Issue 74. Kenmare Municipal District Council, Series 1, Epidode 4

Wool, Bees, HEDGES, Choir

September 26, 2025

Good Morning and Welcome,

To issue No.73. Is September summer now? Haven’t we had a treat of a week. This week, we’ve another council meeting. Will the mystery of the Waterville promenade dog fouling bins be solved? Will New Street be confirmed as the worst road in the known galaxies? All might be revealed, exciting, isn’t it?

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 8: Mentions for Sneem in the September Council meetings Agenda.

  • 3: For Waterville & Portmagee.

  • 2: For Caherciveen.

  • 1: For Cahersiveen.

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

Ever fancied yourself as a beekeeper? You have, haven’t you? So here’s your chance from an expert and a gentleman.

And Another

Those nice woolly types at the Festival of Botanical Colours wanted me to let you know that they will be making ink from oak galls gathered locally, you will also be able to have a go at some rudimentary weaving,  Paddy Bushe will be reading some nature poems and poems about colours and tapestries in Irish and English. And there is going to be a Wool & Vintage Haberdashery swap table on Sunday 26th.   See poster for details.  Tickets here

This is Council Meeting No.4

Well, it will be if they let me in.

10.09: We’re in. But I’ve got a delivery.

10.12: It wasn’t even for me. Killorglin heavy as we speak, traffic calming/street lighting/CCTV. I haven’t been sent an agenda, so can’t skip to the exciting bits, I do hope they exist.

10.21: I’ve just received 7 reports, not an agenda between them.

10.28: Cllr. Podge Foley makes an excellent motion towards the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Glenbeigh. His point is reinforced by the fact that his microphone seems to be the only in the room that can transmit consonants.

10.33: Thankfully(?) Cllr. Johnny Healy-Rae’s sheer volume laughs in the face of a poor performing microphone. He’s very disappointed in Irish Water. There’s less water in Kenmare than there was in 2008.

10.42: Cllr. Norma Moriarty is in the motion of all motions!! Would the council look at erecting signs notifying tourists on the Ring of Kerry that laybys are approaching and should be used! Fabulous news. It’s by far my biggest whinge of living here.

10.44: There’s a crossed line and I’ve another delivery.

11.00: I couldn’t find the delivery; it still wasn’t for me. I’ve missed a good bit. Someone has put forward a motion that the council should put together a commemoration event to mark the centenary in 2027 of Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight that landed in Portmagee. They should.

11.10: I’ve got an agenda!!! Kudos to Cllr. Tommy Griffin for the Charles Lindbergh motion. Cllr. Norma Moriarty is taking names and apportioning… responsibility, for the development, or lack of. on the Carnegie Centre in Cahersiveen. The project was due to go to tender in January 2025. The council have confirmed the deadline for tender submissions is now October 24th 2025. The council will produce a tender evaluation document by October 31st & appoint a contractor immediately. Construction will take 15 months. Allegedly.

11.23: Either the mics have gotten worse, or now that I have an agenda, I’ve less hope of anything else exciting. There are another four, sorry five, motions to come on hedge cutting, we’ve already had two.

11.32: We’re racing through now, thankfully, focusing on bridges now.

12.02: I’ve zoned out completely. I might record the next one & develop the world’s first South Kerry white noise machine. Hope you’ve had as much fun as I have. The Waterville dog fouling bin mystery remains unsolved, & I missed the bit about New Street, sorry. They are still at it, fair play to them.

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

One for the day that’s in it, you know where, don’t you?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Dave Shortall

    Well done Dave, who correctly identified that it was the wonderful Skelligs Soaps last week

COMPETITION TIME

Join Louise Sunday, October 12th, for a Restorative Yoga session in the wonderful ReWild Studio, Cahersiveen - because we all need to rest, to experience deep restorative rest.

This is a special monthly session to deeply relax, while restoring and replenishing energy. Join Louise, an experienced and caring teacher as she guides you into supported poses lying on your mat with cosy cushions and blankets.

Each pose is carefully selected to support your body and mind in the current season. Louise will also guide you through a deeply relaxing meditation to reflect what’s happening in the natural world around us.

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

Dearest Reader, 

I’ve recently been gifted the opportunity to slow down, work less & have more free spaces in the week. I’m challenged to leave the spaces even though it is too free to lounge around, do things I enjoy, meet people I truly like. All these things I really need and long to do. And yet, regularly I find I’ve filled in the space with a less desirable activity- usually work-related! 

I’m having to admit that I need to address this as it’s out of balance, and I want to rest but can’t! The problem is, I get so much praise and validation. Society values over working, and I notice how good it feels to hear that I’m “some woman”*. However, lately I’m becoming increasingly aware of the cost to me for continuing to overwork like this. 

I notice how uncomfortable it is to tell people I’ll be taking more time to myself. Many assume I’m not well. 

But I must, to create the life and health that I want to live, I must restore some balance. I must step off the treadmill, cool down and rest. 

This I’m sure, will bring more joy, peace and fun. And I definitely want more of these in my days.

I’ll let you know how it’s going!

And invite you all to try the same …

Go well 

Agnes 

*She is indeed, some woman.

The Oracle’s 40th Cartoon

This week, well, see for yourselves

Divine. Thanks, Tim!

Everything Else

  • Win yourself a hotel for two in Dublin for a fiver!! Tickets to Ireland Vs South Africa too tickets here

  • Is it a school in a hedge, or a hedge in a school? You can find out tomorrow here

  • Ballinskelligs have their pattern festival all weekend, more here 

  • Who doesn’t love a sing song at Christmas? Join in here

  • Fancy a knit? Or a natter? Both? Tide & Thyme have you covered here

  • Build yourself a lego house in Cahersiveen library tomorrow. 11am & 3pm.

  • James Murray will give a presentation on his research to date on the folklore collection of Tadhg O Murchu at 7.30 this evening, Halla Pobail in Ballinskelligs.

  • The next Tionól gathering, Wednesday 1st October, architect Fionn McCan will discuss his renovation project. More here

JUST ANNOUNCED!!!

A great cause organised by great people

Thanks

Thanks for reading. Long one, wasn’t it?

This week, the final words go to Banks

After 80 wonderful years, we will be finally closing our doors on Friday, 26th September 2025.

I want to sincerely thank all of our customers, neighbours, staff, friends, and all the local children who have supported us along the way.

Your loyalty, kindness, and encouragement have made this shop more than just a business.

Though this chapter is coming to an end, the memories and connections we've shared will always stay with us.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Alma

Good luck, be well

Dave