Knocknagoshel, Travellers and June Races

Arise, Knocknagoshel and take your place among the nations of the earth.

These old milk churns say "small farmers" to me. Small farmers are the backbone of this lovely rural Kerry community. I had occasion to visit Knocknagoshel recently and I liked what I saw.

"Arise Knocknagoshel, and take your place among the nations of the Earth!', was a slogan on a banner which was carried by local men at a rally addressed by Charles Stewart Parnell in Newcastle West in 1891.

The banner is today commemorated with a plaque in the centre of Knocknagoshel village.

Knocknagoshel has a lovely church in the heart of the village.

The church has some really fine stained glass windows.

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Presentatation Convent May 2007

I took this photo shortly after the imminent closure of the convent was announced.

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Travellers

Traveler culture is now often  associated with big weddings, ostentatious grave memorials, disco clothes as daywear and sulky racing. Once upon a time in the 1940s and 50s travelers were poor people. They lived a nomadic life in squalid conditions, had large families and poor life expectancy. In the Cork Museum there is a permanent exhibition of artifacts and photographs associated with the traveller lifestyle.

In 1971 and 1972, two Ph.D. students of anthropology, George and Sharon Gmelch lived for 13 months with travelers in a site called Holylands outside Dublin. They studied their way of life and their interactions with the settled community. The Gmelchs' photographs capture a way of life that is now but a fading memory. George is now Professor of Anthropology at the University of San Francisco. Some of their photos are on display in Cork Museum.

A bed in a typical barrel top caravan

These pockets or aprons covered in beads, buttons and medals were worn by traveller women

 An open cart

 Trading in scrap metal was a way of life for many of the menfolk.

 A tinsmith at work outside his home. Travellers often made tin cups or saucepans and sold them to country people on their travels.

Traveller encampment in the early 1970s

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The Races are coming

Next weekend, if you are worn out from all the culture, you might dander down to the Island on Sunday and Monday for the June races.

Election Day, MS Busking Day in Listowel and a day out in Cork

May 23 2014 ; Polling Day in the local and European elections

Soon the posters spoiling my every picture of the town will be taken down and we can get back to normal.

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Friday May 23 2014 is MS Busking Day

These photos were  taken in two of the early years of this annual event: 1996 and 1997.

The weather was beautiful back then!

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Lovely entrance to the John B. Keane Road

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Mallow Railway Station       (photographs of old Ireland)

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Fitzgerald's Park, Cork

Diarmuid Gavin won first prize in Chelsea for his Sky Garden. Cork City Council bought the garden for a sky high price with the idea of installing it in Fitzgerald's Park.
"The best laid plans of mice and men……"

Health and Safety issues meant that the crane to support the garden could not be used, so the sky garden fell to earth. Much toing and froing later and the garden was finally opened to the public in the newly refurbished Fitzgerald's Park on Sunday….and I was there.

The park is looking absolutely beautiful. Apparently Mr. Gavin is not happy with his Mardyke Garden.  He did not come to the official opening.
What did I think? Nice but not worth the money and the hassle involved.

Some of the trees and shrubs

 These reflective stainless steel spheres were especially made. The judges at The Chelsea Flower Show loved them.

The Cork children love them too.

There is a new bandstand and lots of outdoor seating

The newly revamped restaurant struggled to cope on Sunday.

Céilí band on the new bandstand

Some of the huge crowd

A new piece of srtwotk

Some of the old 'end of the pier' attractions are still fun today.

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Listowel Vocational School 1982  (photo published in The Advertiser)

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We have had a lot of rain lately.

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.

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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

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Busy Weekend ahead

 Local and European elections Friday May 23

M.S. Busking Day  May 23 2014

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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.