St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre is the centre-piece of Listowel’s magnificent Square. Located in a Church of Ireland Gothic style church, the Centre features an annual programme of performances including theatre, music & dance, exhibitions, educational programmes and annual summer school.

This building is now the focal point of a Plaza at the top of Courthouse Road, that also includes the new library and Halla an Phiarsaigh. The courthouse building was renovated in 1999, and its neo-Roman facade was preserved. We hope it will escape the fate of an earlier courthouse on the same site, which was burned by republicans on May 5th 1922.

Pat McAuliffe (1846-1921) left his mark on his native Listowel in the form of some unique items of plasterwork, the most famous of which is The Maid of Erin. This depicts a Romantic image of Mother Ireland surrounded by a harp, a wolfhound and other symbols of Eire. Other examples of this craftsman's work can be seen on shopfronts around the town, notably Mai Quinlan's and The Harp and Lion in Church Street, and also in Castleisland. The Maid was at the centre of a controversy in 1999 when a new owner decided to "cover her dignity" and painted a dress on her famous bosom. A lively debate ensued and he was persuaded to return her to her original semi-nude state.

Built in 1829, St Mary's is centrally situated in the Square. It was renovated and a spire and porch added in1865. The side aisles were added in 1910. In line with reforms that followed Vatican II, much of the old altar was removed and the pulpit taken out. Local folklore has a story that Lord Listowel prevailed upon the clergy to ring the Angelus bell at 7.00 pm so that he could get an extra hour�s work from his men. In late 1998, a huge job of rewiring and painting the church was undertaken.

This is a nineteenth century cottage, now carefully reconstructed in Childers Park. It appears, in its original location, as the first house in Bridge Road in the O. S. map of 1897. It was then a gate lodge to the manor of the agents of Lord Listowel.