IT’S ‘GAELSCOIL FAIRTRADE’ AS CHORAIN HELPS YOUGHAL INTO GROWING MOVEMENT By Christy Parker/Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Gaelscoil Comhrain was officially granted Fairtrade status during a ceremony to mark Youghal as a Fairtrade town in the Mall Arts Centre. Principal Sean O’Murchu, who accepted the official Fair Trade certificate from Fairtrade Ireland Project co-ordinator Melanie Drea. He said that while the school uses Fairtrade produce, the children would soon be taught more on the Fairtrade concept. “Fairtrade Ireland already provide some excellent programmes on DVD etc,” he said. “And there’s these to interest them too,” he laughed, juggling some African chocolatesYoughal Mayor Olly Casey, fellow councillors and local business and school representatives were present as Youghal became Cork’s eight town to acquire Fairtrade status. Read more

The launch of the book ‘Blackwater and Bride: navigation and trade 7000 BC to 2007′ attracted a sizable audience who filled the big function room of the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal By Denise Fitzgerald/Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The audience came from many places along the two rivers like Ballyduff, Lismore, Cappoquin, Tallow and Youghal reflecting the local history of these places that are within the book. They were joined by people from Dungarvan, Wexford and Cork including a descendant of Captain Roberts of the Sirius fame.Written by Ballyduff man Niall O’Brien, the book impressed the attendees with its size and scholarly content, coupled with a delightful easy read. Kieran Heffernan, one of the guest speakers, said that “each of the fifteen chapters were a complete short story in their own right while combining to make a fascinating account of an unwritten history”. Read more

The road less travelled leads back to where it all began Photo: Michael Hussey

Ever since she can remember Martha Cashman has been tinkering with bits of wood and metal in her father’s shed. With hindsight, Martha realises ‘it was no wonder, as my Uncle Mick Carey, the last blacksmith in Youghal, a gentle giant, spent long hours working there himself, shoeing the local horses’.

Art took precedence at secondary school, Loreto Convent, Youghal after which Martha made an unusual career choice, much to the chagrin of her art teacher and the nuns at the time! Straight out of school she walked on to a building site in Youghal, Co Cork to start a Decorating apprenticeship. The nuns derided it as ‘a man’s job’, in the hope that Martha would ‘come to her senses’. But as she says now ‘I think part of my drive throughout that phase of my career was to prove to everyone that I had made the right decision’. So, even at this stage Martha was showing great determination and single-mindedness – qualities which have been invaluable in her subsequent creative endeavours!

Apprenticeship completed, she moved to Boston where she set up and successfully ran her own all-women decorating company – ‘Irish Ladies in Painting’. Over seven years later, following the death of her father Kevin, she came home for what was to be Read more

K.G.K. Badminton Club(Knockanore, Glendine + Kilwatermoy Badminton Club)

The KGK Badminton Club hopes you all had a good Christmas and wish you all the best for 2009.We hope you are all well rested and ready to get going again. The Badminton Club is held in the new K.G.K. Sports and Community Hall situated next to Knockanore N.S., West Waterford. Training sessions resumed last Wednesday (14th Jan) at the following times:Wednesday will remain for adults from 8.30pm
Friday will extend to 10+ year olds from 8-9pmSaturday will be for 8-10 year olds from 10-11am
So whatever your playing level whether you want to compete or just burn off that Christmas Dinner. No need to book just turn up at the appropriate session. We look forward to seeing you and welcome all new-comers.
Club fees will remain at €3 per person or €5 per family per session.

OBAMA’S INAUGURATION SPEECH By Christy Parker

My fellow Afri….er, Americans,
I thank Youghal for being here tonight on this historic occasion for our great nation and for each and every one of its citizens, whether rich or recently unemployed, fat or emaciated from hardship, young or worried about liquidated pension, black or sort of brownish. (Spontaneous applause as rehearsed)

Tonight is a time for optimism and looking forward but just for a moment let me look back and acknowledge my ancestors who, as you all know, many years ago fled the jungles and rain forests of darkest Offaly. I speak especially of my great-great-great-great-great-great-grand uncle Birrack O’Bama and his wife Biffo -both sadly no longer with us- who bore nothing more than the loser’s hurling jersey on their back when taking those first desperate steps on the long and hazardous journey that brings me before you today. (Wilder applause plus piercing whistles and ‘hup yaladja’s from invited Offaly clan at the back of the hall). Go raibh mile maith agat Offaly!!! (Thunderous hollers from rear of auditorium and mysterious Irish priest in mini-skirt attempts a jig before being shot dead by security guards). Read more

The Youghal CYMS A and B teams  travelled to Killarney to compete in the annual Munster Club Snooker Championships. The A team came out of their group and were successful in qualifying for the up coming All Ireland Club Snooker Championships which will be held again in Killarney. Well done to both teams and the supporters who travelled to the event. By Ian Bransfield/Photo Michael Hussey(YoughalOnline.com)

Youghal CYMS will entered two teams of five in their bid to emulate their success of 2000 to try and  win the Ladbrokes sponsored event for the first time in almost a decade.Led by current over-40 Irish International Brendan Cooney, Youghal “A” find themselves in a tough group along with Fermoy, Waterford “C” and Masters “B”, whilst Youghal “B” kick off their campaign with a difficult fixture against the 2008 champions New Institute.The competition is made up of six groups of four, with the six pool winners and two best runners-up qualifying for the knockout stages.  The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the Irish Championships one week later at the same venue.
Speaking at a photo launch last Monday night, club chairman William Kelly was in confident mood ahead of the  big weekend: Read more

Aquatrek, Youghal’s excellent sail training and leisure service unveiled Nightvision,’ the latest addition to its fleet, amidst a wintry chill at its base at Nealon’s Quay. By Christy Parker/ Photo Michael Hussey (YoughaoOnline.com)

The Excalibur Rib was designed and built by Joe Collam of Cork company Gale Force ventures. Joe is naval architect with 15 years of Rib design experience. Aquatrek founders John Innes and John Griffin developed and co-ordinated the advance onboard electronics themselves.

In appearance a blue & yellow hued glamour craft, Nightvision is a seriously capable and highly advanced vessel. With an estimated value of €65,000, it boasts two, twin controlled 75 hp engines, modified slightly to hit a top speed of 38 knots.

Built to carry four, seated crew, the safety attributes meet all recruitments for Marine Department P6 (Passenger) Licence. “Her two electric pumps can shift 4,000 litres of water an hour, as well as a manual pump,” says John Innes. A tacho system enables engine trimming to allow the craft’s hull to rise or dip according to conditions, thus contributing to fuel economy, comfort and safety Read more

Youghal received its Fairtrade Town Status at the awards ceremony  in the Town Hall. Mayor Olly Casey accepted the certificate on behalf of the people of Youghal from Fairtrade Ireland. – Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Youghal has met the criteria to be a fairtrade town. This included getting a motion passed by the town council to support Youghal becoming a fairtrade town. Quality Hotel became our Flagship business and local shops, restaurants, schools, library, Church’s and other businesses stocked fairtrade produce. Read more

Opportunity to promote Youghal’s  ‘hidden gems’ in online promotional movies to be screened across the world

Tourism Ireland has launched a nationwide search for a number of individuals or couples to star in a series of short online movies to help market the island of Ireland overseas and attract more visitors in 2009 and beyond.
Tourism Ireland is looking to recruit people whose enthusiasm for their favourite part of Ireland, whether iconic location or best kept secret, can help promote the destination to potential visitors across the world.  This is a great opportunity to let Tourism Ireland (who market Ireland overseas) and the outside world see just what ‘hidden gems’ Youghal has to offer. Read more

Singer/Songwriter Shane Supple launches his latest 16 track Cd ‘Country Style Blues’

At 16 Shane Supple from Youghal, County Cork started touring with his father Art Supple, the well known singer and entertainer. Shane then spent the following years touring Ireland, the UK, and some European countries as a working musician learning his trade and at this time wrote his first song ‘Someday I Will Be A Star’.

In 1992 Shane recorded his first EP ‘Eyes of Blue’. Shane toured with his father Art Supple up until ’93 when he joined Irish Star Brendan Shine for a short spell doing concert tours of Ireland & the UK, during this time Shane wrote the song ‘Youghal By The Sea’ which proved to be very popular in his native town. In 1999 Shane signed up as a keyboard player with Waterford country singer Paddy O’ Brien.
Read more