William Street
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Signs of Summer
Virgin News has heard the first cuckoo.
The first reported sighting of a Cuckoo in Ireland for 2025 was made in Co. Waterford, arriving a week earlier than last year, according to WeathÉire.
The early return is likely due to favourable weather aiding its long migration from Africa.
One tagged Cuckoo in 2024 completed a remarkable 9,000 km journey from the Congo Basin back to Kerry.
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Brian Bilston’s Prayer
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More from my Trip to Ballincollig Library
Jimmy Crowley and me in Ballincollig library on Wednesday April 2 2025
Jimmy is a lovely warm man. He is not hugging me just because I bought his 2 cds and his book.
These eyecatching murals adorn the walls of the entrance hallway to the library.
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Scotia’s Glen
Borrowed from Martin Moore on Facebook…
‘Scotia’s Glen’,
Queen Scotia, was said to be a daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, who arrived in Ireland in 1695 B.C. with her husband, Milesius, from Corunna. Milesius was the son of the King of Spain, and they were accompanied by their eight sons. She was supposedly killed in a great battle here.
According to Jeremiah King, this story has no historical foundation and was a later invention of genealogists!!
‘County Kerry, Past and Present’ (1931)
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One for the Diary
Laois Fourth Wall Theatre Group presents Bernard Farrell’s situational comedy I Do Not Like Thee, Doctor Fell directed by David Corri.
A group therapy session is led by the enigmatic and manipulative Suzy (Mary Dermody).
The participants Joe Fell (John Kavanagh), Roger (Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick), Peter (Joe Murphy), Maureen (Alex O’Neal), and Rita (Maeve Heneghan) reveal more about themselves than they intended, leading to hilariously awkward situations. Paddy (Michael Brennan) the Group Attendant, provides the “normal” balance to the proceedings.
Clashing egos and misunderstandings devolve into absurd confrontations creating tension between Susy’s calm demeanour and the chaos of the group members. As Suzy applies increasing pressure, the cracks begin to show, and buried conflicts, resentments, and fears erupt.
The play balances absurdity with authenticity, keeping the audience laughing while reflecting on human nature’s vulnerabilities and contradictions.Themes of control and human vulnerability are explored, exposing a thin line between therapy and coercion. Set in the 1980s, the play is a satire of the self-help culture and a hilarious commentary on power dynamics within supposed safe spaces.
Among the cast of this play is a lady whose famous Kerry ancestor has featured on this blog.
Maeve Heneghan is a great granddaughter of John J Foley of Tralee who wrote the infamous ballad of Thade Kelly’s hen.
You may remember that, when he recited this poem in Listowel in 1901, he was the subject of a pile on in the media because a critic did not like the stage Irish interpretation on the night.
Maybe we owe it to Maeve to make up for the ill treatment her famous ancestor received in our usually hospitable town.
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A Fact
A titmouse is a bird.
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