Listowel in Summer 2019, Changes at Writers' Week and a Tarbert picture revisited

 Lovely Listowel Pub

Tanker's Bar on Upper William Street

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Entente Florale Entertainment

On the day the adjudicators were in town, while watching the entertainment I met my old friend, John O'Connor of Tralee who was working in town.

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Treoir magazine

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Máire's Last Day

The end of an era for the dream team; Eilish Wren and Máire Logue who managed so many successful Writers' Week festivals are pictured in their office in Kerry Writers' Museum on Máire's last day in the job before she moves on to pastures new in St. John's Arts and Heritage Centre.

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Meanwhile in Tarbert, a reenactment

And here it is the photo you have all been waiting on... 34 years later!! Josephine, Kenneth and Thomas have recreated the photo. Remembering Derek always RIP x

Picture and caption from Tarbert.ie

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Old O'Connor House at Curraghatoosane

On July 30 1019, we, Listowel people were allowed to visit the site of the old cottage unearthed during excavations for the new bypass.

The house was a thatched cottage of mud construction and it stood on this site until the 1950's. We know from the census that 6 adult people lived there in 1911.

There was great interest among local people to see and hear how people lived in the 1800's

Shards of pottery were uncovered, probably plates and bowls.

The archeologist told us that this design is Scottish.

Paddy Keane remembered that olive oil came in phials like these.

This is what remains of an Infant of Prague statue.

The artefacts included a thimble and some buttons. The daughter of the family was a dressmaker, according to the census.

Mosaic Artist, A Listowel Style Icon and a Hurricane in 1961 Remembered

Schiller in Listowel's Garden of Europe, July 2019

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Because I'm Worth it.......

I bought myself this absolutely gorgeous mosaic piece from a visiting artist in residence in Olive Stack's Gallery. The artist is Diane Mendelson and here we are, happy customer and happy artist.

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Listowel Writers' Week Bids Goodbye to Máire Logue

It's not really goodbye. More like,  "See you in a minute." Máire's new job is across the Square in St. John's. The vibrant Listowel Arts scene is not losing this massive talent at all.

July is not a good time of year for farewell parties. Despite so many people being on holidays, a goodly crew turned out in The New Kingdom on Friday evening, July 26 2019 to give our darling girl a great send off.

The lighting wasn't very good for photographs but here are a few that look half okay.

A final hug from Catherine Moylan, Chair of Listowel Writers' Week for departing Festival Manager, Máire Logue.

David Browne had many kind words to say in praise of Máire

Eilish Wren and Normalla Moriarty

John McGrath

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In The Small Square

All of Listowel's people seem to pass through the Small Square at some time during any given day. I met Damien Stack and Christy Walshe there one morning last week.

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Stylish Eilish Living up to her nickname

Eilish, looking gorgeous as always stepped outside her place of work for my photo.

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Hurricane Debbie

Vincent Doyle, formerly of Listowel, wrote;

Hi Mary,

               With your knowledge and connections of Listowel I wonder if you know anyone who remembers Hurricane Debbie that hit Ireland in 1961.I was working in Maloneys garage in Market St.when it hit Listowel ,I remember the back wall of the garage was blown down and slates flying off the roofs of the shops opposite. It was scary at the time as we never witnessed anything like that before.

                            Hope you can find someone with a better  memory than me as I was only 17 then.        I also want to thank you once again for your wonderful blog.

                         All my best wishes.        Vincent Doyle.

I decided to write to Kay Caball (formerly Moloney of Moloney's garage ) to see if she could shed any light on this destructive weather event.

Kay replied;

Mary, I only vaguely remember it myself, looking out the window at it.  Didnt know anything about the garage but I would say Vincent Doyle is right.  It was Saturday 16th Sept 1961 and 16 people were killed (none in Kerry)  according to the Kerryman 23 Sept 1961.  See the snips from that Kerryman attached.  

Ballybunion in March, St. Patrick's Day 2019 in Listowel, Marconi remembered and Masked Ball in 1919

Róisín Darby playing in the foam churned up by the gale in Ballybunion on March 17 2019

When any of my family visit, a trip to Ballybunion is always part of the adventure.

March 17 2019 and Ballybunion is skinning cold.

Yes that is a man wearing only swimming trunks swimming in Ballybunion on March 17th 2019.

Molly loves the beach.

 The family huddled together for warmth until they grew accustomed to the wind chill.

It was all fun  and games in the foam but one little lady wasn't wearing wellingtons.

Molly had to endure a freezing cold bath before she could get in the car.

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Remember Pól ?

It's always lovely to meet an old friend. Pól used to teach Irish in Presentation Secondary School a while back. He now lives in Tralee and works in Killarney.

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Watching the Passing Parade

Many people braved the cold to come out and watch the parade

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December 12 1919  : Kerry News

Dance held in Listowel, most enjoyable for many years. Catering by Kidd’s of Limerick and music supplied by Seaward’s band. Masks were removed at 1 O’Clock and dancing in ordinary costume till morning did appear.

Thanks to Messrs. D W Judge, Bank of Ireland, the hon Secretary and R Sweetman the greatest possible credit is due for the energetic manner in which they principally worked up the pleasant event and made it a success it was. Thanks also due to Messrs Jack Rice, sub manager National bank. Killeen, Bank of Ireland and E Boylan. While the ladies category. Mrs Foran, V.C. P.L.C. and Mrs Sweetman, also Mrs Crowley, Mrs Leane and the Misses Buckley, etc.

They also had electric light.

(It was remarked that most of the patrons were Sinn Feiners, but there was some small irresponsible element mentioned).

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Marconi Centenary

On March 19 2019 Ballybunion remembered it's role in communications history.

Jed Chute and Martin Griffin were there to represent the role of the Lartigue Railway in this piece of history. Martin and Jed told me that all the components for the broadcasting station were brought to Ballybunion on the monorail. All the components that is except the generator.


Because the Lartigue was a monorail and the passenger and goods carriages were balanced on either side of a central raised rail on trestles, a delicate balancing act had to be performed at embarkation.


The generator for the Marconi station was too heavy to put on the train so it had to be brought by road. It was too heavy for the road as well and it got bogged down at Dirrha. Steel girders had to be got and these laid across the road to reinforce it. These reinforcements had to be taken up after the load had passed over them and relaid in front of the lorry.

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Winners alright

Listowel had great success at the recent Irish Hospitality Awards 2019.

Jumbo's won the award for the best family restaurant. Jumbo's is a Listowel institution. If you grew up in Listowel no trip back home is complete without a trip to Jumbo's. Curry chips and stuffing anyone?

Máire and Catherine picked up a highly commended award for Listowel Writers' Week, another Listowel institution.