Listowel Connection: Circus, A Stone Wall and Listowel helping the war effort

Ballybunion Sunset

Photo: Bridget O'Connor

<<<<<<<<<<

I miss the circus. Don't you?

Circus elephants in Market Street....Photo by the late John Hannon

John Duffy, the Circus

by John Fitzgerald

Out from the pastures in early Spring
On trucks and on trailers, the loading begins
The tents and the tigers, the bright colored ring
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

Travellin’ the highways and tourin’ the towns
Ringmaster, jugglers, the cats and the clowns
The posters are printed so word gets around
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

They drive the long nights without any sleep
Wire walkers, tight ropers, all hands to the wheel
Each dawn a’peggin’ the circle of steel
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

They ring round our market, wagons galore
Tractors and trailers, the canvas and more
With riggin’ and cages, ropes by the score
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

Four beats to a bar, the sledges ring
Four men of iron their music to sing
The canvas is spread,” the heave-ho” begins
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

Its haul down the ropes, and let the tent rise
Like clockwork they know, each cog to prise
They heave and they haul ‘til the tent is full size
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

The brass band of old is pipe music new
Monkeys are scarce and the elephants few
The trapeze has nets and the safe rope has too
John Duffy, the circus is callin’

The circus, alas, is not that of old
The magic, the music, the laughs and the roars
See a child’s face when the sparkle’s gone cold
John Duffy will soon not be callin’

<<<<<<<<

Listowel People Helped Soldiers at the front during World War 1

I found the following account on the internet. I presume it comes from a newspaper of the time.

LISTOWEL'S CONTRIBUTION OF COMFORTS. PRACTICAL AND GENEROUS ACTION.

The Committee of the Listowel Fund for the soldiers' comforts met in the billiard room of the Listowel Arms Hotel on Tuesday evening, when Madame Dei Janasz, the very popular and energetic President, gave an account of the good work done, by the committee, and Mr. B. Johnston, the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, put the financial aspect of the undertaking before the meeting in the shape of a statement of accounts which was highly satisfactory.

The Rev. Canon Pattison, M.A., presided, and the other members present were Madame de Janasz, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs McElligott, Mrs. Foran, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Little, Mrs Naylor, Mrs. Jones, Miss Horgan, Miss Breen, Miss Pattison, Miss May Pattison, Miss Johnston, Miss Milligan, Miss Harnett, Messrs D de Janasz, M. O'Connell, Clerk of Union; B. Johnston, W. McElligott. C.P.S.

Madame do Janasz read her report as follows:—On the 6th October a meeting was called at Listowel at the instigation of Mrs de Janasz for the purpose of organising a collection of various articles, socks, shirts, mufflers, belts, etc., for sending to the soldiers at the front, in order in some way to lessen the terrible privations and hardships they are exposed to during the winter campaign. The response to the appeal was very hearty, and the meeting, at which Canon Pattison presided, was attended by a considerable number of those who were invited to it. The meeting decided that the gifts should be sent to the Munster Fusiliers serving at the front, and chose the following committee for the purpose of carrying out the work: Mrs de Janasz, President; Mrs. Johnston, Mrs Jack McElligott, Mrs Little, Mrs. Foran, Miss Horgan, Miss Breen, Mr McKenna, Mr McAulay, Mr de Janasz, Canon Pattison, Mr. Johnston, Hon, Sec. and Treas. Donations both in money and gifts were accepted, a good many being given and promised at the meeting. A list of monetary subscriptions up to date are set forth in detail in the balance sheet to be submitted by the Hon. Treasurer. Subscriptions not appearing in balance sheet, £13 10s d given by Mrs. de Janasz for wool and flannel for shirts and belts. Then followed a long list of those who sent donations of shirts, socks, belts, etc., including socks, knitted by the following from Kilmorna and the neighbourhood gratuitously from wool supplied Mrs Wall, Mrs Murphy, Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Gould, Mrs Stack, Mrs Moore, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. Midigan , Miss Lizzie Stack , Miss, Nell Kelliher, Miss Bridget Enright, Miss O'Connor , Mrs. Gaire, Kate Kelihan , Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Leahy, Mrs. Sullivan, Hannah McElligott, Mrs. Sheehy, Johanna Dillon, Margaret McMahon, Bill Finucane, Mary Leahy, Mrs. Bowden, Miss Sheahan, Mrs. Ned Mulvihill and Mrs Norah Keane. Belts from—Mr and Mrs Little. Scarves—Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Armstrong; Wristlets—Miss Clifford, Mrs Little, Mrs J McElligott. Cigarettes—Mrs. Little. Tobacco-Dr . O'Connor. Matches—Miss Horgan, Mrs de Janasz. Pipes—Mr. Johnston, Mr. Armstrong; Vaseline—Mr. and Mrs Leane, Mrs. Darling- Mrs. Knight-Pedlar, Mrs. Pierce.

THE First consignment, consisting of 127 shirts, 370 pairs of socks, 157 belts, 99 scarves, 10 pair of wristlets, 1 box, cigarettes , 1 vest, a piece of soap or box of Vaseline in each sock , and a pair of boot laces, was despatched the 3rd November to the Munster Fusiliers at the front, and the Committee got acknowledgment and expressions of thanks from the Commanding Officer and men of the 2nd Battalion. The second consignment, consisting of 24 shirts, 125 pairs of socks, 125 flannel belts, 25 scarf helmets, 4 pair wristlets, 24 magazines, 141bs tobacco, 88 pipes, 12 doz. Matches, 24 1bs sweets, 200 lead pencils, 200 postcards, 8 sets of playing cards, was sent off on December 12th to the Munster Fusiliers at the front- so that altogether up to date 151 shirts, 495 pairs of socks, 282 belts, 184 serves, 14 wristlets, 14lb. tobacco, 88 pipes, 24 1bs. sweets, 200 lead pencils, 200 postcards , 8 sets of playing cards, 24 magazines, have been sent, and the committee presenting this short report to the general meeting cannot help expressing, their high appreciation of the hearty and generous spirit with which they were met by the donors and workers, and venture to express a hope that the work which has been so successful will not be brought to an end but continue while there is need for it. It is a most gratifying feeling which the, Committee has no doubt is shared by everyone present, that Listowel and its neighbourhood have taken their parts in lightening the burden of the Irish soldiers at the front. (Applause)

Mr. Johnston, Hon Sec., then produced his balance sheet , from which appeared that the total sum subscribed was £84 4s 7d., including £22 I8s ld., collected by the ladies at the races, and there was a credit balance of £4 19s 8d., which was considered very satisfactory. The Chairman said he did not know if there was any necessity for the appointment of an Auditor. Mr. Johnston—It would be more satisfactory to me to have the accounts audited. Mr. McElligott consented to act as Auditor

(Break, Note Mr Foran remarked that Mrs de Janasz was sister of George Gun Mahony and she has filled the void left by him, she was the main instigator of the meeting which sponsored and promoted subscriptions for the soldiers)

<<<<<<<

An Old Shed wall