Black Rocks, Old FCA , St. Mary's and some old Writers' Week photos

Tom Fitzgerald's photo of The Black Rocks, Ballybunion in May 2020

<<<<<<<

FCA Picture...A Few Names

Eamon OMurchú helped out with a few names for Maureen Barrett's old photo.

Front row: Extreme Left - Michael Whelan; 3rd from Left - Gerry Flaherty;

Second Row: 3rd from Right - Johnny Griffin; 2nd from Right - Tony O’Connor; Extreme Right - ....Moloney (not certain). 
Back Row: Second from Left Cpl Bridgeman (Tarbert); 3rd from Right at very back Bill Carmody. 

<<<<<<

St. Mary's, Listowel Now

The church is now open for private prayer from the end of morning mass until 5.00p.m. It is a very changed place. Here are some photos I took last week.

<<<<<

Listowel Writers' Week 2012

Boys from Scoil Realta na Maidine form a guard of honour for Michael D. Higgins as he arrives to open the festival.

Some of the Children's Committee on Opening Night

Large crowd in the circus tent for one of the children's events.

Tonight was to be Opening Night of the 50th festival and the committee are inviting us all to go online to see the announcement of this year's prizewinners.

<<<<<<

Interim President of IT Tralee is a Listowel man

Photo and story from Tralee Today

DR Brendan O’Donnell has been appointed as Interim President of the Institute of Technology Tralee.

Dr O’Donnell stated that he was “honoured to be appointed and looking forward to working with the Governing Body, staff and students and all our stakeholders to ensure that the Institute continues to grow and develop and is a key enabler of economic, social and cultural development.

“My key priority is to see the establishment of the Munster Technological University in collaboration with our colleagues in CIT. A University Campus in Tralee adjacent to the Kerry Technology Park will significantly contribute to the overall economic development of not only Kerry but the wider region,” he said.

Dr Brendan O’Donnell is a native of Listowel. Following the completion of an engineering degree in UCD, Brendan was employed as a research fellow with An Foras Taluntais (succeeded by Teagasc) where he completed a PhD in the field of renewable energy.

Brendan joined the engineering department of what was then Tralee RTC as a lecturer in January 1991. He was appointed to the position of Head of Department for Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths in 2012 a position he held until 2016 when he was promoted to the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar.

Mr O’Donnell has held the position of acting President of the Institute since May 2019.

The Chairperson of the Governing Body Mr Lionel Alexander extended his congratulations to Brendan on his appointment and stated that; “The Institute is at a exciting juncture with a decision on the application to become Munster Technological University due before the end of the week. I look forward to working closely with Brendan, the executive team, and the Governing Body and would like to extend my congratulations as he takes on this leadership role during a time of momentous change for our organisation.”

St. Patrick's Day 2020,, Listowel Writers' Week at 50 and a Poem

Enduring Love

My friends, Maureen and Jim Connolly spotted walking in step in Market St. on Weds. Jan 8 2020.

<<<<<<<<

Ah Here!

Seems like Christmas is barely over and already shops are advertising St. Patrick's Day garb. When did all this change and every occasion is now a fancy dress occasion?

<<<<<<<<

Is That a Fact

From my new book of jaw dropping facts comes these nuggets for you to chew over.

Wrigley's originally made soap.

Chewing gum costs 3p a sick to buy and 10p a blob to clean up off the pavement.

(The book is English, but the story is the same here)

<<<<<<<<

Listowel Writers Week at 50

You will be seeing the new Writers' Week logo all over town in the lead up to the 50th festival.

I'm on a crusade to gather memories of past festivals. I'm hoping to get some memories and photographs from some of the many people who have fallen in love with Listowel and particularly with Listowel Writers' Week. Please do a bit of a rummage in those old photo albums or rack your brain for old memories of festivals past.

Here is a lovely poem from a regular attendee, Michelle McCormack

Storming Heaven

We stormed Heaven today in Listowel

You and I, 

Well I stormed and you listened  

Way above in Gods Kingdom on a high.

We talked silently,

Amid the windows of stained glass

In St Marys with the reds, blues & yellows

Dancing in the sunlit aisle 

After Writers' Week mass.

I talked to you of a week of writing celebrations,

You would listen for a while, to my literary delights

Then you’d say “oh light a few more candles there,” 

You know for the relations…

I thought of how you taught about me all the writings of John B, 

The stories of Brian McMahon, the works of Maurice Walsh 

And the poems of Brendan Kennelly.

As I stood there with my candle in my hand 

I though of how you loved to talk about their prose and poems

When you were out working on the land.      

Then I told you all about the great literary debates,  

The many a Listowel Arms discussion, 

The artistic late nights and of where I was going next, 

To the John B Healing session.

I could see you raise your eyes in Heaven

You’d say well, “for all those late nights

You should be going to confession…”

I thought of how you would have loved the River Feale.

As the June summer sun shone on its foaming water.

This magical place awakening my love of writing,

Bestowed from a father to a daughter.

You know, maybe up there in Heaven you could your hero’s meet,

Well thank them for all the inspiration,

For memories, both old and new

As I hear a pianist on a Market Square seat.

I thought of how you never passed a church, 

There were too many candles to be lit. 

well thanks to God for a week of Literary treasures

So, I smile to you here in spirit as I sit.

Yes, we stormed Heaven today, 

You and I, and as Listowel Writers' Week ended

I only hope that my little candle,

Lit up your Heavenly sky.  

                  

Michelle McCormack