Issue 120. History Amongst Us

WILLOW, SEAGRASS, SEINE BOATS, STARS

August 14, 2026

Good Morning and Welcome,

To issue No.120. Fingers crossed most of you can still read this & have fully recovered from the irreparable damage we’ve done to our eyes this week.

South Kerry by the numbers

Apparently there’s a big Euromillions tonight, with that in mind

  • 285: People are on the live register at Caherciveen social welfare office as of July 2026. Up 1 since June.

  • 30: Of these are under 25. Up 3 since June.

  • 151: Of these are Women over 25 years of age. Which was equal to Junes figures

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

Empty. It could be you.

Our new historical landmark recreates a landmark piece of history.

Recognise the guy in the middle?

Of course you do. It’s Ironman Mick Murphy, joined by family members L-R Mary McCarthy, Sean McCarthy, Phil McCarthy and John McCarthy. The recent unveiling of the statue in Cahersiveen town park has made possible the impossible.

L-R: Mary (McCarthy) Bradley, Sean McCarthy and Phil (McCarthy) Murphy. Isn’t that just brilliant? The very definition of a community amenity. A statue conceived for and delivered by the people of Cahersiveen to celebrate their history, enabling the people of Cahersiveen to celebrate their history. Unreal.

Massive thanks to Paul Murphy of Murphy’s Barbers for sharing. Some man for a haircut & an exquisite line of balding related puns. Three on the backs & sides & a ‘miracle’ on top being a stand out for me.

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

Something entirely different this week. Where is this?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • MOS 

  • Donna 

  • DMac

  • Noreen K

  • Eileen

  • Val

Mighty stuff one and all. Special mention to DMac for the use of the Oracle ‘of course’ in the answer, excellent work!

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

She’s back and she’s walking.

Dear Readers,

Happy Friday to you all!

This week, while out walking, I spied some blackberries asking to be plucked. Yipee, I love blackberries, so I returned in the afternoon sun with a bag which I filled to the brim. A bounty. 

The more I looked, the more I noticed. The blackberries hung full and juicy, they had made their own way through hedges and fences. Protected by spikes and other long grass, in some places the fruit smiled at me, completely unreachable.

As I gathered the berries, I lost myself, and was lost to the world. Hidden down country lanes, alone. Such joyful simplicity. My deep pleasure at being there with grasses, plants, butterflies and bees. A natural deepening of breath; I felt my shoulders lower, a smile on my face. 

My thoughts roamed freely: images of bringing the harvest home to my children, of leaning into the old ways, of gathering and gratitude, filling from hand and earth. No need for plastic and diesel or production lines. 

 Rediscovering treasures like this are essential to our future survival, my body knows it, I sense it in how my hands pick the fruit. An old tradition that invites me to remember the relationship between us and nature. The nutrients and joy that nature provides freely. 

Her generosity and care. 

I felt giddy, cared for and supported.

I want to find ways to return the favour.

Have a lovely weekend

 

Thanks Agnes

The Oracle Cartoon

This week, Tim brings a familiar view of Reenroe

Thanks, Tim!

Best Ice Cream in South Kerry

This week that lead is getting eaten into. Browne’s Ballinskelligs fly up the leaderboard to give us a three-way tie for third, with Devlins & An Bothan. An Bothan remains the only place in South Kerry for vegan ice creams; is that correct?

So, who gets your vote?

Also, to those winners waiting on trophies. In true Oracle fashion, The Best Pint in South Kerry 2025, will be presented to The Lobster this weekend. When this weekend is yet to be decided, so you’ll just have to spend all weekend in there.

Everything Else

  • Willow Weaving on Wednesday in Sneem’s wild garden with the aptly named Daphne Bracken, more here

  • There’s a Seagrass SUP & Snorkel at Derrynane Tuesday, more here

  • Stargazing at Staigue Fort tomorrow evening from 9.30pm more here

  • Enjoy Rock Art & the River Behy tomorrow afternoon

  • How deep can you dive into the ships & stories of Waterville’s cable heritage? Fathoms

  • The Guiney Sisters play Tig Rosie’s Ballinskelligs tomorrow from 9pm

  • Robin Turner brings acoustic ballads to the Derrynane Coast Hotel this evening

  • Best of luck to all crews heading to Bantry for the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championship this weekend. You can hear the history of these boats next Friday, more here

Thanks

For reading.

To Tim & Agnes.

If you hadn’t guessed it’s Heritage Week this week, all Kerry events here

Good luck, be well.

Dave