Sunny April Saturday, 1916 commemoration in South Carolina and a spitfire in Listowel

Chris Grayson

<<<<<<<

Out and About with my Camera; Some Humans of Listowel

This premises on Courthouse Rd. was recently officially opened by Michael Healy Rae, T.D.

 Another T.D., John Brassil has opened a constituency office on Church St.

These footballers had just won their competition in Killarney.

 Father and daughter were having a chin wag on Charles Street.

I met these two on William Street where another chin wag was in progress.

<<<<<<<

Meanwhile in Columbia, South Carolina

From Maeve Moloney Koch comes news of a 1916 commemoration  in the town where she now lives, far from her native Listowel.

On Sunday, April 24, 2016, Shane Stephens, Consul General Of Ireland, who is stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, visited us in Columbia, South Carolina, to help the South Carolina Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) commemorate the Centenary. 

While here he also placed a wreath at the Memorial to those indentured Irish laborers who, in the early 19th Century, constructed the canal on the Congaree and Broad Rivers here in Columbia. 

He also attended Mass at St. Peter's Church as part of the event. The spokesman during the event was Jim Lawracy, the Vice-President of the South Carolina AOH Division. 

Consul General Stephens is a wonderful representative here in the United States of Ireland and the Irish people. I am attaching a few photos of the event.

<<<<<<<<<

Listowel Military Tattoo 2016

Taking centre stage for the weekend of the military tattoo was the replica spitfire which stood in The Square. It was made by local volunteers and it was an exact replica of the plane flown by Victor Beamish, Ireland's no. 2 Spitfire pilot.

Do you know why this plane is called a spitfire?

I know because I attended the brilliant talk given by Paul Beaver as part of the partnership between The Listowel Military Tattoo  and Listowel Writers' Week.

Apparently it was to be called The Shrew but the maker had a difficult little daughter whose nickname in the family was Spitfire. He suggested the name and it seemed so appropriate it was adopted. Now it is probably the best known warplane name.

The Beamish family came to Listowel in numbers to celebrate Victor. This man is his nephew and he filled us in on the full history of his famous uncle.

Some of the attentive audience

The unveiling of the replica plane was done by Victor's widow who despite her 98 years braved the cold and rain to be there.

Victor Beamish came from Dunmanway in Co. Cork and the mayor of the town came to celebrate him. He reminded us that Dunmanway's other famous son is Sam Maguire.

Aras Mhuire, a Visit to Athea and an 1888 dispute settled

Chris Grayson

<<<<<<

The Last Few Photos of People I snapped at Áras Mhuire

At James Gould's 80th party

<<<<<<

Friday Market, April 2016

<<<<<<

Athea Revisited

I'm looking forward to the finer days when Jim Dunn can resume work on his beautiful mural.

My tech savvy boys scanned the QR code to get the map of the Fairy Trail.

The air was ringing with the sound of bird song.

 All worries were left with Cróga.

 We climbed through the giant's garden to the graveyard.

Bluebells, buttercups and other wild flowers were everywhere around.

No visit to Athea is complete without a trip to the Pet Farm

The animals and fowl have wintered well.

<<<<<<<

The Judgement of Solomon

Kerry Sentinel, Saturday, 30 June, 1888; Page: 2

CREAGH V. BRODERICK

At the Quarter Sessions on Wednesday, the remitted action at the suit of Mr. John Creagh, ex-manager of the Provincial Bank, Listowel, against Mr. John P. Broderick, solicitor, Tralee, for £3.000 for alleged libel and slander which the plaintiff complained was contained in certain letters written by the defendant, came on for hearing. There were also two civil bills, one for £44 and the other for £45.

When the case was called. Mr. Creagh said if Mr. Broderick made a public apology to him in court he would withdraw all proceedings against him. Mr. Broderick at first declined, but was persuaded by his lordship to do as requested by Mr. Creagh. Mr. Broderick then said for quietness sake he would apologise.

His Lordship said he would not have that – there should be an unconditional apology.

Mr. Broderick then apologised unconditionally, and withdrew all imputations against the plaintiff, and at the suggestion of his lordship both plaintiff and defendant shook hands.

All the accounts between the plaintiff and defendant are to be submitted to the arbitration of Mr. Huggard, clerk of the Crown and Peace, and Mr. Downing, solr. The actions stand, pending the result of the arbitration.

<<<<<<<<

Military re enactors in Listowel, May 1 2016

Golden Folk, James Gould's 80th birthday and an old dispute between servant and master

Sunset in Ballybunion April 23 at 19.50

<<<<<<<

Communications Today

My two boys are talking to one another on Snapchat.

<<<<<<

Golden Folk

The Listowel cast of the play The Golden Folk from around 1960

<<<<<<

Some More Photos from my Trip to Áras Mhuire

<<<<<<

A Long Shot

Does anyone know of a photograph in existence of the interior of St. John's when it was a church? 

<<<<<<

An Old Dispute

Back in 1869 the court reporter had a great way of telling a story;

Kerry Evening Post, Wednesday, 15 December, 1869; Page: 3

LISTOWEL. PETTY SESSIONS—Saturday: (Before A. Elliott, chairman G. Hewson, and J. M. Hatchell,R.M. Esqrs;( Edited)

Broder v Buckley

The complainant in this case was the female help of defendant.  The agreement was made in far famed, and justly celebrated Abbeyfeale between the now contending parties; but a different version of said agreement  given by each,  suitable  to their own views, and hence a great deal of mystery enveloped the matter requiring a thorough clearing up.

Miss. Broder in giving her evidence displayed none of that shrinking modesty, or affected sensibility that too often characterize females when presented at Court, and subjected to the gaze, admiration or condemnation, of the “great’ unwashed.” She braved public opinion, and in appearance and language asserted her rights and detailed her wrongs, like a perfect Amazon.

 Her case was, that her engagement was for nine months from 20th February, salary £6 6s., one days horse work, and ground for a pottle of flax seed. She appears to have gone on well for some time, but as service is no inheritance, some slight differences arose, and were acquiring strength every day. 

The Mistress called her one morning to arise and proceed to work, but she only changed  sides in the bed, saying it was rather early to commence labour. She then got sick, and  so did the Mistress. Matters must have looked queer in the concern.  Tady, the husband of defendant, came forward to aid the case, and ye gods what a presentation was his. Let your readers imagine, a short bull  necked, thick got blubbar lipped rustic, a head and frame ignorant of all toilet appliances, and with a voice like Boreas in a storm, cracking the ears of all within sound of his vocal thunder; and though his appearance might not be a safe letter of introduction he displayed in his evidence a cleverness, caution and ability that would do credit to a more refined and spiritual physiognimy. In fact, Tady is no joke, and knows how the cat jumps, his only fault being that like the cat he is too much of a domestic animal, and allows his wife only to play second fiddle, albeit a Scotch one.

— The evidence pro and  con was most confusing, And would require the services of a more extended jurisdiction to deal with, not but that  the legal gentlemen engaged at both sides, Messrs. Broderick and Harnett, did full justice to their clients, Keeping the steam up, as the supply of hot water is always abundant in Listowel Court. However, after a storm comes a calm, and matters toned down.

 When business came to be arranged, Miss Broder having got some dresses in town to array herself in, and display those masculine charms which, after all, are most captivating, and which, when properly charged, lays the mine to any fortress no matter how impregnable, and generally succeeds in capture. The aforesaid dresses were paid for by the veritable Tady,-who produced voucher for same. These, with some cash advanced, reduced Miss Broder’s claim to £3 6s. lOd, which, without costs, she was allowed. A divorce was then pronounced between the parties, and they left court together. Tady presenting the appearance of a case of collapsed cholera, while Miss Broder was radiant with smiles.

Glossary: a pottle was half a gallon

toilet appliances would be hairbrush and comb, razor or facecloths and soap
Scotch fiddle was a kind of rash caused by eating too much oatmeal

<<<<<<<<<

Military Tattoo 2016

I'll have all the news plus photos from the weekend for you in the coming weeks.

<<<<<<<

Soldiers with a Listowel Connection

Pat Del Savio sent me photos of two of her uncles in military uniform. I have none of the story to go with them though.

This is what Pat wrote of them:

"My Mom was Theresa Dillon of Gurtenard (?), daughter of Patrick  and Johanna Dillon. The pictures are of her brothers, Paddy Dillon(Jr.) and William Dillon. William's photo has the white background. 

I don't know the years they were taken, but my Mom was born in 1910. Paddy was her older brother and William was her second youngest brother.

Patrick (Paddy) Dillon Jr., 1902-1979, was a bachelor. He was in the Irish Free State Army.

 

William Dillon, 1915-2003, was the 14th child in a family of 15 births. He had 8 children and lived in Dublin."