Street Name Changes 1900 and Jimmy Hickey on St. Patrick's Day 2019

Ballybunion sunset by Bridget O'Connor

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Proposed Name Changes to Listowel's streets

Cork Examiner December 6 1900

(Thank you, Paddy Keane)

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St. Patrick's Day 2019

When I wrote about St. Patrick's Day stalwarts previously, I missed one man who is the heart and soul of the entertainment on St. Patrick's Days in Listowel for as long as I am in town. That man is our own dancing master, Jimmy Hickey. This year his dancers were the highlight of the day at the St. Patrick's Day mass in St. Mary's parish church.

Another stalwart of St. Patrick's Days in Listowel is Anne O'Connor/ Brosnan. Presentation Primary School marching band under her stewardship  has provided the musical colourful element to the parade. Her family have taken up the mantle  and over the years we have watched Mairead and Patrick entertain us from the stage.
This year Patrick's stage was the step of the altar. This video is a joy to watch. Notice too his dancing teacher, Jimmy Hickey watching proudly from the wings as his star pupil struts his stuff.

Writers' Week fun prize, Sheehy's Tea and a Gary MacMahon poem

This eagle owl was photographed by Chris Grayson. Superb photo you'll agree.

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It's That Time of Year

Saturday fun run in Ballincolllig Regional Park

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We have a Winner

At the recent BOI enterprise town expo the good folk at Listowel Writers' Week set people scratching their heads and racking their brains to come up with the last line of a Limerick.

Here are some of the good sports who chanced their arms at a spot of poetry.

The librarian didn't win it. The bankers didn't win it. The solicitors didn't win it. The boardgamers didn't win it. The postmistress didn't win it. Restauranteurs,  business executives and retailers all had a go.
The winner was a schoolboy. Here he is, Patrick Brosnan who might have got a little help from his sister and mother.

Here is his winning entry;

Finish the Limerick Competition

There was a young man from Listowel

Who wrote mainly prose on the whole

But a poem the right size

Won him a Writers' Week Prize

And that sent him off on a roll.

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A Welcome Gift

Recently I called on a friend and she made me a lovely cup of tea. When I told her how much I was enjoying the tea, she reached into her press and presented me with this packet of tea.

As you can see from the lable, Sheehys, who pack the tea, have a few more strings to their bow.

My friend, Judy, as well as giving me the tea gave me an absolutely beautiful Christmas card. It was especially made a few years ago as a fundraiser for St. Gabriel's in Dooradoyle in Limerick.

The image on the card is of Gallarus Oratory on Christmas Night and the verses inside are by the late great Garry MacMahon.

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