Celebrating the Leb’ and much more at Listowel History Festival
THERE’S another brilliant May Bank Holiday weekend in the offing in Listowel as the hugely-successful Military Tattoo of recent years returns as the rebranded and more expansive Listowel History Festival.
Celebrating and highlighting the unique history and heritage of Irish people everywhere, events include lectures, walks, battle re-enactments, living history displays, commemorative ceremonies and an arts & craft fair.
This year there is a very strong emphasis on the Lebanon as the festival commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Irish Defence Forces’ participation in UN peace-keeping duties there as part of the UNIFIL mission. Up to 47 Irish soliders lost their lives in the Lebanon and they will be remembered at the parade on Saturday at 3pm.
A first for the festival is the Kingdom Comic Fest which will be held in the Listowel Arms on Sunday with special guests, video games, writers, artists, small press, crafters, vendors, cosplay, movie memorabilia and more.
Another new item this year will be the TV and movie cars on display in the Living History Field off the bridge road. Kitt the car from Knight Rider, the A-Team Van and two cars from The Dukes of Hazzard – Rosco P Coltrane’s patrol car and The General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger – will be on display.
Second World War battle re-enactments will, as ever, be at the heart of the weekend with the Square exploding into life on Sunday.
Sunday night sees a movie-themed disco in the Arms hotel with DJ Martin Howard. Disco-goers have the option to come dressed as their favourite movie star or in military/ veteran uniform. Also this year Justin Horgan will give a talk on the Luftwaffe over Kerry in The Seanchaí on May 4 at 8pm. Dr Mary McAuliffe will meanwhile address ‘Irish Women, the Vote & the 1918 General Election’ on May 5 at 8pm.