Issue 76. Adventures in Questioning

Healthy Farmers, Ancient Mariners

October 10, 2025

Good Morning and Welcome,

To issue No.76. Mild enough, isn’t it?

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 2,935: Parliamentary questions have been asked by Kerry T.D’s in 2025

  • 68: Of these were about hospital appointments, the most popular topic.

  • 62: Of these were about energy policy, the second most popular topic, tied with departmental funding.

  • 58: Questions were asked on the topics of mental health services, disability services & departmental data, making these the joint third most popular topics

  • 48: Questions were asked about greenways provision, by far the most of any constituency.

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

Whatever happened? Consultation goes so slow

So in a week where our presidential election got a good bit more exciting, I thought just what you needed would be a bit more politics.

Local though & not a smear in site

Following on from last week’s medium-sized reveal that the South Kerry Greenway would be open (phase 1, whatever that is), which I have yet to receive a reply from the Council about. It got me thinking about other responses that I haven’t received. Remember this?

You do, don’t you? If not, this map was the basis of a consultation that I and many of you attended, a week shy of a year ago, to determine the preferred route for the Cahersiveen to Reenard section of the Greenway. For those of you wishing to refresh your memory, it’s all here

The project was set to follow the following timeline;

In reality, the consultation closed on November 15th last year and has not been spoken of since. At all.

To give credit to our local T.D’s both Pa Daly & Michael Cahill, have been committed to getting us an update, but if persistence against any sniff of progress is to be rewarded (and why shouldn’t it be?) that reward goes to Michael Cahill, who has asked 47 questions this year on the topic. Well, a fair portion of these have been asking about potential extensions to Killorglin, Killarney, Tralee, Castleisland, Valentia Island, Portmagee, Waterville, Caherdaniel & the entire Ring of Kerry, most of them have just been asking when it would open.

Thus far, he has received scant reward from the Minister of Transport, who has, since January of this year, ended each response as follows:

Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Given he keeps asking the same question, I wonder did he ever get that reply from TII? I’ll ask of course.

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

Week off this week. A good sign these days is hard to find. (complete that lyric to win a magnet, just hit reply)

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Siobhán Clifford 

  • David Fitz

    Well done to both of you, who correctly identified that it was of course, the Kenneigh Co-op.

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

She’s some woman for a holiday is our Agnes. Will she ever return? Hopefully.

The Oracle’s 41st Cartoon

Reinvigorated by the presidential election, Tim brings us

Thanks, Tim!

Everything Else

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

  • Swim in Pink on Sunday at Castlecove, more here 

  • Waterville’s Walking Weekend is upon us, more here

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

  • Who doesn’t love a bit of budget gardening? Get involved tomorrow, more here

  • Enjoy the Rime of the Ancient Mariner tomorrow in Sneem, tickets here

  • Farmers, get your health on. Tuesday, 10-2pm Iveragh Mart.

  • Conserve oysters with Sea Synergy tomorrow, more here

  • Enjoy the beautiful sounds of Maddie Courtney Saturday night at the Anchor Bar, Cahersiveen.

JUST ANNOUNCED!!!

A great cause organised by great people

COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED

Thank you to everyone who entered & congratulations to Ita who has received her prize! As a special treat for Oracle readers, here's a discount code for everyone in the audience - REST10

Please book here

SOUTH KERRY RUGBY SURVIVES, ONLY IF YOU BUY A RAFFLE TICKET

Now, I don’t ask for an awful lot, but I do command you to help yourselves & your local rugby club, and buy a raffle ticket

In the last 12 months Iveragh Eagles have had two Ireland U18 Internationals, two senior women Munster players, two U18 Munster girls & weekly sessions for local boys and girls, from Kells to Castlecove, to enjoy the sport they love.

Whilst perceived as a ‘rich’ sport this couldn’t be further from the truth for our Eagles. Our players travel further than any other in the country. Our volunteers battle towards success, with no facilities. I could go on, but you can stop me by just buying a ticket

Thanks

Thanks for reading. Late one, isn’t it?

This week, I will absolutely, positively, definitely get magnets out to those who have been patiently waiting.

Good luck, be well

Dave