Droimeann, John Paul 2 graveyard and Ard Chúram

January 6 2020 as a lady shelters from a shower under Listowel's Christmas tree


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Remembering our Dead at Christmas Time

Last week I went to St. John Paul 2 graveyard

I thought it was time to remove the Christmas wreath from Jim's grave.

When I got there I saw that people were not taking them away and indeed there were very few graves that didn't have a Christmas tribute to the lost loved one.

As I walked through the cemetery, photographing the lovely floral tributes, I realised that this is a relatively new graveyard and I knew many of the people buried there. Because so many of the dead here have relatives still living locally their memory is very much alive.

People who are buried here are people that I was on committees with, my neighbours and friends and even some of my past pupils.

Particularly poignant are the graves of children who didn't live to enjoy too many Santa visits.

The variety and colour of the wreaths was testament to the love and respect still held for the people buried here. The cemetery is beautifully maintained, a credit to all who look after it so well.


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A Shíoda na mBó  (O silk of the kine)

The photo and caption is from Seán Mac an tSíthigh on Twitter

An endangered breed of cow known as Droimeann has just been granted Native Rare Irish Breed status. Only 243 females and 23 males left in Ireland. Status is a huge boost to efforts to preserve them. The name comes from 'droim-fionn' (white back) the distinctive stripe along backbone.

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Ring of Kerry Cycle

Calling all cyclists, your help is needed for this great cause.

Youthreach, Michael Flatley and the Ring of Kerry Cycle

A Heartwarming  Listowel Youthreach Initiative

While my grandchildren were in Listowel, they walked through the park on the path beside the pitch and putt course every day on their way to and from the community centre. They told me about the motivational quotes tied to the trees and it became part of the daily routine to seek out and read these cards. Making and hanging the cards is the work of Listowel Youthreach. Well done all on a lovely initiative. You help brighten my days.

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A Young Michael Flatley

 The world-famous Irish dancer, star of spectacular shows like Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger, is also a flute player in the Irish tradition. Here he is, quite near his birthplace on the South Side of Chicago, at the 1977 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil, getting a few pointers from fellow flute player Kevin Henry. At the time, Michael was nineteen years old, and one of the top competitive dancers and flute players in Irish music. Of course, he only went on to bigger things. Did you know Michael also played the flute, or that he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion?

The photo, which is by Jonas Dovydenas, is part of AFC's Chicago Ethnic Arts Project Collection (AFC 1981/004). 

(photo and text from American Folklife Center)

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Some photos from The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

Marie Moriarty took her camera with her to Killarney and she took some photos  of the biggest charity cycle on this island.

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Date Announced

Ard Cúram cycle and Prof. Kennelly

Ring of Kerry Cycle for Ard Cúram

A staggering number of 578 people cycled in The Ring of Kerry cycle to raise funds for the new
 day centre for Listowel's elderly.

Ard Cúram had a busy band of volunteers out preparing and distributing food and refreshments to the cyclists. A big credit is due to all involved.

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The Early Days

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Fulbright Scholar

This is Professor Edward Kennelly and he has a strong Listowel connection. His father is Jim Kennelly of The Cloth Hall, Upper William St.

The following is from the internet:

Lehman College congratulates Professor Edward Kennelly of the Department of Biological Sciences for his 2014-2015 Fulbright Scholarship to research modern Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Hong Kong. He is one of 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals selected for the prestigious honor.

Dr. Kennelly will work with colleagues at the Institute for Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong as he performs fieldwork, in vitro activity testing, and chemical analysis in an effort to better understand how selected modern TCM formulas may exert their effects.

As traditional Chinese medicines continue to grow in importance outside of China, so does the need for a thorough understanding of how it is used and how it works. “TCM as practiced in Hong Kong offers a unique opportunity to study both a well-regulated system of complementary medicine, and one that is undergoing rapid modernization,” explains Prof. Kennelly.

Dr. Kennelly’s research focuses on the biological activity of certain compounds found in plants, also known as phytochemicals. He is specifically interested in phytochemicals with biological activity that may help to prevent or treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

In addition, Dr. Kennelly serves as the Executive Officer of the CUNY Graduate Center’s Program in Biochemistry.  He teaches and mentors students in the CUNY Ph.D. Subprogram in Plant Sciences and Biochemistry at the Graduate Center. His lab maintains close collaborations with Columbia University,  The New York Botanical Garden, Minzu University (Beijing).

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Sign in Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Spotted by Ger Greaney

Flowers, flowers and more flowers, July horse fair and an air show in Foynes

Ard Curam volunteers working hard to keep their cyclists watered and happy on their journey on The Ring of kerry cycle last weekend.

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Flowers in Listowel 2014…….a truer picture

A few weeks ago I had the misfortune to say that I thought that Listowel had less floral displays than other summers. How wrong I was.
 Okay, okay, you can stop pointing them out to me now. I know that I was not looking in the right places.
There are loads of flowers in town. In fact Listowel is like a veritable garden centre these days. To make up to all the people I upset by failing to see all the lovely flowers, here are some photos of town with flowers in every one.

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From The Advertiser

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Sundaes in Ballybunion

Just the ticket for these sunny days

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Horsefair July 3 2014

lorry load of logs for sale

Trading a goat

A turkey, a hen and some ferrets

goat

Admiring not buying

footwear

On Thursday last the horse fair followed a growing trend in recent years. There is so much other livestock and goods for sale that the name horsefair now seems inappropriate.

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Footage from last Sunday's airshow in Foynes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8zk0wmjL54&feature=youtu.be