According to Greek Mythology, Amphitrite was a very beautiful and very powerful woman – the wife of King Poseidon and Queen of the Sea.

Report: Denise FitzGerald | Photos: Ed Guiry | Michael Hussey for www.youghalonline.com | Email: news@youghalonline.com.

The Family Fun Festival, which will be held in Youghal on the weekend of July 16th to 18th, will have their very own Amphitrite, who will be chosen as Queen of the Sea from a myriad of other beautiful local girls who make up the contestants for the title.

The Queens were introduced to the people of Youghal in a very sea themed event which took place on Nealon’s Quay. Having each been presented with their sash representing their sponsors, they were a rainbow of colour and style on such a beautiful Youghal evening.  The thirty five contestants represented not only Youghal but also Killeagh, Clashmore, Midleton and Ardmore.   The Queen of the Sea is generously sponsored by local businesses – Claycastle Recording Studios and the Seahunter Charter Boat.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO START SLIDESHOW OF ALL THE CONTESTANTS IN THE INAUGURAL QUEEN OF THE SEA 2010 CONTEST. Photos: Copyright to www.youghalonline.com

The Queens, following much picture taking on the quays by friends, relatives and the media, made their high heeled way precariously down the slip way onto the Seahunter, where further photo shoots were undertaken with much laughter, enjoyment and swaying of boat.

The evening continued in the Mall Arts Centre where the Festival was officially launched by the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, with a large group of interested persons in attendance.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Sal Tivy of Perks Entertainment Centre told how 90% of the Festival will be FREE for everyone, the exception being the Festival Ball and BBQ. Sal continued that all monies raised from the Queen of the Sea competition will be given to the very deserving charity, Childline.

Asked how such a huge undertaking as this Festival came about, the Chairperson said that Youghal had always been a popular family destination, not only for holidays but also for family day trips from every part of the County.

Thus, in April last a group of nine people got together and formed a steering committee with the intention of putting together a “mini festival”.  Not only did the committee numbers swell to thirteen, but the “mini” festival became a major festival, and now incorporates open air, land and sea based events on river, beaches, town and countryside.

It promotes local, community based arts and crafts with musical offerings, a Mardi Gras Parade, storytelling, and the usual very popular open air activities with Fastest Daddy race, Spud and Spoon, Raft Races etc., etc., etc.,

“The Committee”, Mrs Tivy continued, “all work together very well. We meet at least once a week, to discuss and organise events which will bring fun back to our lovely seaside town, and brighten up the summer for our locals and visitors alike.  It is our hope to lift the morale of people in these times of recession, and what better way to do this than to introduce a Festival which is FREE for all and incorporates a programme of fun events for all ages”. “This Festival”, Mrs Tivy concluded, “will be a Champagne Festival on a Lemonade budget”.

Youghal’s “Amphitrite” will be chosen on Saturday morning, July 17th, by a panel of judges, and her name will be announced on Saturday night. However, this does not mean the end of the line for the other remaining contestants, as they will be included in all events over the weekend of festivities, bringing glamour and style to all proceedings.

And so, bring on the bubbly………

All photos copyright to www.youghalonline.com.