Spring Cleaning, Pres. Listowel, Savannah McCarthy and some interesting Street Names

Storm Imogen in Ballybunion Feb. 8 2016

Photo: Mike Enright

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Spring Cleaning

When I saw Joan and Isobel  hard at work I was reminded of the annual ritual of Spring cleaning. I dont think people confine their cleaning to any season nowadays. In the days before vacuum cleaners and tumble dryers we did our big clean up in Spring. It was damp enough to keep down dust and windy enough to dry big items like blankets.

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Update from the Convent

I took another trip to Greenville to see if anything was going on. Things looked pretty much the same. It was Monday February 8 2016 and work was at a standstill…probably due to storm Imogen.

The railing between the convent and the schools is removed to allow access for diggers and other heavy machinery.

 A big trench is dug the length of the front lawn.

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Listowel's Savannah McCarthy Gets a  Big Break

This is what they say about our own Listowel soccer ace on the Glasgow City website:

Glasgow City are delighted to announce the signing of Republic of Ireland international Savannah McCarthy from Galway WFC.

The 18 year old central defender and current Republic of Ireland Under 19 Captain, recently progressed into the senior Ireland set up, making the last two A squad international call-ups versus Spain in Euro qualifying and most recently for the double header against the world champions, USA. McCarthy will also be heading to the Cyprus Cup with the Ireland A squad at the start of March. 

Commenting on signing for City, McCarthy said, “I would like to thank Glasgow for giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams in becoming a professional footballer. I’m also really looking forward to teaming up with my Ireland team mates Denise O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn and Claire Shine and can’t wait to meet the rest of the squad. I'm excited to be part of such a successful team and I hope that I can help Glasgow continue that success this coming season.”

Glasgow City Head Coach Scott Booth was not afraid to show his content and patience in capturing the highly rated youngster. He said, “We are delighted to finally be able to sign Savannah. She’s a player that has been on our radar for a number of months. Sav has already proven herself in Ireland and recently fought her way into full national team contention.

“She’s still a teenager but has the potential to be a key player for Glasgow City over the next few years. In the short term she offers us strength in depth along our back line. I am really looking forward to working with her.”

City fans will get to see Savannah and the rest of the Glasgow City team in action against Sunderland for the team’s pre-season challenge match at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, on Sunday 14th February, 2.30pm. Entry is £5 adults and children go FREE.

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When is William Street not William St.?

A Listowel story from Vincent Carmody

The street names, Upper and Lower William Street, were named in the mid 1800's by Lord Listowel. Prior to this the whole street was known as Pound Lane, due to the location of an animal pound, located roughly above where the present day Mermaids Complex is.


After the renaming, many of the residents of the upper part of the street continued to refer to their part as Pound Lane. They lovingly, would have been known as 'Poundlaners'. This then became a tradition.


In the 1920's the nationally minded denizens of both upper and lower William Street, not to be outdone by those in Church Street ( Ashe Street ) and Main Street (Rahilly Square), decided, again without a plebiscite, to re -name their own streets. So, to public acclaim, Lower William Street was named Pearse Street, and the upper part, Patrick Street.

However, again due to political correctness, those names were never officially sanctioned, so as in the case of O'Rahilly Square these names are only part of our oral tradition.  We have  proof that names existed.
 Look at the billheads  pictured above.

Some time ago I was asked, " who are Poundlaners? ", I answered, " as a true Cockney is one born within the hearing range of the Bow Bells, a true Poundlaner is one born within sight of St. Patrick's Hall. !!


How many know that the Small Square (Main Street) was renamed, and the name used in the 1920's and 30's' . However, due to political correctness and the fact that no plebiscite had taken place, the new name faded into oblivion and the old name was restored. The name was 'O'Rahilly Square' and we have proof...… 

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Goodbye, Good Luck and Thanks for the Memories

Paul O'Connell, one of the greatest rugby players of our time is forced through injury to retire from the game he loves.

"Few players get to touch the mantle of greatness. Fewer still get the wear it. Paul O'Connell made it his own."

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Ben and Kathleen Naylor have resumed transcribing the Gleasure letters.

Gleasure Letters