LISTOWEL has a new lord of the Feale, Listowel drisheen maker Matthew O'Donoghue, 20, was declared as this year's winner of the title during the town's Harvest Festival.

Matthew ( pictured) is a local lad and a popular winner by all accounts. The competition is a fund-raising venture for the Festival and was sponsored by Feale Products. Matthew came out on top because he sold more votes than the other three contestants.

It was a close contest, Matthew said. He was "delighted" to have won. His efforts were rewarded with a trophy which he can keep, and a chain of office which changes hands each year.

The small price which Matthew has to pay for being Listowel's new Lord of the Feale is to attend various functions during the 1980 Harvest Festival. He also had to stand on stage and make a speech prior to the presentation of prizes after the All-Ireland Wrenboy competition on Friday night last.

Appearing in public shouldn't be any bother to an outgoing young man like Matthew O'Donoghue. He's an apprentice butcher in Listowel. He describes himself as "a professional drisheen-maker". Working with meat hasn't turned Matthew into a vegetarian either. "I love lamp chops," he revealed to The Kerryman.

He's very much involved in the town's social life too. Sport is his first love. Besides being secretary of the local badminton club, he's the county junior singles champion in the sport.

He's a keen supporter of the local juvenile footballers too. When he's not playing badminton or driving around the young players to their games, Matthew is likely to be playing tennis or snooker.

The new Lord Mayor of the Feale is a gamey fellow in more ways than one. He's connected with the "Apollo 5 Disco" as well. He and three others play mostly in Listowel for youngsters.

Matthew is an ambitious fellow. "I'd like to marry in about six years time," he said. Family life should come easy for him. He comes from a large one himself. "I'm the lucky one," he said explaining that he has five brothers and five sisters and that he is right in the middle.

In 1979 he lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O'Donoghue.