Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s Gardens Youghal once again proved to be the location for the biggest and best of the country’s medieval celebrations of Heritage week. In excess of 5,000 visitors enjoyed the sunshine on Sunday 24th August in what has now become an annual event for Youghal.
The event organised by Youghal’s Municipal Heritage Committee was designed to ‘bring the heritage of Youghal to life,’ for The Irish Walled Towns Network’ celebration of National Heritage Week. The aim of the festival was to Read more

Report: Anthony Horgan.
Youghal United 0 – 2 Tramore Athletic

D.Curren, D.Hennessy, S.Kenneally, M.Sczepankewiez, A.Kelly, R.Cronin,P.O’Connor, M.J.Hennessy, P.Hennessy, P.Moylan, B.O’Sullivan. Subs used:M.Clohesy, G.Kelly, S.Ryan.

The lads came into this game on the back of a 5-0 defeat away to premier division side Avondale United at the weekend so they were looking for a good performance over the result. Tonight the lads face first division side Tramore Athletic who play in a division above them. Apart from one or two hiccups Youghal can Read more

By Kieran McCarthy | Photo: Kieran McCarthy (YoughalOnline.com)

Claycastle Rock School held their “Band Edition” during the secondary school summer break. Students got to explore their creativity using the latest technology in the exciting environment of a professional recording state of the art studio. During the camps, students from beginner to intermediate levels interacted with other young musicians sharing similar musical interests.

Together they learned to create songs from scratch and also learned how to record, produce and mix their final work onto a CD. All tutors were fully qualified with experienced in teaching musicians, the camp took place in the Read more

By Derek Kiely | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

“It’s so Irish! It’s so unique! Everybody watches the Rose of Tralee, they may say they don’t, but they do”!
“If I get the chance in the dome, I will play the flute, something traditional with a classical twist”!

CORK’S Jewel in the crown Niamh O’Hanlon will try to win the coveted title of ‘Rose of Tralee’ in the 49th Annual International Rose of Tralee selection from the Festival Dome in Tralee
Originally from Blackrock in Cork City, Niamh who certainly looks the part, brimming with natural beauty and with a fantastic personality she will be one of the favourites come judgement night in the Dome.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved and at 26 years of age it was my last chance to go for it, so I applied on line with an application form and had a one on one interview with all three Cork Rose judges, then a group interview and an on stage interview too. I was surprised that there would be so much involved, it was pretty thorough and Read more

Photo: John Hennessy | Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The Youghal schools annual summer graduation ball took place at the Walter Raleigh Hotel. The champagne reception took place at the Youghal GAA club where the students gathered and mixed with their families and friends prior to the big event at the Walter Raleigh Hotel. The ladies looked stunning in their formal gowns and the gents looked well dressed in their tuxedos. The event was very stylish and everyone had Read more

By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Christy Parker talks to a Youghal priest now dedicated to helping Ecuador’s poor

The earnest tones of Youghal-born priest Fr. John Keane will address Mass goers in his native town over the month’s final weekend. The former Dungourney curate is on a working vacation from his Ecuador mission and is seeking some urgent funding to assist his work amongst the “poorest of the poor.” He describes the region on Ecuador’s west coast as a place of “no wealth, no jobs, no land to cultivate; just a daily struggle to survive.”

Ecuador is not the first place to test the durability of Fr. Keane. The eldest of five children born to the late John and Norah of Emmet Place, he moved to Belfast soon after his ordination in 1982. The hunger strikes were in full flow. “I saw a lot of bigotry and hatred and the soldiers were often very hostile,” he recalls. He compromised his comfort by Read more

By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Plans to build a bio-fuel processing plant near Tallow, Co. Waterford appear to be over as West Cork based BioPower Ltd say they intend withdrawing their application. The withdrawal may be final, following revelations that the intended site may be unsuitable for the project.

BioPower Ltd. intended to conduct rapeseed processing, BioDiesel production, and fuel pelleting, on 7.3 acres at Kilbeg Upper on the Tallow-Youghal road. Additionally, it would convert municipal and agricultural sludge (particularly pig slurry) and industrial and abattoir waste to bio fuel, through an anaerobic digestor

Locals objected, fearing that an adjacent stream, which feeds into the Tallow water supply could be contaminated. Oddly, the company’s Environment Impact Survey made no mention of the stream feeding into the Read more

By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (Youghalonline.com)

Archaeologists have unearthed a large section of a Medieval street in Youghal. The discovery was made in Church Street by consultants conducting an archaeological overview for a Public Realm project whereby telecommunications are ducted underground prior to ‘heritage-style’ paving being laid.

The perfectly preserved section comprises cobbled, sandstone paving and “sits on the natural subsoil,” says Dan Noonan of Daniel Noonan Archaeology Consultancy. “This area is on all historic mapping and it would date from the 12th or 13th century.” One local described the find as “the street where Cromwell marched his horses.” It is the largest discovery in a series of enticing finds throughout the town’s heritage-led project.

The excavation features one of Ireland’s most historic areas, beside the gates to St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, which dates to 450 AD. Within lie the remains of members of the Boyle family, of whom physicist Robert discovered Boyle’s Law. The grounds hold a communal famine grave. Forming an adjacent corner is Myrtle Grove, where former Mayor Sir Walter Raleigh resided in 1599 where the poet Spencer allegedly wrote part of The Faerie Queen.

The excavation also revealed several gullies, on a slightly higher level and thus younger. “The original street would have gradually risen,’ says Dan. “Probably from the late 1600′s, householders would have Read more

Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Youghal is gearing up to host the country’s largest Medieval Fun Event on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August 2008 in the stunning surrounds of St. Mary’s Historic Gardens, as part of The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

Youghal’s Municipal Heritage Committee – the organisers behind the event, are looking to build on the unprecedented success of the inaugural event in 2007 which attracted in excess of 6,000 visitors to the historic town. As a result, celebrations will kick off on Saturday evening 23rd August with a free live open air concert by ‘Natural Gas’ in the surrounds of St. Mary’s Gardens, Youghal.

Even more excitement and fun for all the family are promised at this year’s major free event which is this year being covered by RTE’s ‘Nationwide’ television show. A carefully planned collection of sights, sounds and Read more

Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

On a beautiful summers afternoon at the front strand, as part of the Youghal Summerfest, Paddy Buckley of Vertigo Kite Surfing, Oysterhaven, gave a wonderful working display of kite flying and kite surfing. Locals and tourists alike, young and old, tried their hands at kite flying which initially seems very difficult to master but like everything with persistence can be learned. Then Paddy took to the surf and showed us what an amazing and spectacular sport Kite Surfing is. The afternoon was very enjoyable and stimulating and the Vertigo team have promised to return next year with Read more