Issue 82. Can you see the lights?

AURORA, CHOCOLATE, BUTLERS, PINTS

November 21, 2025

Good Afternoon and Welcome,

To issue No.82. This week, there’s loads, I won’t keep you

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 35.09: % of you feel that Rosie’s of Ballinskelligs has the Best Pint in South Kerry

  • 26.32: % of you feel The Lobster deserves the title

  • 17.54: % of you feel it’s Murts

  • 9: Venues have been voted for so far.

  • 1: Venue has attempted pint based bribery to influence the outcome of the competition. I’d like to make it clear to all venues that this practice is actively encouraged.

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

So very empty…

Best Pint in South Kerry 2025  

Votes flying in. Let’s remind ourselves of the final leaderboard from last year:

You’ve seen the numbers so far, don’t agree? You can be the difference

Vote Now:

Northern Lights, in South Kerry, Again?

You’ll remember of course, that once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Northern Lights that we had a couple of times last year? Well, they’re back

Would you look at that? Ain’t that something as my Great Auntie Dolly would say. Massive thanks to friend of the newsletter @barry.the.brit for sending in his pic taken last Wednesday morning, in his own words;

The pic was taken at 3.37am on Ballinskelligs Beach, and yes I was the only eejit on the beach at that time of the morning!

If you have any photos of the Aurora, then DIAS want to hear from you. You can submit them here

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

Really easy. Think we’ve had it before even. Where is it?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Elaine O Leary 

    Outstanding stuff Elaine! Take a bow. Elaine correctly identified that last week it was, of course, the sign for the Wavecrest.

What’s going on with the Skelligs (Chocolate) & The Butler’s (Not Chocolate)

Not since Reenroe have I been asked about something so much, so here goes. Firstly, I’d like you to remember that I’m not an accountant. I do have help on its way though, so this won’t be the last time we talk about this.

Both Companies were bought by Paddy Mckillen Jr’s Press Up Group. A hospitality startup which has found itself in financial difficulty. Well, it doesn’t seem to be that group that’s ‘in trouble’ as much as the companies that it purchased.

In the case of Skelligs Chocolate, as I fumbled through explaining last week, is subject to a winding up petition due to be heard on the 24/11/25. This petition is being brought by a creditor of the landlord. Both the landlord & Skelligs Chocolate operating business are owned by the same ‘Press Up’ group.

In the case of The Butler’s. This, too, is in the hands of the receivers. Cllr Norma Moriarty believed at the beginning of the month, after staff were served notice, that there is ‘serious interest’ in the hotel & this will help expedite a sale.

That, for the moment, is as much as I know.

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

Agnes is on another break, mighty work if you can get it.

The Oracle’s 41st Cartoon

This week, Tim brings us…

Is there a more topical cartoonist in the known universe? There isn’t. Thanks, Tim!

N.B: Paschal apparently is a big fan of Valentia too, World Bank funded Cable Car incoming? Probably.

Everything Else

  • Spogomi. In Cahersiveen on Sunday, pick a team, some litter, win. More here

  • Places still available on the South Kerry Rural Social Scheme, more here

  • Dave & Alan are in Franks Bar Cahersiveen Saturday evening

  • Have you any old Waterville photos? get them in the history book here

  • The Kerry Christmas Carol Concert is on tomorrow evening in the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church, more here

  • Do you have an idea for a coastal community project? Funds are available, more here

  • Have you seen the Dohilla Gallán? No? Go and have a look then, it’s only on Valentia, more here

  • Have you done the Atlantic Cable Trail? Ashamedly, until this week I thought this was a purely Waterville thing. I was very wrong if you are as shameful as me. all info here (Thanks Tom)

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!!

You wouldn’t want to miss it would you, would you?

For Sale

Willerby Bermuda 36×12ft 3 bedroom mobile home. Full winter pack, I can confirm first hand that this can survive a South Kerry winter. Offers acctepted, just get in touch

Thanks

Late is the new early, isn’t it?

Thanks for reading. Massive thanks to all contributors.

To those who have been patiently waiting for magnets, they are in still in envelopes at least. You’ll have them next week, I meant this coming next week. Honest. To last weeks new supporters, thanks very much, it really helps & I now offer you a treasured place amongst those still waiting for magnets.

Good luck, be well

Dave