An outstanding performance was had last Saturday night, April 24th by Juliet Turner, WOW can the girl sing! She’s talented, funny, charming and a great entertainer. What a great concert, she wowed the crowd.
Great performances also from Brian Grace who accompanied Juliet on guitar and her brilliant support acts, Sara Lou, who’s going to go really far and to the brilliant Gentry Morris who sings and plays like a dream.
Photos: Michael Hussey REDTV.IE Email news@youghalonline.com

In February 2005, Juliet Turner was awarded the Meteor Music Award for best Irish female performer.

Currently Juliet is studying for a degree in Clinical Speech and Language Studies at Trinity College Dublin, but combines this with an on-going schedule of gigs to support the album “People Have Names”.

All details can be found at www.julietturner.com and www.myspace.com/burntheblacksuit. Juliet is joined for most of these dates by Nashville performer Gentry Morris. There was a great turnout from the people of Youghal with attendance also from Cork City, Dungarvan, Lismore and Fermoy. Thanks to all who came out to support their local arts centre.

Click on image to enlarge and see more photos of the event. All photos by Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Address by the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., to the Annual Conference of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools (AMCSS)
Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny Thursday, 29 April 2010

Introduction
A dhaoine uaisle, is breá liom teacht anseo inniu chun labhairt le bhur gcruinniú bliantúil.  Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl daoibh as bhur gcuireadh a bheith anseo, mar go dtugann sé deis dom aitheantas a thabhairt don sárobair a dhéanann sibh go léir ar son scoláirí na tíre seo.

Aithním go bhfuil ról lárnach agaibh i gcúrsaí oideachais agus gur fearr go mór an toradh atá ar fhoghlaim scoláirí na hÉireann dá bharr sin.  Agus é sin ráite, tá dúshláin romhainn a chaithfimid aghaidh a thabhairt orthu, thar ceann na scoláirí sna scoileanna agus ar mhaithe le leas na tíre ina hiomláine.

Good afternoon and thank very much you for your kind invitation to address your 23rd annual conference.

At the outset, I would like to say that I am very much aware of the valuable contribution of the voluntary secondary school sector to post primary education in this country.  Ireland’s history of provision at post primary level would be very different today if it were not for the role of the voluntary sector.  Not only would that history be significantly shorter, but the historic capacity of the Irish people would have been significantly less.  In changed and changing times, it is a contribution and legacy to be proud of.  I want this afternoon to acknowledge that important role and also your current role as a school management body and education partner.

This afternoon is also an opportunity for me to place on record my appreciation and gratitude for the invaluable work carried out at the level of each individual school by those of you who serve on Boards of Management in our schools.  Individuals give voluntarily of their time across the country in this regard.  It is an important role and contribution, not just in terms of the individual school but also in that school’s community.

I know that recent years have brought about significant change at trustee level through the establishment of the various trust boards.  I have no doubt the trusts will seek to perpetuate the best traditions of the religious orders they are replacing and their long history of service to Irish education.

In the short time since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills, I have had a very speedy introduction to the annual round of education conferences.  As you know over Easter I set out at the teacher union conferences some of the major issues and challenges that will face us in the education sector in the coming years.  I want to take this opportunity today to share my thoughts about the road ahead with you as leaders in our schools system.

Economic and Budgetary Context
In any discussion about what we might desire for our education system, as we plan ahead, it would be unrealistic not to take account of the current economic context and environment and the very real restraints on public expenditure.

This has been one of the most challenging periods for any government in the history of this country.  Difficult decisions have been taken to secure the viability of our banking and financial systems and to restore order to our public finances.  I know that this has caused real concern and hardship for many individuals, but taking action to deal with our current difficulties is fundamental to ensuring the long term sustainability of public service provision, including education.

International confidence in the steps the Government is taking is also essential.  We continue to witness in the case of our euro-zone partner, Greece, the consequences, if such international confidence is lacking.  Ireland must continue to demonstrate that it is robustly committed to sorting out its difficulties.  This is important in terms of the bond market and the rate of interest at which we can borrow to pay for public services.  A stable environment is also a key consideration for those who might bring further direct foreign investment to Ireland and increase employment.

The determined path adopted by Ireland has been recognised internationally.  Overseas eyes are now watching to see if we stay the course and see it through.

We still have many more steps to take.  A further €3 billion of adjustments – from a combination of capital expenditure, reducing the cost of public services and taxation – must be found in the next budget.  That task will not be easy.  For the education sector these realities clearly constrain our capacity to procure additional resources for all those aspects of the school system that we may wish for, even though cogent arguments can be made about their value.  We are still in a position where we need to reduce public expenditure not increase it.  It is not realistic to expect that expenditure on education can in some way be totally exempted.  We have the added difficulty that increased numbers will be attending our schools over the coming period.  At a time when we need to reduce spending the demographics are creating upward budgetary pressure.

Additional Teaching Posts
In that context, it is important to recognise that we have in fact prioritised, as best as possible, front-line services in the education sector.  That prioritisation is evident in the commitments on teacher allocations to schools set out in the renewed Programme for Government.  Over and above funding the extra teaching posts to cover increased enrolments, five hundred extra posts will be provided to the school sector over a three year period.  Following our consultations with you, and the other education partners, the first tranche of these posts have already been allocated to schools.

These posts are being allocated to schools based on clear and transparent agreed criteria.  One hundred posts were allocated earlier this year at post-primary level targeted at enhancing the existing arrangements for the provision of learning support for our second level students.

A further one hundred posts for the coming school year are being used to increase subject choice in post-primary schools.  This is being achieved in two ways.  Firstly, additional posts are being targeted at co-educational schools in single post-primary catchment areas to support wider subject choice.  This approach recognises that such schools are under more pressure to provide a wider subject choice than a single sex school.

Secondly, additional posts for the coming school year are being allocated to post-primary schools that decide to work together with other local post-primary schools to increase subject choice in a town or area.  While in the past, schools in some areas have done so, what we want to achieve here is that all schools look afresh beyond their own boundaries; to see if there are creative ways of working jointly with other nearby post-primary schools that result in more subject options being available to the pupils in each school.

I am happy to report that there is some evidence already that schools are responding to this measure.  We have recently received some interesting applications from schools that are proposing to work together from September to improve subject choice in areas such as technology, applied maths, science subjects etc.  We have looked positively on these applications with a view to supporting them through the allocation of some additional staffing resources.  We need to encourage more of this type of cooperation between schools, so that we can make best use of whatever resources we have available given current constraints.

We will also be consulting with you and the other partners on how best to use the remaining posts that are to be allocated to schools from September 2011.

Moratorium
I know the moratorium has caused particular difficulties for many of you.  The fact is, however, that the putting in place of the public service wide moratorium on the filling of vacancies and promotions is an important part of the strategy I have already spoken about to get or public finances back on track.

Public service pay is a huge element of public expenditure and the total bill is determined by the number of public servants and the pay rates payable to them.  The moratorium is a key control measure aimed at reducing the number of public servants.

In contrast to what is happening in other areas of the public service, the Government has already tapered application of the moratorium to schools by providing for a growth in teacher numbers and allowing from the outset the automatic filling of principal and deputy principal posts.  This is a significant statement of our public spending priorities in difficult times.

I fully accept however that the moratorium has impacted severely on some schools where the number of posts of responsibility falling vacant is significant arising from retirements.  I appreciate that this has created real difficulties for principals in those schools and I know that upcoming retirements or the appointment of people to principal and deputy principal posts in the coming months will impact further on middle management posts.

I can confirm that we are working with the Department of Finance on finding an appropriate adjustment to how the moratorium should apply for the next school year.  I am conscious that whatever limited alleviation can be made needs to be determined soon, so that schools are ready for the autumn.  However, any view that it will be possible to end the moratorium altogether for assistant principal and special duties posts is misplaced.  The position whereby over half of all teaching posts have involved some type of management allowance is simply unsustainable having regard to the need to control the public service pay bill.

Reducing the Burden of Administration
The moratorium is just one of the challenges that you face in managing your schools.  I know that your conference has been exploring issues relating to the management of voluntary secondary schools and the challenges facing school management in an era of great change in Irish society.

My officials have also briefed me on your concern that the Department does not impose unnecessary administration on already hard pressed principals and school staff.   It is important that we take a fresh look at how we can help schools by looking at new and better ways of reducing their workloads – particularly at a time of reduced resources.  I know, President, that you and some of your colleagues have been engaged recently in discussions with my senior officials on particular ways this might be achieved.  You can be assured that if practical and feasible new ways of doing the necessary paperwork can be agreed, you will have my every support in implementation.

Funding for School Books
In the particular context of school funding arrangements, we are currently considering how certain grant payments can be made in the most efficient way possible to schools.  The objective is to ensure that the grant assistance for school books, and funding for various programmes such as junior certificate schools programme, transition year, the vocational and applied leaving certificate programmes, and physics and chemistry, can be provided in a streamlined manner that eases the administrative burden for schools and indeed for my own officials.

What we are working to achieve is the provision of school book support on a capitation basis.  Previously, schools were required to apply annually.  Under our new proposal, this will no longer be necessary.  We will make one standalone payment before the end of the current school year aimed at having funds available to schools for the start of the next school year.  Thereafter, the aim is to integrate it into the regular capitation payment system.  I want to encourage schools to use this funding to support, in particular, book rental and loan schemes.

Again, with the programme grants we envisage that this year we will make one capitation based payment in June to schools that have the programmes and subjects concerned and we are looking at integrating it into the capitation payments system in subsequent years.  My officials will be engaging with you and the other management bodies in the coming weeks on the detail of these new simplified arrangements.

Capital Programme
Despite the difficult financial backdrop, in line with the priority we attach to education, the Government has continued to prioritise the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.  Almost €579m has been allocated to the programme in 2010.

In the past couple of weeks, I announced that a total of €122 million will be provided for the Summer Works Scheme.  Some 368 post-primary schools are to benefit from works this summer as a result.

I know a project announced for a school is always welcome news but it does bring with it extra work for management boards, so I would like to acknowledge the role played by individual school authorities in the delivery of these building projects.

This investment demonstrates again our desire to continue to provide pupils and teachers with the best educational environment for teaching and learning, while contributing to the productive capacity of the economy and employment.

The Irish education system has a strong track record of providing high quality education and skills that are valued throughout the world.  From my experiences as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I know that this is a key factor in attracting foreign direct investment into Ireland.

To build on this status, we must continue to ensure that teaching and learning in our schools is focused on what our students will need.  As a country we are facing new challenges and new competitors which require our education system to adapt and adjust.  The traditional model of education with its emphasis on teacher-led instruction, and over reliance on the acquisition of knowledge as the basis for examination success may not be the best way to address these challenges.  Our new focus in education has to be on ensuring that our students acquire lifelong skills, become independent learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators.

As you carry out your management role in our secondary schools, the challenge will be to maintain the highest standards possible in these difficult times.

Curriculum Reform and Maths
Ongoing evaluation and reform of our curriculum is also crucial.  Our review of the junior cycle is now underway, I launched the public consultation element of that work being undertaken by the NCCA last week.  I will be listening carefully to the debate on the junior cycles as the review progresses.

Despite the reputation that Irish education enjoys throughout the world, a particular concern that I encountered in my previous role relates to the need to strengthen and expand our pool of maths and science graduates.

I support the Project Maths initiative.  I believe changes in our approach to the teaching of mathematics can contribute significantly to improving interest and achievement in maths across our second level system.  We are however at the beginning of a process that will take time to embed.  The introduction of a CAO points bonus for achievement in Leaving Certificate maths would also be an important and immediate step in addressing participation rates at honours maths level and achievement in maths generally.  It would equally send a very clear and positive signal to businesses at home and abroad that we are serious about enhancing the skill set of our future labour force.

The workplace of the future will increasingly be looking not for people who are simply able to give the right answer to questions about what they were taught in school, but workers who can make the right response to situations that they have not encountered before.  The challenge for our schools therefore is to produce future citizens who are capable of such critical thinking and can respond appropriately to diverse situations.

Society
At a time when economic issues dominate, it is also important to recognise that schools have a central role to play in providing successive generations not only with the skills and abilities necessary for work, but also to prepare young people to be active participants in an inclusive and cohesive society.

Within the educational system teachers play a critical role in developing the potential of our children and young people in that regard.  Our education system must continue to be responsive to, and supportive of, the social life of this country and in forming our young people for active participation in their communities and wider society in time to come.  I want to acknowledge the sterling work done throughout your schools away from the classroom in areas such as sport, music, public speaking and drama, as well as encouraging students towards engaging in voluntary activities.

Conclusion
In concluding, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say that I am very much looking forward to my new role in education and to working in partnership with the JMB/AMCSS over the period ahead.  I again want to acknowledge your valuable contribution to education in Ireland.

I wish you all well with your conference and in your work in the year ahead.
Guím gach rath ar imeachtaí bhur gcruinnithe. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Sacred Roots presents Freddie White live At The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal this Friday  April 30th 2010

Tickets @ Scott’s Treasure Shop, 137 North Main Street, Youghal. Call 024 90333

Freddie White – the maestro of quality music

Freddie White has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. Whether interpreting songs by his favourite writers, such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, John Hiatt and Guy Clark, or performing his own classy compositions, Freddie’s live performances are nothing short of legendary.

Freddie has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and new-found fan base.

Born in Cobh, County Cork into a musical family, by age thirteen Freddie was playing in school bands and by seventeen playing professionally. At nineteen, he moved to   London, where he busked in subways, and developed his unique voice and guitar style.

Since then he has regularly toured   Ireland and   Europe and during the past year has dedicated himself to the development of his latest recording, collaborating with songwriters Jimmy MacCarthy and Jim Barrett.

Released in 2008, ‘Stormy Lullaby, is a stunning collection of moody tracks in which Freddie White’s musicianship and voice shine through. He has once again teamed up with his old cohort DanDan Fitzgerald to produce this gem. The album has an acoustic feel thanks to the input of a small, tight group of musicians from his native Cork.

‘Stormy Lullaby’ is a collection of eleven songs. Some tracks are newly written, while others (not previously recorded by Freddie) have proven their worth by becoming firm favourites with his live audiences.

Strictly no alcohol or intoxicated persons allowed

Under 16s are free (ID required) -  it’s an all ages concert!

Cork County and Youghal Town Councillor Barbara Murray has castigated the county council for its approach to beach and car park cleaning in Youghal.
Report: Christy Parker | Photos: Shane Supple and Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The councillor has asked the local authority to allocate staff for one hour on Fridays and Mondays to empty bins and generally collect litter at Claycastle. It is uncertain of her request will be met as the council has claimed it doesn’t have the resources to do so. “Their priority is potholes,” counters the councillor, “and emptying bins is far behind in their thoughts. It’s not good enough.”

Not that there are too many bins to empty at present. It can be argued of course that people’s dirty habits are what puts the rubbish there in he first place. Then again that argument apply to any place, anywhere. The starker reality is that litter exists and always will. So a major contributor to filth at Claycastle –at which juncture the town council jurisdiction ends- is the county council’s refusal to deploy bins until the blue flag season commences in June.

So, regardless of unexpected heatwaves or hot spells that draw crowds to the beach in May or even April, the bins don’t go out and the beach remains more or less un-tended by the county council. Come June, a man and a trailer patrols clears beach litter, but ignores the car park. “Some days he is waiting for the tide to go out. He would be better employed emptying the car park bins,” says Cllr Murray.

The councillor’s ire is fuelled by an awareness that, “Youghal now really only has heritage and leisure to attract tourism and we simply have to protect and nurture our resources. The potholes aren’t going anywhere and can be treated afterwards.” The FG representative also believes that signage, “preferably with catchy slogans or rhymes,” would encourage people to take their litter away with them.”

It desperately needed doing. The County Council apparently didn’t have the resources but the people from Foróige just donned their red shirts and did it. About 20 members of the Nagle House based youth club, plus a dozen or so parents and volunteers, cleaned Youghal beach on a sponsor card initiative last Saturday. They cleaned the Claycastle car park too. Thank God. Report: Christy Parker | Photos: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com and Emer Power (Foróige)

Problems

There had been problems leading up to the event. One county council employee had objected to them doing it at all, on the grounds of taking someone’s overtime or something. Then the county council wanted to manage the project, as previous experience had seemingly taught them that household waste and heavens-know-what could be unscrupulously added to the mix if there was a lapse in responsibility. That authority was reluctant to issue a waiver and instead had suggested that the waste be ‘coralled’ over the weekend at Claycastle, to be collected by its employees in due course. The gardai weren’t too keen on that scenario, given the potential for fire, scattering and a lure towards lawlessness that a mountain of rubbish-laden plastic bags provided. Neither were the Foróige people and so a sort of ominous impasse was reached.

Sorted…

So it looked for a while on Friday that the venture might be cancelled. Then County and Town Councillor Barbara Murray sought the ear of Town Manager Patricia Power, explaining he Community Garda Peter Queally and youth worker Emer Power were, to say the least, responsible and capable co-ordinators. Ms. Power in turn consulted higher office in County Hall. It was agreed the landfill would allow a waiver after all, with the waste delivered by trailer on the day.

Cold

It was a cold day for the beach, with a strong, cold wind whipping in relentlessly from Capel Island. Armed with gloves, black bags and pickers provided by the county council, the crew tackled their task in two shifts from 10 am to 2pm and from 2pm to the finish, about two hours later. Out in desolate Redbarn at about 3pm, a rosy-cheeked Rian McSweeney from Bunscoil was both resolute and rueful. He was filling his second bag and, no, he wasn’t particularly enjoying cleaning the beach, he declared with uncompromising honestly! (That boy is sure to get a job with the county council –probably in the higher echelons!)

Nearby, Foróige café  volunteer Patricia Delaney was less disillusioned. Patricia hails from Laois where beaches are scarce, so she was happy to be on any bit of sand, no matter how grotty. Not that the scenery had lured her here, in the first place. She was in Youghal, “because of a man,” she informed, as she merrily dumped another beer can into a bag.

Bottles, boxes and Barbie!

Youghal beach delivered over 100 bin bags across two trailer loads of rubbish. Of prime presence were a huge number of butter boxes from a load lost overboard at sea late last year. “We picked an awful lot of beer cans and bottles too,” says Emer, “along various items including an old camera tripod.”

Ultimately, the day’s work was notable on several fronts; it produced a cleaner beach, demonstrated the worth of community self-help and served a reminder that Youghal’s younger generations are more enterprising than headlines about underage drinking, vandalism and graveyard desecration might suggest.

By no means least, it enabled Foroige, in a time of cruel cutbacks to raise money for their Nagle House home. “All the sponsorship money raised will go towards the our youth services,” says Emer, in reference to the youth club, café and the various projects that quietly and efficiently help nurture the youth and the future of Youghal. Further community-enhancing initiatives are likely.

Congratulations are merited all round.

Tabletop quiz fans may wish to convene at the Point Bar, Tallow Street next Friday night (30th April), when Aoife Bulman and Muriel Foley host a fundraising session. Aoife, from the Redbarn road and Muriel from Knockmonlea, are Kenya-bound later this summer where they will spend eight weeks in Mombassa assisting in orphanages. By Christy Parker

In a country where deprivation is stark and long-lasting, the two girls will work on a project managed by Global Vision International (gvi). Among its aims, the programme endeavours to provide counselling, education and lunches (hunger is a prime cause of school absenteeism) for abandoned children and those from broken or abusive homes. Many carry the added burden of HIV/AIDS. It’s a long way from Tallow Street and it starts on Friday at about 8pm.

Bogus Garda, Valuable Bike Stolen, Amongst Latest Crime Incidents In Youghal

Youghal householders are being warned to beware of individuals impersonating gardai calling to their doors. Garda Peter Queally told listeners to Saturday’s CRY Garda report that one such incident happened in the Clashadonagh area on the previous Thursday (April 22nd).
Report: Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

At approximately 3.40 pm a man described as “Irish, tall, about 40, well spoken, with short, light brown hair called to an elderly man living alone. He was wearing a navy coat and dark glasses and claimed to be a plainclothes garda. The man subsequently gained entry to the house and stole an envelope containing €800. The man is believed to have been driving a dark coloured car and may have followed his victim from town. Information is being sought to help the investigation.

Calling card

Garda Queally said similar incidents have recently been reported around the country, including in Cobh. He also informed listeners of a business card initiative now being launched to help combat such crimes. Householders, rather than opening the door to unknown callers, ask the caller to fill in their details on the bright yellow card. Having acquired the information without allowing entry, they inform the caller that they will contact him or her should they require their services. The scheme operates on the basis that bona fide callers will not object to it. It also serves as a deterrent to bogus individuals. The cards are now being distributed through various community groups, including those affiliated to Cumann na Daoine and can also be acquired at the garda station.

Valuable bike stolen

Deception was also used in the theft of a valuable bicycle from Sport and Leisure at Barry’s Lane. Three individuals were believed to be involved, on the basis that two accomplices drew the shop owner’s attention while a third absconded with the bicycle, which had not as yet been securely tied outside the premises. The bike was a black, white and red Trek 1.2, valued at €800.

The incident occurred at about 12.40 pm on Monday April 19th. CCTV only produced a rear photograph of the chief suspect, although the two suspected accomplices, who have denied involvement, are known. The shop owner believes all were non-Irish nationals, probably Polish.

Lidl supermarket also suffered a robbery last week. At about 1.10pm, on Thursday 22nd April, two individuals absconded with a large quantity of alcohol. One suspect was in his 20’s, wearing a black jacket, had brown, curly, receding hair and glasses. He was carrying a black backpack o his back. The second male was also in his 20’s, wearing a light grey baseball cap and blue jumper with ‘Brazil’ written on the back of it. It is thought that one thief distracted staff, while the second placed the drink on an aisle close to the entrance. He then left quickly with the goods when someone entered the shop.

Community Safety Week

Garda Queally also spoke of Community Safety Week, which runs from Sunday April 25th to Saturday May 1st. He advised that on Thursday next, April 29th, in his role as community garda, he will be operating a confidential advice service in the garda station from 4-6pm. “If anyone wants to call and talk about safety or has any apprehensions or ideas related to community safety, I’ll be happy to assist,” he said. The service is a pilot initiative.

Bank holiday

The garda also warned of increased Garda checkpoint activity over the coming May bank holiday, along with more prevalent speed checks. He revealed that one third of all road deaths in 2009 were pedestrians. “It’s a high percentage and the advice to pedestrians is to be highly visible, with bright clothes when walking in rural areas and to exercise caution at all times,” he said, adding that. “drivers are should slow down and be vigilant when approaching areas where there are likely to be people walking.” Further advice alluded to passengers applying seat belts and children being seated in tandem with appropriate rear car seats or booster seats.

Garda Queally quoted national statistics that 57 people had died on Irish roads so far this year, six of them in the previous week. Last May bank holiday, 345 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, with five fatal collisions and six fatalities. Over the 2010 Easter weekend, over 200 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Beach clean

Before departing the studio, the garda asked that due recognition be afforded to the member of the Foroige youth club, participating parents and other volunteers who had spent the day picking litter from Youghal beach. It was noted that the day’s endeavours reflected well on Youghal’s youth at time when adverse publicity regarding anti-social behaviour of various misfortune remains a blight.

Finally, the garda reminded that the next Community Alert meeting is on Tuesday May 4th at 7.45pm sharp, in the Walter Raleigh hotel.

Congratulations to musician Grayson and all the sound technicans at Claycastle Recording Studios Youghal who were “instrumental” in helping Grayson reach No.1 in the Australian music physical charts with his single “Change”. The single which was recorded at the studios in Youghal made the No.1 spot last week.
Report: J. Burke | Video: K. McCarthy | Photo: Michael Hussey www.YoughalOnline.com

This is Graysons 2nd single from the album  recorded and produced  by Youghal’s Warren Tivy and Grayson. Warren told YoughalOnline.com that they were very excited by the news, although Claycastle Recording Studios Youghal produced several singles that have made the charts, this is the second time that one of their recordings have reached No.1. The video below is another one of  Grayson’s tracks called “Stand Clear” and was filmed in and around Youghal, as well as Cork and Waterford City with the help of Bus Eireann!. The video was shot & edited by Youghal man Kieran McCarthy and also recorded at Claycastle Recording Studios Youghal.

Singer songwriter Grayson launched his debut album on Halloween night (2009) with a special gig in the Gate Bar. Hailing from Australia, the tall likeable singer songwriter has made Youghal his home for the last couple of years. He’s recorded the album in the local Claycastle studio and used the town as a base for touring Ireland and Europe.

Claycastle Recording Studio a state of the art recording facility boasting an impressive 2300 sqft of Studio (largest in the south of Ireland), Large Live Room, Isolation Booths, a Vocal Booth  and a spacious Control Room.

All of our rooms are professionally treated for acoustics, each with its own unique sound characteristics designed to help you bring out the best in your performance. We only use the best studio recording and production equipment from leading brands such as Neve, Apogee, Manley, Neumann, AKG, Audient, Rode, Apple, Sennheiser, Shure, Roland, Yamaha, Korg etc.

Located in the historic and picturesque town of Youghal Co. Cork, Ireland and only 45 minutes from Cork Airport and 55 minutes from Waterford city and just over 2 hours from Rosslare harbor. Situated on the coastline of East County Cork, the bustling and picturesque town of Youghal is regarded as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. The historic walled seaport town of Youghal has many historic buildings and monuments within its ancient town walls, has been designated as an Irish Heritage Port by the Irish Tourist Board. Youghal also offers the best beaches, restaurants, coffee shops, bars & clubs, family entertainment and accommodation in the south of Ireland.

The Inaugural Noel Dempsey Memorial Snooker Tournament 2010 took place at the Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Society, St. Mary’s Branch premises at Market Sq. Youghal last Friday night 23^th April. The snooker tournament was to honour one of the society’s most respected members, Noel Dempsey.
Report: Kieran McCarthy | Photo: Christopher Hennessy Jnr.  www.youghalonline.com/Sports

The large number of players for this tournament reflected the high esteem that the members of the society still have for the late Noel Dempsey. The tournament itself was run as smooth as the tables were ironed and great credit must go to the President of the society, Mr. Brendan Cooney, in organising the event, as well as the caretakers for preparing the tables which were spotless. The scorekeeper, Hon. Vice President, Mr. Frank Irwin, who was also a personal friend of Noel’s, made sure everything was kept to order and did a fine job.

The beautiful prize was a bronze cast of a fishing boat, a currach with three fisherman, which was presented to the society by Noel’s sister Maura as a perpetual trophy to honour Noel as she knew the society was a major part of his life.

The winner of the tournament, Michael Hussey, said he was “Delighted and proud to win the inaugural tournament and felt like the great Steve Davis on his recent comeback at the World Snooker Championships!” His opponents to reach the final were Martin Hennessy, followed by Tommy Smith and Paul Hennessy with all frames going to a black ball finish. This led to an exciting final with fellow Sars man John Flaherty which also led to an exciting black ball finish in favour of the worthy winner.

Speaking at the presentation of prizes, the President of the society, Mr. Brendan Cooney, thanked all who took part and spoke at length of the legacy that Noel had on the society and to himself personally and to his friends here tonight, especially Frank Irwin who was a close friend of Noel.

Mr. Cooney said that “Noel Dempsey was a member of The Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Society, St. Mary’s Branch for over 50 years. He served as an officer and committee member and at the time of his passing he was Honorary Vice President of the society. He represented the Youghal CYMS in the snooker and billiards arenas of Munster and was one of the finest exponents of these games the society has had over the years and he was proud and privileged to have know him.”

He then congratulated and presented the trophy to the winner, Michael Hussey and runner-up John Flaherty and thanked all who took part in the inaugural tournament.

A unique Summer Music, Opera Festival at a spectacular outdoor venue

Lismore Music Festival 2010, presents, Carmen at Lismore Castle; a story of doomed love and violent passion, with some of the most memorable music ever performed.

The Lismore Music Festival is an eclectic mix of musical genres with opera at it’s core and is planned to become an annual event which will attract music lovers and visitors to the region.  Situated in what is often referred to as the Irish Riveria, Lismore Castle, the privately owned residence of the Duke of Devonshire and his family will play host to two performances of Carmen in the transformed upper stables on the grounds of the castle by kind permission of Lord and Lady Burlington.

The festival which will take place over two days, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6  June will present a new production of Bizet’s classic and much loved opera Carmen directed by Dieter Kaegi.  The orchestration has been commissioned by the LMF and especially arranged by Redmond O’Toole for 8 string guitar, accordian,  double bass,  violin and percussion.  The programme for the weekend also includes a concert in Lismore’s historic St. Carthage’s Cathedral on Sunday 6th June following Sunday Services aswell as the Lismore Farmers Market on the castle avenue and the Opera Supper Club after each performance in O’Brien’s Chop House in Lismore town.

When the original opera Carmen premiered in Paris in 1875, it was deemed a failure for its shallow, sinful plot. Over one hundred years later, however, Carmen has become one of the most popular operas in the world

The LMF have assembled a fantastic cast of Irish and International singers and musicians for this unique Summer Musical event.  The Carmen cast includes Mezzo Soprano Fiona Murphy as Carmen, Richard Crawley as Don Jose,  Liam Bonner as Escamillio and Dierdre Masterson as Michaela.  The LMF Chamber Orchestra includes,  Redmond O’Toole on 8 string guitar,  Dermot Dunne,  accordion,  Cora Venus Lunny, Violin,  Noel Eccles, percussion and Malachy Robinson on Double Bass.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early,  enjoy some Spanish tapas and paella with a glass of wine in the romantic and magical surroundings of the castle gardens.  The organisers have also set up a Cava and Wine Bar within the castle walls for the weekend.

Be one of the first to experience this unique Summer event in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, tickets are selling fast and early booking of tickets and accommodation is recommended.

The festival box office is now open to the public following a priority booking period for Friends of Lismore Castle – (00 353) 058 52769 or email:  boxoffice@lismoremusicfestival.com