From Dublin to Corcha Dhuibhne and Charlie and Eileen Nolan

"The shadows lengthen as the sun declines." Suddenly it's autumn.

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Jimmy Deenihan is Trying his hand at a new Sport

I snapped Jimmy during a chance meeting with his greyhound trainer who was exercising his dog. He has high hopes for his four legged friend.

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Choosing The Good Life

This happy little band look like your typical summer staycationing visitors posing with the Dingle Donkey in Summer 2020. Not so. This family have a very interesting back story. AND it has a Listowel connection.

I'll let Nóirín tell the tale in her own words.

My name is Noirin Galvin and I hail from the foothills of Lyreacrompane, a lovely little townland called Glanderry (meaning Glen of the oaks).  I have spent the best part of my adult life in Dublin, after graduating from UCC, I was lucky to start my first job in Fexaco in Dublin, then life just happened.  I jumped on the hamster wheel and kept moving with the opportunities that were thrown my way. 

20 years later, I am married to Colm Heneghan (a Dub), have 4 children, Una age 9, Muireann age 7, Dearbhla age 5 and Breandán age 3.  

The family in Dublin at Breandán's christening.

Life was good, life was frantic, life was a typical life in Dublin city.  Then the Covid-19 pandemic struck.   Luckily our Business, which is Mellon’s Shop, based on South Lotts Road in Ringsend was deemed an essential business and we were allowed to remain open but footfall was way back.  We reduced the opening hours and became used to a slower pace of life. We reconnected with nature, our children and the simple pleasures in life.

We walked the Dublin mountains and discovered its beautiful woodlands, lakes and valleys. We got to know our children better.   We were able to walk the streets without constantly screaming at the kids to “keep in”, “watch out”, “slow down”.  We even heard the cuckoo’s song in April from the docklands in Dublin 4. 

Then as the lockdown began to lift and the hum of traffic returned to the M50 and city streets, it was no longer possible to take a safe cycle or walk or travel without sitting in traffic for frustrating lengths of time.  The swimming spots in Sandycove and Seapoint were deemed unclean to swim in and the old way of life was gradually returning.  Luckily in July we were able to travel to Kerry where we stayed between Listowel and Dingle and relished the Atlantic sea, the beaches and, of course, the great town park in Listowel.  

The slower pace of life that Covid introduced to us, allowed us the head space to think about living the life that we actually wanted and not the one that so called ‘great opportunities’ had thrown our way. 

The happy family celebrating Una's birthday.

In the final days of August we made enquiries and enrolled our children in to a lovely 30 pupil school in Muiríoch, in Baile na nGall and we rented a house in Ballyferriter.  One month later I still have to pinch myself that we are actually here and living this life –a life! in the heart of the Gaeltacht in West Dingle.  

Of course there are still the logistical details of running our shop in Dublin semi-remotely, but in time that will sort itself out too.  After all isn’t life about living the very best one you can!?!

( The Heneghan family have taken "the road less travelled." Somehow I feel they will have no regrets. Thank you, Nóirín, for sharing your heartwarming story. I wish you every joy and happiness ar imeall an domhain )

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Brotherly Love

At the Sherriff's Corner last week I met two of the town"s most beloved citizens having a natter.

Charlie Nolan has reams and reams of film footage of Listowel which he is generously sharing with us all on Facebook.

Charlie has always realised the value of recording big milestone events and little occasions in the life of a town. He is putting together a valuable archive of Listowel's social history. His recordings of birds and wildlife on the River Feale is a treasure.

Eileen, Charlie's sister, is a dedicated Tidy Towner. Despite ill health she is an unfailingly cheerful lady, always a pleasure to meet in town.

I don't think I have ever before met these two together. I love to meet either of them on the street. They are always good for a chat. To meet them both together and to witness their good natured sibling sparring made my day.

Howth, A Postcard from Mount Rivers and Kayaking on the Feale

Kayaking on The Feale

Here is the story from The Kerryman

Below are some of the photos I took on the day. Tempting, aren't they?

Listowel lady, Mary McGrath, seen here with Jimmy Deenihan is a confirmed outdoor activities enthusiast. she was here with her Cappanalea friends.

This lady made it al seen very inviting and easy. She was talking to 12 ladies who had never kayaked before. 

The first of three groups who were tasting the joys of kayaking for the first time.

Young and slightly older took to it like ducks to water.

Teresa Grimes had lots of family support on hand.

The Feale looks like the ideal spot for this activity.

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Beautiful Images of Howth

Eamon ÓMurchú sent us these beautiful images of Howth. In these days when we aren't allowed to travel, it is lovely to visit places in Eamon's photographs.

 Another Listowel lady taking us on splendid journeys is Bernie Carmody Schweppe. Here is her account of her trip to Scattery Island . Bernie is also a photographer so her accounts of her trips are illustrated with beautiful photos.

World Travel With Bernie

Photo; Scattery Island by Bernie Carmody

Photo: Belmar, New Jersey by Marie Nelligan Shaw, Listowel and New Jersey

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 Letters from Australia

Hello,

My great great grandfather migrated to Queensland, Australia from  Listowell in the 1870s. He called his house in the Darling Downs 'Listowell.' I have a very old postcard of the B&B at Mount Rivers from Nelly? MacElligot, wishing him a Happy Christmas and thanking him for the newspapers which he sent to her. One day I hope to visit the places which my ancestors called home.

Kind regards,

Gina Wheeler

In response to my request to share the Photos, Gina wrote

Hello Mary,

I assume that Martin Collins migrated to Australia in search of a new life. He must have had an adventurous spirit as he was only 21. He may have been lured by Agents for Immigration who were sent to England, Ireland and Scotland to promote the new State of Queensland by offering an assisted passage across the seas. Martin Collins arrived in 1863 and it seems that he came alone. He did not marry until 1875. I don't know if he was related to the McElligots. I've attached photos of both sides of the postcard which is dated 15 December 1906.

Warm regards,

Gina Wheeler

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A Ballybunion Post Box

The repurposed Mercy Convent in the background

Carrig Island, Listowel Ball Alley and Stack Brothers in Dublin

Schooldays are Happy Days ?

Cora Darby is pictured here on her first day in big school. She is now in Third Class and what a roller coaster it's been. She has been locked down, locked out, put in a pod, had her First Communion postponed, sanitised, traumatised and segregated. Happy days, eh?

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Carrig Island

Jer Kennelly sent us this.

Carrig Island, Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Carrigfoyle Castle. The view from this site is excellent. The surrounding land is pastureland, marsh and water. 

The Ballylongford Heritage Trail consist of two Trails which will introduce you to sites near the village of Ballylongford and district.  Carrigafoyle Castle 15th Century,  Lislaughtin Abbey 15h Century,  Carrig Island 6th Century, Carrig Island Napoleonic Battery Fortress 19th Century.

Carrigafoyle Castle was built between c1500 by Connor Liath O’Connor using a design borrowed from the Normans, it features a spiral staircase of 104 steps that visitors can climb.

Carrig Island Monastic Site

Dating from the sixth century, an early Christian church and settlement that was connected with the major monastery of St Senan on Scattery Island, stood within the lios or large circular earthen-work enclosure. Within the site is a Well called the Friars’ Holy Well. The remains of a stone church, nave, tower, staircase, chancel and sanctuary dating from the medieval period, possibly 13th century, are still standing, was occupied by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine until 1580

The Battery at Carrig Island

The main building of the battery which was constructed of dressed stone still intact. 

The date is probably early 19th century.

Nearby is the 15th-century Carrigafoyle Castle.

Aghavallin churchyard of Ballylongford, dates from the 14th century. Church Now in ruin, at different times it served Catholic and later Church of Ireland. Graves include Sandes, Pope, Hanrahan, Moore, Mahony, Flavin and hundreds more.

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Happy Days in The Ball Alley

The Alley

by John Fitzgerald

 

 

 

                                         Standing on the dead line

 

                                         I face the pockmarked wall,

 

                                        it hides the bridge above me

                                           fond memories I recall,

the side walls mark the theatre,

the concrete floor the stage,

four players take their places

the finest of their age.

The cocker’s hopped and hardened,

Junior’s feet fix solidly

he contemplates the angle

of the first trajectory.

His swinging arm begins the game

the ball’s hit low and fast,

a signal to John Joe and Tom

this will be no soft match.

Dermot standing by his side

sees his neighbour win first toss,

a simple game to twenty one

no ace is easily lost.

I watch them from the grassy mound

behind the dead ball line

 hear the cries of older boys

cheer each one at a time

and in the space of half an hour

the ball has weaved its way

through every nook and cranny

in this battlefield of play,

the long ball to the back line

the close one to the wall

the deadly butted killer 

seemed to hit no wall at all

and in end the four of them

take leave just as they came

and beckon us to take our place

and learn more of their game,

the game that gave such pleasure

the game I got to know.

when I was young and full of fun

in the Alley years ago.

>>>>>>

 I asked Junior Griffin once who won the handball match. He told me that there were no winners or losers because as soon as you won one game you were challenged to a rematch. 
There was usually a little wager on the game. Money was scarce enough so the bet was small but once Junior was on the winning side of a 2/6 (a half crown) bet. He went double or quits until the money was astronomical, and no body had any hope of paying it.
In those days the glory of winning was everything. People did not expect medals or trophies. They were happy just to win.

That was 2015. Another iteration is currently underway.

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Listowel Brothers in Dublin

( from Cathleen Mulvihill in Glin Historical Society)

Fr. Michael J,. Stack and his brother Bob Stack from Listowel, pictured in Dublin in 1940. Fr. Stack was later parish priest of Ballydonoghue.

Shannonside Journal 1996, Wildfire and a Rumination on Ruminants

Wild garlic in Listowel in 2017

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Photos from 1996

The much loved and missed Múinteoir Péigí.

Asdee children in the 1940s

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Another Horse Photo

This photo was taken by Louise O'Brien of another Kanturk horse, Wildfire. The rider is Felicity Ward. He was competing in his last event of the short 2020 season.

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Prayers in a Time of Covid

The door is open but strict pandemic precautionary measures are in place in October 2020

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Bovine Bliss

by Jack Murphy

 

Careering down a country lane

My old banger fairly rattled, 

When suddenly trundling round a bend

Came a humungus crowd of cattle.

 

And shuddering to a desperate halt 

I bid each one “good day”.

As they stood there looking sheepish 

In a bovine sort of way.

 

To shift a million tons of beef 

I could not venture how,

So I took to contemplating 

What it means to be a cow.

 

You see cows are quite peculiar, 

Especially when they “Moo”

Their bellies a mite cirquewlar, 

(Except when in a stew).

 

They’re not especially friendly 

And if you’re in a jam,

You’ll find a lack of empathy

‘Cos cows don’t give a damn.

 

No! cows are not emotional 

I’ve never seen one cry,

But like the rest of humankind,

I’m glad the hoors don’t fly.

 

And so I squandered half an hour 

In idle Reverie, 

As I sat there watching cattle 

Standing there and watching me.

 

So finally I revved the yoke..

And in collective fright

Each lifted up its tail and then,

Discharged a shile of pight.

 

And sitting in my splattered car 

I reckoned it unfair

That it might take ten squillion corks

To save the ozone layer

 

Ah yes! cows are kinda heavy…

Though they’re not inclined to bite.

But there’s one thing can be said for cows, 

By God they’re full of shite.

  

Ballybunion and Shannonside Journal 1996

 

Today's reflection from Tralee's Garden of Contemplation

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Sit A While and Remember

There is a big surge in the popularity of commemorating people with seats in their favourite places.

I spotted these recently along the footpath looking out to sea in Ballybunion.

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From the Cliff Walk

Virgin Rock

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A St. Patrick's Day Parade Back in the Day

Listowel ICA were great supporters of the Glor na nGael St. Patrick's Day Parade. This is Noreen O'Leary in costume for one such occasion

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Tom Fitzgerald found this old treasure. The photographs of the photographs didn't come out great. But I'll share a few over the next few days.

These girls were at Sports Day in Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail.