The Listowel Rural Women’s group was established by North, East and West Kerry Development just over 10 years ago.

It was aimed at women who lived in rural areas and who didn’t have that much opportunity to meet people.

The hook to get women to the pilot meeting was a talk on pensions – a surefire way of filling any hall.

Once there, they were asked about their needs and their answers led to the establishment of the group. And it’s gone from strength to strength ever since.

Current chair Mary Dillon is on her second term.

“The majority of our members are from a farming background; some are retired, while others are working part-time. We have a lot in common and get on very well together.”

Lots going on

The group meet every second Thursday from 8-10pm where they’ve had guest speakers on nutrition, interior design, laughter yoga, folklore, style and colour, from the Credit Union and lots more.

Over the years they have had classes on art, photography and first aid to name but a few. Their outings have taken them all over Munster and are very popular with members.

But it’s not just the meetings and outings that members support.

Some are involved in the Ard Curam choir while other members take part in Tuesday night’s “Go for Life” programme that includes guided exercises and badminton.

Then there’s aqua aerobics and swimming in Ballybunion Leisure Centre every Friday.

In the early days members paid €5 a night but now they pay €50 from September to Christmas and another €50 from January to June.

The group also receives funding from NEWKerry Development and the HSE.

If the comments of the members are anything to go by, Listowel Rural Women’s Group has served them well. Here’s to many more decades of success.

what the members have to say

Betty O’Sullivan has been with Listowel Women’s Group since the start and served as secretary for four years.

“Rural women need groups like ours. Our outings are great as are our guest speakers. Above all there’s the friendships we’ve made. You couldn’t put a value on it.”

Betty O'Sullivan and Patricia O'Sulliva.

Patricia O’Sullivan is from Finuge and it was a friend who kept asking her to join the “women’s group”. “I did, and I’ve never stopped coming. I’ve made so many new friends.”

Friendship and support also matters to Nodie Heaphy.

“I came to the first meeting by myself and it was easy because of the welcome I received. I live alone and I look forward to our Thursday meetings where the company is just great.”

Margaret Reidy has lived in Listowel for 38 years. When she retired seven years ago she heard about the group and knew it was exactly what she needed straight away.

“Friendship, support and a great welcome are the three things that I love about the group.”

“Listowel is a great place. I’m living here for 45 years and I wouldn’t move for anything,” says Betty Beasley.

“I heard about Listowel Rural Women’s group through the ICA. I remember being very nervous the first night but I was welcomed with open arms.

“And it’s been like that ever since. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“You are never without someone to go places with,” says Margaret Murphy.

She worked as a nurse in Kerry General for 15 years and found the group a great support when she retired.

Barbara Walsh is Listowel born and bred and has been a group member for eight years.

“Mary Dillon got me to join and it’s been an education. Everyone is so down-to-Earth and we work great together.”

Barbara Walsh and Maura Nolan.

Another long-time group member is Maura Nolan, who describes herself as a Tipperary transplant to Kerry.

Like so many of the other members she too is a dairy farmer and has been in the group since the start.

“I attended the first meeting by chance as I was supposed to be at a different event that night.

“I needed something and I found it in the group. I just love it. It’s educational and the friendships are wonderful.

“We are here for one another and our chairman, Mary Dillon gives great encouragement to us all.”

Pauline Hayes hails from Co Cavan and met her husband Patrick at the Rose of Tralee.

She worked as a bank official and he was a dairy farmer and they were both heavily involved in Macra na Feirme.

Pauline Hayes and Marie McMahon.

“I’m here from the start and I wouldn’t miss a meeting. What do I get from it? Companionship, fun, a bunch of great women, it helps us stay alive, especially when living on your own.”

Marie McMahon is a psychotherapist and she joined the group five years ago.

“I worked in Tralee but didn’t really know that many people in Listowel.

“What I’ve found is friendship, connection, a feeling of belonging and lots of useful information. It’s everything you’d want from a group.”

Rose McElligott is a dairy farmer from Lixnaw and is another long-term group member.

“The thing I like best are all the talks, I’ve learned so much about applying for grants, HSE funding and Age and Opportunity funding. It’s great for meeting people and making friendships.

“I was in the ICA but our local guild is disbanded and this fills the gap.”

Nodie Heaphy and Margaret Reidy.

Eileen Kennelly from Moyvane is another lifetime dairy farmer who has been part of the group since the beginning. She well remembers her first meeting.

“My neighbour rang to tell me about a talk on pensions in Listowel so the two of us went along.

“As well as the talk, they were looking for women to form a rural women’s group and I joined up there and then and I’m here since.

“I just love it. I love the talks, outings and the camaraderie. It’s like my sacred space.”

Retired teacher Mary Lyons is a native of Co Limerick and she and her family are dairy farmers outside Listowel.

Bridget Moore and Mary Lyons .

“I was teaching away from here so I didn’t know that many people locally. So when I retired a year ago I joined this group and it’s just wonderful. I look forward to every meeting.”

Bridget Moore farms in Moyvane and it’s her third year in the group. “It’s great for a social life and I love it.”

Veronica Kirby and Queenie Dillon.

Queenie Dillon is from Duagh on the Kerry/Limerick border and has been a dairy farmer all her life.

“I’ve been part of this group for seven years and I love everything about it. I love our outings and the courses we do. It’s a great way of mixing with people.

“My favourite thing was our photography class and the exhibition we held afterwards. I never thought I’d ever do anything like that.”

Veronica Kirby is also from Duagh and she is a dairy farmer with her husband Tim. She’s been a member almost from the start and is now group secretary.

“The best bits for me are the brilliant courses we do. I always wanted to do first aid and I did it through the group.

“Our speakers are all first class and now that I’m secretary I can see the work involved but effort pays off. I love when the group works together and pulls together.”