Castle View Cafe - Listowel

I visited the “open mike” at Listowel’s Seanchai, There was nobody there to listen to... Well.. nobody but me. What was I to do in that hallowed place. Where great names and faces those halls did grace. I sat awhile and mused, On great old days gone by, A town of literary talent, Yet nobody here . But I. A new arrival to be sure. Very nervous and insecure. Did I belong there , Yes I did, My thoughts and dreams of playwrights bid Me stay and write this little ode, To poets and writers Near sweet Listowel, Who stayed at home this lovely day, Without ever knowing, What I had to say, Well I am here, and this is my piece, It has given my mind ... Sweet release. B. O’Shea

Popped in earlier in the week for a coffee have to say the nicest Americano I have had in a while -just yummy coffee will be heading to the Seanchai again soon for coffee and treats

Amazing little gem. Just had time for a quick visit yesterday but will be back for the full tour. Thanks to Tom Fitzgerald for all his help.

While visiting from the United States, my daughter and I passed through Listowel while traveling from Dingle to Galway. There was nothing in our guidebook that encouraged us to stop in Listowel, but hunger and the need for a bathroom break insisted that we do so. We grabbed a bite and then headed to our car which was parked near The Seanchai. We decided we might take a quick peek at the museum and take advantage of its facilities. As we entered, we were quickly asked if we were interested in the guided tour. We were reluctant to say that we were there principally for the bathrooms, so said we that while would skip the tour, we did plan to glance around the museum. But we were encouraged to take the tour, and frankly, feeling just a tiny bit obligated, we entered into the museum as my daughter and I exchanged dubious glances. Perhaps there was a bit of eye-rolling involved. We first got the sense that we had undersold this marvelous tour when our guide pulled out a rhythm instrument and sang one of the songs that was performed in a play, Sive, written by the first writer John B. Keene. We were beyond delighted and it only got better. The tour was filled with small, personal stories unlike what one would read in a textbook. Our guide displayed knowledge, admiration and seeming empathy for events in each author's life that shaped him into the writer that he became. He recited touching poetry and told poignant tales, all for his audience of two. We had requested the 30-minute tour, but happily lingered for an hour longer than we had planned. As we exited, we looked at each other and laughed out loud at our good fortune. We could have so easily missed this experience that left us feeling moved, intrigued and a bit more educated about the Kerry writers. In our delight, we failed to tip our guide but we went to their donations page to make a modest pledge in gratitude for our host whose name we did not record to memory, but whom we feel certain is a bit of a poet himself. Many thanks, and we would encourage anyone who finds themselves in the vicinity to take advantage of this modest but lovely gem