Listowel Writers Week and some photos from Árd Cúram sod turning ceremony

From Kids' Programme to 
The National Children's Literary Festival 2014

This is the Writers'Week Children's Fancy Dress Parade in 1991. Mary Robinson performed the official opening of Listowel Writers' Week and the theme of the parade was Mná na hEireann.

That was then; this is now.

The Children's programme at Writers Week has grown and matured into The National Children's Literary Festival.
A programme of readings, workshops, Treasure Hunt, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Baby Boogie, Puppet Show, Science Experiments and so much more is on offer.

Just one of the many exciting events is taking place in Craftshop na Méar on Saturday morning May 31st. at 11.30 a.m.

Sarah Murphy is a Ballina born, Cork based teacher and art therapist. She has just written her first book, What if?
The premise behind What if? is that it provides a fun way for a parent to introduce personal safety topics to young children.
The workshop is for parents and children and aims at helping them explore topics like
What if a stranger offers me sweets?
What if my ball ran on to the road?

The workshop is free but booking is necessary as places are limited. Ring Nuala on 068 21074.

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Ard Čúram sod turning ceremony May 16 3014

Micheál ÓSuilleabháin

Marie and Mike Moriarty

Ring of Kerry cyclists with Mayor of Listowel Jimmy Moloney

Canon Declan O'Connor blessed the site

Isobel MacDonagh with some Listowel older people who avail of the day care service

Finbarr Mawe, a driving force behind the project

 Olive and Roibeard Pierse

Tom Pierse

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Busy Weekend ahead

 Local and European elections Friday May 23

M.S. Busking Day  May 23 2014

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Ta Dah!

This is the beautiful Silver River Feale piece designed in Macroom by Listowel born silversmith, Eileen Moylan and made in her Claddagh Design Workshop.

Orders are now being taken in Craftshop na Méar for the following pieces from the range;

Sterling Silver Pendant on 18' chain………€85

Sterling Silver Bracelet on 7' chain………….€75


Sterling Silver  cuff links………….€130


Sterling Silver Tie/ Lapel pin………..€60

All of the items come in a beautiful presentation box.

We will have a small supply available on the night of the launch which we will sell to people who attend. These handmade pieces take a while to produce so order now to avoid disappointment.

The Lartigue and Writers' Week; then and now

The Lartigue is running for the summer

Some of the volunteers who man the service during the tourist season: Toddy Buckley, Brendan Kenny, John MacAulliffe, Junior Griffin, Tim O'Leary and Martin Griffin.

The Lartigue in 1855 when it ran between Listowel and Ballybunion and the restored loco in 2014

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 posted by Limerick Life

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Writers Week 1975

This press cutting which was sent to me by Aidan OMurchú will bring back many happy memories of the early days of our great literary festival.

In 2013 the festival was opened by John Bowman. In 2014 Paul Durkan will do the honours.

It is fitting that Listowel Writers' Week 2014 be opened by a poet because this year sees the awarding for the first time of the Piggott Poetry Prize. This prize will be awarded on opening night May 28 to the writer of a collection of poems which is deemed the best of the over 80 volumns of poetry submitted to the judges. Mark Piggott, the sponsor, will travel from the U.S. to attend the festival and present the prize.
Opening Night this year is a ticketless event. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis.


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June holiday Race Meeting

Ladies day will be a feature of the June weekend's racing.

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Mike O'Donnell composed this waltz in memory of Con Houlihan. If I managed to upload it correctly, you will be hearing it played for the first time in Kerry. The pianist is a Russian virtuosa and the piece is called Con Houlihan's waltz.  Enjoy!

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Ard Cúram sod turning ceremony

Árd Cúram is a project to provide day care for Listowel's older people. A hard working committee has worked hard for several years now to bring this initiative to a permanent location. It currently operates three days per week in Listowel Family Centre. On Friday May 16 2014  the first sod was turned in its new permanent location in the grounds of Listowel hospital.
A man who spoke on Friday at the ceremony told us that every good project must have "a dreamer, a doer and knocker". Well, the knocker has been proved wrong and the dream is to be realized because of all the doers in the community.
The final plank of the fundraising is The Ring of Kerry Cycle. A huge team of cyclists is in training and with the support of the community they will raise that vital few extra thousands to see this worthwhile venture over the line.
The first sod was turned by Jimmy Deenihan and Micheál OSuilleabháin and Canon Declan O'Connor blessed the venture.

Mary Moylan, cyclist with Finbar Mawe and community nurses.

Marie Reen, Joan Walshe, Mary Anne O'Connor, Eithne Galvin and Noreen Queally

cyclists, organisers and Canon Declan O'Connor

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Tarbert Cuckoo Walk

If you missed Tarbert's annual walking festival in early May, you can still watch the very interesting promotional video here;

Cuckoo Walk