The event takes place this year at St. Mary’s College Gardens, Youghal, on Sunday 22nd August 2010 from 12 – 6 PM.  Events are planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

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Youghal Labour Town Councillor Donie Daly resignation from Youghal Town council has been officially accepted by his party. The resignation will be effective from September 13th next.

The seat is being co-opted to veteran Labour member and former councillor Tommy O’Connell, pending ratification by the Labour party and subsequent acceptance by the town council. The Labour party are unlikely to have completed their ratification prior to September’s council meeting.

Cllr Daly formally resigned his position at the local branch’s AGM. Sources in the party say the councillor resisted attempts to persuade him to stay on. A branch spokesman expressed “full and total confidence in Donie Daly” but appreciated that “events had forced his hand.”

As is well documented, Cllr Daly has quit amidst the town council’s monthly meeting from Monday evening to Tuesday mornings. Mr. Daly, a freelance financial consultant, says he cannot attend daytime meetings due to travel and work commitments.

Split
The council switched from Monday nights last April during a work to rule action taken by the council executive over pay and conditions. When that issue was eventually resolved, Cllr Daly’s eight colleagues were split 4-4 on whether to return to Monday nights, before the mayor’s casting vote decided in favour of Tuesday mornings.

The decision has sparked immense controversy in the town, given that Cllr Daly polled 383 first preferences in his first council election in 2009. He was Youghal’s first Labour councillor since 1986 when, ironically, his co-opted successor resigned.

Mr. Daly’s outspoken views had rankled several council colleagues. “It was becoming very difficult for me to have any sort of working relationship with some of them and I wasn’t surprised that daytime meetings were retained,” he says. “Nonetheless, I will now work alongside Tommy O‘Connell and the Youghal Labour party on behalf of those who voted for me and for the town in general.”

Parish Priest
Tommy O’Connell, 64,  first served as a Youghal Sinn Fein councillor in 1974, before resigning from the party four years later. He topped the poll as an Independent in 1979, joined Labour in 1981 and was re-elected under that party‘s banner in 1985. However he resigned from local politics a year later when his family emigrated to London for some years. While “sad  to see Mr.  Daly forced to resign by an intransigent council,”  Mr O’Connell warns that “a silent priest never got a parish and I will serve the town straight and honestly.”

Youghal Vintage Club held a vintage display (Sunday 15th August 2010) which included old time threshing, steam engines, vintage  and classic cars all in aid of the Youghal Hospital and Hospice. The event was held at a Farrell’s Summerfield Bar in glorious sunshine and large crowds to see the wonderful machines as well as live entertainment. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Click on image to enlarge

The “Tag to Youghal” Festival kicked off on last Friday evening with an open air concert with Rannach live on stage in the market square and afterwards people explored the lively bars in Youghal along the festival’s “Pubfest” music & pub trail. Pic www.youghalonline.com

On Sunday last, a free live open air concert took place in the centre of town with local band deBurca for all to enjoy.Youghal RFC in partnership with Youghal Chamber of Tourism and the Youghal Vintners Association were delighted with the success of this inaugural family fun and trouble free event.

One of the few occasions that the whole Murphy family from O’Reilly’s Terrace, Youghal, has been together over the years and the first time since the death of their mother Pearl who passed away on August 19th 2009.

In the intervening 33 years, apart from the greying and loss of hair, the unexpected appearance of various wrinkles and the mysterious gaining of the odd few kilogrammes, the family has grown with the addition of 31 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. All are still living in Youghal with the exceptions of Tony’s family in Dungarvan, one grandchild in Boston and David who has been in London since 1972. The family’s history and loyalty are obviously deeply rooted in Youghal or they simply have no sense of adventure!

Arrest imminent in car burning attempt

Youghal gardai now hope to interview an individual in regard to an attempt to burn out a car at the Estuary estate last Friday night. The news follows an request for public assistance by Community Garda Peter Queally.

Garda Queally described the incident as “very concerning” and had asked that anyone who had noticed anything suspicious in the vicinity of Raheen Road, the Spa and Magnier’s Hill, between 2 and 4 am, to contact gardai on (024) 92200. “If it had not been spotted, it could have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to other cars in close proximity, not to mention people and property,” observed the garda.

The gardai are also seeking help in solving another car related incident from the previous Sunday night (August 8th). Between 11.30 pm and 1.30 am, Garda Queally related, a silver Mitushibi Crew Cab suffered slashed tyres and graffiti at Blackwater Heights.

Drugs

Meanwhile search warrants and street searches by the local drugs squad last week had resulted in three arrests for possession. Gardai say there has been no major arrests in terms of dealers in recent months and continue to appeal for any information. Meanwhile Munster Area drugs services co-ordinator, Gordon Kingsley will address next September’s Community Alert meeting on the issue.

Shoppers harassment

The gardai are set to disperse ASBO’s (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) in the coming days in lieu of a “worrying trend” in antisocial behaviour against shops and shoppers on the main street, Garda Queally has revealed. He says a group of individuals, generally aged 13 to 17, have been causing nuisance and intimidation in recent times. This has included verbal abuse, noise making and some criminal damage. “The most worrying aspect for us is the intimidation side of things and people have been reluctant to make formal complaints due to the large number of youths involved,” Garda Queally explains. “We can’t act without an official complaint but we can move on it in a different way,” he proceeds, before revealing that gardai are now considering issuing ASBO’s to those involved. “The parents of these kids could also help us out here,” he adds. Meanwhile, as the Chamber of Commerce issues advisory letters, witnesses to such behaviour are asked to contact gardai.

Socially monitored alarms

Garda Queally says there are now a new stock of application forms available for person socially monitored alarms. Over 40 have been installed in Youghal in recent months, through the Community Alert group. The group hopes to complete another tranche of 15 applications in line with government requirements in the coming weeks. The forms can be acquired at the garda station.

Finally the next community alert meeting is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Tuesday September 7th.

These beautiful panorama-photos of Youghal harbour and beach were sent into www.youghalonline.com by Wim Stan for the viewers to see. There are unusual panorama shots of the town which we will be delighted to feature in the photo gallery section of this site.

Julie Treacy, daughter of Michael and Carmel, has lived for most of her life in Carlton Place on Lighthouse Hill, Youghal overlooking the famous Diving Rocks where Julie and her family swam whenever the weather was suitable, and where they spent many happy days.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

One of Julie’s dreams was to have her wedding photographs taken on these famous steps and around the diving rocks and when, some weeks ago, the entrance was closed by Youghal Town Council due to safety reasons, Julie and her then fiancée, Brian Buckley, were very disappointed. Julie, being Julie, was not deterred by this action and promised herself that, however she would manage it, she WOULD have her wedding photographs taken there.

On Saturday last, (August 14th 2010) Julie Treacy became Mrs Brian Buckley in a wonderful ceremony attended by a very large gathering of family and friends. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, and while the guests were partaking of refreshments at the family business, The Nook Bar, Julie and Brian, together with her bridesmaid sister, Ann and the wedding photographer, arrived at the Diving Rock.

Looking absolutely beautiful in her long wedding dress and veil, smiling happily and holding firmly on to Brian’s hand, Julie reached over the Lighthouse wall, pulled up a small ladder (which had been secreted there previously), placed it outside the wall and proceeded, with the help of her brand new husband, to climb the ladder to reach her Diving Rocks. No mountains to climb, no seas to cross, just a few steps in the right direction fulfilled, for Julie Treacy, Mrs Brian Buckley, one of her heart’s desires.
May they both always fulfil their dreams

Youghal RFC in partnership with Youghal chamber of Tourism and the Youghal Vintners Association hosted the successful “Tag to Youghal” Festival from 13th to 15th August 2010.

On Saturday (14th August 2010) the tag rugby Blitz took place from 12noon – 6pm, with pitch side music, food, fun competitions and entertainment followed by prize giving.  With €1000 worth of prize money to be won, this attracted a competitive entry from all over Munster and provided an afternoon of first class sporting entertainment.

Congratulation to the Youghal Rugby winning team in the inaugural Tag rugby tournament.

Click on image to enlarge – For high quality prints of the sports photo seen here contact the photographer Barry Lawlor on Mobile: 086 8595300

Mon. 16th August 2010

Attn;- Liam Ryan, Town Clerk, Youghal Town Council

Following our telephone conversation this afternoon I wish to confirm that it is with great sadness, and a decision not taken lightly, that I am ‘forced’ to resign my membership of Youghal Town Council.

My supporters, family & I worked extremely hard to be elected and during the election campaign and ever since I have endeavoured to act in a manner that was in keeping with the views and opinions that I encountered at the doorsteps and on the street from the people of the town.

I put myself  forward for election based on the premise that meetings would be held in the evenings, and while this was the case,  I never missed a single sitting of Youghal Town Council.
I have been outspoken in and out of the chamber on the subjects of civic receptions, wasteful spending, the FF/ SF mayoral pact and a myriad of objections against the current FF/ Green Governments relentless attacks on the old, young and less well off in our society.

This has obviously not gone down well with my ‘colleagues’, and  have been advised, I should have used my profile to extol the virtues of the town instead of drawing attention to the actions of  the Council or its members.
A sentiment I fundamentally disagree with.

This is not the way the people that elected me would have me operate, nor is it the way I  would choose to live either in my ‘political’ , personal or professional  life.

This unfortunate episode has cost me dearly in terms of sleepless nights, lack of focus and  attention to  the people of the town I was elected to serve, my family and my job. The malevolence, negativity and  constant sniping,  directed towards me has taken its toll.

I offer my resignation with an effective date of 13th September 2010. My colleagues in the Youghal Branch of the Labour Party have unanimously selected Tomas O’ Connell to replace me on Youghal Town Council and will arrange with the secretary of the branch to give you all the necessary information to effect the change.

May I take this opportunity to thank you and all the staff of Youghal Town Council for your assistance and advice over the last 14 months, and I have no doubt the same level of help will be afforded to my replacement, during what will be a difficult settling in period.

I would also like to thank most sincerely the people of Youghal that elected me in June 2009 , and to those that  have supported me and offered me their good wishes over the last number of months.

I will continue to work with Tommy, on their behalf for as long as I’m required.

Yours,

Donie Daly

Ballyglavin
Youghal,
Co. Cork

Tel:- (086) 8103886
Email:- doniedalyyoughal@gmail.com

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