Listowel Thread

I have just returned from my (almost) annual visit to the Races. What a lovely occasion it was; beautiful weather, good atmosphere and pleasant company. As usual, when weather allows, I went for a walk through the graveyard, Gurtinard and along by the river. I was somewhat taken aback to find that the gate leading to the Spa through the Three Fields was locked and that the side gate was impassable. A sign on the gate indicated that the reason for locking it was to prevent vehicles using the road through the golf course.
Am I correct in saying that there is still a right-of-way along the river to the Spa? If so, who has the right to block access to the right-of-way? Was there not controversy about this same right-of -way some years back? I hope its not a not-so-subtle attempt to extinguish people’s long-established right to enjoy that pleasant walk along by the riverbank. Perhaps some Listowel resident would keep us informed if the gate remains locked now that the Races are over?

Thanks for that, Cherry Tree. The Three Fields I referred to (maybe I shouldn’t have capitalised) were known to a previous generation as Foley’s Fields. These fields are now part of the golf course. Master Foley, as he was known, was a previous owner. He taught in one of the neighbouring schools – I’m guessing Clounmacon. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong. He had a large orchard and many may still remember going to the house to buy apples. The Spa was once a very popular swimming spot in the days when fewer people had cars. The “Diving Board,” on the far bank before you come to the Spa, was also a swimming spot but, because it was deeper and didn’t get as much sun, wasn’t as popular, especially with those whose swimming prowess extended only to the ‘dog’s paddle’! You won’t find that stroke in the Olympics!
Speaking of the right-of-way – I suppose it would help if the side access beside the gate was put in working order. I don’t know whose job that would be or if permission would be required. Any ideas anyone?

Dear John Granville,
The 1953 photo was taken in the sportsfield,I'm not sure of the occasion,but I do recognise some in the picture.I'm working from memory now as I don't have the picture in front of me.From left you have the children of the O'Sullivan family of Charles St.,in there with them is Paddy Moloney of Charles St.(brother of Billy) ,the girls eating the icecream are the Scanlon girls Eileen and Noreen( Their father Barney was a Garda,in the days when we all knew the Gardai by name)Also in the front is Gene Moriarty (RIP).Maybe someone else can recognise others.Happy Days!!:pac:

Try Pierce and Fitzgibbon of Market St. or Maurice O'Sullivan of Colbert St.

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and I am researching my family.
My father was John Ferris his father Daniel. My grandmother was Catherine Enright. This was many years ago. My father was born in 1899 and last of 11 children. He came to America in 1920. I visited Listowel this past November 2007 and found the old house:). He lived down the road from Presentation School (I believe). The area back then was called Gortacrossane. The area is straight up the road from the Water Works and before the Derre West (?). The farm was sold in 1945 to the Hayes family. Mr. Hayes was kind to let me visit the old homestead :)which now is used for farm equipment. My father never spoke of Ireland. I know it is a long time past and people are gone. I visited St. Mary's church and found out my father had many brothers and sisters. I knew of 3 and found out there were 11 in all. My grandfather died when my father was 11. My father never spoke of Ireland :(and I want to find out when my grandparents died from and what happened to the family. My father may have been raised after his father's death in one of those "industrial schools". Anybody have any idea how I could research this information? I have found in the Griffths list a Patrick Ferris in Gortacrossane in the 1845's or so. Don't know if he is great father or what. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks:)

Cherry Tree wrote: »

I have never actually walked the full way along the right of way so I do not know where the Kenny Heights access is. I walked up there with camera on Saturday and I could not locate it. Is it off Golf View?

I haven't walked that way for many years so I can't advise about the current access(if any). Perhaps one of the locals will tell you? Liam Grimes, Raymond Barrett, Pierce Walsh?

The occasion of the photo was the North Kerry Show – the then annual agricultural show held each year at the end of June in the Sportsfield. Correctly identified were:- Tommy Dalton, Noreen & Eileen Scanlon, Paddy Moloney, Gene Moriarty and the Sullivans of Charles St. I’m not sure about Kathleen Sullivan. I cannot recall her. Babe Joe Wilmot is not in the photo, nor is “The Mike”.
I'll try to identify as many as I can within the next few days and post on the thread. In the meantime, can you spot a very young Joe Guerin? He's towards the left of the back row.

Sorry, what is the website for the 1901 census with the Enright family in it?

wooo!
anyone know dean foran from listowel?
he's such a nice bloke aint he.?? :rolleyes:
x
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1953 Photo

I’ll attempt to name some more people from the photo. As ”Listowel 8” pointed out – many are not from the town but quite a few can be recognised. Many in the photo are now deceased but not forgotten. Maybe these names will jog the memories and some more can be identified. I have left a blank when I didn’t know a first name.
Starting on the right at the back. The lad with the white shirt, hands on knees is John Keane, O’Connell’s Ave. Toddy Griffin is on his right. In front of Junior Griffin are Maurice Cahill, Eugene McGuinness, _______ O’Mahony, Ned Boursin and (I think) Maurice Kennelly. Peggy Walsh is also there with her hand to her hair. Joe Guerin is further in – someone’s leg is in sticking up beside him. The third person to Joe’s left is Mrs. Clementine Crowley and next to her is Kit Medell.

Middle row:- The first lady – just showing half face – is Anna May Glavin. Next is Mrs. Sullivan, Charles St. (profile). Next is Mrs. Enright also Charles St. In the white jacket and floral dress is Ms._____ Carroll of the Red Cottages. The third person in from her is Mrs. Howard and on her right is Mrs. Flaherty, mother of Eileen Flaherty (married to Victor Broderick).
Further along that row, the couple wearing glasses are Mr. and Mrs Buckley. He worked in the E.S.B. (Nuala’s father.) The next three ladies are Babe Sullivan (Dillane), Mrs. Andrew Griffin and Mary Whelan, Market St.
Towards the end of that row with his back to the railing and wearing an overcoat and hat is a Mr. Morgan, an American gentleman who lived in Colbert St. On his left is Lizzie Fitz, his housekeeper, and the young girl with her arm around Lizzie’s neck is Marie Nelligan.

Front row, from the right again:- Already identified are the Sullivan children, Paddy Moloney, the Scanlon girls and Gene Moriarty. The chap who is reclining is ____ Holly, I think. Sitting directly in front of Mrs. Andrew Griffin is her good friend, Mrs. Nora Flaherty. The young dark-haired boy standing in front of Mr. Morgan is the late John Behan of Colbert St.

Does anyone recognise anyone else?

Historical footnote: The railing that the people are leaning and which surrounded the playing field was, I am told, originally part of the Lartigue Railway.

The “Bawn’s Cave” was more of a recess in the rock face than a cave. It was in the wooded area that runs beside Foley’s Fields – somewhere opposite the Diving Board, as far as I can recall. Boroman is correct when he says that some artefacts were found there. I can remember seeing a well-fashioned arrowhead that someone had found there about 1956/57. It may have been P.J.Halpin who found it. Other pieces were found also and I seem to remember that the site was visited about that time by an archaeologist from Cork University. The last time I was there, many years ago, you could make out some initials that a previous generation of young lads had carved on the rockface. Not prehistoric carvings, I hasten to add. Listowel’s literary history goes back a fair while but hardly to the Neolithic Period!
The name itself, “The Bawn’s Cave”, is interesting. Could it be a corruption of the Irish word “Gobán”? Gobán means a builder or craftsman. Maybe Boroman can shed more light on the matter?

How do I opened up this file?

I think the contributers to the Listowel Thread will have to organise an outing to all these wonderful places. We could have a swim and a picnic at the Falls!