T.F. O'Sullivan, Enterprise Town Expo and a Memento of the Roadworks

Robin photographed by Chris Grayson

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The First History of the GAA.....the Listowel Connection

Mark Holan writes a very interesting internet blog. A recent post which spiked my interest was all about T.F. O'Sullivan of Listowel who wrote the first history of the GAA.  This man seems to be largely forgotten except for Vincent Carmody's references to him in his historical walking tour of the town when he points out where he was born and mentions his fame as the first to record the history of the GAA.

Below is the text of the blogpost. If you go to Mark's site, you will also be able to see a photos of the book's cover.

"A journalist's book about the early decades of the Gaelic Athletic Association this year quietly reached the 100th anniversary of its publication. T.F. O'Sullivan's Story of the GAA was based on an earlier series of newspaper articles.

The book's 1916 publication has been lost amid all the attention to the same-year Easter Rising. Even the 1916 entry of the special 1913-1923 centenary section of the GAA's website overlooks the book, written by one of its own members. You can read the organization's 28 May 1916 official statement after the uprising.

Michael Cronin of the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University, Leicester, England, briefly noted O'Sullivan's book in a larger essay on "Historians and the Making of Irish Nationalist Identity in the Gaelic Athletic Association."

O’Sullivan was a GAA official and the book presents a highly simplistic notion of the Association’s past beginning with the seven pioneers who met in Thurles in 1884 to reawaken the Gaelic nation through sport and taking the narrative up to 1916 by recounting details of major personalities, decisions taken by the Central Council and recording the results of matches.

Although there is no explicit mention of the Easter Rising as such an inclusion would have meant that the book would not be approved by military censors, there is an implicit celebration of the Rising as those GAA men who took part are included in the list of GAA personalities.

Although not a widely researched history, as it is more of a contemporary account, O’Sullivan’s book is important as it sets out an accepted chronology that is rarely challenged by subsequent authors. This chronology, while celebrating the games of the Gael, primarily revolves around the role of the GAA in reawakening the national spirit.

O'Sullivan's book does receive several mentions in The GAA & Revolution in Ireland 1913-1923, edited by Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, a 2015 commemorative publication specially commissioned by the GAA.

O'Sullivan was a Kerryman, born in Listowel, according to a short History Ireland bio. He wrote for the Freeman's Journal."

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Saturday November 26 2016 in Listowel Community Centre

As part of BOI's enterprise town initiative, we got to see a number of local clubs and charities in the community centre. Below are some of the people I photographed on the day.

Members of Listowel Tidy Town's Committee cut the ribbon to perform the official opening.

Dawn Thomas had a beautiful display of crafts, all handmade by herself. Dawn's work is for sale in Craftshop na Méar and at local craft fairs.

Denis O'Carroll of Fealegood Productions was there.

Eabha Joan's Restaurant was there on Friday and Saturday.

Edel O'Connor of JK Sports made a sale to Sheelagh Dillon of BOI.

Eileen O'Sullivan is a multi talented crafter. Eileen's ceramics and knits are available at Craftshop na Méar.

Lorraine O'Hanlon runs Listowel's very successful play therapy business called Anam Saor.

Sand in Our Boots is a History of Beale GAA Club.

The Lixnaw area has a new Facebook page from Pride of the Parish

Christina was minding the Little Lilac Studio stall.

Imelda was taking Tom on a trip down memory lane at the Comhaltas stand.

Croí is Lyreacrompane's Gym

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Humans of Listowel

Matt Mooney and John McGrath share an interest in writing.

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Party at Áras Mhuire

If you have family or friends at Áras Mhuire they invite you to join them for their Residents' Christmas party

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We'll Remember the Road Works

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Listowel Badminton Club held their annual Christmas Party in John B.Keanes  on Friday Night last and on the night the presentation of Club Person of the Year Award took place.  This Award was first inaugurated in 1987 and this year's very popular recipient was Norma Leane for her commitment and dedication to the Juvenile section of the Club.  Norma works closely with coach Roly Chute who himself was one of the recipients of the Award in 1993.  Norma is seen here with Club Chairman, James Sheahan on the left and President/Secretary John (Junior) Griffin on the right.