Issue 71. I'm the Creamery Cross, I Rise to the Top...

Hornet, Birds, People, Roads

September 05, 2025

Good Morning and Welcome,

To issue No.71. It’s an unbelievably busy one. So I won’t keep you

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 55: years old. A Manx Shearwater was recorded in Co. Down in 2003, originally ringed in 1953, making it the oldest living recorded bird.

  • 573: Of them call Skellig Michael home (as of 2021).

  • 2000: Young shearwaters begin their first migrations of up to 2000km alone.

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

This week's sponsor is the Festival of Wool & Cloth who will be holding a 'Festival of Botanical Colours' at Tech Amergin.

Full programme and ticket details to follow.  They'll be using lots of local, botanical materials as well as ones like real Indigo, which come from further afield. 

They are looking forward to seeing you there.

And Another

Relax and Reset on Sunday, it was made for it after all. Book Here

Have you seen this Hornet?

Remember this menacing looking individual? A few weeks ago you’ll remember an Asian Hornet was spotted in Cork. Those fine people managed to locate and destroy the hive; unfortunately, another has been spotted this week, so likely at least one other hive. If you spot one, try and stop yourself running away long enough to grab a picture. Take that picture and upload here.

Have you seen these birds?

These are fledgling Manx shearwaters, highly impressive aviators but not the greatest on land, so if you see any, they need your help. Carefully collect the bird, put it in a cardboard box and take it down to the nearest beach after dark. For more detailed & authoritative instructions, take a look at this video from local wildlife champion Vincent Hyland. Thanks too, go to the Oracle’s resident protector of birds, Chris, who reminded me to remind you.

Have you seen these People?

You must have. These fine souls were out throughout South Kerry this week to highlight the pension plight of our school caretakers & secretaries. It’s a shocking state of affairs, best summed up in the words of our very own Fr. Sean:

“We stand in solidarity with our school secretaries and caretakers, valued members of Fórsa, who took to the streets this week to make their voices heard. We recognise their vital role in our schools and pray for a just and positive resolution to their concerns.”

Massive thanks go to Mary McGarvey for highlighting the issue, providing the pics, and essentially doing all the work!

Have you seen this Consultation?

This is the proposed widening/calming/other things proposal for the Creamery Cross turn just outside Cahersiveen. If I’ve learned anything whilst reporting on all topics planning, I’ve learned that the people of South Kerry are not shy in submitting their opinions. So I was surprised to find, that as of today, the last day you can make a submission, there aren’t any.

Which is even more surprising when the issues around this made the front page of the Kerryman two weeks ago Now, this maybe another case of submissions being made without the council bothering to upload them, but, just as equally, it might not be. You have until 4pm, voice your opinion here.

Also, the first person to respond with the next line of the song from the title of this email wins a magnet.

Best Broadband in South Kerry?

Given the broadband rollout is actually available to many of us, this is the last week for this survey. If you haven’t already, please fill in this form

  • Starlink maintains the best average, with 243Mbps.

  • Ivertec is the most popular provider, but is 5th in the list for average speed.

  • Eir has an even higher fastest recorded speed at 488Mbps..

The more we have, the better it will be. Go here, click go, record the number below

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

After an unprecedented amount of entries last week, I’ve realised that yourselves are more engaged with signs inside of local hostelries. However, contrary to public opinion, I’m not in on every week, so here’s a nice easy one to compensate. Where is it?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Hugh 

  • Marion O’Neill

  • Hugh Again

  • David fitz 

  • jayzizzle 

  • Winking Emoji

  • No name

Well done all. For any of you who didn’t know it was, of course, a plaque with James Joyce’s head, which has found its new home in The Lobster Bar, previously residing in the Fisherman’s.

We will start a directory

Honestly, I thought September would be quiet. We will, we will, we will. Just not this week. If you want your business to be top of the list, click that button below

Auntie Agnes Answers

Will she be back next week? It’s entirely up to you. Ease all the ills that life brings you. Just

The Oracle’s 37th Cartoon

This week, Tim’s changed.

Thanks Tim!

Everything Else

  • You can swim again in Ballinskelligs as of yesterday, you mad things.

  • Barry McGrath plays Franks Bar, Cahersiveen from 9pm tonight

  • Martin Larkin plays D. O’Shea’s Sneem tomorrow evening.

  • Justin Flynn plays the Villa, Waterville tonight from 9pm

  • Theres a seashore bio blitz & beach clean at White Strand tomorrow with Sea Synergy, more here

  • Improve your Irish, starting 11th September more here

Got your tickets yet?

Featuring the World’s greatest Cartoonist & the best spot prize category you’ll ever witness.

Thanks

Thanks for reading.

Thanks specifically to the reader who got in touch last week to advise that I did not make a mistake! That the planners, for reasons unkown, delayed the publication of the Reenroe appeal. I had hoped to investigate this week, but just couldn’t justify giving it the time it needed. If you’d like to help these kinds of investigations, you can support them by clicking here

As ever, anything strange or wonderful, just hit reply.

Good luck, be well

Dave