My Jimdo Geocities Lifeboat
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Kerry Writers Museum is in Listowel.
From Gortaglanna to the Galtymore: Film and Community Storytelling Networks, as part of Heritage Week 2024 hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum in Listowel
Leo Finucane bought his first camera in 1978 and used his first reel of Super 8 film to record an interview with Donal Bill Sullivan about a roadside execution in Gortaglanna in 1921. Bryan McMahon memorialised the event in the song “The Valley of Knockanure" and Finucane cites Peggy Sweeney's song of the same title.
Finucane turned folk song and oral history into narrative cinema with a film called The Gortaglanna Tragedy (1978), which he shot in the valley of Knockanure in collaboration with sixty or so community members. He went on to make 18 narrative films and showed Hard Times to a full house in the legendary Galtymore dance hall in London, an important venue for Irish people living and working in London.
Hard Times travelled through informal community networks that connected Ballydonoghue, Bruff, Knocknagoshel, and Listowel with Irish communities in the UK. Tom Dillon of Glanderry filmed Irish "reunions" at St Joseph's Hall in London and Ted Sweeney was involved in the GAA in Manchester. They met Finucane in Kerry Writers' Museum earlier this year we continue that conversation. We will explore how these networks operated, how they acquired and shared Hard Times and other heritage assets, what these assets meant to Irish communities in the UK and why these stories matter now.
Thursday 22d August Kerry Writers' Museum, 7pm to 8.30pm
Limited places available.
Information on all events hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum as part of Heritage Week 2024 are listed on the Heritage Week website https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings
For more information on all of the events taking place in Kerry Writers’ Museum go to www.kerrywritersmuseum.com or call our Ticket Office on 068 22212. Kerry Writers’ Museum is open from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm
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Listowel Parish;
CHURCH NOTICES
CELEBRATING THE BAPTISMS OF 2022: As we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord this weekend, we welcome all 66 baptisms into the parish that took place here at St. Mary’s Church in 2022: James Eastwell / Sadhbh Eileen McCarthy / Spencer Daithí O Sullivan / Mara Grace Mulvihill / Alex Christopher Mulvihill Quille / Croíadh Bridget Quinn & Ezra Patrick Quinn / Evan Charles Daly / Julian Marius Jurca / Eoghan Joseph Cahill / Emily Maire Phillips / Jack Bryan Lumari / Freddie Corridan / Aifirc Bríd Quille / Emily Rose Hartnett / Florence Sweeney / Ethan Walsh / Casey-Leigh Curtin / CJ Martin Walsh / Siobhán Óg O’Shea / Michael Anthony Coffey / Shea Michael Patrick Yeomans / Noah Gavin Thornton Mahoney / Mayson Young O Connor / Ruby Kathleen O Connor / Matthew Joseph McCarthy / Callum Dean Hanrahan / Mila Emma Halpin / Rían Long / Shay Cillian Reid McMahon / Chloe Patricia O Brien / Caoimhe Anne McGlynn / Keira Peggy Reeves / Fíadh Grace Dillon / Callum Lee Heaton / Adelina Elenn Purice / Donal Robert Leahy / James Patrick McPhillips / Jack James Kennelly / Elizabeth Rola / Katarzyna Rozalia Tereszkiewicz / Axel Jonah Horgan / Josh Jacob McAuliffe / Dominykas Palionis / Bella Maria Sovsa O Grady / Jeremy O Connor Moran / Robert John Mulcahy / Annalise Lucia Flynn / Bobby John Slemon / Oscar Louis Slemon / Penny Jean Slemon / Grace McNamara / Ellie -Mae Ryan / Ronan Liam Kennelly / Mya Thembi Msomi / Matthew Zibusiso Kortijaas / Freya Esme Kelliher / Anna Bernadette Guiney / Dylan Rhys O Connor / Lily Bre Flavin / Indie Edith McGuire / Éile Kate McCarthy / Dónal Óg Jerry Crowley / Billy McMeel / Aoife Brenda Woulfe O Callaghan. God bless them.
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Subject: Aug.16th 1962
Dear T.J.:
After we had finished talking this morning, I realized that my Mother had saved an article from The Kerryman of Aug.25th, 1962 which outlined the events. I am attaching it and a photograph of self and Ted Halpin exiting the door of the, then, new lifeguard's hut on the Mens' beach, taken a few days prior to the sad events of the day.
My recollections are of trying to get to Mr. Conway, who had been swept to the rocks on the front of the Castle Green, which separated the beach into the Mens' and Ladies' beaches when the tide came in. The seas were huge with massive breakers hammering up against the cliff. I recall crowds up on the Green screaming and pointing at poor Mr. Conway, who was being lashed up against the cliff.
I was then hit on the neck by the falling water from a huge wave that brought me to the rocks on the bottom. The breathe was knocked out of me and I sprang up and twisted my ankle before coming briefly to the top and then quickly sucked down again by the current. I recall thinking, momentarily, that "Mother would call me shortly and it would be time for breakfast". Fortunately, I quickly recovered my mental equilibrium and struggled back to the top. I knew that Johnny Moriarty was close and that we could not get to Mr. Conway. We were in a very precarious position. Fortunately, Mike Power, a good friend and qualified lifeguard himself, fired one of the new rockets with a floating nylon line out over us and they manage to haul us to the shore. Later, the sea gave up Mr. Conway and we were able to get him ashore. Despite the attentions of doctors and nurses on the beach, it was too late, and he was dead.
As I told you, from what I remember, there was a Spring tide aligned with a new moon, which caused huge waves and strong currents. I found out that two huge natural monuments, called the Chimneys , located in the Nuns' strand a few hundred yards away, were destroyed by the seas that day. These were two large columns of basalt that sat on two huge rock pedestals near the Virgin Rock, were obliterated by the sea. I'd imagine that they were 25-30 feet high with a circumference of 30-40 feet. The had been They were there all my life and suddenly they were gone. Every time I visit the Nuns' strand I realize how lucky Johnny, Ted, and Mr. Harrington and I were to escape with our lives.
While it was awful to lose Mr. Conway, we were fortunate to save two other lives that day. One ,earlier in the day, taught me to send Ted to the Ladies' strand to be vigilant. I doubt that Mr. Harrington would have made it out alive but for Ted Halpin's efforts.
Ted went on to become a doctor and got interested in scuba diving. I've been told that in 1978 he was putting on his flippers in a rock on Valentia Island when a large wave swept in and washed him off the rock. Although he was quickly retrieved by others near him, he was dead when they got him in. His wife was sitting in their car in the parking lot and was unaware of the tragedy down near the sea.
I am reminded of a line I read in John Millington Synge's book about his experiences in the Aran Islands, when a local fisherman says, "When the sea do want you, it goes wild to get you. And it calms down once it has you".
Raymond Bailey
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The Way We Were
Noreen and John O'Connell here share with us an account of a way of life we will see no more. It is important to document this piece of social history in the words of a man who lived it, remembers it well and is generous in his sharing of it.
Mary, my good friend has prompted and encouraged me to send her some of John’s reminiscings.
My beloved husband John O’ Connell has a fantastic memory so I have been documenting some of his memories for our 8 children and 13 grandchildren. John from Coolaclarig, Listowel grew up in Curraghatoosane ( affectionately known as Bothairín Dubh). Therefore again he is the narrator, I, Noreen am the willing scribe!
“ I grew up on a farm, a mile outside the town. Cows were hand milked, I would have to milk 3 or 4 every morning before I went to primary school. We supplied milk to customers in town and others called to the house for it. So every morning and evening, I got on my bike, handlebars laden with 3 pint stainless steel measures and a 4-5 pint little tank and hit the road, delivering to families in Convent Street, O Connell’s Avenue, St. Brendans Terrace, Upper William St , the Square and down to Daltons in the Bridge Road. One frosty morning I skidded from the old Post office to John B.’s ( who was a customer) but thankfully never spilled a tint of milk. However I wasn’t as lucky another morning when I took my frozen hands off the handlebars and torpedoed at Leahy’s Corner. With empty gallons and grazed knees and hands, I nervously returned home to get very little sympathy but a re-fuel of milk and was sent away with a clip on the ear and a warning not to spill any more milk.
Then there was the market gardening side of life. All our neighbours were gardening also as the land was suitable and we lived near the town. We had acres of spuds, cabbage, carrots and turnips. Every spring there was ploughing and setting. We “comhared ”with Jack O’ Connor next door, my father and Jack shared the horse plough and his horse and ours were tackled to it. It was a 2 wheel plough and turned a single scribe. The horses were tackled with the collar and hames. The traces from the hames were attached to a back pad and then on to 2 small quins which were then attached to a big quin . For attaching a horse to a cart a britchen was used and a back band and a belly band. A reins was tied to each side of the mouth bit to guide the horses. The ploughing was slow and could take 2-3 days to complete.
After a week when the upturned ground was dry it was harrowed to break the scraws and soil. Next the drills were opened with a double- boarded plough and farmyard dung spread. Seemingly it was the job of the nana if one lived with you to cut the sciolláin. As we had no grandmother in our home, an elderly neighbour obliged. I remember her sitting by the open hearth, with a scarf and shawl around her shoulders , a bucket wedged on her lap and she was cutting away. There was an art to this as you had to ensure you had a súilín on each piece of the spud. When the sciolláns were finished, the setting began. We children were kept at home from school for this. We donned a hessian bib, roughly fashioned from a sack, which contained the sciolláin (seed potatoes) and dropped them 10 inches apart into the furrow, and pressed them into the dung (manure) with our bare feet. Furrows were for a big garden but ridges were for small areas. The sciolláin were set like a tri-pod in ridges.
We went totally barefoot from May to October. Our feet were black after this and even after steeping them in a pan of water the colour and maybe and the smell stayed put. As time passed the spuds were blinded and risen to with more earth. They were sprayed with a mix of water and bluestone to prevent blight. Before Listowel Races the digging began,with spades and then the pitting in the garden.
Throughout the winter we had to open the pits a few times and turn the spuds to prevent shooting. We’d dump the bad ones and then cover with fresh straw and close up again. T’is then you would see the mice flying. I remember a man my father had helping him, and a mouse ran up the leg of his trousers “unknownst”to him, stayed there in the comfort and heat until your man was taking off his trousers to go to bed that night, when he made his escape.
When spring came these spuds were bagged in 20 stone bags and transported down to the market, weighed and sold. The Aran Banners were bought for chips at 4d a stone. This income from the spuds was needed as we had no milk for sale until the calving . We kept enough spuds for ourselves, some for next years seed and the small ones were fed to the pigs and pulped for the cows. There was no waste.
As well as spuds we grew turnip and carrots and mangolds and, of course, cabbage. I remember going around the town with the ass and car selling cabbage on Saturday mornings. I got 6d a head. One woman had no change , but a pound and I hadn’t enough change for her. So I knocked on another door and asked the woman of the house if she had the change of a pound. She looked at me and said” Yerra garsún a chroí if I had a pound note like you have, I’d stay up all night minding it”
There was some oats set too. If it was a year when we only had a small amount it was cut by scythe, bound and stooked until the threshing, but other times it was cut by a man who was hired with a the reaper and binder. Threshing days were another great event in the year with a meitheal of locals. That night there was bit of a hooley with a half tierce and music and dance.
https://listowelconnection.blogspot.com/
Listowel Maria Sham from Listowel connection
When Lent came along we would give up eating certain things such as sweets and save our pennies. On Easter Monday we would take off for a picnic. We would take whatever we could; lemonade, bread and maybe cake, nothing fancy, our pennies would not stretch so far.
My dad worked at the creamery and when we were old enough he would take us in his truck with him. There were no restrictions then. He would go to all the small creameries to collect the milk. I remember in Ballylongford dad would go for a pint with the other workers and I would have to wait in the creamery for him and he would put a whole measure of cream for me to drink. Today I don’t have to wonder why I have high cholesterol! He took my cousin Kathleen and me to pick mushrooms. They were plentiful early in the morning; he used to say he had never seen anyone run as fast as me to get the best ones.
I remember mam going to Tralee with him in the lorry and spending the day in Woolworths. She would always bring Doreen and me lovely slides for our hair. They had stars attached to them. Her trip would not be complete without chips and peas at the Brass Rail.
When it was blackberry season I would go with my cousin Betty and friends to pick them. We would pick gallons full and eat as many more and go home our mouths all black from the juice. On one occasion I lifted a blackberry bush and to my surprise I saw something bigger then a butterfly with big eyes.and wings. It turned and looked at me. Nobody believed me, but to this day I am convinced it was a fairy. Nobody will change my mind.
Often mam would send Doreen and me to Foleys or Louis O’Connell’s. They had orchards and for 6d we would get a bag full of beautiful apples. On the way home we would sit under a tree and enjoy some of the apples. We had to save some for mam as she made the best apple pie I have yet tasted.
Milk did not come in bottles then and because dad worked at the creamery we were entitled to a full gallon of milk every day. Dad would make sure it was pasteurised. I think there was a lot of TB in Ireland then due to unpasteurised milk. Mam was able to help the neighbours out and give them some milk. When it got sour she would make soda bread with it.
On Sunday we always had a lovely dinner, roast beef or lamb sometimes veal with green garden peas which had to be soaked the night before, so on Saturday night the routine was soak the peas and make the jelly. Also on Saturday mam would make a currant loaf, a huge one.
Moriarty Listowel
"Cycling Ireland has announced the appointment of Eugene Moriarty, a member of the Institute of Directors, as the latest addition to the Board. He replaces Senan Turnbull who stepped down in November as an Appointed Director. Former international cyclist, Moriarty, is very accomplished in both the sporting and professional realms. Originally from Listowel, Co. Kerry, Moriarty has competed at the top level of the sport, finishing fifth in the Road Race at the B World Championships in Uruguay in 1999, contributing to the qualification of a slot for Ireland in the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.
Currently residing in the Netherlands Moriarty has a range of professional qualifications from both the academic and business sides. He holds an honours degree in medical sciences, qualified as an accountant via the ACCA and has worked in asset management for the last number of years. He has extensive experience across a range of areas from finance, legal and IT to reporting and governance.
Speaking about the appointment of Moriarty to the Board, Cycling Ireland President Ciaran McKenna expressed his delight saying – “Eugene will bring a wealth of cycling and business experience to the Board, particularly in the area of Corporate Governance and Organisational Reform – with them being his two areas of expertise.”
Moriarty is looking forward to joining the Board of Cycling Ireland – “I am flattered and honoured to have been approached to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Cycling Ireland. I look forward to working together with my fellow directors, our members and our highly skilled and dedicated team at the Kelly Roche House, and beyond, to continue to build on the significant achievements of this great organisation for the benefit of our current and future generations.”
This appointment brings to eight the number of members on the Cycling Ireland Board of Directors. At the 2016 AGM the Memorandums and Articles were passed with a ruling to increase the Board of Directors to ten, once approved two further members will be appointed to the Board." Source; Cycling Ireland website
Aras Mhuire is one of 2016's chosen charities for The Ring of Kerry Cycle on July 2
Established in 1971 by members of the local St Vincent De Paul that included Mary B Keane, John B Keane’s wife, for a number of years it operated as a welfare home to accommodate the needs of the elderly in the North Kerry area. It was only in 1992 that it officially became registered as a nursing home.
The nursing home has an extensive waiting list of people who require long-term nursing care in the area. Because of this, they desperately need more space. They are in the process of building an additional three ensuite bedrooms to try to meet the demand and keep people near their family, friends and community. One of the three new bedrooms is being designed specifically for residents with an acquired brain injury. This requires additional funding for specific requirements which is why the money you’ll donate this coming July will make such a difference.
“This is a golden opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our nursing home which at the moment provides residential care for 35 residents,” said manager Trish Joy. “We are a not for profit organisation and for us to maintain the high standards of care we provide then we must raise much-needed funds for some projects. The money raised will go towards the building of a seven-room extension including a purpose-built room for people with acquired brain injuries. We also plan to build four self-contained apartments and we need to raise €350,000,” adds Joy.
The four apartments on the grounds of the nursing home will be built for people in the local community who can no longer live alone but who do not require nursing home care. This allows people to maintain their independence in a safe and purpose built environment in their own locality and will provide the residents with a much-improved quality of life.
The homely safe and stimulating environment in the nursing home supports resident’s’ desire for independence and personal freedom. It also allows residents to remain active in their social, religious and recreational activities and connected to their family friends and community that is vitally important in their later years.
It’s their commitment to enhance the quality of life of the residents, by delivering care with dignity and compassion that makes Aras Mhuire Nursing Home such a special place.
Listowel Papers 3
June 29 1953, North Kerry Agricultural Show in the sports field Listowel
Vincent Carmody and Margaret Ward have worked hard on getting the names for our 1953 photograph. Some of the people came from the country and were not known to my two townies. Some others were too difficult to decipher but following is a fairly complete list.
Included, sitting or standing in front of railing,
Right to left,
Paddy Moloney(Charles St.), Jim O'Sullivan, Mary T.O'Sullivan, (Charles St.) Pat and Johnny O'Flaherty, Church St., Eileen O Flaherty is seated in front of Noreen and Eileen Scanlon,Greenville , Martin? Holly (St Brendan's Tce.), Gene Moriarty ( Charles St.) Nuala Buckley ,seated (Patrick St.), Nora Flaherty, ( O'Connell's Ave), Fealey Brothers, Seamus and Sean ( O'Connell's Ave), Mr Morgan, (Colbert St.), Brendan Behan (Colbert St.) pronounced Behane.
Included behind the railing,
Right to left,
Mrs Jim O'Sullivan (Charles St.), Mrs Enright ( Charles Street), Theresa O” Carroll (Red Cottages), Mrs Howard and daughter Ella ( Greenville) Mrs. Nellie O'Flaherty, (Greenville) …..,….Mrs. Thomas Mulvihill, (Lower William St.), (at back) ? Sweeney, ( Church St.) Mona Cantillon ( Patrick St.) Jackie and Sheila Buckley, ( Patrick St.) Babe O'Sullivan, (St. Brendan's Tce), Lizzy Griffin (O'Connell's Ave), Mary Whelan,( Market St.), Marie Neligan, (Clieveragh and Colbert St.), Lizzy (Fitzgerald) Sayers, (Colbert St.)
Michael O'Sullivan, (Patrick Street). at end leaning on fence
Sitting on wooden stand,
Included right to Left,
John Keane ( O'Connell's Ave)with white shirt, Toddy Griffin ( O'Connell's Ave), Michael Downey with black jacket( O'Connell's Ave), Michael Barrett (Ballybunion Road), John Murphy (Gurtcreen), Maurice Cahill (Main Street), (Junior Griffin (Bridge Road), Paddy McGuiness (Upper Church St), Edward Mahoney (Charles Street), Ned Boursin (Church Street). ? O'Carroll (Red Cottages), Maurice Kennelly (Patrick St.)
At back,
Miss O Sullivan (Charles St.), Peggy Walsh (Market St.), Martin Sheehy 2nd boy(Main St.), Joe Guerin (Convent St.) Eileen Harmon (Patrick St.) Miss Kennelly (Patrick St), Mrs Clem Crowley (Church St.) Kathleen Medill (Patrick St.), Noreen O Hanlon (Patrick St.) Margaret Dillon (Colbert Street),
at backR to L Tommy Dalton, Junior Griffin, Kathleen O’Sullivan (Dowd’s Road), Sean O Brien and John O Brien (Convent St.)
The photograph appeared in the Thursday July 31th 1952 edition of the Evening Echo and it was captioned, "Watching the jumping competitions at the North Kerry Show, held at Listowel yesterday"
9 Jan 1919 Catholic Press
The late Father Kirby.
The death occurred on Tuesday evening, at St. Vincent's Hospital, of Father .M. Kirby. The late priest was the son of the late Michael Kirby, of Listowel. Count Kerry, Ireland, where his family was we'll known. He was educated at St. Michael's College, Listowel, and Carlow College, where he was ordained to the priesthood -J7 years ? ago. Father Kirby was stationed in the Archdiocese of Sydney during the past 27 years. On arrival in Australia he was appointed assistant at St. Francis Haytmarket, and then at Burwood. From the latter place he was transferred to which parish he was in charge. In those days 'Pymble parish embraced Chatswool, Naremburn and Hornsby. From Pymble he was appointed to Lidcombe. which then . included Auburn, and lately he had been in charge of Kensington. Father Kirby had been ailing for the past 12 months, and a wave of genuine sorrow passed over the Catholic community of Sydney when the news of his death became known. The late priest. was the fourth member of his family- to be ordained to the priesthood. Two 'of his brothers are in America, one of them being Dr. Kirby, of (Jirard, of the State of Ohio. and another brother is the Rev. Father Timothy Kirby, of Glenflesk, Killarney. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Cathedral at ? o'clock (Thursday).— R.I.P.
The many friends of the Nursing Sisters of Lewisham Hospital will be glad to learn that one of their number, Sister Mary Peter, has been awarded the Royal Red Cross, and was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace. It is a coincidence that her sister, a secular nurse, was also awarded the Royal Red Cross on the same day. Sergeant Michael Kenny. An ex pupil' St. Mary's Boys' School.' Hobart. has awarded the Military Medal. Young Kenny has been on active service three years, is a Hobart native.
A special article in the 'S.M. Herald' and the 'Sun,' by an Australian nurse, on the influenza epidemic in San Francisco, never hints at the work of the nuns, or the generosity of the Archbishop, though an article in the 'Catholic Press,' three week ago. enumerated 40 churches turned into hospitals, with the nuns as nurse. A beautiful display of self-sacrifice was one of the relieving incidents of the influenza epidemic at Philadelphia. To with the epidemic. the city authorities asked the Catholic Archbishop to their assistance. At once they appealed to the nuns. The response spontaneous, generous to the extreme, Emergency hospitals sprang into existence almost overnight, and the sisters wont forth from their convents to fight the plague in hospitals, alms-houses, and in private houses. So far. influenza has been kept out '' Australia. government medical authorities are doubtful whether the present epidemic
A list of 4S priests who gave their lives for (he sick during the influenza epidemic in Canada appears in the Toronto 'Catholic Register' of November 21. And the list was not complete. Seventeen dioceses from (Quebec to Vancouver paid the tribute, Que bec being the heaviest sufferer, with twelve priests. A list of this kind brings home to us the terrible danger from which we have, up to the present, so mercifully been protected.— RIP
Freeman’s Journal 8 Nov 1917
Maynooth College.
THE CHAIR, OF THEOLOGY.
The Rev. Dr. Kissane has been appointed to the Chair of Theology and Sacred Scripture at Maynooth College, and has returned to Ireland from Canada for the purpose of entering on the duties' of his new office. He filled with great distinction the Chair of Sacred Scripture in St. Augustine's Semi nary, Toronto, for some years past. Regarding the new Professor, the 'Toronto Globe', to hand says:— '
'As the first occupant in the Chair of Scripture in St. Augustine, Dr. Kissane has rendered to that new seat of learning a signal and splendid service which calls for re cognition 'and appreciation. Though his departure does not leave the Chair empty, it creates a vacancy that for the present can no more than (sufficiently be filled. Dr. Kissane was born in County Kerry, by Shannon side, in 1886. He studied the primary classics in Listowel, and the higher classics at Killarney. In both these colleges he won much coveted, scholarships. He made his philosophical and theological course in Maynooth, where he also specialised in the Irish language. Though 'bright and alert in all his studies, his linguistic gifts brought him especially under the notice of his predecessors, by whom he was recommended to the Biblical Institute, Rome, where he made a brilliant three years' course. By way of a .post-graduate course he -next visited Egypt and the Holy Land to personally investigate the Oriental setting of the Bible, and get familiar with, the habits of the people. 'As a professor, Dr. Kissane follows the new school of pedagogy. He upholds the positive method. He is not in favour of apologetics in the classroom. He maintains that polemics and steeplechasing after rationalists and other sappers of the Bible should be discouraged, inasmuch as the time wasted in such negative pursuits could be better employed .in building up the mind with the inspired Word and indirectly expanding its capacity for orthodox thinking. In class he follows no text book, for the reason that his own expansiveness carries him beyond the
meagre limits of the ordinary compendium. Young and progressive, he holds himself accessible to new ideas. Holding that the Bible cannot 'be taught alone, he sows certain of his lectures with allusions from tradition, theology, palaeology, and geology, till the subject has been adequately presented in the light of those recognised aids. Possessed of the exact and finished knowledge of the expert, Dr. Kissane goes back to Ireland to de vote considerable of his time towards making the Scriptures more applicable to the great and confused problems that to-day distract and threaten the life of society. Dr. Kissane is at present enjoying holidays in his native county preparatory to taking up the duties of his position at Maynooth.
20 Aug 1926 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW
'Dr. P. J. Sheehy Appointed to Granville In last Friday's issue of the "Argus" we had the pleasure of congratulating the Catholies of Granville on the appoint cent of the Very Rev. Dr. P. J. Sheehy as their parish priest. Granville is fortunate in securing for Holy Trinity one of the ripest scholars and most eloquent preachers in the Arch diocese. Dr. Sheehy is a native of the same county in Ireland as the illustrious O'Connell-Kerry. His early studies were at Listowel, and he later entered All Hallows College, Dublin, where he studied for the priesthood. He had a brilliant academic career, and was ordained in 1902. Soon after his ordination he left Ireland for Australia. He was appointed to Redfern as assistant, subsequently becoming assistant secretary to His Eminence the late Cardinal Moran at St. Mary's Cathedral, 'For a brief period he was assistant priest at Moss Vale, where he secured the prize offered by the Hibernian Society for an historical essay. The erudition displayed by the young priest in this essay, says the "Press," attracted the attention of Cardinal Moran, who considered that his abilities could be used to better advantage on the professional staff of St. Pat rick's College, Manly. His appointment quickly, followed, and during his period at the College, Dr. Sheehy was professor in practically the whole round of ecclesiastical sciences. For ten years he filled the chair of Dogmatic Theology; for four years that. of Moral Theology; and during a period of sixteen years he taught Ecclesiastical History, mathematics, English literature, and secular history also came within his ambit at St. Patrick's; and he taught these subjects to 'the students.
Dr P. J. SHEEHY.
It is no wonder, then, that the distinction of Doctor of Divinity, was conferred on him by the Pope, Benedict XV in November, 1922. Dr. Sheehy was appointed to the literary staff of the "Catholic Press,'' for the work connected with which his experience and learning admirably fitted him. Last year, Dr. Sheehy visited America, Ireland, and the Continent on a vacational tour. The new "Soggarth" of Grarnville has a genial personality, and is, in the pulpit, a most eloquent propounder of Catholic doctrine. When interviewed by a representative of the ' Argus,'' Dr. Sheely expressed pleasure at being in the district of Granville, and, although he had seen but little of it yet, that little was sufficient to convince him that its future was fall of promise. 'There was he said, ample room for development, plenty of open spaces for occupation and settlement, and wide scope for manufacturing industries. With the establishment of workmen’s homes, Which would go far towards relieving the growing congestion of the nearer city suburbs, Granville should speedily become a fine democratic centre, and the new works that are going up, as well as the new. buildings that are being erected on every hand should be the means of attracting. to the Granville district that fine, intelligent type of citizen it was al ways so great a pleasure to welcome. Dr. Sheehy thanked the people for the welcome accorded himself and expressed his gratitude and admiration for the splendid work accomplished by the priests who had preceded him in the charge, making special mention and commendation of the work of the late Father Briody, P.P. Dr. Sheehy hoped later to become aquatinted with the whole community of Granville, and to assist to the utmost in the promotion of the civic and social interests of the town and district.
10 July 1891 Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate (Warragul, Vic.
DEATH OF THE REV. FATHER HEFFERNAN. A MUCH-BELOVED MAN. RECEPTION OF THE NEWS AT WARRAGUL. The Rev. Father Heffernan, parish priest of South Melbourne, who had been seriously ill for the past few weeks, died at his residence, S.S. Peter and Paul's, on Monday night at 11.30. As notified in our last issue no hopes were entertained of his recovery at the time of our going to press, and to-day we have the painful duty of recording the death of one of the most beloved men this district has ever seen. The news of the demise created the most profound regret amongst his many friends in Warragul, for he was a man who was highly respected by all he came in contact with, no matter of what creed.. The deceased gentleman was born in the parish of Ballylongford, in county Kerry, Ireland, in the year 1855, and 'at an early age evinced a strong inclination for the priesthood. -He made his preparatory studies at Listowel, and. at. the' age of 17 entered All Hallow's College, Dublin, where .he spent six years, and was ordained priest in the year 1878. His college course was a most .distinguished one. He always led his- class, and success fully defended many, theses - in philosophy and dogmatic theology, and invariably took the first prizes in the whole college" curriculum at the biennial examinations. His professors freely' stated that .he was the most brilliant student that ever passed through the college. He arrived in Melbourne in 1878 and was attached to the staff of St. Patrick's Cathedral, where he laboured for six years, during which time he collected £5000 for the building fund of Clifton Hill church, and amongst other ecclesiastical works materially assisted in supporting .the Catholic schools of the parish. He was afterwards--appointed - to Warragul, in Gippsland district, where he applied himself for three years to the establishment of churches and Catholic schools. A vacancy then occurred in the important parish of St. Francis's, Melbourne, consequent on the death of Arch-priest O'Meara, and although Father Heffernan was a comparatively young man, his Grace Archbishop Carr selected him to fulfil the appoint ment. He spent three and half years as administrator of St. Francis's, when the parish of South Melbourne became vacant on the death of the late Dean O'Driscoll. This parish, having been canonically erected, should be won by competitive examination. Father Heffernan engaged in the concursus, and was the successful candidate. The examination took place only 10 weeks ago, after which he was duly installed by Archbishop Carr. About four weeks ago Father Heffernan caught a cold which culminated in acute inflammation of the lungs, to which he succumbed on Monday night. Throughout his illness he was attended by Drs. Carr, O'Sullivan and Moloney, who were unremitting in their attention to him, although they gave up all hopes of his recovery a week ago. The " Argus" of Wednesday referring to Father Heffernan said the de ceased clergyman was noted for breadth of mind in theological matters, as well as for amiability of character, which endeared him not only to his own congregations, but to all classes of the community with which he came in contact; The " Age" of the same date referring in a similar strain :to his character as a priest and a man.
Section 20
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23 June 1883 Freeman’s Journal.
The Kerry Sentinel announces that the Rev. J. Casey, C.C., Listowel, has been transferred to Cahirciveen, to take the place of the Rev. J. K. Fitzgerald, who is America collecting funds for the O'Connell Memorial Church. The same paper states that the Rev.M. Scannell, Professor of Rhetoric in Maynooth, has vacated his chair temporarily to succeed Father Casey.
Sydney Morning Herald 12 Feb 1927
McAULIFFE. - February 9,1927 at his residence, Vacy, King Edward-street, Rockdale, John McAuliffe, fourth son of the late Florence McAuliffe, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland, aged 75 years. R.I.P. Irish and American papers, please copy.
McAULIFFE -April 26 1942 Mary McAuliffe of Kurraba, Road, Neutral Bay (late of Rockdale), relict of the late John McAuliffe, both of Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland. Interred Rookwood April 27, 1942.
Sydney Morning Herald 9 Jan 1858
COGHLAN-COLLINS-December 23rd, by special license, at West Maitland, by the Very Rev. Dean Lynch, Mr. Cornelius Coghlan, of Singleton, to Miss Mary Teresa Collins, of Listowel,
County Kerry, Ireland.
LOVE OF: EDUCATION IN KERRY,
23 March 1883 Freeman’s Journal
A high and well -deserved tribute has been paid to the peasantry of a large' district; in Kerry for their anxiety to have their children educated. Mr. Godfrey Bateman, Government school inspector, in Listowel, states that the people are keenly sensible of the value 0f education, and as a general rule, the children, except in cases of necessity such as extreme severe weather or a pressure of harvest work, are sent to school. I have known (he adds) instances of mothers in severe weather carrying their little children for miles to school. I remember on one occasion a mother bringing her son on her back to school, as he had a sprained foot. Often on cold mornings I met poor children with, in my opinion, insufficient clothing, and in bare feet, 'cold yet cheerful,' speeding to school. Surely it is a more truism that, if the Irish in the country districts are uneducated, the fault is not theirs.
Bishops Murdered
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Courier Mail Brisbane 19 Dec 1933
De Valera's Alternatives DUBLIN. December 17.1933
Mr. E. de Valera (President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State), who was escorted by bands and banner-bearers, addressed a crowd of 10,000 persons at Tralee. He pleaded for unity and discipline in Ireland's economic struggle with England, and he also deplored the recent outrages in Kerry. The Ministry, he added, was determined to enforce the .Government's authority. There must either be an ordered democracy or a dictatorship. The Government had 99 per cent of the Republicans be- hind it. Military tribunals were necessary while the stoning of the police and the frightening of witnesses prevented the courts functioning. Prior to the meeting the Listowel railway line was damaged, and telephone and telegraph wires were cut.
Sydney Morning Herald 16 Dec 1921
Police- Sergeant Maher was shot dead and Constable Gallow was badly wounded last night on Castlegreen, Ballybunnion (County Kerry). Lorries laden 'with police had proceeded to the scene from Listowel.
Northern Argus 24 May 1935
THE LATE MR. JOHN DEE. On April 2 1935, passed away one of the later colonists from the Old Country. Mr. John Dee arrived in South Australia from County Kerry in the year 1881. He was born in Listowel in 1859, spending his early youth there and married Miss Ellen Larkin, second daughter of John Larkin, of Listowel. Mr. Dee, with his wife, came to South Australia in the sailing vessel Ashmore, and settled in the lower North districts, taking up land at Port Clinton, arid later at Balaklava and in the Hill River district, where he engaged in mixed farming for several years. Members of his family are settled in these districts. Mr. Dee retired from active farming twelve years ago, living on his property at Sheoak Log, near, Gawler. Having always enjoyed excellent health, it was not until the close of his life approached that he experienced any illness. He died at the age of 70 years and is survived by his wife and nine children, four sons and five daughters, also two grand-children.
Freeman’s Journal 12 Nov 1903
PATRICK MAURICE WALSH.
Mr. Patrick Maurice Walsh, who died at his I residence Listowel-avenue, Rundwick,? on the 8th instant, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and arrived in New South Wales in 1864. During his long- career as a licensed victualler at Camper down, Balmain, and Oxford-street, Sydney, he was held in high esteem by all who knew him as an honourable man. At one period of his life he was an alderman of the Camperdown Council.
27 Oct 1885 Queensland Times.
IN IRELAND. A report from Tralee states that on Sunday night, September 6, 1885 at a place called Ballyard two donkeys were tied together and burnt. This barbarous outrage, it is stated, has some connection with the purchase of hay from a landlord in the district. At another place, called Odorney, the house of a farmer, named Denis Costello, was entered by a party of men, who wanted to take his gun. He said he would not allow them to take it, and would prevent them at the risk of his life. They then called for his daughter, and, when the girl made her appearance, they cut the hair off her head. The reason alleged for this cowardly outrage is that she spoke to the police, and gave them information. Costello is a bog-ranger for Lord Listowel. On Saturday night a rick of hay belonging to Mrs. Breen, of Glencar Hotel, was burned; and on the same night a horse, the property of a man, 'named Sullivan, who had paid his rent, was stabbed to death. The carcasses of six bullocks, recently stolen from Mr. Fitzgerald, land-owner at Castleisland, County Kerry, have been discovered in out-houses belonging to farmers named Dunn and Lane.
Catholic press 3 July 1919
Released from Belfast. Mr. James Crowley, V.S., M.P., for North Kerry, was cordially welcomed homo to Listowel, after doing eight months in Belfast jail. Notwithstanding his long; imprisonment, 'Mr. Crowley is in comparatively good health and high spirits.
Catholic Press 6 Nov 1941
Revered Parish Priest.
DEATH OF FATHER M. GALVIN.
After a long illness, Rev. Father Michael Galvin, parish priest at Footscray, died in St.' Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, on Thursday, 23rd ult. In country parishes where he had laboured, and at Footscray, where he had been stationed since 1937, his death is deeply regretted. A kindly, genial priest, he served the Archdiocese
faithfully for over 30 years, and he was widely esteemed by the clergy and laity. Born in Kerry, Ireland, Father Galvin received his early education at St. Michael 's, Listowel, and later he entered All Hal lows College, Dublin, where he was ordained in 1910. Shortly afterwards, he came to Melbourne, and had since been attached to the Archdiocese. He was an assist ant priest for several years in different parishes, where he laboured untiringly. Appointed parish priest of Wonthaggi, he worked with characteristic zeal and success. He left in 1931 to take charge of the Trentham parish, where he remained till 1937. Two years earlier he had celebrated his sacerdotal silver jubilee. From Trentham, Father Galvin was appointed to St. Monica's, Footscray, where he has left endearing memories. Father Galvin was one of three brothers in the priesthood, the other two being Rev. Father P. Galvin, Katoomba, N.S.W., and Rev. Father D. Galvin, Springwood, N.S.W. An uncle was the late Father J. J. Gallivan, P.P., Northcote. There was a large and representative congregation at the Solemn Office and Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Galvin at St. Monica's Church, Footscray. His Grace Archbishop Mannix, who presided and also delivered the panegyric, was attended by Rev. Father T. Power, P.P., and Rev. Father A. Rohan, P.P. Ninety regular and diocesan priests formed the choir, and the cantors were Rev. Fathers W. Ebsworth, P.P., J. F. Egan, P.P., C. Hanrahan, P.P., and J. Egan. The Lessons were recited by Rev. Fathers L. Godwin, P.P., T. O'Callaghan, P.P., and A. May, P.P. The celebrant of Requiem Mass was Rev. Father T. Fitzpatrick, P.P., with Rev. Father P. Ryan, deacon; Rev. Father E. Murtagh, P.P., sub-deacon, and Rev. Father L. P. Moran, assisted by the Cathedral sacristan (Mr. H. P. Cooney), master of ceremonies. — R.I.P.
14 June 1884 Freeman’s Journal.
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DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED ECCLESIASTIC.
To Catholics in many and remote parts of the globe, as well as in his native land and dioceoe, the news will come with no ordinary regret of the death of the Very Rev. John O'Connor, D.D., Missionary Apostolic. He was in various respects a remarkable man, who in the course of a long life strikingly illustrated in his own portion many of the characteristics of his race and of his sacred profession, making a reputation which was literally world-wide, accomplishing an amount of good for others, and promoting the glory of
God and religion to an extent vouchsafed to few. Born at Ardfert, the titular parish of the Ancient Kerry diocese, on the 28th January, 1818, he developed at an early age the zeal for religion which afterwards distinguished him, catching, as it would seem, the grand old spirit of that Faith, of which the venerable ruins of. abbey and cathedral in his native village stand as splendid memorials even in their decay. In his seventeenth year he entered upon his ecclesiastical studies in the Irish College, Paris, where he want through a distinguished course, end on the 18th of March, 1841, was ordained for his native diocese by the Most Rev. Dr. Egan, then Bishop of Kerry. He hold curacies in Tralee, Listowel, and Killarney, in all of which, but especially in Listowel, where he was longest stationed, he exhibited extraordinary zeal in the sacred ministry, labouring incessantly in all the functions of a priest, but most signally distinguishing himself as a preacher. A splendid specimen physically and intellectually of the pure Celt, he united with rare gifts of mind and great command of eloquent and fervid speech, a genial humour and warm heartedness which made his presence welcomed everywhere he went and bound to him a host of friends who held him in affection and esteem. The apostolic spirit of the Christian Celt was so strong within him that, as he attained the maturity of his gifts, he longed for a wider
sphere for the exercise of his missionary zeal. We accordingly find him after some years quitting Ireland for the English mission, and from that time, having received from Pope Pius IX., of saintly memory, the degree of Doctor of Divinity as well as all the privileges of a Missionary Apostolic— he devoted his life and labours to the sublime calling of a Catholic Missionary, in whatever part of the world he felt he could beet serve the Church and bring souls to God. Part of his missionary life was spent in Now South Wales, Queensland, New Zealand, and the islands of the Pacific, his extraordinary abilities as a preacher everywhere enabling him, under the Divine inspiration, to win multitudes to the service of God, and leave behind him lasting fruits of his zeal. It was his especial delight to minister to his Irish brethren wherever he found them scattered over the face of the globe, while by the peoples of other nationalities to whom his priestly functions were cheerfully extended, he was scarcely less beloved and honoured. Despite his great powers of endurance, the continuous toil of his missionary life eventually undermined his constitution, and his last years were spent on that account in the salubrious climate of Pau in the south of France. Any degree of infirmity, however, short of bodily incapacity could not induce him to relax his labours in the Divine Service, and he preached habitually, during his residence in that town, in the Church of the Ursulines, his course of Lenten and Advent sermons attracting many devout hearers. During last Lent he preached twice or thrice a week, and in spite of increasing feebleness, which he foresaw must soon terminate his labours, he made a resolution to preach the Passion sermon of Good Friday or die. He kept his resolve. On the great day of Atonement he appeared for the last time in the pulpit, and his final discourse was consecrated to the last and terrible agony of his Divine Master. On Easter Sunday, in the 66th year of his ago and the 43rd of his minis try, he closed, his eyes to the world in which he had so ardently laboured to fulfil the great aim and object or his existence— the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Who can doubt that he opened them to the glory of eternal happiness and celebrated Easter in the courts of his risen Saviour In all his journeys, Dr. O'Connor cherished a constant love for the land of his birth, and was never happier than when the opportunity presented itself, as was often the case, of doing good abroad for his compatriots, for many of whom his great personal influence and the esteem in which he was hold enabled him to procure good positions. One who knew him intimately declares that the very stones of his native village wore dear to him, and that if in death he could have one regret it would be that his remains are not laid to rest in the shadow of its ancient and venerable ruins. His life was truly apostolic, and death found him in the midst of his labours. — May he rest in peace.
Catholic Press 14 Nov 1896
MUNSTER.
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Kerry. — Michael Prendergast, one of the Fedamore jockeys, recently received serious injuries while riding Castlequarter in the Island Plate at Listowel meeting, and died the next day. Prendergast was removed to the residence of Mr. Michael O'Connor, where he was attended by Drs. O'Connor and Clancy, but he never regained consciousness. In addition to his wife, Fathers Courtney, Eric and Finlay, and a Sister of Mercy were in constant attendance on deceased. He had only been married about two months ago, and was but 21 years of age. He had ridden many winners for the Fedamore stable.
The National teachers of Kerry have organised a society for the purpose of promoting the Irish language movement. The following were elected officers : — M. A. Manning, of Ballyferriter, chairman; M. Lynch, of Caherciveen, vice-chairman ; E. O' Sullivan, of Castledrum, Castlemaine, secretary ; and James O'Sullivan, of Miltown, treasurer.
Limerick. — The sale recently took place of the Limerick Leader, a Redmondite paper, under an order of the Court of Chancery. The paper, plant, machinery and tenancy of the premises were knocked down to James Buckley, of Dublin, for £486. Alderman Hall, J.P., and E. J. Long, chairman of the Ratepayers' Protection Association bid .£4/55 and £465 respectively. The paper in to be worked by the new owner on the same lines.
Bohor Chapel (where the shrine of St. Mauohan is preserved) has received from R. Day, of Cork, one of the missing gilt bronze effigies that ornamented this marvellous specimen of ancient Irish art. The recovered figure is one which for a long time, it appears, has formed part of Mr. Day's private collection of antiques and was purchased by him in Athlone, where it was said to have been found in Clonmacnoise.
Batch 22
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6-12 1952 Sydney Morning Herald
KIELY May-At her residence Listowel County Kerry lreland be loved mother of Rev M J Kiely Cab ramatta ? RIP (By Cable)
Morning Chronicle Sydney 8 Jan 1845
REJOICINGS IN THE COUNTRY. Killarney- Saturday. There were illuminations here and' in the surrounding districts. The castle of the high sheriff of Kerry, John Coltsman, Esq., was brilliantly illuminated in consequence of the glorious' news of the liberation of Mr. O'Connell. The grand feature of the evening was the appearance in the streets of John O'Connell, Esq, of Glena, in company with the ladies of his family. Language is inadequate to convey an idea of the outburst of affection with which he was greeted. He addressed the people from the windows of the Church Street Temperance rooms, cautioning them to refrain from any act that would weaken their -present glorious triumph-to give no cause of complaint, either by word, gesture, or action, to those who differed from them in opinion-conciliation was to be their motto. And faithfully did the people follow that advice. In the words. of the police, . it was gratifying to witness the excellent conduct of such a mass of people." Castle Lough, the seat of Dennis. Shine Lawlor, Esq, sent forth a brilliant light, while, like the high sheriff, its worthy proprietor threw open his cellars, hospitable at all times, to his servants and workmen, and to all comers A cead Mile Failte . Listowel; The demonstrations of truly genuine patriotic feelings, on the part of the Listowel people and the surrounding neighbourhood, were exhibited on last evening [Saturday]. 'The town on my entrance, displayed a magnificent sight. A fire, the largest I ever witnessed, blazed in the centre of the square, supplied by the farmers with turf coming the entire day; in rapid 'succession. from all parts. The houses were. well, and tastefully illuminated.
At nine the roads towards" town- were densely thronged with. persons coming in from all directions with lighted torches; on arriving, they went round the town first, then met at the fire, giving three cheers for the Queen, three. for O'Connell and Repeal, and three for the noble lords that reversed the judgment., There could not be less than from 800 to 1,000 lighted torches.
By Jet Stack
The Banks at Sweet Scartlea
The sky is clear, a gentle breeze.
The sun is in the west.
The furze in bloom, a pigeon cooing.
Quietness peace and rest.
By the river side, where swallows glide.
What beauty there I see.
As I take a stroll on an eventide.
By the banks of sweet Scartlea.
The thrush on the hawthorn bush
singnotes, so loud and clear.
The blackbirds flutter through the briars.
Sound warning notes of fear.
The river Feale, flows gently
on its way to join the sea.
As I take a stroll on an eventide
By the banks of sweet Scartlea.
The music of the water
as it ripples on its way.
The rabbits coming out to feed.
The smell of new mown hay.
The fragrant scent of woodbine.
The hum of a bumble bee.
As I take a stroll on an eventide.
By the banks of sweet Scartlea.
The graveyard in the distance,
its walls of whitish grey.
An old man climbing o're its stile.
For some poor soul to pray.
The otters paddle through the ford,
Where trout and salmon spree.
As I take a stroll on an eventide.
By the banks at sweet Scartlea.
The sun is set, the grass dew wet,
The stars begin to shine.
The air is pure, the blind bat lure.
The morrow will be fine.
The boys at the crossroad gather
with hearts light and carefree.
As I take a stroll on an eventide.
By the banks of sweet Scartlee.
As darkness falls there's peace for all
The moon of a reddish brown
To the east appears above the hill
That overlooks the town.
The stars they twinkle brightly
no more that I can see.
As I take a stroll on an eventide.
By the banks at sweet Scartlea.
Listowel by Jet Stack
There among the green hills of Kerry.
Where the bells of Saint Mary’s Church toll.
On the banks of the Feale.
Where there’s beauty so real.
Stands that dear little town of Listowel.
Its streets and its square so spacious
and rare.
Its buildings of solid cut stone.
Though old times are gone,
Sure they still linger on
In that dear little town of Listowel.
Its castles so vast, they’re a link
with the past.
On history there’s written a scroll.
The bard and the poet
And writers of note.
Are at home in the town of Listowel.
The churchyard close by, where its
ancestors lie.
The schools where its youth comes to bloom.
On those in between those duties supreme
They’ll fulfill with God’s help we’ll presume.
As time marches on, we’ll have music
and song.
We’ll have tops, we’ll have pops by the score.
But let’s never lose sight
of those great pens of might
and may God bless the town of Listowel.