Issue 85. It's Like Christmas Come Early Again

19th, nnnn19th, 19th, 19th

December 12, 2025

Good Afternoon and Welcome,

To issue No.85. This week, I’m very late…

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 234.7: mm of rain fell in November as recorded by Valentia weather station, making it our wettest since 2022.

  • 9.8: ° Celsius was the average temperature.

  • 13: Dull days were recorded in November at Valentia, making us, along with Belmullet, Co Mayo, the dullest places in the country. Merry Christmas!

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

Step away from the chaos and into a space just for you. This Christmas edition of Disco with a Twist is the best way to reclaim your inner calm. It will start with fun upbeat festive tunes, perfect to shake off the stress, the to do list and the layers of tension on your ahoulders. Dance, sway, shake, just move in whatever way feels good to help melt away the mental clutter. 

  • Once the energy has lifted and your body feels lighter, we will gently transition into a soothing guided breathwork session. 

  • If life has felt hectic, chaotic, rushed or overwhelming, this is your invitation to pause, play and be with your breath. 

  • Come for a night of festive fun followed by deep relaxation. Fill your cup. You deserve it.

Fyi- THIS IS A NON ALCOHOLIC EVENT. HANGOVER FREE EVENT GUARANTEED Book here

Best Pint in South Kerry 2025  

This week,we have the same top 5 but serious movement within.

The Lobster cling to their lead whilst The Waterville Inn make a powerful (nitro)surge towards top spot. Does this spell the end to Rosie’s challenge? What’s happened to Murts? Will the Royal pip the Piper for fifth spot?

Only you can answer these questions…

Vote Now:

Greenway Opens Next Week

Just in case you still missed it. Cllr Tommy Cahill has confirmed that the first section of the South Kerry Greenway, between Goldens of Kells and Kells Station, will open on the 19th of December, a week today.

Imagine. I’ve written about this in 46 of the 85 issues of this newsletter and to be honest, I was hoping to bring you full details of the planned glittering opening ceremony. Stage times for the international superstars performing, the global walking luminaries that will no doubt be in attendance. When and who will be cutting the ribbon & delivering the Neil Armstrongesque soundbites?

Well, quite simply, I’ve nothing for you. The only bit of additional info I have is that the section that will open on Friday is reportedly 3km long, rather than the 3.5km previously advertised.

I hope all of you get out there and enjoy it. For those of you who are heading up on Friday to take a look, send over a picture or two would you? Having written about this every other week for the last year and a half, it stands to reason I’d be in the UK the day it opens.

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

This week, one for the purists. Where is it & what’s written on it?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

  • Mary O Sullivan 

  • Mary

    All hail the Mary’s! Obviously, it was, of course, the sign for St Finians.

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

Dearest Reader 

I hope you are all keeping warm & well this stormy week.

Many of us are under pressure this time of year. Pressure to be social, pressure to socialise, pressure to buy all the best gifts, pressure to host the best get togethers. This is heaped on top of all the regular pressure we are already under.

The truth is that pressure is for tyres! 

How can we support ourselves to not be under all this pressure? 

The first step is to slow down, take a few breaths and try to name what your biggest pressure is. Once you become aware of what it is, you have a choice: whether to continue or change something to help alleviate the stress. Like if you recognise you are under pressure to buy expensive name brand gifts, check out is this true, would your loved ones prefer a memory gift, where you do something together like a cinema trip or swim with a gorgeous picnic to help warm up with… I know I would!

The times feel urgent and overwhelming; the remedy is for us to come back to ourselves and slow down.

Enjoy the ordinary moments 

The Oracle’s 41st Cartoon

This week, Tim brings us…

He really is very good at this. Isn’t he? Thanks, Tim!

Everything Else

  • Darts tomorrow in Murts, names in by 7pm this evening, more here

  • Christmas Party night in The Lobster this evening, more here

  • It’s that time of year when we all start to think about grazing companions. Can you help Belle?

  • Are you booked in for your the New Year Ritual yet?

  • What would you do with acres of greenhouses in Ballinskelligs? These fine people would like you to get involved

  • Do you want to train the trainer? Now you can.

  • Is there a better way to spend tomorrow than with robotic lego?

  • Christmas market on Sunday from 11-4pm in Waterville Community Centre. The big man in the red hat leaves at 3, so get there early.

New Year? New You

Thanks

Thanks for reading. Massive thanks to all contributors. Great to have Agnes back again and Tim still shooting from the hip. As we head to the end of the year I’m goiung to attempt a review. If any of you had any favourite bits, do let me know.

To those who have been patiently waiting for magnets, it’s not quite Christmas yet. One day, I’ll take them with me when I leave the house, that day, has still yet to come.

Good luck, be well

Dave