Knock in 1885, the parade in 2017, Halo reopens and Clounmacon in the Listowel parade in the seventies

Dancing With the Stars;  Kerry is behind its favourite to win

A Kerry friend's phone. Need I say more?

She'll do it all over again on Sunday night.

When he was better known as a footballer, Aidan O'Mahoney brought the Sam Maguire to Pres. Listowel. Here he is with the late Sr. Nuala.

Photo: Breda Ferris

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Knock, Co. Mayo 1885

(Photo shared by Billy Austin on Facebook)

The Story of Knock began on the 21st August, 1879 when, at approximately 8 o’clock in the evening, fifteen people from the village of Knock in Co. Mayo, witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church.The witnesses watched the Apparition in the pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or vision. There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition, most of whom were from the village of Knock and surrounding areas and ranged in age from just 5 years old to 74 years old. Each of the witnesses gave testimonies to a Commission of  Enquiry in October 1879. The findings of the Commission were that the testimonies were both trustworthy and satisfactory.

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 More Photos from a very wet Listowel on St. Patrick's Day 2017

I think these children were from Killocrim. Apologies if I'm wrong.

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New Trees at St. John's

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Halo is Back on Church St.

 Elaine has taken a leap of faith and reopened her very popular Halo Health and Gift Shop across the road from her old location on Church St.

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A Treasure unearthed by Liam O'Hainnín

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St. Patrick's Day in the 1970s

Tony Guerin shared some great old photos (mostly Clounmacon ).

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Mothering Sunday

Mothers' Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent.  This year, 2017 that is next Sunday, March 26th.
The tradition began in England over 400 years ago when, once a year people visited the church in the parish where their mother was born. While visiting the church they also visited their mothers. This visit was special all that time ago because there were no cars and no public transport and making any journey was a big undertaking. This day became known as Mothering Sunday.

The USA and other parts of the world celebrate it on the second Sunday in May.

Guerins, The Lartigue opening and St. Patrick's Day

Beautiful Kerry

Even after all the heavy rains of recent weeks, The National Park, Killarney looks beautiful. 

Photo: Chris Grayson

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Mike Hannon posted these photos of Convent Street and Guerins.

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I Got it Wrong

I'm always delighted to get an email from a blog follower. Mark Holan, who writes a very informative and entertaining blog about things Irish, wrote to me last week to keep me on my toes and to correct a big boo boo on my blog.

"Your March 6 post says the Lartigue monorail opened Feb. 24, 1888. In fact, the line opened on Feb. 29, 1888--a Leap Year Day! The museum uses March 1 on its website, but author Michael Guerin and others reference Feb. 29.

The Kerry Sentinel of March 2 (Friday), 1888, reported: "On Wednesday (Feb. 29) the formal opening of the single rail line from Listowel to Ballybunion took place under the most favorable auspices." Of course, there was testing on the line prior to the opening ceremony. General traffic began the next day. 

I'm a big fan of the Lartigue. I think it's perfect that such an odd railway opened on a Leap Year Day.  If somebody ever invents a way to travel back in time, I want to be at the Ballybunion station as the Lartigue wobbles into town the first time.

Hope you'll take my correction in a friendly spirit. I really enjoy Listowel Connection. Best wishes,"

Thank you, Mark. Of course I accept your correction in the friendly spirit it was offered.

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Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day

Some photos from other years

Craftshop na Méar, a teacher contract and St. Patrick's Day of yesteryear

St. Patrick's festival in Pittsburg

In Pittsburg they do our national holiday in style. On the far left is Hannah O'Donoghue who is Miss Smiling Irish Eyes. Hannah's grandad was one of the O'Donoghue's of Tannavalla and she is very proud of her Listowel heritage. Listowel can justifiably be proud of her too as she has a very impressive cv for such a young lady.

Next to Hannah in the photo is Pat O'Brien, parade chairman and a frequent visitor to Listowel where he stays with Nora Sheahan.

Hannah with her proud parents, Patty and Jack O'Donoghue.

Patty with St. Patrick

 with her two proud Listowel aunts, Maggie Cloonan and Eileen Curran

with her lovely niece, Ruby O'Donoghue.

Hannah will be visiting Ireland in August to take part in the Maid of the Mourne festival and after that she will be coming with her Dad to visit the Listowel branch of the family.

Methinks I see a future Rose of Tralee contestant or two here.

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St. Patrick's Days  of Yore

To whet your appetite for this year's Listowel parade here are a few photos from former years

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Craftshop na Méar gets ready for the national holiday 2015

Karen and Viveca dress the shop window for St. Patrick's Day.

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St. Patrick's Day blessing for tomorrow

Lucky stars above you,

Sunshine on your way,

Many friends to love you,

Joy in work and play-

Laughter to outweigh each care,

 In your heart a song-

And gladness waiting everywhere

All your whole life long!

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In Ohio in 1923 Teachers truly had something to complain about!

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New Kid on the Block

Frances O'Keeffe welcomes Jean Thomas to Craftshop na Méar

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The photo of Keane Stack's from Vincent Carmody's book brought back happy memories to many people. Hilary Kelly remembers the barley sugar sticks and Cathy Dunne remembers Mr. Keane Stack in a bowler hat and from Liam Murphy in the USA came this memory;

" More of long ago memories recalled,  from the age of four to fourteen I wore prescription glasses that were filled by Willie Keane- Stack. I remembered young John B behind the counter on right when you entered the shop and getting  from a tall jar "Barley Sugar" that as I recall was only sold in chemist shops. But have clear memory of them when I went with my late father there early 50's."