Covid Signage, Kevin's and Behan's Prepare to Reopen

Castle and Seanchaí closed to the public in June 2020

Viewing platform by the river in June 2020.

The level of water in The Feale was very low before the deluge of Sunday June 15 when we had thunder, lightning and flash floods.

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Covid Signage at Spar in Market Street

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Kevin;s is being repainted before reopening.

Meanwhile across the road Behan's Horseshoe has been beautifully painted.

I even persuaded the painters to pose for me.

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Ard Churam Dementia Day Centre

Photo: John Kelliher

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In Connemara in 1959

I dont know who took the photo but it looks a bit posed to me.  Brendan Behan is not exactly dressed for a day in the bog.

Trip to Kanturk, Changing face of Business and and death of a local nun in 1880

Photo credit: Neil O'Mullane of Mallow Camera Club

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There's a bridle hanging on the wall

There's a saddle in a lonely stall
You ask me why the teardrops fall
It's that bridle hanging on the wall

There's a horseshoe nailed above the door
It's a shoe that my old pony wore
There's a faded blanket in the hall
And that bridle hanging on the wall....

I was reminded of this old country song by Carson Robinson when I visited my old home in Kanturk recently. Everywhere there are horses and horse related accoutrements and memorabilia.

My brother, Pat, was putting EPA Murray outdoors for a day in the sun. Murray is a show horse so his coat has to be protected from strong sunlight which might discolour it. Hence the head to toe sunsuit. You live and learn!

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Now and Then

Woulfe's Bookshop was once Curly Connors' pub. Maybe in microcosm this reflects the story of business life in Listowel. Once upon a time the town was full of drinking establishments. Even grocery shops had a bar at the back. Nowadays we only have a few pubs left and these also have to offer something extra like pub theatre, music sessions, comedy or quizzes to keep their customers happy. Entertainment has moved out of the pub and into the home.

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"She lived unknown and few could know

When Lucy ceased to be...."

She wasn't Wordsworth's Lucy but Sr. Clare of Presentation Convent Listowel lived a short and secluded life back in the 1880s

Kerry Sentinel  Tuesday, October 26, 1880; 

L1ST0WEL INTELLIGENCE. From our Correspondent.

DEATH OF A RELIGEUSE. Listowel, Friday. I regret to announce the death of Sister Mary

Clare, of the Presentation Convent, Listowel, who after a comparatively short illness, which was borne with the fortitude of a good Christian, rendered her pure soul to Him who gave it. The good sister at the early age of 20 years, obeying the feelings which God had implanted in her heart, consecrated her young life to the service of heaven, and for six years laboured incessantly in the duties of the office which her vocation assigned to her. (No relatives or surname mentioned)

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Just a Thought

If you missed me on Radio Kerry last week, my "Thoughts" are HERE

St. Blaise

St. Blaise is our man for today.

This is the invocation that will be said over those who get their throats blessed in his honor today.

“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Blessing of St. Blaise).

Who is St. Blaise?

The following answer to that question is again from the online encyclopedia of Catholic saints.

(After Blaise, I think I'll leave the saints aside for a while.)

Feastday: February 3

Patron of Throat Illnesses

Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.

Very few facts are known about Saint Blaise. We believe he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia who was martyred under the reign of Licinius in the early fourth century.

The legend of his life that sprang up in the eighth century tell us that he was born in to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. After becoming a bishop, a new persecution of Christians began. He received a message from God to go into the hills to escape persecution. Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick. Among them Blaise walked unafraid, curing them of their illnesses. Recognizing Blaise as a bishop, they captured him to take him back for trial. On the way back, he talked a wolf into releasing a pig that belonged to a poor woman. When Blaise was sentenced to be starved to death, the woman, in gratitude, sneaked into the prison with food and candles. Finally Blaise was killed by the governor.

Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those with throat maladies.

Ah the hubris of mankind! Maybe Winter is again going "to show its might" after all.

Major building works are underway in the amalgamation of these two premises. Expect big changes here in the not too distant future.

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Jimmy Moloney has posted the minutes of the January Town Council meeting here:

https://www.facebook.com/moloneyjimmy