Dorans Then and Now, Patrick Keough walks the Kerry Way and a Station Cat

1916 commemorative Garden, July 2018

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Crowley's Corner now Doran's Pharmacy

Photo: The John Hannon Archive

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Hiking The Kerry Way

A friend recently sent me a link to this blog post

Trecking The Kerry Way

Read this account of Patrick Keough's walk and you will want to "arise and go there"

Here are just a few snippets.

The Kerry Way Trail takes you over some of Ireland’s highest mountains, majestic coastlines, remote valleys, native forests and breathtaking scenic vistas.

The terrain along the Kerry Way is much more extreme and remote than the Camino to Santiago, however the scenic views are magnificent and awe inspiring. I also got myself lost a few times hiking the mountain ridges in dense fog. It was a frightening experience not being able to find the trail markers then looking at my phone and realizing I had no service. Luckily after about 4 km of searching and some praying I found my way back to the trail. It was an introspective trek, in addition to a great personal challenge.

After a week of hiking over rugged deserted terrain I started thinking what it must have been like for the Irish people 200 years ago. No creature comforts, no cars, phones or electricity. I can’t even imagine how hard life must have been just traveling from town to town by foot or horse cart.

It’s difficult doing justice with words describing the majestic beauty of the Kerry landscape. It’s the same as it was thousands of years ago. Towering rocky hillsides, flowing dark rivers and miles and miles of wet boggy grass and yellow gorse. I feel very blessed and a little overwhelmed hiking in this timeless unspoiled environment. Looking upon my surroundings this morning bathed in crisp dawn light I feel Gods presence in nature.

This is just a small taste of this marvellous blogpost. Here is the link again. Read it all and look at Patrick's marvellous photos. If you don't have the energy to undertake it, this is the next best thing to being there.

The Kerry Way

All photos and text are copyright  to Patrick Keough

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Summer Visitors

When I called in to Listowel Writers' Week office last week, I found Máire and Eilish entertaining Jim and Liz Dunn and their visiting grandchildren.

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This Cat is going nowhere

Member of staff at Tralee railway station

kingfisher, Listowel coursing, and more from the enterprise town event

A Blue Photo

Photographer; Jim McSweeney

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In St. Michael's Graveyard

A wintry sun lit up St. Michael's last week.

This is the grave of one of Listowel's great writers and scholars.

The gravestone is understated and tasteful.

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Listowel Coursing Committee 1969

Photo published in The Advertiser

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The Lartigue Model

Scully's Corner is now Chic Corner and this Christmas it has a fabulous window display. As well as the cover picture from Olive Stack's Christmas in Listowel it has a beautiful replica of The Lartigue. This replica is usually on display in Scoil Realta na Maidine.

Judy MacMahon drew my attention to the story of the mosel railway which is displayed in the corner of the window.

The model was made by Micheal Ashe of Church Street and presented to Bryan MacMahon to commemorate to opening of the new school in 1959. Owen MacMahon gave Mary some old photos of the Lartigue to add to the display.

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Listowel Enterprise Town 2017

I've tried to include the banners in my photos so you will know who they are representing.

Aspects of Listowel Childers' park, Mike the Pies for Music and Phone box or WiFi hub

Chaffinch photographed by Chris Grayson

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Awakening Trees

Our trees in public places are a delight to watch as they change from the dullness of winter into the glorious colours of spring and summer.

These trees in the park were planted by Scoil Realta na Maidine.

This dense copse has grown really quickly.

Magnificent trees on the pitch and putt course will soon bud into leaf.

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More Progress on the commemorative garden

This beautiful golden sand adds to the jewelled effect.

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Prestigious Award for Mike the Pies

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We have Phone Boxes with Working? Phone in Listowel too

On William Street

According to the sign its a WiFi hub. I must test it out.

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When You're making plans for Easter Monday.....

If you've overindulged with the Easter eggs or even if you haven't, Listowel Writers' Week's Cruinniú na Cásca event is just the ticket:

Beginning at 11am on Monday 17th April from The Seanchai Centre in Listowel Square, the morning walk will take you around the beautiful and resourceful River Feale. You will see and hear some dramatised stories, poems and excerpts from the plays of Listowel's literary giants such as Bryan MacMahon, John B. Keane, Dan Keane, Maurice Walsh, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Brendan Kennelly, Billy Keane and many more.

The walk is free, and will begin with the opening of an open art exhibition by local artists both professional and amateur followed by a brief introduction to the walk. Along the walk we will be entertained with short performances by local actors. After the walk, we will return to the Seanchai Centre for complimentary tea & coffee.