Listowel is located in the northern part of County Kerry. It is a half hours drive from the West coast of Ireland. This is where the famous Ballybunion Golf course is located. Listowel has a population of about 10,000 and is classified as a Heritage town. Listowel is known for its writers festival and spoken of as the Literary Capital of Ireland. Two prominent and internationally recognized playwrights lived in Listowel, Bryan MacMahon and John B. Keane. John B. Keanes’ statue is among the pictures I posted. In addition to the writers festival Listowel is known for; the Listowel horse races (seven day event/second only to the Galway races), Lartigue Monorailway, site of a famous mutiny during the Irish War of Independence, Earl of Listowel (currently Michael Francis Hare). It is a nice town with all of the amenities/shops one would need for a suitable lifestyle. The nicest hotel … The Listowel Arms Hotel (picture posted). I first met Michael Meehan and his wife Joan Doran Meehan at the Listowel Arms Hotel some 15 years ago. The best restaurant … Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant (picture posted). Above the Horseshoe is Behan’s B&B run by Diarmuid Behan. His parents Geri and Margaret run the Horseshoe. Best pub … that depends on what you are looking for in a pub. Mellow pub … Horseshoe Pub. Best Sunday night music … The Star & Garter (cousin Caroline works there). Rockish pub … Christys (picture posted). And about six others that cater to various groups.
History of the Listowel Castle: The Listowel Castle was built by the Fitzmaurice family, Lords of Kerry, in the 15th and 16th centuries and replaced a 13th century castle on the site. The castle stands strategically on an elevation overlooking a ford across the River Feale. The castle suffered damage during a 28 day siege by Sir Charles Wilmot who led his troops against the Fitzmaurices for disloyalty to the English crown. Queen Elizabeth I was ruler of England at the time. Today it remains one of the best examples of Anglo-Norman architecture in Kerry.
The site of Listowel Castle dominated a significant river crossing in an era when bridges were infrequent, temporary wooden structures, and subject to flood damage. The castle occupants controlled the local trade and as the castle flourished a village grew around its base, later to become the town of Listowel. The walls are almost 2 meters thick at the base. Similar in style as the Bunratty Castle, County Clare.