Issue 65. Kenmare Municipal District Council, Series 1, Epidode 3.

Hike, Knotweed, Roads, Vacant

July 25, 2025

Good Morning and Welcome,

To issue No.65. The latest episode of Kenmare Municipal District Council starts in 15 minutes. It’s tough going in parts, but over the last number of months, it’s become my favourite show. Unfortunately, I’ve not been given access as yet, but based on the show notes I have, that might be something of a blessing. Moving on…

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 623: Applications have been received by Kerry County Council for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant until the end of June this year.

  • 4,502,100: € in grants paid out so far in the same period.

  • 55,581: € was paid out on average per application. Given it’s a maximum grant of €50,000, that seems pretty good.

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

A new venture from some of South Kerry’s finest. Bask those brides in a bit of natural euphoria, go Zen Hen. More here

We’re in.

Life moves pretty fast in the political juggernaut that is Kenmare Municipal District. We’ve gone from outsiders to infiltrators in the time it takes to make a coffee, which, as herself insisted on one of those hot water taps, takes no time at all.

  • 10.01: Currently 4 in attendance, no councillors, all on mute, no cameras.

  • 10.04: Currently 7, one had a camera on briefly, but soon fell in with the crowd.

  • 10.06: Down to 6, still silent

  • 10.11: Up to 11!! Still no councillor or sound.

  • 10.12: Sound & vision, a room full of Councillors & a deputation from the Portmagee boatmen.

  • 10.17: Deputation is excellent & successful. Illustrating the limitations of the current setup in Portmagee & the council representative has confirmed they are going ahead with extending the pontoons & slipway. Permission is currently being sought from the maritime authority & should have a decision by the end of August. Construction, all being well, will begin towards the end of next year…

  • 10.23: Cllr. Johnny Healy-Rae phones in to congratulate & push for this to happen sooner. Cathaoirleach Norma Moriarty adds a bit of realism and reminds us all of the slow pace of things & the Council rep agrees, it will be the 2027 season before the new facilities could be used.

  • 10.44: Our second deputation of the day is from the residents of New Street, Cahersiveen &, fair play to them, they have come in numbers. The well known issues are well represented. Cathaoirleach Norma Moriarty, whilst explaining she is not one to exaggerate, describes it as the worst road in any town in Ireland. Cllr Dan McCarthy agrees and sees potential for cattle to be thrown from vehicles into people’s windows. Cllr Podge Foley points out that a road in Killarney would not be let go into such disrepair. Cllrs Cahill & Cllr O’Sullivan-Casey chime in with much the same Cllr Cahill going one step further to describe the state of the roads & footpaths as the worst in Europe. Cllr Healy-Rae strikes out for interim repairs from the council, given that it’s a National Road, therefore outside of the council’s remit.

  • 11.00: The council engineer doesn’t see interim repairs as feasible. He adds that this is their number one priority in terms of roads in the county.

  • 11.05: The residents respond that this is a classic case of ecominics being prioritised over people’s safety. Good point, well made.

  • 11.15: The deputation leaves & Cathaoirleach Norma Moriarty looks to add some pace to proceedings, all was going well until Cllr Tommy Cahill gets his Valentia Marina motion blown out of the water. In fairness, he makes a clear rebuttal, highlighting the demand for spaces in Dingle/Cahersiveen, the success of a similar council run project in Fenit.

  • 11.25: The compactor in Cahersiveen will be repaired by the end of August Cathaoirleach Norma Moriarty emphasises if it breaks down again this year, we’ll need a new one.

  • 11.30: It’s been the busiest, most interesting episode yet! Given you can have too much of a good thing, I’m going to leave it there; I just can’t take another 10 minutes of Killorglin’s sewers.

  • Other points of note specific to South Kerry. Japanese Knotweed is on the rise in Tarmons & Dromid. The council responds that it’s spreading on private land, so can’t do anything about it.

  • The council have looked into the provision of street lighting between St Finian’s Church & adjacent funeral home. There is potentially funding available & it will cost circa €10,216.

  • Waterville prom will get a dog fouling bin in the next two weeks.

  • Cllr Tommy Cahill has been reminded that the Skellig Star Hotel is privately owned & therefore the restoration of the swimming pool is out of the remit of the council.

Best Broadband in South Kerry?

Here is a picture of our results map & here’s a more interactive version. It’s lacking an update this week, blame the council, but the more we have the better it will be. Go here, click go, record the number below

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

As last week proved difficult, here’s a true icon of South Kerry. Where is it?

No winners last week, must try harder!!

We will start a directory

We will. Just not this week, blame the council. If you want your business to be top of the list, click that button below

Auntie Agnes Answers

To paraphrase Whitney Houston, we have nothing, nothing, nothiiiing, if we don’t have Agnes. Put her to work will you? What needs healing? Just

The Oracle’s 35th Cartoon

This week, Tim delves into the archive. This one is from 2019, there’s persistence for you!

Thanks Tim!

Everything Else

  • Caherdaniel Country Market is on now, what are you waiting for?

  • Are you a landowner in the uplands of Iveragh? Are you interested in a native woodland scheme? I hope so, and these good people do too

  • What does the Kenmare River mean to you? Lucy would like to hear your stories, more here

  • Whilst many of us will have plans for Sunday, for those not that way inclined, you kight fancy a hike up Drung hill on 27th July, reviving the tradition of gathering at the summit on the last Sunday of July to celebrate the arrival of Lughnasa. More here

  • John Spillane is in Dromid tomorrow evening, more here

  • Portmagee Indoor Market is back on Wednesdays 11-2 throughout the summer

  • Best of luck to The Idea Lounge on their launch in Cahersiveen this evening, more here

  • St Crohan’s festival takes place in Castlecove all weekend, duck race midday tomorrow, more here

Thanks

Did you know Davey Arthur lives in Cahersiveen? It’s since been confirmed that it’s Led Zeppelin in Waterville. Anymore of any more? Just hit reply.

Thanks for reading & anything strange or wonderful, just hit reply.

Good luck, be well

Dave