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.