Issue 89. What Will the Butlers See?

BEST PINTS, OLD HOTEL, NEW OWNERS, FISH

January 09, 2026

Good Afternoon and Welcome,

To issue No.89. Two reopenings two weeks on the trot, I’d better not keep you…

South Kerry by the numbers

  • 66: ‘Very wet days’ were recorded at Valentia Observatory last year, more than anywhere else in the country. No bother to us.

  • 105: Dull days were recorded, again making us national champions.

  • 1348: Hours of sunshine shone upon Valentia Observatory in 2025. Again, the rest of the country had more than us, but it’s about quality, not quantity.

First, a word from this week’s sponsor

What better way to start the new year than with a new sport? More here

Best Pint in South Kerry 2025  

This week, The Waterville Inn extends its lead over 2024 champions The Lobster. On the other side of the top 5, The Blind Piper maintains its fifth position at the expense of The Royal Hotel Valentia, but there is literally one vote between them.

This is the final week of voting, so don’t spare the horses. If you would like to get yourself on the guest list for South Kerry’s most prestigious award ceremony, just hit reply & your application will be considered.

Vote Now:

Butler Arms Hotel Reborn

Yes. The Butler Arms is under new ownership & set to reopen in April. It’s been purchased by Waterville local Niall Moran & Bryan Marsal (one half of the giant US consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal that developed & operates The Hogs Head). Niall Moran told The Kerrryman this week that they will look to develop the landmark hotel in the future, but the current focus is getting ready for this years bookings.

A great day for the parish! I wonder if any of our dear readers could persuade them to buy the Bayview too?

It’s The Signs of South Kerry 🎺🎺🎺

OK. So, will we have one more week at it? Your clue last week was it’s in a porch, this week I’ll let you know that it’s the internal door of that porch. You must know now, don’t you?

Congratulations to last week’s winners

Anyone?

Auntie Agnes’ Angle

Isn’t it wonderful to have Agnes? Thanks Agnes.

The Oracle Cartoon

This week, Tim has moved into photo realism.

Incredible likeness, isn’t it? Thanks Tim.

Everything Else

  • Fitness classes in Foilmore Community centre start Monday, more here 

  • Could you benefit from taking part in a tourism network & enterprise development programme? Not sure? Two information evenings are coming up to help you out. More here

  • Landowners, schools and community groups in Kerry are invited to apply for support to create spaces for nature, more here

  • Remember the Ballinskelligs Glass House project? How could you forget? Also don’t forget the open day is tomorrow. All details here

  • Fireside Trad now available, every Sunday, 5-7pm, Royal Hotel Valentia.

  • Fancy a bilingual session that gives people a chance to practice their Irish and pick up more? Well enjoy

Thanks

Thanks for reading. Massive thanks to all contributors.

Wet isn’t it? I read this week that there hasn’t been a specimin sea trout (6lbs) caught in Waterville since 2020, up until 2009 there’d be an average of 20 caught. If anyone knows anyone in the know on this, I’d love to hear from them.

Insert standard magnet apology here.

Good luck, be well.

Dave