Listowel Connection: Changing face of town,Brian Lenihan and Aodhagán ORahilly, a concert in 1864 and more about Sive

All Over Bar the Shouting

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Lovely Listowel

St. John's in Listowel Town Square in Summer 2007

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Then and Now

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A Midland Event with a North Kerry Connection

Minister Brian Lenihan opening the rail bridge over the Shannon in 1969. He was Minister for Transport and Power from 2/7/69 to 3/1/73. The priest had blessed the bridge just beforehand. To the priest's left is BnM MD, Dermot Lawlor and left and just behind Lawlor is BnM Chairman, Aodhagán O'Rahilly. O'Rahilly's father Michael, known as "The" O'Rahilly" was a member of the GPO garrison and was killed on Easter Friday 1916 while charging a British barricade in Moore Street.

(photos and text: Bord na Mona Heartland)

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"I don't care about Clifton Clowers…"

Who needs Clifton Clowers when we have our own old ploughmen here at home.

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Concert in Listowel in 1864

This concert seems to have been a bit of a pot pourri. Poor Mr McCarthy got an awful reception from the audience;

Tralee Chronicle and Killarney Echo Tuesday, 15 November, 1864; Page: 3 

CASTAGLIONI’S CONCERT IN LISTOWEL, from a Listowel correspondent 

On Thursday evening last, the celebrated Madame Castaglioni gave one of her pleasing and entertaining concerts in Listowel.

We have not had any concerts worth speaking of in Listowel, ever since the Messrs Richardson performed the beautiful piece of the harmonious Blacksmith on their curious rock band some few years ago; and now accordingly heard with delight, this visit of a troupe of clever artists, as the harbinger of a goodly number of future visits of a similar kind.

The Signors Carletta Zerbini and Le Petit Louis Napoleon were prime favourites with the audience and really, taken on the whole, their performance was very creditable. The latter little marvel of precocity gave “The Dark Girl dressed in Blue” and “Polly Perkins”, with admirable effect, while the Senora Zerhiai positively enthralled the audience with the flood of feeling and passionate pathos, which she infused into Lurline’s” Sweet Spirit Hear My Prayer” and the capital manner in in which she rendered the Italian air “ Una Voco pocofa”.

We were particularly delighted with the deft and skilful manner, in which this accomplished cantairiea introduced the tremulous quator and thrilling shake into her magnificent voice. At first she warbles a few notes with bird like clearness and vivacity; then slowly and majestically her voice falls, and for some seconds becomes pendulous with deep emotion, then suddenly rising to the full height of her vocal powers, she pours forth one sustained volume of delicious harmony. With reference to the personal attractions we may be permitted to state, that when in repose, the countenance of the Signora Zerbini seems immobile and statuesque, but when under the inspiration of the spirit of song, every feature is animated and illumed with the charming glow of eloquent enthusiasm.

The performance of Mr M’Carthy was unsatisfactory; he seemed restless and fidgety and the slightest interruption on the part of the audience discomposed his equanimity; In consequence of this the “Hour of Ireland” was completely expunged from the programme.- M’Carthy who seems to us to be either very sensitive or very irascible, had commenced his comicalities, some of which were received with loud laughter by the audience, whereupon he retreated behind the scenes in high dudgeon and did nor put in an appearance for the rest of the evening. Mr. M’Carthy misunderstands the effervescing and joystering disposition of his countrymen. But he should recollect that a public concert, is not a humdrum Quaker meeting.

After Mr M’Carthy’s disappearance a scene of considerable confusion took place. In the midst of the tumult “Patsy the Cottoner”a well known character, rose to address the assembly, and was received with tremendous cheering and waving of hats by his fellow townsmen. This important personage who had been a long time absent from Listowel, formally enjoyed a high reputation, as a village orator and was quite indispensable at every gathering of the “great unwashed”.

He said,” ladies and gentlemen, I have a very great cold, so that if I break down, I hope I am quite excusable. After so long an absence. I have returned to visit my old friends and acquaintances in Listowel again.” Having delivered himself of those two weighty sentences, this individual blurted out a comic song of a very doggerel character, which of course our musical sympathies and affinities do not permit us record, much less notice approvingly.

Miss Carlotta Zerbini then rose and said,- “It is unusual for a lady to address an audience, but I must say we have come here to fulfil our engagement, and not to be insulted,- If therefore you will have a little patience, we will terminate the performance. Miss Zerbini concluded accordingly by singing a song. Then the company dispersed, though, it must be confessed, not without some feeling of disappointment, caused by the fragmentary nature of the entertainment.

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Times Past

A nun in Convent Street in 2007

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Listowel Drama Group's Sive in 1959

What some papers said

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A Listowel Dance Card from 1908

Jim Halpin found this when he was renovating his shop in Church St. some years ago. It is in perfect condition. We can only assume that the young lady it was intended for lost it before she ever got to the dance . Jim has kept this treasure safely and you can see it if you visit the Listowel Military and Historical Museum at 24 Church St.