5.27 pm Tuesday 26th Jan
URGENT NOTICE FOR THIS WEEK - news just in from Brideview Drama Tues

Due to a sudden and very unfortunate family loss for some of the cast of Brideview Drama’s show, ‘Tom Dick & Harry’, THIS THURSDAY NIGHT’S (Jan 28th) PERFORMANCE IS CANCELLED.

The shows planned for this Friday and Saturday nights will go ahead (Jan 29 and 30).

Many apologies for the very late notice, but this sad news is just in.

regards

–
Vanessa Hyde
PRO
Brideview Drama, Tallow
Co Waterford, Ireland
087 6733 782

Playing together for nearly twenty years, Kíla are one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. The seven members come from different musical backgrounds and share a passion to create great music with an ability to absorb influences from across the globe. Report: B. Whyte | Graphic: B. Whyte

With their roots in traditional Irish music, their work features strong percussive like singing and gorgeous melodies driven by a serious rhythmical undercurrent. Kíla have created their own distinctive style of world music, which has won over audiences around the world through their eight recordings to date and their spectacular live performances.

Kíla are widely renowned for their stunning sets and surprise guest performers at their shows, including trapeze artists, fire jugglers and belly dancers, their live energetic live performances have seen them continue to wow and attract new audiences over the years.

On Friday, February 5th 2010, Kíla will take to the stage with special guests Mal Blackie and Richie Foley. The event will take place at the hauntingly beautiful St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal. All proceeds go towards future Sacred Root music projects. Tickets cost just €20 and are on sale at Scott’s Treasure Shop, 137 North Main Street, Youghal.

November 2008 saw the birth of the Hot Spot Music Club in Nagle House in Youghal, Co Cork.  Between 25 to 35 young adults attend the music club on a regular basis to write, compose, jam out or just play pool and soak up the atmosphere. Over the past few months the group have written and recorded an album yet to be named of 19 tracks. The album recorded at Claycastle Studios in Youghal is due out as soon as the funds are there to finish it. The CD is a testiment to the talent and quality of young musicians in the town of Youghal.

Upcoming events include Declan O’ Rourke on the 27th of February with  and Luka Bloom on the the 20th of March. Hope to see you there – God bless!

For more info, contact Sacred Root on 087 9957102 or email sacredroot@gmail.com or visit sacred-root.com.

KILA
Album Launch
LIVE AT ST MARYS CHURCH YOUGHAL
FRIDAY FEBUARY 5th DOORS 8pm

SPECIAL GUESTS MAL BLACKIE & RICHIE FOLEY

TICKETS AT SCOTTS SHOP 137 NORTH MAIN  STREET YOUGHAL  024 90333

Strictly no alcohol and dress warm under 16’s are free id required!!!

Visit  sacred-root.com for info or call  087 9957102

Kila are extraordinary’ – Bono’

‘ Brilliant’ – Sinéad Ó Connor

KiPlaying together for nearly 20 years, Kíla are one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. The seven members come from different musical backgrounds and share a passion to create great music with an ability to absorb influences from across the globe. With its roots in traditional Irish, it features a strong percussive like singing and gorgeous melodies driven by a serious rhythmical undercurrent. Kíla have created their own distinctive style of world music, which has won over audiences around the world through their eight recordings to date and their spectacular live performances.

Made up of two sets of brothers Kíla consists of; Rónán Ó Snodaigh on bodhrán, djembe, congas, bongos, guitar and vocals; Rossa Ó Snodaigh on tin whistle, low whistle, clarinet, bazouki, mandolin, bones and vocals; Colm Ó Snodaigh on flute, tin whistle, guitar, saxophone, percussion and vocals; Lance Hogan on guitar, drums, and vocals; Brian Hogan on bass, double bass and vocals; Dee Armstrong on fiddle, viola, hammered dulcimer, accordion and bodhrán. Eoin Dillon on uileann pipes, tin whistle, low whistle, shakers and vocals.

DECLAN O ROURKE

LIVE AT ST MARYS CHURCH YOUGHAL

SATURDAY FEBUARY 27th

SPECIAL GUESTS DE BURCA

TICKETS AT SCOTTS SHOP 137 NORTH MAIN  STREET YOUGHAL  024 90333

Strictly no alcohol and dress warm under 16’s are free id required!!!

Visit  sacred-root.com for info or call  087 9957102

Singing in a velvet-tinged bartitone with a killer falsetto….it’s a rare gift that his music can bear comparison with so many classic era troubadours, Fred Neil, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen while still sounding so completely original” Nigel Williamson, Uncut

Declan O’Rourke used to be one of Ireland’s best kept secrets, but rave reviews for his debut album ‘Since Kyabram’, a growing international fanbase and an enviable collection of eminent devotees, including Paul Weller, Snow Patrol and Kate Rusby, are rapidly changing that.

On its release in Ireland, ‘Since Kyabram’ reached double platinum status and garnered Hot Press magazine’s ‘Best Debut Album’ award. A major record deal with V2 and a publishing deal with BMG followed, as did patronage from his peers – invitations to support Snow Patrol at Marlay Park in Dublin, Teddy Thompson on his UK tour, The Divine Comedy for dates in Germany and the U.K., and to perform at the legendary 100 Club at the request of Paul Weller.

The buzz is growing, based on the simplicity of great songs and a unique voice. Declan’s lyrics touch on all aspects of the individual, his songs focus on the centre of everyday emotions and his voice irresistibly draws the listener in. He has an understated charm, a quick-wittedness that make him highly endearing live and equally at home playing to one person as he is to thousands.

From the opening melody of ‘No Place To Hide’, the first song on ‘Since Kyabram’, to the final key of ‘Marrying The Sea’, Declan’s ability to tell a story unfolds. Each track on the album gives a feeling of being part of a collection of short films; the connecting thread being Declan’s flowing and dreamy lyrics. The album embodies the roots of his Irish heritage, but also has a distinct rock edge, reflecting, in part, his time spent in Australia from age fourteen to his return to Ireland

WEBSITES & CONTACTS
www.kila.ie  www.sacred-root.com / www.claycastlestudio.com / youghalonline.com

Please register before Friday 12th February 2010 E mail: info@youghalchamber.ie Tel:  (024) 92447.

Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Tourism Networking Showcase in The Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal, on Saturday 27th February 2010.

With tourism now officially the number one industry in Youghal, the event is set to provide a timely boost to product providers in the area.  Following on the success of the inaugural event in 2009 which saw over forty product providers and event organisers take part; organisers have decided to expand the event, by opening it to the general public.  The event will coincide with the official launch of Failte Ireland’s ‘Family Fun’ Brochure and website for Youghal which a vast number of Tourism Providers took part in.

Speaking about the showcase Aileen Ahern Manager of The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group explained it’s purpose: “In 2009 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, and the concept worked.  This year however, we are  also inviting members of the public to come along and see just exactly what wonderful products and value is to be found right on their own doorsteps”.

The Showcase will once again feature product providers from throughout East Cork and West Waterford, recognising Youghal’s geographic position and natural base for tourists visiting both regions.

Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce is still accepting entries to the event. So if you are an accommodation provider, activity & leisure provider, art and cultural organisation or event organiser from the area, make sure you are featured at this hugely important event.  Please register your interest before Friday 12th February 2010 by email to: info@youghalchamber.ie by telephone to (024) 92447.

Issued by: Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group

Contact:    Aileen Ahern

Tel:           024-81814

E:              tourism@youghal.ie
Please click on image to see just some of the Youghal Tourism Networking Showcase 2009 entries

Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat’s annual fundraising Gala Dinner takes place at Ballymaloe House this coming Saturday, 30 January.

Ballymaloe House Gala Dinner starts off a busy for Ballycotton lifeboat fundraising committee.  Once again the event was sold out well in advance of the date.  Guests will arrive from 7:00 pm and take their seats for their meal.  A raffle will be held immediately after the meal before the guests enjoy dancing to the music of Apollo or for those who prefer more relaxed entertainment music will be provided in the drawing room by Rory and friends.

Media are very welcome to attend

THE Venetian Snooker Club from Limerick City became the 2010 Munster snooker club champions this Sunday evening (24th Jan. 2010) at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney with an emphatic win over last year’s champions The New Institute from Nenagh Co. Tipperary. Report: Derek Kiely at the Munster Snooker Club Championships in Killarney

Local hopes were pinned on the Youghal CYMS‘A’ Team who really got off to a flier last Friday afternoon with victory over Masters ‘A’ from Shannon.

The win included some stand-out performances from the likes of Derek Murphy, Brendan Cooney and by far and above Youghal’s most consistent cue-man Adrian (Pepper) Landers.

The opening match finished Youghal CYMS ‘A’ 3 – 2 Shannon Masters ‘A’ and Youghal’s Ger Kelly and thirteen year old Aaron Tobin had their part to play as well.

Adrian Landers showed sparkling form with a 2 frames to nil victory in record time on table 5.

Brendan Cooney won his match two nil as well with his ever patient style and brilliant tactical play. Derek Aherne was impeccable too with a 2 frames to nil in a very important victory.

Ger Kelly was impressive in his frame and was very unlucky to lose out to some very lucky shots from his opponent and young Aaron Tobin made an impressive start to his Killarney Championships knocking in a 50 break, but unfortunately went down in the final frame.

Youghal CYMS followed up in their second match with a tremendous win over another very strong team from Limerick City, the Venetian ‘B’ side.

Again Youghal were powerful and finished Friday on a high as they topped Group 5 on four points.

Youghal went down to the Crucible on Saturday in a game that could have gone either way and the defeat left the group finishing with three teams tied on four points.

The Masters ‘A, The Crucible and Youghal had to go into a draw to complete a one frame per person shootout to see who would win the group and who would finish runners up.

Youghal had a bit of luck and were drawn out first, ensuring that they would play the winners of Shannon Masters ‘A’ and the Crucible.

The Crucible team sent the Masters packing and Youghal had the opportunity for revenge, but it was not to be and Youghal had to settle for second place in the group and that meant a qualification match against fellow Cork opponents Fermoy CYMS.

Brendan Cooney and Co got their championships back on track with a convincing victory over the North Cork men and then progressed through to the quarter final with a best of five frame encounter with the red hot favourites, the Venetian ‘A’ side.

This was an epic encounter, Youghal up against a host of top ranked amateur Internationals.

Ger Kelly was impressive against John Torpey, winning a frame but unfortunately losing his match. Derek Aherne met an inform Frank Sarsfield and Youghal lost on that table too, but Brendan Cooney turned back the clock and destroyed a Limerick superstar Jason Walters with a whitewash victory and ‘Mr Reliable Adrian Landers was again superb in victory.

It all came down to the final table where Aaron Tobin pushed top ranked Irish International Vincent Meaney all the way to the deciding frame, but it was a bridge to far and a very relieved Limerick team made it through and the Youghal dream for 2010 was over.

Credit must also go to the Youghal CYMS ‘B’ and ‘C’ sides who battled well throughout last weekend.

As for Cork snooker, it was another case of so close, but yet so far as all the Cork sides bowed out with the exception of the Crucible Snooker Club who were just a black ball away from competing in this year’s final.

The Crucible will now be Corks representatives at the Gleneagle Hotel/Ladbrokes All Ireland Snooker Club Championships, which begin at the INEC in Killarney this Friday.

The competition level was very high this year and there wasn’t much between any of the sides. Youghal CYMS and the AOH both qualified for the quarter finals, but Youghal lost out narrowly on the last match to the eventual winners and the Crucible put a sword to the hopes and aspirations of the Morrisson Island club.

The Crucible will now hope to take it one step further this weekend and despite the disappointment of not making it into this year’s final, the mood of this very young talented side is very upbeat indeed.

The Crucible ranked as Munsters third seed will have to be at their very best as they have been drawn in a tough group which includes the current All Ireland Champions.

The draw for the 2010 All Ireland Snooker Club Championships;

Group 1

St Matthews (Ulster) (1)

The Crucible (Munster)

Spawell (Dublin)

Tuam (Connaught)

Group 2

QE1 (Ulster) (2)

ALSAA (Dublin)

New Institute (Munster)

147 Wexford (Leinster)

Group 3

Venetian (Munster) (3)

Keady (Ulster)

Maynooth (Leinster)

Roadstone ‘B’ (Dublin)

Group 4

Celbridge (Leinster) (4)

Fountain (Ulster)

Waterford (Munster)

CYMS Letterkenny (Connaught)

Group 5

Ballina ‘A’ (Connaught) (5)

Minnesota (Ulster)

Q Club Wicklow (Leinster)

Roadstone ‘A’ (Dublin)

Group 6

Cue Club Killarney (Munster)

West Club (Connaught)

Roadstone ‘C’ (Dublin)

Ballina ‘B’ (Connaught)

As in the Munster Snooker Club Championships Groups one to five are seeded with the winner automatically qualifying into the quarter finals. The runners up of groups one to five will join the winners of the unseeded sixth group to play knockout to qualify for the remaining three quarter final spots.

Plat times for the first sessions of the All Ireland Snooker Club Championships are;

11am

St Matthews’s v Spawell

QE1 v The New Institute

Keady v Roadstone ‘B’

12.15pm

The Crucible v Tuam

ALASA v 147 Wexford

Maynooth v Venetian

1.30pm

Fountain v Waterford

Minnesota v Roadstone ‘A’

Cue Club Killarney v Roadstone ‘C’

2.45pm

Celbridge v CYMS Letterkenny

Ballina ‘A’ v Q Club Wicklow

West Club v Ballina ‘B’

Friday 22nd January 2010 3.05pm

Youghal CYMS ‘A’ Team off to a flier with victory over Masters ‘A’ from Shannon.

Youghal CYMS ‘A’ 3 – 2 Shannon Masters ‘A’

Youghal CYMS got their Gleneagle Hotel/Ladbrokes Munster Snooker Championships under way this afternoon at 1.30pm with a tough assignment against the Masters ‘A’ side from Shannon Co. Clare.

Adrian Landers showed sparkling form with a 2 frames to nil victory in record time on table 5.

Brendan Cooney won his frame two nil as well with his ever patient style and brilliant tactical play.

Derek Aherne was impeccable too with a 2 frames to nil in a very important victory.

Ger Hennessy was impressive in his frame and was very unlucky to lose out to some very lucky shots from his opponent.

Young Aaron Tobin made an impressive start to his Killarney Championships knocking in a 50 break, but unfortunately went down in the final frame.

So Youghal’s A side progress with a victory and top Group 5 alongside the Crucible club.

Youghal ‘A’ will play Venetian ‘B’ this evening at 6.30pm.

Youghal’s ‘B’ and ‘C’ sides are at the table as we speak.

Friday 22nd January 2010 4.58pm

Youghal ‘B’ Lose to Waterford ‘A’

Youghal ‘C’ Beat Cappoquin ‘B’

Latest Friday 9.49pm Youghal ‘A’ will play Venetian ‘B’

Saturday 23 rd 7.45pm: Youghal make it through to the Quarter Finals after a qualifying match.

Youghal will now play the red hot favourites for this year’s championship the Venetian A side formerly the New Vic from Limerick City,

The match will be played at 8pm on Saturday the 23rd.

Latest….Saturday the 23rd 10.02pm: Youghal are knocked out of the Munster Club Snooker Championships going down to a narrow 3 – 2 defeat to the Venetian A team from Limerick

One of the more interesting shifts in policing in the Youghal area in recent times has been the appointment of a Community Garda. The concept represents more or less a modern version of the past, when garda patrols relied less on petrol and more on visibility and accessibility for power. In fact today’s version could largely –and literally- be termed a ‘recycling’ venture, with advanced bicycle technology very much the vehicle of purpose for the garda on the beat.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Garda Peter Queally is now two months into his appointment as Youghal’s inaugural Community Garda. He is the eldest of six children from a farming family reared at Carroll’s Cross, near Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. He attended Newtown national school and then St. Augustine’s secondary in Dungarvan.

Now 39, Peter’s garda career began at Templemore in 1993, followed by four months in Ballyconnell and three and a half years in Pearse Street, Dublin. In 1998 he was posted to Watercourse Road in Cork’s Blackpool district and a year later came to Youghal.

Sportsman

Peter Queally’s name preceded him to Youghal and indeed Cork. He played senior hurling for Waterford for over ten years up to 2003, winning a Munster final in 2002. His club hurling career saw him line out with Ballydurn-Newtown (still does on occasion) as well as stints with Sarsfields in Glanmire. He was also a skilful footballer with Ballydurn-Newtown and was part of the Waterford side that bridged a 51year gap (there’s always a big gap between Waterford’s titles!) to claim a second Junior Munster title, in 1999.

Equally adept at showing others how it is done, he has trained the Waterford senior footballers and his county’s minor hurlers as well as Dungarvan’s hurlers at their former Intermediate level. He has also led Ballygunner to a senior county hurling final. In 2008, he was a selector for the Waterford side that reached that county’s first All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final since 1963. Let’s not mention the match for fear of being arrested, except to say Kilkenny managed to win. By half time that is! He currently trains the Youghal Intermediate hurlers. On days off he regularly tutors Newtown children in hurling skills.

The job

So much for the jersey; now for the uniform: Peter drives to work from the home near Kilmeaden that he shares with wife Ciara and sons Richie, 5 and Dara, five months. Thereafter much of his day may be spent on two wheels, much to his enjoyment. “Being from the country, I prefer being outdoors anyway and I like meeting people,” he insists. “But moreso I applied for this job because of the sort of initiative it demands and I like that.”

Having experienced six months of community policing back in Watercourse Road, his bike journeys now take him geographically “from Youghal bridge as far as Burgess Cross” but strategically to different word. “It’s a totally different environment here obviously and I must say there’s a lot more work to do than I expected,” he says. “But I’m doing various courses as well as learning on the job and its all very positive,’ he smiles.

Agreeable as it is, he doesn’t for a moment view community policing as a PR exercise. “I see it as preventative policing in terms of criminality,” he muses. “I mean a traffic corp garda for example issues tickets, conducts breathe tests, and so on to combat crime whereas a community garda tackles it by trying to build a relationship with local people. You hope to succeed to the point where they would trust you enough even to provide information to help prevent or solve crime.”

His role also places him with a foot in the camps of both perpetrator and victim as, on the one hand, he may be endeavouring to help shopkeepers set up a business watch system against shoplifting while on the other is hopes his involvement with the wider community has enough influence to dissuade or apprehend a potential shoplifter from within.

In the general sense a community’s landscape presents a myriad of challenges, from fear to fury and bullying to barking dogs. Peter’s mantra could well be to ‘meet the people and mend the problem’ and directions across this varied terrain are often provided by the town’s community organisations. He has been busily visiting the various outposts, such as “Foroige and the youth café in Nagle house, the garda Youth Diversion project and a lot of groups attached to Cumann na Daoine.”

The young

Ultimately there are two sectors that predominantly vie for his attention -the old and the young. Youth in particular can be both the exploiter and the exploited. So he visits schools and clubs and spends a lot of time liaising with Foroige. He contributes at the youth café, advises and listens and helps to plan new initiatives towards focusing young minds on the positive side of life. “We’re trying to develop different initiatives there,” he agrees in the calm, soft-spoken manner that seems to define him. Unsurprisingly, he brings a sporting focus to the table and speaks of plans to accommodate fitness training facilities and boxercise at Nagle House base in due course.

Recreation won’t resolve deeper social and personal problems however. The ever-rising tide of devastation wrought by drug and alcohol abuse brings a formidable challenge. To meet it, trust is a vital tool. “I suppose my job would be to provide the best help and advice I can. It does revert back to the outside agencies such as our drug counsellors and so on but I’d hope a youngster would listen to me and trust me in the first place. I’m there to help. ”

He is also there to detect of course and one doesn’t envy his position should the social work and the policing sides of his duties collide, as inevitably they must. As a garda he obviously can’t turn a blind eye to crime but it’s not necessarily a black or white situation. Ultimately, he believes that whatever he does is done “in the best interests of the young person involved.” Trust.

The elderly

At the other end of the age barometer he must consider the jurisdiction’s elderly population. Given the proclivity of attacks on the elderly, aligned with the natural vulnerability of being of advanced age, his role combines crime prevention with general care and consideration. It all culminates in frequent visits to older citizens, whether in town or in rural isolation, but particularly those living alone or otherwise particularly vulnerable.

This has proved to be surprisingly problematic in that there seems to be no readymade database of elderly residents and in being. Exacerbating the difficulty has been the Privacy legislation, whereby community organisations are forbidden in normal circumstances to supply personal information on private individuals to third parties, even to gardai.

Names needed

Peter has managed to compile a sizeable list of names and details from voluntary disclosures, in part through contact with organisations to Cumann na Daoine and other institutions. There are many individuals absent from his compilation however and he is very keen to have them included. “I’d greatly appreciate anyone who can provide details of an elderly person who may benefit from a visit,” he asks.

In the main he has found that elderly people, especially those living alone, greatly appreciate a chat and some company. “They find it reassuring to know someone knows they are there and of course it lifts their loneliness a lot too,” he reports.

Equally important, such visits enable him to assess the needs of his hosts, from basic requirements such as grass cutting, fuel provision, to servicing door locks and general home security. He can then inform the relative providers but much of what is needed would be well addressed through voluntary effort. “I’d like to establish a network whereby volunteers could be assigned to certain areas and just be undertake regular monitoring and even short visits to the elderly,” he states. “Recently at a Community Alert meeting we had one man offer to help in this way and if we had some more it would go a long way towards bringing peace of mind and a sense of security to elderly people,” he adds.

Meanwhile the ex-hurler tirelessly evolves his game plan. This time, there are no crowds gathered to witness his efforts but, as is often true of life, the lesser observed brings the greater effect. We can all feel cheered by his achievements.

Anyone wishing to contribute in any respect to Peter Queally’s role as community garda can contact him -in strictest confidence- through Youghal garda station on (024) 92200. “If I’m not there, leave a message and I guarantee to get back to you,” he assures.

COMMUNITY POLICING

The Community Garda has been a fixture in many of our major urban centres for over two decades, with the powers that be only now sending it on the crime trail to rural Ireland. The pity is that its value was not recognised and deployed earlier but better restored late than never.

An Garda Siochana initiated Community Policing as we are getting to know it, in November 1987. According to the national Crime Council’s website, the programme renders a uniformed garda responsible for policing a specific area, in which in he or she makes strives build up a constructive relationship with the locals.

Community Policing, says the Council, has three specific aims:

1. To provide locals with their own Garda, with whom they can discuss everyday occurrences within the area and build up a strong and supportive personal relationship;

2. To help locals prevent crime by supporting their efforts to promote Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert and other crime prevention initiatives;

3. To work with other social agencies in the area to help curb crime and vandalism.

As of March 2008 there were 674 gardai specifically assigned to community policing, representing almost five percent of the force’s total strength. The site reminds us nonetheless that, all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues. “Community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy that is not confined to a single unit,” it says.

The newly established statutory Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), by which Garda, council and community representatives meet regularly to discuss their crime and social issues in their locality is another branch of the modern Community Policing initiative, but that is a story -or stories- for another nervous day!

Youghal Town Council’s first meeting of 2010 was a relatively short affair, while the annual budget meeting, which preceded the agenda, saw Town Manager Patricia Power’s budgetary proposals adopted (see separate report). By Christy Parker

Congratulations:

For once, there were no hats raised, not even to those individuals who managed to retain their balance while negotiating Windmill Lane or Cork Hill throughout the recent icy spell.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Sammy Revins asked that remedial work be undertaken at the Bretton Road roundabout. He said it was “causing havoc” and that there had been three accidents there recently due to poor visibility caused by the structure and its attendant foliage.

Cllr Liam Burke asked for an update on the proposed Traffic Management Plan for DeValera/Ash Street Street. Similarly, he wondered was there any proposed completion date for the ESB works at Church Street, adding that this was related to the problems at DeValera Street as the residents there would argue that they were suffering increased flow due to Church Street’s closure. The councillor further asked whether a missing section of footpath on Windmill Hill could be addressed this year and wondered too if a broken footpath outside 29 Sweetfield could be repaired.

Cllr Barbara Murray wanted to know when the ESB would complete the footpath at Claycastle, which they had started before Christmas. She was informed that the contractors intend doing so once the weather had improved.

Cllr Michelle Hennessy drew attention to a sign on the descent of Windmill Hill indicating ‘Church Street closed’ and said it was blocking motorists’ view of upcoming traffic.

Cllr Eoin Coyne said the graveyard’s main footpath from the front to top gates has been in bad condition for years and badly needed repairs. Cllr Michael Beecher concurred, saying he had received phone calls on the matter, including from people travelling from England.

Cllr Barbara Murray said that, given the prevailing conditions, could not a tanker of water be made available to any areas, such as estates, that were experiencing water shortages. Town engineer Paul Murray replied that he had considered it and it seemed that there were only individual houses without water, mostly due to frozen stopcocks. Two water main breaks had been repaired and about to be repaired.

Cllr Murray sought information on the gritting priorities and process in terms of non-national roads and footpaths. The engineer said salt stocks were low but fresh supplies were expected. He proceeded that a mixture of salt and grit had been used during the icy spell and that workers, on overtime, had done a very good job in gritting priority areas such as “Cork Hill, Windmill Hill and junction” in the early mornings and overnight.

Cllr Murray then described the regional roadway at Summerfield, adjacent to her own address as currently “absolutely frightening” and advocating that the cold weather may “not be over yet” asked that such roads be given due consideration. Town Manager Patricia Power interceded that a thaw was forecast, whereupon Cllr Mary Linehan Foley reminded that flooding was expected. Ms. Power agreed, adding that the ground could not absorb much water at present.

Cllr Liam Burke asked if, in terms of freezing conditions, an army unit might not be invoked to ferry health care workers to their places of work. He said staff had had extreme difficulty in getting to work at the District and St. Raphael’s hospitals. The town manager said there was now a national co-ordination centre established and its co-ordinator had been in contact with her in lieu of access to hospitals and medical supplies that day. She said if the army was needed it would be summoned and a lot had been learned in recent days, with the gardai, army and local authorities working in tandem.

Cllr Burke then submitted further items for consideration. He asked what was the status of the Cork Area Strategic Plan review, whither (yet) again is the missing concealed entrance at Summerdale Lawn and ditto the usual, much–relayed list of broken footpaths which on this occasion he didn’t name (Tallow Street, South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey and Strand Street.)

Cllr Revins advocated a contingency plan be implemented whereby resident local authorities provide salt supplies to resident associations for dispersal when it was merited. Ms. Power said all such measures would be considered in due course, though salt needed to be stored in certain conditions, obviously.

Cllr Donie Daly thanked the engineer and the town clerk Liam Ryan for accompanying him to Quarryvale recently to consider the situation regarding illegally parked vehicles obstructing exiting motorists’ views. He said if proposals they had considered were implemented it would “certainly improve the quality of life for the residents” in the area.

Disposal of Properties:

The Town Clerk reported on two disposals: the first proposed that .00427 hectares at Green Park be sold to Cork County Council for use as a pumping station, at a nominal cost of €1. The second disposal related to transfer 22sq metres of land at Dermot Hurley Estate to a householder, for the extension of the property to a rear railing, again for a nominal €1. Both disposals were approved.

Mayor’s Business:

The Mayor conveyed news on a national helpline as reported at the recent Community Alert meeting. Called Senior Help Line, the initiative facilitates elderly people to contact other older people, from 10 am and 4pm and 7pm-10pm, every day of the year. The number is 1850 440 444. She also repeated the Community Alert meeting’s call for the general community to remain alert to the needs and security of elderly people in its midst.

Nomination of Members of Youghal Town Council to Strategic Policy committees of Cork County Council:

Mayor Sandra McLellan and Cllr Michael Beecher were nominated and it will shortly be decided by the County Council as to which committee they be attending.

Draft Bye Laws on the Prohibition of the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquors in Streets and Public Places within the Urban District of Youghal:

The town clerk said no submissions had been received during the public consultation period. However following councillors’ concerns it was decided to increase the fine for breaching the bye law from €30 to €75 in keeping with the penalty generally imposed by other councils. It had also been decided to include “the beach” in the wording describing the law’s jurisdiction. It was clarified that the fine, in the course of garda enforcement, will be ‘on the spot’ with court proceedings to ensue if it is unpaid. The new law was sanctioned and will come into force from February 19th.

Planning Application Procedure for Heritage Regeneration Works under Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, at Emmet Place, Youghal:

The town clerk said again no public submissions had been received and the item was proposed and passed.

Draft Youghal (Control of Skips) Bye Laws 2010:

Once again Mr. Ryan said that again, no submissions had been received during public consultation and the bye law was subsequently passed into being.

Group Personal Accident Insurance – Scheme A & B – Elected Members:

The schemes cover accidents etc, incurred in the course of council business. Two options had been circulated to the councillors, operated on behalf of Irish Public Body Mutual Insurances. It covered He explained that Scheme A was paid for by Youghal Town Council and all members were covered by it. Should any member wanted to upgrade to Scheme B, they could do so by paying the difference in premium to the Council. Scheme A was €30. Scheme B was €123. There were no immediate takers on Scheme B, although Cllr Linehan Foley intimated she may do so.

Youghal Town Council Applications to the Heritage Council of Ireland for 2010:

1. Conservation of Myrtle Grove
2. Architectural Appraisal of Historic Quarter of Youghal Town Application
3. St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Graveyard Trail Signage

The above was approved in total.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Murray seconded by Cllr. Beecher:

“That this Council as a matter of urgency prioritise the repair of the Mall Lane using a portion of the 2010 NNR Grant Allocation.”

Cllr Murray said that while no decisions on the allocation of the money would be made until the spring and regardless of reduced funding, “the work on the Mall Lane still has to be done.” She stressed that the sand-based surface laid in 2004 had now collapsed due to vehicular traffic. She said it was known at the time that the surface would only last temporarily because when the decision to re-open the Mall Lane was made, the resurfacing contract had already been awarded and so was allowed to proceed. The time had now arrived for “a proper surface to be put down,” she argued, adding, “Its all part of the regeneration process and it’s a main artery into the town centre.” Cllr Beecher seconded the Motion, recalling that a lot of time, effort and discussion had gone into the original re-surfacing and all that pertained to it.

Cllr Linehan Foley agreed that resurfacing was urgently needed but proposed an Amendment to the Motion. She called for the lane to be pedestrianised subsequent to the work. The councillor recalled that the lane had originally been pedestrianised but then re-opened “because of fears that businesses would diminish by 10-20%.  “We said it would be made safe but it is not safe,” she proceeded. “People can’t come out their front doors and it’s a danger walking on it or even trying to cross the top of the lane.” The councillor argued that there were “other arteries into the town centre” and that it only took two minutes to avail of the “safer” route (via Strand Street).

Cllr Linehan Foley further reminded that the lane’s re-opening was always to be monitored and re-assessed and that the residents on the lane were thus informed at the outset. She then stridently disputed Cllr Beecher’s intervention that the lane was safe for pedestrians and motorists by testifying that, “a woman was hit by a taxi there!”

Cllr Murray replied that her Motion did not facilitate the issue of whether the lane should be open or not. That was already long decided. She simply wanted it appropriately resurfaced, ideally with a cement-based foundation capable of withstanding the vehicular traffic by which it was being used.

Direct negatives

There then emerged some uncertainty as to whether the proposed amendment qualified, legally, as an amendment at all. Town clerk Liam Ryan eventually ruled that, under Standing Order 25, it was legit, as an Amendment should either a) leave out words, b) leave out words and insert or add others or c) add words and Cllr Linehan Foley was simply adding words. It would not be permitted if it equated to “a direct negative,” he further explained.

Amidst near acceptance, Cllr Murray questioned whether the proposed amendment was in fact a direct negative, but Mr. Ryan said that for it to be so defined, it would need to seek “the non-provision of the grant money to resurface the lane.” Cllr Linehan Foley then reiterated that she was not disputing the funding request but simply adding “that it be pedestrianised also.”

Cllr Burke further sought to copper-fasten the clarification by suggesting that Cllr Linehan Foley’s amendment sought “a second action after the first one has been completed” and therefore indeed “appeared to be a valid amendment.”

Cllr Daly intervened to ask that the amendment be either accepted or not and if accepted that a vote ensue. Minds refocused, Cllr Murray again sought that the proposed re-surfacing be of a quality to withstand prolonged vehicular traffic, thus inserting her own mini-amendment.

The amended Motion was subsequently put before the chamber as follows: ““That this Council as a matter of urgency prioritise the appropriate repair and pedestrianisation of the Mall Lane using a portion of the 2010 NNR Grant Allocation.” It was carried by five votes (Cllrs Coyne, Daly, Linehan Foley, Burke and Revins to four (Cllrs Murray, McLellan, Beecher and Hennessy.)

The town clerk explained that the success of the amendment now meant that a further Motion from the council will need to be proposed and carried in order legally to put the newly proposed status of the Mall Lane to public consultation. In other words, 2004 is about to be revisited and any repair to the lane must await the outcome of that impending process.

Correspondence:

Cllr Hennessy asked that the road outside Gaelscoil Chorain be re-lined as soon as possible. Cllr Linehan Foley also said that a signpost outside the school is impeding the school bus and she asked could it relocated.

One of east Cork and Ireland’s most beloved craft industries has been given a new lease of life with the sale of Stephen Pearce’s pottery and emporium centre. Youghal’s Jack O’Patsy Pottery (under the special purpose title of Hassium Ltd.), has acquired the 5,000sq ft manufacturing base, while the 12,000ft emporium has been bought by top Irish craft retailers, the Kilkenny Group. Report: Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email news@youghalonline.com

Established in 1953, Stephen Pearce’s Pottery entered examinership in October 2008 and entered receivership under KPMG four months later. Jack O’Patsy owner Pat Collins reveals that a combination of high quality facilities and the region’s established tradition of pottery making” had spurred his interest in the manufacturing centre. He says he hopes to commence trading within two weeks and to “create 11 jobs within two months, rising to 25 over two to three years.”

Further job creation can be expected on the Kilkenny side of the fence. The retail group says its plans for the two-storey emporium will be announced in the coming weeks, “once existing staff and tenants have been notified of intent.” It is hoped however, that the company will bring their full craft range, including ceramics, fashion, jewellery, etc., to market. Synonymous with promoting Irish design and quality Irish craftsmanship, the Kilkenny Group is 100% Irish-owned and trades across seven retail outlets and one restaurant in Ireland. It caters for the domestic and tourist trade under the retailing under the retail brands, ‘Kilkenny’ and ‘Christy’s’. Despite the economic downturn, the group expanded further over the past year, adding fashion to its stores in Cork city and Cashel.

When Jack met Stephen

Meanwhile, the development enhances the remarkable resurgence of Jack O’Patsy, which Pat Collins re-opened last September, following a six-year closure. The Youghal base currently employs five workers, three of them in manufacture, but under a gradual expansion scheme, he hopes to double that in the coming year.

As the new year gathers pace, the Youghal operation has forged a dual purpose with its Shanagarry neighbour. Pat believes ‘gradual development’ is the key to sustainable growth and is confident of doing so at both plants. While “the majority of sales would service the home demand, we will be keeping a very close eye on the foreign markets too, especially the American seaboard, through mail order and catalogues particularly,” the 47 year-old proprietor elaborates.

Methods and ranges, old and new

Reclaiming and consolidation old markets while searching for new footholds, defines a resolute and imaginative approach being undertaken by the former electrician-turned-pot maker. The way forward may lie in reverse: “I think the trend towards mechanisation in recent years has been retrograde,” he suggests. “It sacrifices some of the unique and individual characteristics that made the wares popular in the first place. So we would plan to concentrate more on the basics of hand thrown wares, employing potters rather than machines.”

In terms of what the human hand can be expected to create, “the traditional Jack O’Patsy and Badger Hill (the Wexford brand that Jack O’Patsy purchased in 1997) will remain crucial to our initial production,” he explains. Unlike the traditional Stephen Pearce terracotta range, these are stoneware products that be fired at 1,260 degrees and of a tough quality suitable for modern kitchen appliances. “Add in Celtic designs and you further enhance their marketable attraction,” says Pat.

While updating and re-invigorating the popular, basic products, he also hopes to develop a high-firing terracotta clay, equally suitable for repetitive rigours of the microwave/dishwasher/oven, with obvious potential to outshine rivals in the terracotta market. Additionally, Shanagarry’s large production facilities “suggests we can develop reduction gas fired pottery with the potential for stunning effects in vibrant colours and copper reds,” adds the businessman.

His belief in the ‘individuality’ of his products is further emphasised in his commitment to innovative designs. “We’ve been working on developing high quality, hand painted pottery, reflecting Irish historical and mythological themes, as well as local and national landscapes and seascapes,” he enthuses. “For example, we are doing a range of Irish lighthouses painted by local artists, another range of historical and local scenes and scenes of Irish interest generally. This type of thing is not common in the market and I think such value added products have great potential at home and amongst the Irish diaspora abroad.”

Not satisfied with merely making pottery, Pat Collins intends teaching other people to do so as well. “We have definite plans to start run pottery courses in the coming months,” he insists. “I’ve been encouraged by the from floating the idea to our clients in Youghal, “he adds. “In fact I’ve been very encouraged by the enthusiasm for our products generally since re-opening in Youghal and I want to thank everyone for that support. I think there is great goodwill at present for local produce, perhaps moreso in hard times. And what can be more indigenous than the native soil?!” Only native ideas, one supposes…

National Senior Help Line number is 1850 440 444

The freezing weather conditions failed to halt January’s Youghal and District Community Alert meeting on. Jack Dempsey welcomed the attendance on his inaugural occasion as chairman. By Christy Parker Email: news@youghalonline.com

The first item brought an administrative clarification whereby discretion was afforded to the committee to use their discretion to spend up to €100 of the group’s finances on relevant goods or services should ever it be deemed necessary. Expenditure over that amount would require seeking authorisation from a general meeting.

Emphasis on elderly

January’s gathering focused strongly on protection for the elderly. Garda Sergeant John Sharkey drew attention to distributed leaflets that advertised a Senior Help Line. He described this new, national-based service as “manned by elderly people for elderly people.”

The help line puts callers in touch with their peers and may be considered particularly helpful for those living alone, seeking advice or a friendly chat or generally desiring social contact. It runs 365 days a year from 10am to 4pm and from 7pm to 10pm. The number is 1850 440 444 and cost the same as a local call. “We’re keen to have the number distributed directly to as many elderly people as possible in the Youghal area or to their families, neighbours and friends who may do so,” stressed the sergeant.

Sergeant Sharkey also reminded the attendance that some high visibility vests remained available for the general public and can be acquired from the garda station. The remaining goods are predominantly large sized but were described as tight fitting nonetheless, especially when worn over jackets, etc.

Maintaining the emphasis on the elderly, the sergeant said all Garda authorities were anxious that contact between gardai and senior citizens be sustained, especially as inclement weather can cause severe difficulties. He pointed out that recently appointed Community Garda Peter Queally was in the process of compiling a list of names and phone numbers of elderly people in the area. However data protection laws forbade many community organisations from divulging this information and he asked that information on any elderly person who might be considered in need of a garda visit, whether for a chat or more practical assistance, be forwarded to the gardai or Garda Queally personally.

The icy weather may have departed but then again it may well return. The sergeant delivered some motoring advice in respect of icy conditions, including checking road conditions in advance of travelling either by consulting the garda website or from the station. Driving in low gears was also advocated as was, basically, driving slowly.

Crime figures

Crime figures since the previous month’s meeting were reflected low, probably influenced by the adverse weather. The statistics as given by sergeant Sharkey read as:

Thefts: (6); Lidl’s (1) Tesco’s (2) private residences Store Street (2), private residence in Walter Raleigh vicinity (1)

Minor Assaults (3); Tesco’s (2), Nealon’s Quay (1)

Criminal Damage (9); Duncoran, Seafield Estate, South Abbey, Gort Aoibhinn, Blackwater Heights, Magner’s Hill, Harbour View, Tallow Road, and Carlton Village.

Drink Driving (3); Cork Hill, Millfield Abbey and North Cross Lane.

Burglary (2): Timeless Jewellers; Kilcoran Road (elderly person)

Drug Arrests (4); Claycastle, North Main Street, Tallow Street and at Youghal garda station (non resident presumably!)

Opportunism

The chairman illustrated how the cold weather presented criminals with opportunity. He said drivers sometimes tend to leave engines running but unattended momentarily, by way of heating their cars. Thieves were regularly taking advantage of this lapse to steal the vehicles. “It may be unlikely to happen around here but its as well to be aware of it,” he advised.

Mr. Dempsey then inquired whether updated personal alarms or the funding for same, were yet available. He said the devices in mind were “similar to a watch” and worked on the same principal as those worn round one’s neck. Sergeant Sharkey said funding, as reported by Michael Ahern TD at a previous meeting, was expected to be reintroduced in the last budget, but seemingly was not. A local TD up the country was calling for it to be restored following a recent attack on an elderly person in their vicinity, he added.

On the beat

The chairman commended the gardai for their increased presence on the street. He recalled seeing two gardai walking on Tallow Street and happening on a traffic congestion situation that ere quickly able to alleviate. “I’ve even seen a garda on patrol near St Raphael’s!,” he said, suitably impressed. He added, “It’s very reassuring to see the uniform on the streets.” His sentiments were echoed from the floor, with one speaker equally delighted that a garda had “actually walked” through his estate recently. “Its great. People were commenting on it,” he declared.

Reflecting how rural policing has altered (many would say diminished) in Ireland over recent decades, Sergeant Sharkey was asked as to how this novel method of policing had come about! Were there plenty of gardai in the station nowadays?  (One might have imagined some sort of station overflow, by which gardai were somehow spilling onto the streets from whence they were obliged to walk to keep warm!) The sergeant said numbers were at a satisfactory level although replacements for gardai retiring in the coming years may not be forthcoming. “But we don’t intend to let anyone be transferred unless they are replaced,” he insisted.

Worth attending

Meanwhile the chairman felt moved to reassure all present that their attendance was highly relevant. “There will be times when we will question whether we are justified in coming to meetings,” he began. “But it is always worthwhile,” he proceeded, before explaining that if even one person in the year was saved from becoming a crime victim or one other person dissuaded from committing a crime, then everything was justified.

Mr Dempsey further stressed that anyone in attendance should never feel anything they may wish to say is unimportant. He advised that in some cases, it might be preferable not to wait until the Any Other Business slot at the end of the meeting, when people may be about to leave, before airing their point. “Come to me or the secretary in advance even and we’ll put it on the agenda,” he promised.

Help and the plight of the elderly.

The agenda came full circle when a man in attendance informed Community Garda Peter Queally that he would be willing to led voluntary assistance to elderly people, such as grass or wood cutting, window washing, etc., The gesture was gratefully appreciated and accepted. Garda Queally suggested that a few more similar volunteers, perhaps given designated areas, would be of enormous benefit to his work and to the elderly community. “It would also serve to reassure older people,” he observed.

The garda proceeded that he was endeavouring to compile his list of elderly citizens and trying to prioritise who most needed visitors. He hoped to seek help from retired gardai amongst others, to assist this work.

Finally, the plight of many elderly people was exemplified by two poignant testimonies delivered towards the meeting’s conclusion. One spoke of a woman who bid farewell to a shop assistant one recent weekend and remarked how she would probably not have company again until the following weekend. Her adult children were generally “too busy” to call to her. A second story concerned a woman who lingered at another retail outlet most days, simply to find company.

As the chairman said, it’s always worthwhile attending the community alert meetings.

The next one is on Tuesday February 2nd and every first Tuesday thereafter, at the Walter Raleigh as always. Meetings start at 7.45 and last an hour at most.