Issue 48. Council, Counsel, Console

Dark Skies, Puzzle, Hedgehogs

March 28, 2025

Good Afternoon and Welcome,

To issue No.48: This week, a bumper edition, I won’t keep you.

South Kerry by the numbers:

  • 271,096: € was the average sale price of houses in the V23 eircode area in January 2025

  • 138,167: € was the price paid by first time buyers

  • 1: There is currently just 1 property available under that price that isn’t a ruin, I mean, you’d struggle to live in it as it stands

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Kenmare Municipal District Council

So I’ve got a link to the meeting, audio working, due to start at 10am, exciting stuff

10:10; We’re off, going through a plan that we all have in front of us, apart from me.

10:17; Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae points out the audio is terrible; he’s spot on.

10:19; We’re back on, a man from the council is reading a plan that we can also, see on screen. The audio is better, I think, but the document is being moved either slightly after, or before, he’s started/finished talking about it. It’s a bit like being in the room next door to an auction.

10:28; I’ve found the plan. We’ve lost one, participants down from 13 to 12, and we’ve also made it to page 17. Sorry 20 now, just reams of tables with various funding allocations for roads mainly. Others in the room keep having a conversation in the room, a shame it’s inaudible really.

10:32; Cllr Healy-Rae interrupts again to say he’d like to see Kerry County Council draining constantly. Also, any development on a bridge repair he’s been asking about for 7 years. I can’t concentrate on what he’s saying because his audio is so much clearer; it’s like a warm bath for your ear.

10:37; Cllrs Dan McCarthy, Teddy O’sullivan-Casey & Moriarty all raise a variety of roads, focusing heavily on bridges, but I long for Johnny to come back purely for the sake of my ears.

10:41; Back up to 13. Cllr Cahill makes the point when repairing bridges, we should, where possible, attempt to finish the repairs. Also that Cahersiveen seems to have got €200.000 more funding, than Killorglin, which isn’t fair. Neither is life Councillor!

10:45; A nameless bridge in Dunloe has funding for repair. Shameful. Not one Council member has come in on this serious issue. What should we name it?

10:50; We’re back in the room, the council representatives are responding to the various queries. I’ve since found an agenda, which in the first 4 pages is fascinating by comparison, someone has just made a saxaphone type noise though.

10:58; We’ve accepted the plan unanimously, which makes you wonder why it took an hour. Cllr Norma Moriarty has just made this hour worth spending by suggesting the Council revisit a plan to create a blueway between Glenmore & Lough Currane, apparently there was a comprehensive consultation previously & it wouldn’t take a lot of money & “it would make a fabulous day out”. It absolutely would.

11:06; We’re all in agreement that we should continue to put the pressure on for a full respite centre in Beaufort.

11:11; Graveyards now. KCC have bought 5 acres to extend one in Templenoe. Cllr O’sullivan-Casey points out we should look at Sneem too, as these graveyards are “filling up fast”. To all Sneem residents, I wish you continued good health.

11:19; Cllr Cahill has advised there are rats in Glenbeigh the size of “a cat or a dog”. It was for emphasis though, don’t think he meant it.

11:27; Cllr Moriarty is pushing the council for improving the main street in Cahersiveen. Residents are living in fear of cars jumping the pavement, was for emphasis, but she meant it.

11:40; Transport Infrastructure Ireland have told us we can’t have crash barriers on the N70 at Murreagh, Waterville. Cllr O’Sullivan-Casey is not having it and says we should go back to them. We should, it’s an 8ft drop in places.

11:44; We’re on to questions, which seems remarkably similar to the last bit. There’s plans for a footbridge/path leaving Waterville village, going for planning next month, with significant opposition from landowners apparently. Amazing what you learn at a council meeting, isn’t it?

12:05; We’re still talking about roads. You’d think the council would be mad for public transport, just to avoid hours & hours of this. In fairness, we did have 10 minutes on bus shelters, we aren’t getting any anytime soon.

12:13; Roads.

12:26; My browser crashed. Sewers.

12:32; Roads. With specific reference to entrances.

12:44; Rates. Well, for the last 5 minutes we’ve been discussing the venue for the next meeting, somewhat controversially, Cromane has been decided upon.

12:46; AOB.

12:51; All done.

Wasn’t that fun? I bet you’re looking forward to May 30th already.

A new game

Taking inspiration from The New York Times, a new puzzle. Click below to play

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

Another two parter this week, where is it AND what’s on it?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Craig

  • Noreen K

Thanks to the readers, both of you, that got in touch to petition for the inclusion of answers. Well, last week, both of these correctly advised the sign was located at Waterville Beach, however, veteran of the competition Craig gets the mega bonus points for also identifying “temporary dwellings prohibited, no overnight parking” was written on it. Am I the only one calling this ‘middle beach’? Please reply if you do too.

Watch Out, Hogs are out

Ballinskelligs God of small things Chris has been in touch to advise that Hedgehog dating season is officially now open. Which means time for us all to be more vigilant on the roads, that thing in front of you that might be a bit of turf, might not be, so mind them.

We will start a directory

It’s coming. If you want your business to be top of the list, click that button below

Auntie Agnes Answers

We’re saved.

This week, a reader asks;

Dearest Agnes

Unless you are a millionaire, it's becoming nearly impossible to dine out in South Kerry (or indeed anywhere in Ireland) so high are prices now. Does Agnes know of any place in SK that offers value for money to eat out in?

He who is dying of starvation for want of a good feed.

Agnes Answers;

Dear Reader who is dying of starvation for want of a good feed,

It is a very difficult predicament indeed. Eating out is now a rare treat. Not only is it extremely expensive but there are fewer & fewer establishments to frequent.

I have begun to host dinner parties, get some friends together, dinner, drinks & dancing in the comfort of your own home - splendid!

Then you get to go to other homes and do the same. It’s back to basics I’m afraid as I hear prices are due to hike again!!! 

Nought wrong with some homemade chips and eggs that are made with love !! 

Hoping this helps 

Keep in touch 

You need her help. Just 

The Oracle’s 24th Cartoon

Almost certainly my favourite so far. As ever, thanks Tim.

Everything Else

  • The Inny Tavern have smashed their fundraising goal, but that doesn’t mean it’s over donate here

  • The Dark Sky Festival is on now & all weekend, everything here

  • Seamus Healy is playing at Foilmore Community Centre on Saturday 29th March.

    Doors open at 8.15. Dancing at 9.00. Raffle with lots of prizes. All welcome

  • Stop reading this and get over to the Bridge Cafe in Sneem, thoroughly decent individuals that they are, todays sales will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society.

  • The council are looking for proposals for culture night, more here 

  • An Odd Few play the Villa, tonight.

  • Cois Tra in Ballinskelligs are finalising plans for the coming season & offer a look back at the fun we had last year

  • Cahersiveen Festival are on the look out for volunteers, have you 2-5 hours in a month spare? You do of course. Just get in touch.

Looking for a car?

Fiat 500. 2010. 1.2L Petrol. 89000km. NCT.   Good Condition. €4200 Ono. Get a few shamrocks on there, would be ideal for the parade.

Contact 087 2255676 or drop over a message 

Thanks

Late now, isn’t it?

To the two still waiting on magnets You’ll have two this week, you will, appalling stuff on my behalf, sorry.

If you have any ideas, events, suggestions, feedback, stories, characters, or dramas that you think should be in this email, just hit reply.

Good luck, be well

Dave