It’s Been A Bad Year For Moustaches
by Christy Parker

It’s been a bad year for moustaches; a poor trip for the upper lip

It’s been poor God knows for the lower nose

Where the fungus halts the drip

It’s been smooth sailing for eyelashes; no fears for beards there be

But it’s been a bum’s rush for the manicured brush

-Thanks to Willie O’Dea

The eyes of the world were on Willie, trying to keep a straight face in place

With the aid of a ‘tache resembling a rash

Or some sort of strange grey life from space

Willie sent that ‘tache up, down and sideways and dancing about on his mouth

As he spun at full throttle in the hope that a brothel

Would not see his career counted out

It stayed true, it stayed stiff yet stayed nubile; it stayed glued as the battle ensued

It remained a non-quitter as Dan Boyle and his twitter

Tried to make Willie’s job stewed and screwed

It stayed stubborn near Cowen and Coughlan, refusing to fall in the Dail

As Willie insisted and further persisted

That his memory had lapsed –that was all!

But all hairy lips were a-quiver; men sighed and some women cried

Because unfortunate Willie looked increasingly silly

The more the truth showed he had lied!

Until even the Greens were embarrassed, then held sway at the end of the day

As the tape soon revealed just what Willie had squealed,

They called for his head on a tray

Amidst scandal, dishonour and shame, no trim could make Willie less grim

His ‘tache might be cute but the world and he knew it

Was beyond face saving for him

In their graves Mussolini and Hitler will have spun as the story was run

While Einstein no doubt would have failed to work out

How Willie thought he could have won

But now moustache wearers are wary as people they meet on the street

Take one look at the hair and respond ‘I declare

You are probably lying through your teeth.’

In affairs of the pocket or heart, the flash of the ‘tache is naive

And investors in both are being handed their coat

And politely requested to leave

It’s been a bad year for moustaches; smooth grins are now needed to win

So you’d best blow the whistle on your upper lip bristle

And dump it –with Willie- in the bin.

Kíla took to the stage with special guests Mal Blackie and Richie Foley at the hauntingly beautiful St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal. All proceeds went towards future Sacred Root music projects.Photo: B. Cashman and Michael Hussey for YoughalOnline.com

For more info, contact Sacred Root on 087 9957102 or email sacredroot@gmail.com or visit sacred-root.com.
Upcoming events include Luka Bloom on the the 20th of March

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Youghal Community Nights Group celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th 2010 at Cumann Na Daoine, Youghal. Report/Photo: Michael Hussey for YoughalOnline.com

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday.

Every year, there is a theme to the day. The theme for International Women’s Day 2010 is Equal “rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.”

International Women’s Day celebrates century in the year 2010 : Although the date has only been recognized by the United Nations in 1975, the International Women’s Day was established in 1910 during the World Conference on Women held in Denmark. Therefore, a hundred years ago on March 8 the day is dedicated to women.

The choice of March 8 refers to that day in 1857, when textile workers in New York in the United States went on strike, occupying the factory, and their lobbying for easing the daily working hours, from 16h to 10h.

These workers – who received less than a third of the wages of men – were closed in the factory where they started a fire. About 130 women were burnt alive.

Professionals North American in 1903 created the Women’s Trade Union League, an association which had as objective to help all workers to demand better working conditions. Five years later, over 14 thousand women marched in the streets of New York protesting for the same reason the workers in 1857, and claimed the right to vote.

They walked under the slogan of Bread and Roses, where the bread symbolized the economic stability androses a better quality of life.

Cumann Na Daoine
Catherine Street, Youghal
Tel: Stacey 024-91900

Davie Murphy from Youghal, with the help of his family, friends and supporters, held a very enjoyable Table Top Quiz at the Youghal Rugby Club recently. The quiz is part of ongoing fund-raising activities to help Davie’s mission to Haiti where he will help to build houses with Cork born charity Haven. Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

Davie needs to raise €4,000 in fund-raising events and appreciates any help towards this worthy cause. Fellow Youghal natives, John O Riordan and Bobby Lee will also travel with Davie to help in the disaster zone where the terrible earthquake occurred on Tuesday 12th January 2010.

Each volunteer is required to raise a minimum of €4,000. Approximately €2,000 of this covers flights, accommodation, food and water for the duration of Build it Week. The remainder of the funds raised will go towards building materials for the houses that you will build during Build it Week.

Volunteers will live on site in basic accommodation, and will take part in all activities that go into the running of the camp as well as the construction of the new homes: roofing, plumbing, painting, medical, catering, water distribution, etc. With your help, Haven will build 300 houses across Haiti this year. Davie told Youghalonline.com that he would like to thank all the supporters, participants at the quiz, Youghal Rugby Club and especially the kind generosity of the sponsors in helping him to help Haiti. -Youghalonline.com
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Meantime Theatre Company presents The Good Father at The Mall Arts Centre – March 13th 2010

Directed by Maria Moynihan and starring James Browne and Una Kirwan, Christian O’Reilly’s ‘The Good Father’ is a contemporary love story of how two people starting at the end try to reach a new beginning.

Tim and Jane are from different sides of the class divide, but when a random meeting at a New Year’s Eve party leads to an unexpected pregnancy they attempt to form a relationship against all odds.

Jack O’Rourke, music teacher at Pobailscoil na Trionoide, will provide an originally-composed live piano score for The Good Father. Jack studied music and composition at University College Cork and has worked musically on other exciting theatre projects such as Dark Week, a promenade piece at the Everyman Palace Theatre for Cork Midsummer Festival 2005, where he collaborated with Cork chanteuse Annette Buckley. He also composed the haunting piano score for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Granary Theatre last year. He fronts folk-rock band, Front Porch and will be supporting Luka Bloom in St. Mary’s Church, Youghal, on Saturday 20th March.

Jack is hugely enjoying his first year at Pobailscoil na Trionoide and is delighted to find himself in the Mecca of budding musical talent. He hopes that the inhabitants of his new hometown will come out to support The Good Father at the Mall Arts Centre, and that everyone enjoys the show!

Tickets on sale on the door at €15/€12,  show starts at 8pm !

Thanks to the very kind services of Cork Prison, concerts at St Mary’s Collegiate Church will be a lot more comfortable.  Regular monthly concerts have been held in the church over the last few months, organised by Sacred Root Productions,  with acts such as Mick Flannery, John Spillane, Liam O’Maonlaoi, Kila and only last weekend Declan O’Rourke.

As part of their education programme, Cork Prison take on sewing projects in communities to keep the prisoners occupied and at the same time teaching them a new skill. Oona Colin, Events Co-ordinator of St Mary’s Collegiate Church contacted  Colm O’Herlihy, Education Officer and asked him if he would be interested in taking on a project of making almost 60 cushions for the pews above at the church.  After speaking with his colleagues, Colm was delighted to take on the project collaborating with Orla Hannon, Industrial Supervisor and Mary Mulholland, Health Education Officer with certain prisoners, in the making of these cushions.  Measurements were taken of each pew, as they all vary in size and the result is beautifullly coloured, thick cushions for the enjoyment of concert goers and tourists alike. The foam and fabric were very kindly supplied by Cork Prison.

The church is currently undergoing a little facelift, making it much more pleasing to the eye.  The very old and used plastic partition separating the chancel from the nave is also due to be replaced by a beautiful royal blue velvet curtain, more appropriate to the setting of this beautiful 13th century church.

A fundraising concert is planned for the end of May, with the collaboration of local community groups, in the hope of raising funds towards installing a heating system.  Heating an ancient stone building such as this, with high ceilings is quite a task and quite costly.  We hope that the people of Youghal and surrounding areas will come along and support this good cause, making concerts more enjoyable and comfortable for all.

St Mary’s Collegiate Church is available for rent for weddings, exhibitions, concerts and  shows by calling 083 360 6507.

Cork Textiles Network (CTN) is a, not for profit, group of Cork based artists whose combined media ranges from Ceramics, Stitch art, jewellery, printed textiles, felting, and weaving among others.

On the weekend of the 6th & 7th March they will be holding their annual Conference. As a part of this week they are incorporating an Arts and Crafts sale and demonstrations day.
Artists and supply companies are invited to exhibit at this event all monies raised will go towards the sponsoring of 2 midwives from the CUH Maternity Dept to go to work in Haiti.

GREAT ART AND CRAFT FAIR

COLAISTE STIOFAN NOAFA

TRAMORE ROAD CORK

SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2010

AS PART OF CORK TEXTILE NETWORK CONFERENCE 2010 EVENT RENOWNED ARTISTS (INCLUDING RDS AWARD WINNER 2009) OF PRINTED TEXTILES, FELT, WEAVING, APPLIQUE, JEWELLRY INCLUDING FRESHWATER PEARL, CERAMICS. PAINTING, ART SUPPLIERS, PLUS MANY DEMONSTRATIONS.

IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST OF ARTS & CRAFTS SUPPLIER AND WOULD LIKE TO SELL OR DEMONSTRATE YOUR PRODUCTS AND SKILLS PLEASE CONTACT US TO BOOK A SPACE.

COST OF TABLES:      INDIVIDUALS: 25 EURO

COMMERCIAL: 50 EURO

PROCEEDS FROM EVENT WILL HELP FUND A TRIP TO HAITI BY TWO MIDWIVES

Email: barbhall@eircom.net

Following the second annual Tourism Networking Showcase. Youghal Chamber of Commerce and tourism would like to take the opportunity to thank all the product provider’s who engaged in this year’s showcase.
Photo: Michael Hussey YoughalOnline.com email news@youghalonline.com

We would also like to thank The Walter Raleigh Hotel for all their help whilst hosting the event.
The Event was aimed at kick starting the tourism season, Guest speaker Sandra McLellan, Mayor of Youghal, said Saturday, “Tourism is now Youghal s number one industry and it is initiatives such as the showcase that will only serve to nurture and develop the industry here and in local economy”.

This event also saw the launch by Failte Ireland for Youghal Family Friendly Brochure for 2010.  Youghal has become a Hub for Family Friendly Destinations as there is a wide range of activities for all the family as well as outstanding Restaurants and spectacular views. With this in mind are hopes are very optimistic for the future of our wonderful town.

Please click on image to enlarge and see slideshow of the Tourism Networking Showcase product providers - Photo: Michael Hussey for YoughalOnline.com

Sean O’Neill is a well known and highly respected Playwright and Director. He lives in Youghal, where he is happy, comfortable, and back in the town he has loved all his life.
By Denise FitzGerald  Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Born in Dublin, the son of a Kilkenny man, Sean remembers being told by his father and uncles many times during his lifetime, that he was related to Fr. Peter O’Neill – the Irish Catholic Priest born in Coona, County Cork in 1757, brother of the famous Fenian Michael O’Neill Crowley.  During those troubled times,  Fr. O’Neill was accused of sanctioning the murder of a United Irishman suspected  of being a Government Spy.  Fr. O’Neill refused to give information, was arrested, received 275 lashes without trial, held in prison for two years, and then transported in 1800 to Australia.   He was released on January 15th 1803 and sailed to Ireland where he was reinstated as Parish Priest of Ballymacoda on July 29th, 1803 and where he remained until his death on June 30th, 1846.   All Youghal natives will be familiar with the memorial erected to his memory in Green Park.

Sean O’Neill may, or may not be related to this much revered son of Youghal but his love of the town and surrounding areas is the reason why he has decided that the World Premier of his new One Man Show, entitled ‘The Passion,’ will be staged in the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal with the opening night on Tuesday March 30th, running through to Saturday, April 3rd. Sean said he had options of premiering in theatres in different cities, including Dublin and Cork, but decided to bring his Show first to the town of Youghal.

Despite studying drama in London in his teens, and working in films following this, Sean’s real love is writing and directing.  Some of the diverse shows with which he was involved include Playboy of the Western World (Director), West Side Story (Director) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, to name but a few.

The title ‘The Passion’ indicates immediately the theme of this One Man Show, but Sean assures that this is a ’Passion’ with a difference.   For several years he tossed the concept around in his mind, and gave great thought to the life of Christ as we have been taught.  This Show, he says, ‘is about an ordinary man doing extraordinary things’.   It tells the story of Christ from the beginning of His ministry at age 30 when he was baptised by John the Baptist.    The story is based on the perspective of humanity, with all the feelings and emotions of man, and the circumstances that moulded the character of Christ.  Why did Christ do what He did?   Why did all of this happen?  What were His thoughts, feelings, ambitions?   How was He to deal with them?

The role of Christ is played by well known Youghal actor, Brian Hogan.   This is a very exciting and challenging role for Brian who, in this Show, will play the diverse parts of not only Christ, but also Peter, Judas, Joseph, and a Centurian.   Sean is delighted with his choice of actor, and says that Brian has all the talents, emotions and, most importantly, he has a ‘presence’ which will captivate any audience.

Sean confirmed that everything to do with this Show is being done on a local level.  All the stage props, carpentry, lighting etc., are in the hands of local Youghal people, and he is delighted to be able to bring employment to the area.

And so, we introduce Sean O’Neill, Playwright and Director, to the people of Youghal where the Fenian, Brian Crowley O’Neill and the Priest, Fr. Peter O’Neill  from Ballymacoda in the 1800s may be his ancestors.  Then again, they may not.

Make a firm date to go along at Easter time, from March 30th to April 3rd to the Mall Arts Centre, and get another perspective on the wonderful theme of Christ, the man, in the World Premier of Sean O‘Neill‘s, ‘The Passion’.

The Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) is a registered charity which was set up in 2001 by friends of Lucilla Hyland to raise awareness of the symptoms of oesophageal cancer and to provide money for research so as to improve the journey and outcomes for people with oesophageal cancer and their families. Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

It is a voluntary organisation,started initially in conjunction with Professor Tom Walsh in Blanchardstown Hospital but has grown to be the national voice representiong oesophageal cancer in Ireland. As a group we strive to further the public awareness and understanding of this disease.Many patients are diagnosed late when the disease is advanced.We hope that through continued public education we will all recognize the significance of difficulty in swallowing just as we all have become aware of the sinister nature of a breast lump or of a mole which changes in colour. Our main fundraising event is an ANNUAL LOLLIPOP DAY which takes place at the end of February each year.This involves thousands of people selling lollipops throughout the country.We are very fortunate to have an ever increasing number of dedicated volunteers and loyal sponsors all of whom make this charity the success that it has become .

The Oesophageal Cancer Fund ( OCF ) recently pledged up to 500,000 euros over the next three years for research into oesophageal Cancer and have established a Scientific board to adjudicate submissions for national, multi-centre, collaborative, clinical research into any aspect of Oesophageal Cancer care. Our vision is to work in partnership with leading experts and funding bodies to achieve the greatest impact in the fight against Oesophageal cancer.

“Our committement to funding clinical research is a testament to the callibre of research that is currently taking place into Oesophageal cancer in Ireland. Irish researchers are leading the field .Developments in areas of diet related changes are especially crucial at a time when obesity is a major issue for Irish people” , said Noelle Ryan Chairperson of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

Why was it started?

The oesophageal cancer fund was formed by a group of Lucilla Hyland’s close friends after she died from Oesophageal cancer in August 2001, to address the lack of awareness of the symptoms of this type of cancer.

It was very interesting to find that Ivor Lewis, the first Surgeon to operate on cancer of the middle oesophagus, and to devise the operation which now bears his name – the Ivor Lewis operation –wrote in the British Journal of Surgery in 1946:
“Is it too much to hope that the public will be taught that any disturbance in swallowing  must mean seeing the doctor about it, that the doctor will assume that all such cases over 40 years of age are due to cancer unless obviously due to something else, and that physicians and surgeons will insist that such growth is excluded only when radiography and esophagoscopy are negative”

Despite his optimism we are not aware in the intervening 60 years of any other grouping any country who are promoting awareness of the significance of difficulty swallowing.

It is hoped that by diagnosing the disease earlier, before it becomes systemic, that more people can hope for curative treatment. We established Lollipop Day as a national oesophageal cancer awareness day to highlight the association between difficuly swallowing and oesophageal cancer. We also wish to emhasise the need for endoscopy in people who have had a long history of heartburn, as this is a marker of Barrett’s oesophagus and Barrett’s is in turn a precursor of Oesophageal cancer. The lollipop was chosen as the emblem for this campaign to highlight the most common symptom of suspicion

* DIFFICULTY IN SWALLOWING. ( Dysphagia) This means that food sticks on the way down).
* Unexplained weight loss ( which may precede dysphagia )
* new onset of Dyspepsia in the over 50year old ( Indigestion )
* persistent hiccups
* pain between the shoulder blades
* discomfort behind the breastbone

The oesophageal cancer fund is aware of the fact that oesophageal cancer is usually diagnosed late when the disease has reached an advanced stage and may not be curable. This is related to poor public awareness of the symptoms to be aware of. We hope that as a result of  the establishment of Lollipop Day and its awareness campaign that this trend is changing.