales allowed for police to be recruited from Great Britain. Free passage was offered in exchange for 3 years service.

John Healy arrived with 97 other policemen and their families on board The Exodus (how apt that name is?) on July 26 1855. John's record shows that he was appointed to the NSW police on the day of his arrival. These new policemen were known as The Immigrant Police.

John Healey was involved in the rescue of the sole surviver of the sinking of The Dunbar in 1857.

The population of NSW was growing very rapidly with the prospect of gold and penal deportation. Immigration meant that the large population was very culturally diverse and riots were frequent. The police were kept busy.

John Healey was a capable and good policeman and he rose through the ranks as his postings led him from place to place in NSW.


In 1873 Senior Sergeant Healey was appointed "Inspector of Nuisances in the municipality of Penrith".

His final posting was to Kiama where he was involved in a serious road accident.

Sub Inspector John Healey retired from The NSW Police in 1887 aged 57 years and with a police record of 32 years service.

John died in 1899 leaving a widow and 10 children.

When I last spoke to Terrence and Graham they were making progress in their search for local Healy/ Healey relatives. Over the years all contact with their Irish relatives has been lost but these two men are determined to reconnect to their great grandfather's homeland.

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Random Fact

Only 12 white alligators left in the whole world (photo: So bad, so good)

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