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.

<<<<<<

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

<<<<<

Busy Weekend ahead

 Local and European elections Friday May 23

M.S. Busking Day  May 23 2014

<<<<<

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.

My Silver River Feale, Dromclough, St. Mary's and Fungie

My Silver River Feale

"My heart tonight is lonely for my sireland,
Though many miles of ocean lie between,
My heart tonight is home again in Ireland
Upon thy banks, my silver River Feale."

The words of Bryan MacMahon are the inspiration behind a beautiful piece of jewellery soon to be unveiled in Craftshop na Méar.

This is Eileen Moylan of Claddagh Designs pictured at her work bench in Macroom.

This is a sneak preview of her Listowel piece, My Silver River Feale which will be launched in Craftshop na Méar, Listowel on Saturday May 31 2014 as part of Listowel Writers' Week fringe. The solid silver hallmarked piece will be available as a pendant, bracelet or cuff links. The design shows St. John's, Listowel Castle and The Bridge over The Feale.

If you love Listowel you will want one of these.

Everyone is welcome to the launch. Standing room is limited. We will have to close the doors when the shop is full so come early and browse some of the lovely crafts in the shop. We plan to have a little music, a few nibbles and a video showing how the silver piece was designed and crafted. Owen MacMahon, son of the author of My Silver River Feale will be the guest of honour on the night,
May 31 2014 at 7.00 p.m.

<<<<<<

A newspaper picture of the opening of Dromclough National School

<<<<<<<

St. Mary's in Listowel Square is due to close its doors for refurbishment for the months of June and July 2014. Daily masses will be celebrated in St. John's and Sunday Mass in St. Michael's College.

Below are some photos of the lovely interior of our parish church.

<<<<<<<

Fungie the Dingle dolphin

Two more recent action shots from his friends at Fungie Forever

<<<<<<

Nano Nagle award

Eileen Keane, Acting Vice Principal, Clodagh Kissane with her Nano Nagle Award and Elaine Kinsella who presented the awards on Awards Day at Presentation Secondary School, Listowel

<<<<<<

Joan Mulvihill sings, emigration, Duagh Griffins and the storm of Feb 12

A taster of what is in store for listeners to Radio Kerry on Saturday Feb. 22 2014 in Frank Lewis' Saturday Supplement from Listowel at 9.00a.m.

http://youtu.be/fY2tt5ZOdGA

Lovely singer

The man who wrote the lovely song; Bryan MacMahon

<<<<<<

Ireland's most iconic DJ, Larry Gogan, is scaling back to weekend broadcasting.

<<<<<

Set dancing in Chicago (photo from the Facebook page of the Francis O'Neill Club)

<<<<<<<

I found this photo on Inside History Magazine. It is an Australian publication. I don't know where the stone stands.
It refers to emigration and roughly translated says, As far as this spot came the friends and relatives of the person going abroad. Here they parted. This is the Bridge of Tears.

So sad that many of those who parted here never saw one another again.

<<<<<

Irene Breen from Abbeyfeale is researching her family tree and she needs help with something on the Griffin side of her family. Below is what she posted on the genealogy forum.

"I was told at some stage within the past year that a newspaper article was written in the early/mid 1930s about James Griffin of Knockalougha, Duagh and his remaining siblings at the time. These were possibly Daveen Griffin and his sister Peg Nash who would have been in their 80s/90s by then-hence the article. I know it's a really long shot but it would be great if anyone has info that could help me locate this. It's more likely that a clipping was sent over to emigrants and was treasured by them and this post may jog someone's memory. Fingers crossed!"

I tried Mike Lynch, the county archivist but without an exact date or even an idea of which newspaper, the task is too great. Mike tells me that there were several Kerry newspapers in those years.

<<<<<<<<

Always Take the Weather with You

We have had some horrendous weather in these parts of late and Wednesday last, Feb. 12 2014 has to be one of the stormiest days I have ever witnessed. My lovely niece came to rescue me and take me home with her. I took a few photos of the destruction wrought by the storm on my way to North Cork.

Road to Abbeyfeale completely blocked

at the bridge

 fallen trees on the Tralee road

Millenium Arch destroyed

 Debris strewn along the Tralee Road

This tree fell into a field taking a large section of ditch with it

I woke next morning to frost and snow

I'm putting in here two video clips of storm damage in The Cows Lawn sent to me by Marie Moriarty. I haven't done this before so if it doesn't work, sorry!