Bridge Road, Listowel children, A Christmas Stccking in the 1940s and a Fire at The Races in 1959

Millenium Arch and Bridge Road

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The Good Old Days?

From Patrick O'Sullivan's A Year in Kerry

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Listowel Children

These are children  (and a few adults including Michael Dowling R.I.P. )  photographed by John Lynch at parades in 2003 and years after to 2007

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Christmas Lights in Dublin

 When I was in the Big Smoke to see the Haunting Soldier they already had their Christmas lights up even though it was only mid November.

And in Listowel

On Saturday Dec 1 2018, Listowel Tidy Town Committee switched on the very colourful lights on Listowel's Christmas tree.  (Photo; North Pole Express 2018)

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Fire in the Stands

Do you remember this from 1959?

Photo from The Kerryman

Christmas at The Listowel Arms, Manchester Martyr's memorial and some Listowel children

The Big Bridge

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Christmas decorations at The Listowel Arms

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Manchester Martyrs

I am still getting correspondence about the Manchester Martyrs and their commemorative memorials.

Mark Holan sent us this;

Regarding your photos of the Manchester Martyr memorial at St. Michael's Graveyard:

The Kerry Independent, 19 November 1883, page 3, contained a small story under the headline "Anniversary of the Manchester Martyrs." It noted the 16th anniversary of the trios' execution would be celebrated "Sunday next" in different parts of the county.

"In Listowel, the proceedings will be on the extensive scale, and a beautiful cutstone Celtic cross, the workmanship of Messrs. Healy Brothers staff will be unveiled in the graveyard.  ... The mode of proceeding adopted by the patriots of to-day is different from that of '67, but equally potent. We hope that the celebrations in Listowel will not only be participated in by the people of the North Kerry, but all others who can possibly attend. Already we understand a move has been made by a number of nationalists of Tralee to attend in Listowel as there will be no public celebrated (celebration) in this town."

The Kerry Sentinel, 23 November 1883, page 3, reported that the Waterford and Limerick Railway company "have kindly consented to run an excursion train from Tralee" for the event. "It is anticipated the demonstration will be one of the largest held in Listowel for a number of years." 

The Sentinel, 27 November, page 3 reported that Saturday evening before the event, authorities "proclaimed" the gathering ... "the reason set forth for the suppression of the meeting was that if permitted to be held it would be dangerous to the public peace. ... "however, the anniversary was allowed to be held without interference of the authorities. ... "

The 12-foot-high limestone Celtic cross "is a finely executed piece of workmanship, delicately chiseled, and of strikingly graceful proportions. ... the cross was unveiled in the midst of torrents of rain, those present standing with uncovered heads." P.J. Murphy of Cork delivered the oration, which is quoted in detail.

The group left the graveyard quite satisfied they had "outwitted the authorities," but the ceremony took place before the arrival of the Tralee excursion train with "a very large contingent." Extra police drafted from the outlying area, numbering over 100 men, marched to the center of William Street and distributed themselves throughout the town, including the train station and graveyard, according to the Sentinel. While there appears to a some shoving between police and nationalists, there was no large scale violent confrontation.

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Local Children Photographed by John Lynch

For years John Lynch has been filming local events like the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Corpus Christi Procession and other local events.

Earlier this year he took a few screen grabs of some local children at St. Patrick's Day parades in 2003 to  2007.

If you see yourself I hope it gives you a smile.

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Sixty First Wedding Anniversary

John and Lilly Lenehan of Florida and Moyvane, whose happy marriage is a inspiration to us all are still going strong.

Holy Well in Coolard, The Ball Alley, the Vincent de Paul shop and Michael Healy Rae in Woulfe's

Sunday Morning Walk

Childers' Park, Listowel Co. Kerry November 18 2018

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Well in Coolard  (Dúchas Collection)

There is a holy well in Coolard and many people visited it on certain days. The same prayers are said at every well and whilst saying it they make nine rounds. When people visit the well they take a bottle of the water home with them and some moss. The water of the above well cures sore throats and rheumatism. The water of the well is never used for any domestic purpose. There was a scarcity of water and the people took the water from the blessed well. They couldn’t get it to boil.

Rinn Tuirc School collection 10 5 1938.

St Bartholomew’s Well, Coolard, Lisselton

Collector Nancy Hanrahan-Informant- Michael Hanrahan, Age 60

The blessed well is situated in a thick wood near Coolard. The well is shallow and a stream of fresh water flows from it. Many people in the district visit the well three times a year, to pay rounds. They go around the well nine times and they say three rosaries. If they have not the rosaries finished when going around, they kneel by the well and finish them. When they are going home they leave money or holy pictures or pieces of cloth on the tree beside the well. Anyone having sores washes them in the water. They also take three sips of the water and also some water with them. The people living near the well use the water for household purposes. It is said that the well was situated farther up on the wood once. A woman washed clothes in it. Then it moved down to where it is at the present time.

Holy Wells 17 – 11- ’38

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Woodford Pottery Nativity

I love my Woodford Pottery crib. I will light a tea light in it every evening from now to Christmas.

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The Ball Alley

Listowel men of a certain age remember the ball alley with great fondness. There have been essays and poems written about the exploits of Listowel's handballers. I don't know if the Sheehy brothers who are commemorated on this seat were among the champions but they would have certainly enjoyed being reminded of the days when the ball alley was the centre of young men's social calendar.

Some years ago in a project undertaken by the young people of Xistance Youth Café the walls of the now disused alley were decorated with graffiti. Over time the pictures have taken a battering from the weather but most are still intact and looking beautiful.

These Pictures are on the side walls. The end wall has had to be replastered.

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Second Time Around

One of my favourite Listowel shops is Second Time Around, the St. Vincent de Paul shop on Upper William Street. It is always staffed by smiling friendly volunteers and there are always great bargains to be had from the stock donated by some really kind  (and stylish) donors.

On Wednesday week when I called in I met these two lovely ladies, Ingrid and EileenR looking after the shop.

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A Booksigning at  Woulfe's

Michael Healy Rae signing John Hartnett's copy of his book, Time to Talk

Michael with John and the shop staff, Fiona, Mary and Brenda

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Lyre Postman Retires

(Photo and text from Joe Harrington on Facebook)

Our Postman, Seán O'Connell, on his last day as Lyreacrompane Postman delivering the mail to Norrie Connell, Carrigcannon on Friday November 30 2018. Seán has been the postman in the Lyreacrompane district for 38 years! Happy retirement Seán.