Another public Phone box removed and an up and coming bikeman and Opening Night WW18

A naonhóg on the beach photographed by Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<<

Writers' Week Opening Night 2018

We had a ball! Here are my first few photos. I'll be busy snapping away for the next few days so you won't see the bulk of my photos until later on. Meanwhile enjoy the sunshine and if you can at all come on down to lovely Listowel. The great and the good are here and there's music and dancing too. If you don't believe me look here.

<<<<<<<

Gone

Last week they took out this phone box by McKenna's.

There it is...gone, just the rectangle of new paving bricks to show where it's been.

<<<<<<<<

Charles Street from Mill Lane

<<<<<<<

From the John Hannon Archive

Phil Walsh who passed away recently . May she dance in heaven

<<<<<<

Conor Keane catches up with the Kellihers

<<<<<<<<,

One to Watch

The cyclist on the left greeting his grandparents at the Listowel finish of Rás Tailteann is Dillon Corkery . This young man is only 19 and he finished 26th overall in the Rás. This is a magnificent performance considering that many of the other riders are professional. There were only four other Irish amateur riders ahead of him. He is surely going places.

Brendan Landy on Facebook reminded us of another super bike rider who rode into Listowel at the beginning of his cycling career. This is Brendan Landy's super picture of Sam Bennett winning stage 3 into Listowel  of the An Post Rás in 2013.

Could Dillon Corkery be the next Sam Bennett? 

Remember where you heard it first!

Watching Rás Tailteann, Iceland Opens and an icon in St. Mary's

Photo: Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<<<

People I met at Rás Tailteann on May 23 2018

Helen, P.J. and Joan stopped on their way from mass to wave the cyclists off.

Eilish, Maria and Sharon popped out of the Writers' Week office to promote the festival to the race watchers.

Christy, Norita and Joan in The Square

Moriarty family out in force to support Eugene

<<<<<<<<

From the Johnny Hannon Archive

Batt and Gertie O'Keeffe

<<<<<<

It's Open

Iceland Listowel in Mill Lane opened on May 22 2018

<<<<<<<<

In St. Mary's Listowel

<<<<<<,

Famous People meet a Blog Follower

Danny O'Connor from Gurtinard met father and son actors, Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson in New York

<<<<<<,

Woodford Pottery

Pat Murphy gave me a sneak peak at his latest design innovation. He is still making his trademark blue  black and green kitchenware but now his creative juices are flowing in a whole new direction  and he is planning a white with a pop of colour range for the autumn.

I love them. What do you think?

Pat also has a beautiful range of souvenir mugs especially for Writers' Week. You can pick them up in the craft shop at Galvins in William Street.

Listowel History Festival, The Square, 3 Good Friends And Stylish Eilish prepares for Ladies' Day 2018

Chris Grayson took this photo of a dipper dipping a toe in the river Maine in Castleisland.

<<<<<<<<<<

A Last few from The History Festival 2018

Here are just a few more photos I took at the commemoration ceremony to honour the war dead and veterans in Listowel Town Square in May 2018

<<<<<<<

Photograph posted online by Patrick Godfrey

We should be able to date this photo because it is between the time when there was a wall and railings all round St. John's and modern times when there is no wall.

Once upon a time mass going Catholics used to tie their horse and trap to the railings of St. John's while they attended mass in St Mary's.

<<<<<<

Sand Sculpture in Torremolinos

Julie Evans who is a loyal follower of this blog was fascinated by the recent sand art festival in Ballybunion. When she and her husband, Glyn, were on holiday in Spain they saw these marvellous sand sculptures. Beside the sculptures was a locked box chained to a railing for people to put a donation into.

<<<<<<<<<<<

I'm Still Researching

Morning coffee and a chat in The Listowel Arms with these three friends as I research my walk around Listowel Town Square on June 2 2018. Jed Chute, Danny Hannon and Joe Murphy, thanks for all your help and the great stories.

<<<<<<

Stylish Eilish is Busy Preparing for Listowel June Bank Holiday Ladies' Day

I met Eilish as she was racing around collecting prizes for her great Best Dressed Ladies event at the June Race Meeting in Listowel.

It promises to be a great day of style and craic and the prizes are amazing. Eilish has a great knack of mobilising everyone behind an event.