On Friday, April 17th last the Irish Whip Wrestlers arrived in style at the Walter Raleigh Hotel to strut their stuff to their local fans, who were queueing up outside the hotel long before the doors opened at 7pm. Report: Denise Fitzgerald -  Photo: Denise Fitzgerald/Michael Hussey(YoughalOnline.com)

East Cork Journal went along to see what it was all about. The first surprise was the long line of people waiting to go in which included all ages from about four years up to very senior fans. The fans were mostly male, but there were several female fans here and there and believe it or not, they were every bit as vocal (if not more so) than the guys. Excitement was wild, even in the queues, and anticipation very high. Read more

The President of the Youghal CYMS Mr. William Kelly, Hon. Vice Presidents, Committee and members of the Society extends its warmest congratulations to the new President of the GAA Mr. Christy Cooney, his wife Ann and all the Cooney family. Report/Photo:  Michael Hussey(YoughalOnline.com)

He is the first Cork GAA president since the late Con Murphy, who held office in the seventies, and the fourth overall. The Cooney family have a long association with Youghal CYMS, going back to the old days when the Society was then across the road from his home at Mall House. Two of Christy’s brothers, Kevin and Brendan are Past Presidents of the Society. Two other brothers, Patrick, was a former PRO. and Daithi was also a member. Hon. Vice President Brendan Cooney’s son Christopher is a junior member and has represented the Society at National and International level like his father who is just back from representing Ireland in the European Team Snooker Championships. Read more

There were dramatic scenes on Youghal Bridge last night as a full-scale rescue operation got underway following reports of a man entering the water.Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Members of the Gardaí, Fire Bridade, Youghal Lifeboat, Coast Guard and Coast Guard helicopter got a search underway following the discovery of men’s clothes on the bridge at 12.05am. The search was called off at 3am after no body was recovered and there were no plans to continue searching today. A garda spokesman said the operation was undertaken to ‘err on the side of caution’
He added that there are no reports of a missing person or any incident reported to gardai that would necessitate further operations today.

On Friday 24th April, Joe Dan’s Pub hosted a charity Leg Wax/ Head Shave in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. Report Michael Hussey/Photo: Warren Tivy (YoughalOnline.com)

Nine local lads- Tony Kiely, Shane Pomphrett, Eoin Power, Fenton Cashman, Gerard Horgan, Emmet Kelly, Jimmy Russell, Fred Jayawardene and Reuben Jayawardene- generously donated their heads and legs for the night, which raised a staggering €2000. Read more

The winner of the first car draw for 2009 in Youghal Credit Union Ltd. is Mr. Patsy O’ Mahony from Radharc Na Mara, Youghal. Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Patsy is pictured with his wife Mary, children Niall, Ronan and Caoimhe picking up his brand new Nissan Note car, supplied by Mc.Carthy Motors from Barry Treacy, Manager, Youghal Credit Union Ltd. The draw was held on Saturday March 28th. in the main Credit Union office and was officiated over by Peter O’ Donnell, Chairman, Youghal Credit Union Ltd., Mayor of Youghal Mr. Olly Casey and representatives of Community Radio Youghal.
To enter the draw members must sign a new authorisation to pay for the €6 per draw. The draw will be held every six months with the next draw due in July for a new Kia Ria , supplied by Pat Ryan Motors. Read more

The Munster U-21 Snooker Championships were held at Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Society on Good Friday. 13 year old Arron Tobin from Youghal CYMS became the youngest player to win the Munster U 21 Snooker Championships title when he beat Ryan Cronin from Cork by 3 frames to 2 in an excellent final. Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

In a  close final that could have went either way. Arron won the first frame on the colours but Ryan came back to win the next two frames and then when Arron won frame four to make it 2 all which made for an exciting final frame match. Ryan looked in control of the final frame but with two reds left, Arron needed all the balls, when he hit one of the best 41 clearances anyone could see and it was fitting for Arron to lift the U-21 Munster trophy to be this years worthy winner. Both players played super snooker all day to reach the final with Ryan causing the biggest shock of the day beating number one seed and defending champion- Irish International David Hogan in the first round. Ryan beat Youghal CYMS’s James Hennessy 2 nil in the semi final. The other semi final Arron beat Irish u 19 International Tony Moore 2 nil to reach the final. On the day it was a big turn out with no less than 8 Irish Internationals on show. Read more

Youghal Front Strand Car Park looked more like a seaside destination on the continent last weekend, with the arrival of 60 Motor home owners from the Munster Region to the town. Denise FitzGerald Reports/Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The ‘Munster Motorhome Club’ boasts 100 members and was formed to promote the needs of motor home owners with the Munster region.  This year the club will hold 28 ‘get-togethers’ around the Munster Region, and not surprisingly the weekend in Youghal, 5th & 6th April 2009,  saw the biggest turnout of the year to date. Read more

The first of April saw one of the biggest and well planned April fool’s jokes in Cork. Red fm decided to stage the elaborate prank with cooperation from The Garda, The Cork City Fire Service, The Blackpool Shopping Centre management and local band U2opia. The venue was the Blackpool Shopping Centre on the roof of the Bank of Ireland. The prank that Red FM broadcast was that world famous super group U2 was touring around Ireland at secret locations to promote their new album launch. This was the story they broadcast in the days leading up to April 1st. Photos & report by Shane Supple

It was carried out with military precision, At 4am on the Wed morning the band and equipment arrived at Blackpool Shopping centre, all the equipment was manhandled onto the roof through a skylight and under the breaking dawn a stage was built up, sound equipment wired up, Security railings put in place, A stretch limo parked at the side doors the red carpet rolled out. Red Fm had outside broadcasting gear set up. The Garda had traffic cones in place, a squad car with flashing lights parked in front of the centre. Security guards all in yellow overalls with radios stood around the perimeter, this was the real deal at approx eight o’clock the band started playing many of the U2 hits.

It was like a calling to the wild, the music drifted over Blackpool towards the city which was just waking up. Red fm made the big announcement “U2 were actually playing in Blackpool, on the roof of the shopping centre” people arrived on foot, by car, those on the way to work stopped, got out of the cars and watched the unfolding spectacle of U2 playing live. From where the fans were standing they couldn’t get a proper glimpse of the Read more

We may be in the midst of a recession but it was temporarily put on hold this week at the fashion evening held for the customers and friends at Rachel Darcy’s ‘South Beach Boutique’ North Main St. Youghal. By Maria Moynihan-Fashion Columnist (YoughalOnline.com) Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Fun flirty fabulous frocks, Blinging accessories, Jewellery, Bags and Shoes were the order of the day and not costing a small mortgage. It was wonderful to see the Youghal Fashionistas out in force. Models displayed the clothes in a lovely relaxed setting. Richenda Kelly from The Quay’s Bar provided the guests with a glass of champagne and canapés during the evening and there was 25% off any purchase to the delight of the fashion conscious clientele. It is heartening to see Rachel and her staff bringing the heartbeat back to Main St. Youghal where it truly belongs.

This was the first fashion event hosted on the premises of South Beach Boutique.
The free fashion night had limited tickets and Rachel and her staff were delighted to welcome all the guests.
Make-up consultant Avril Geary was present for a style talk on make-up including a full demonstration and do’s and don’ts when you get dressed.
Emma Bailey from Team Bailey Hair Salon talked us through all the new hairstyles and colours.

Models Vivienne Drese from Germany, Michaela Bailey and Avril Geary showed the Read more

Elliot Bailey on the day of the Leaving Cert Music Practicals in Pobalscoil Na Trionoide performing on the drum kit donated to the Music Department by the Brass and Reed Band, Youghal.