Photo: Jim MacSweeney
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A Soldier of the Great War and many other wars as well (and with a Listowel connection)
On the centenary of Armistice Day, Tom Dillon, who is our local war expert, gave an entertaining and educational talk on some local aspects of WW1.
Present at that lecture was another local historian, Martin Moore. Martin had contributed some of his family memorabilia to the exhibition that accompanied the talk. On Facebook I found that he had talked to his dad on Armistice Day about the family hero of the war.
Here is what Martin wrote on Nov. 11 2018
"First World War ended 100 years today, one of the greatest conflicts of humankind. This was remembered tonight at a most dignified event organised by historian Tom Dillon and hosted by Cara. It was nice to sit down with my dad who is nearly ninety years. His uncle John served with the New Zealand forces in those eventful years ..from Gallipoli, Egypt and France. He survived the War even though wounded in 1917. One of the lucky ones. John Moore's army life brought him to the 5 Continents and he was decorated by the King of Serbia along the way!!
Remembered on this day by his family"
Martin Moore's picture of his father, Michael holding photographs and medals of his uncle, John.
It sounds to me like there is material for another history talk in that man's life.
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Lovely Old Photo
(Taken by Johnny Hannon R.I.P.)
I'm sure there are people who immediately recognise these ladies.
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Listowel Food Fair 2018
Listowel Food Fair is going from strength to strength. This year I had lunch for the over 50s in Allos, brunch in Café Hanna, a demonstration of Lithuanian cooking in Scribes, the food trail to Jumbos, The Listowel Arms, John B.'s and Lizzies and on Sunday I enjoyed the craft and food market. I only got to a faction of the many events organised for this year's event.
If you like getting dressed up, there was a gala dinner in The Listowel Arms with a kind of Oscars of the food world. There was a grand opening too and all kinds of talks and demonstrations. If you missed it this year be sure to put it on your list of marvellous festivals in Listowel for 2019.
I met Carol and Phil at the brunch in John R.'s Café Hanna.
Cliona McKenna was my dining companion.
This was the super menu. We both had the eggs Benedict and pancakes, me blueberries, she red velvet.
Here is Billy McSweeney telling me yet another tale.
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Listowel Writers' Week Young Adult Bookfest 2018
This marvellous one day event began life a s part of Listowel Writers' Week June festival. The timing was not ideal for secondary school students who were usually doing end of year exams at this time. It was decided to change the date and this new stand -alone one day event took place for the first time in 2017. It was such a success that this year's event sold out in jig time.
On November 16 2018 over 800 secondary school pupils, mostly Transition Year and Fifth Year students gathered in Listowel Community Centre for a feast of educational and entertainment.
Máire Logue is seen here commissioning two of the outdoor volunteers for their traffic duties. As you can appreciate buses and cars had to be marshalled into position to make sure everyone got to the venue safely and on time.
John Kelliher took this photo of the outdoor crew, Jim Dunn, Mike Lynch, Rose Wall and Tom Dillon. They did a great job in fairly showery and cold conditions.
Liz and Elma were busy directing the audience to their allocated seats.
Seán McCarthy and Joanna O'Flynn helped early arrivals to take a selfie.
Eilish Wren and Mairead Costelloe were busy meeting and greeting.
Rhona Tarrant was MC for the day. Here she is looking over her notes on the running order.
Teachers, Mary Twomey and Gerard Tarrant were enjoying the day.
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Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine 2018
Saturday morning November 17 2018 and Eason Listowel gets its first drop of Ballydonoghue Parish Magazines
The people behind this magazine have brought us another cracker. Parish magazines are becoming a rarity. It's hard to find dedicated people to collect the stories, take the photographs, edit, proofread and lay out the journal. And then they have to launch and distribute it. Its a mammoth task. I take my hat off to the great people who keep Ballydonoghue Parish going year after year.
Each year's publication is eagerly awaited by the Lisselton diaspora. Postage charges have gone through the roof and it means that to buy a magazine and post it is now costs the bones of €30. I beg you to continue sending it. It means a lot to people missing home.
I caught up with the delivery detail again as they made their drop in Flavin's of Church Street.
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+ R.I.P. Weeshie Fogarty+
Photo: Radio Kerry
