- published: 18 Mar 2016
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Listowel (Irish: Lios Tuathail, meaning "Tuathal's ringfort") is a market town in County Kerry, Ireland, and is situated on the River Feale, 28 km (17 mi) from the county town, Tralee. The combined population of Listowel Urban and Rural Districts is 22,668; the town itself has a population of 4,338 (CSO census 2006).
The town is sometimes described as the "Literary Capital of Ireland", and a number of internationally known playwrights and authors have lived there, including Bryan MacMahon and John B. Keane. Of Listowel, the latter wrote:
Listowel is on the N69 Limerick - Foynes - Tralee road. Bus Éireann provides daily services to Tralee, Cork, and Limerick. The nearest railway station is Tralee. Listowel used to have its own railway station on a broad gauge line between Tralee and Limerick city, however this was closed to passengers in 1963, freight in 1978 and finally abandoned and lifted in 1988. The station building has been preserved as a private residence.
Listowel is located at the head of the North Kerry limestone plain. Positioned in the very heart of North Kerry, on the River Feale, its hinterland is an area of mainly dairy agricultural use. The barony of Iraghticonnor is to the north, with the barony of Clanmaurice to the south. Surrounding villages include Asdee, Ballybunion, Ballyduff, Ballylongford, Causeway, Duagh, Lisselton, Lixnaw, Moyvane, Finuge and Tarbert.
Sacred spirit of the mountain
Ancient ones who reside here
We offer you a song of greeting
So that our way may be clear
Sacred spirit of the forest
Ancient ones who reside here
We offer you a song of greeting
So that our way may be clear
Sacred spirit of the water
Ancient ones who reside here
We offer you a song of greeting
So that our way may be clear
Sacred spirit all around us
Ancient ones who reside here
We're asking now for thou blessing