Craftshop na Méar, a teacher contract and St. Patrick's Day of yesteryear

St. Patrick's festival in Pittsburg

In Pittsburg they do our national holiday in style. On the far left is Hannah O'Donoghue who is Miss Smiling Irish Eyes. Hannah's grandad was one of the O'Donoghue's of Tannavalla and she is very proud of her Listowel heritage. Listowel can justifiably be proud of her too as she has a very impressive cv for such a young lady.

Next to Hannah in the photo is Pat O'Brien, parade chairman and a frequent visitor to Listowel where he stays with Nora Sheahan.

Hannah with her proud parents, Patty and Jack O'Donoghue.

Patty with St. Patrick

 with her two proud Listowel aunts, Maggie Cloonan and Eileen Curran

with her lovely niece, Ruby O'Donoghue.

Hannah will be visiting Ireland in August to take part in the Maid of the Mourne festival and after that she will be coming with her Dad to visit the Listowel branch of the family.

Methinks I see a future Rose of Tralee contestant or two here.

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St. Patrick's Days  of Yore

To whet your appetite for this year's Listowel parade here are a few photos from former years

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Craftshop na Méar gets ready for the national holiday 2015

Karen and Viveca dress the shop window for St. Patrick's Day.

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St. Patrick's Day blessing for tomorrow

Lucky stars above you,

Sunshine on your way,

Many friends to love you,

Joy in work and play-

Laughter to outweigh each care,

 In your heart a song-

And gladness waiting everywhere

All your whole life long!

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In Ohio in 1923 Teachers truly had something to complain about!

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New Kid on the Block

Frances O'Keeffe welcomes Jean Thomas to Craftshop na Méar

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The photo of Keane Stack's from Vincent Carmody's book brought back happy memories to many people. Hilary Kelly remembers the barley sugar sticks and Cathy Dunne remembers Mr. Keane Stack in a bowler hat and from Liam Murphy in the USA came this memory;

" More of long ago memories recalled,  from the age of four to fourteen I wore prescription glasses that were filled by Willie Keane- Stack. I remembered young John B behind the counter on right when you entered the shop and getting  from a tall jar "Barley Sugar" that as I recall was only sold in chemist shops. But have clear memory of them when I went with my late father there early 50's."