The Mall Arts Centre was again the venue for the launch of the annual Emer Casey Memorial 10km fundraiser. Representatives of local sporting, community and political organisations, emergency service personnel and newly unstressed members of the Cork hurling panel joined the Casey family for an occasion swathed in goodwill, dedication and relaxed bonhomie. By Christy Parker Read more

Organisers and participants in last year’s Thundercat European Beach Challenge Championship have voted Youghal ‘Best Venue 2008′. The award effectively says Youghal was the most revered location globally by the Thundercat community, as it is structurally known By Christy Parker Read more

Youghal is set to receive a major boost to its marine infrastructure with the announcement that €400,000 has been made available to fund remedial works at Youghal Harbour in 2009.

In welcoming the announcement from the Maritime Transport Division of the Department of Transport, Town Clerk Liam Ryan commented that the works were essential in protecting the fabric of the harbour. “Despite serious financial cutbacks across all Government Departments we are delighted to have secured this level of funding for Youghal Harbour.  We will now be in a position to repair the inner and outer walls of the pier head as well as repair works to the northern corner of Greens Quay.” Mr. Ryan went on to point towards the remedial works being the first serious step in the development of the tourism potential of Youghal Harbour which would in due course follow on with the development of a marina in the Harbour.
Funding for the works will be administered directly by Youghal Town Council and it is understood that works will get underway without delay.  The resources available for Read more

The magnificent, picturesque and very old building of the Presentation Convent, Youghal (now the International Spanish College) was the venue last weekend for the Youth 2000 Ireland Catholic Youth Retreat.   The participants ranged in age from 16 to 35 years and over the weekend they joined in inspiring talks, workshops, drama, prayer, friendship, music and fun. Denise FitzGerald Writes – Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

East Cork Journal went along to meet with the speakers and participants, and was met with warmth, hospitality and friendship.   There were approximately sixty taking part and it was obvious that they were all very happy to be there.   The Retreat commenced on Friday night with Mass at 7.30pm which was followed by a ‘get to know each other’ time.   Music, songs and enjoyment were the prelude to Read more

The CYMS Junior Snooker Final- In an exciting final that went all the way Jamie just pipped Michael on the 3rd frame to win the trophy. A large audience came to watch this particular final and the two worthy finalists turned out in the suitable dress code that is required for these tournaments finals. Report/Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

It is also nice to see the parents and families of both players supporting these junior tournaments and the society encourages more involvement by the parents in the CYMS activities. It is heartening to see that more and more of this is happening and helps in the daily running of this well run organisation in the centre of town. Read more

Kathy Sinnott was first elected as a member of the European Parliament in 2004. She says “Since becoming an MEP for Munster, I have fought Munster’s corner in Europe on issues such as farming, fishing, health and environment, to name but a few. I have worked hard every day on the specific needs and concerns of the people of Munster.” Report/Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

She explained “An Independent MEP has been elected every term since 1979 because we bypass party politics and have only one allegiance, our constituents. Independents work directly for the people they represent and not for party agendas. They are not limited by party policy or party pacts. I have been Munster’s independent voice for the past five years and would love to continue with this work.” Read more

‘Food riots erupted in ports such as Youghal near Cork where peasants tried unsuccessfully to confiscate a boatload of oats’

The Great Irish Famine, or ‘An Gorta Mor’ (The Great Hunger), was commemorated this year by the first ever provincial National Famine Memorial Day,  held today 17th May 2009 in Skibbereen, West Cork. Communities around the Republic are also being encouraged to hold commemorations, and sporting organisations are being asked to observe a minute’s silence on National Famine Memorial Day. The Great Famine resulted in the formation or growth of many diaspora communities, and in the 1840s and 50s as many as 250,000 arrived in Canada for example. While the famine was responsible for a significant increase in emigration it was not the sole cause. Irish movement can be traced back to the middle of the 18th century when some quarter of a million people left Ireland to settle in the New World. From the defeat of Napoleon to the beginning of the famine between 1 and 11/2 million had emigrated. However, during the worst of the famine, emigration reached around 250,000 in one year alone, with more coming from western Ireland than any other part. Read more

Youghal has been honoured with becoming the first historic town from Ireland the UK(excluding England) to join the prestigious Historic Towns Forum – an association formed in England in 1987 to support professionals in the historic built environment. Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Sam Howes, Chairperson of the Historic Towns Forum expressed his delight at the expansion of the Forum: “Much of what the Forum does is of considerable interest to our colleagues in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  We see delegates from these countries at our Conferences and they regularly request copies of our publications. So we thought they may be interested in joining us and making the Forum a truly UK/Republic of Ireland organisation.  Membership is now open to local authorities, organisations and individuals in these countries”.
Mr. Howes emphasised that the widening of the Forum’s membership would enable them to call on support and experience from further afield.  “We are starting in July with a Conference in the Republic of Ireland and will build on this new arrangement in the Read more

The inaugural Youghal Tourism Networking Showcase held in the Walter Raleigh Hotel is already being hailed as a major boost to Youghal’s tourism industry. Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The business to business event, organised by the tourism division of the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group featured over forty product providers who took part in a structured networking session. Speaking after the event, organiser Aileen Ahern commented: “The feedback already from attendees has been so positive. There was such a great buzz about the place. We knew if we brought people together it could be the start of people really working together, – developing joint packages, making referrals, all with the intention of keeping tourists in the area that bit longer, and spending more money here. This type of approach leads to a win-win situation all round”. Attendees included representatives from accommodation and product providers throughout East Cork and West Waterford, recognising Youghal’s geographic position and natural base for tourists visiting both regions.

Mayor Oliver Casey officially opened the event commenting that “Youghal has seen its ups downs, but with Tourism now being our number one industry here in Youghal, it is only fitting that we do all we can to nurture it”. Read more

Youghal artist Martha Cashman (Sculptural Ceramics) features in the prestigious  Cork Design Week showcase at Brown Thomas. 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 her Uncle Mick Carey, the last blacksmith in Youghal, a gentle giant, spent long hours working there himself, shoeing the local horses’. Report/Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

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!

Brown Thomas Cork in conjunction with partners Cork County & City Enterprise Boards hosted the exciting exhibition to present and promote a wealth of design craftsmanship in Cork City and County. A selection of 15 accomplished craftsmen and women collectively presented their work in one retail space. Products included: Read more