The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th.

A heart-warming story of friendship, care and camaraderie lies behind a fundraising night for the Mercy hospital cancer care unit next month. For over thirty years Mickey O’Connell from Gurranabraher spent his weekend amongst friends in Youghal, where he his gentle disposition and love for life endeared him to all who knew him. On September 19th 2009, Mickey, aged just 61, succumbed to cancer in Cork’s Mercy hospital. Now, through the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the friends whose lives he enriched aim to ensure his untimely passing brings benefit to others whose lives are infringed by the disease.

Throughout his Youghal sojourns, Mickey was the house guest of Dave and Mag Cooley from Cherryvale, who recall him as “an absolute gentleman and wonderful company.” Ger Kenneally of the fundraising committee reiterates the view, describing Mickey as “a great character and one of the kindest souls you could possibly meet and a man with a great sense of humour. Nobody ever have a bad word to say about Mickey,” he states.

A lifelong bachelor, Mickey served his working life in the customers’ service department of Bord Gais. Mickey shared the family home with his twin sisters Mary and Brenda. The eldest of nine children, his sibling all survive him.

Music

Many of Mickey’s friendships evolved through his musical talents. An accomplished drummer throughout the showband era, he playing alongside such household names as Derek Davis, The Regal Showband, Pat Lynch & the Air Chords, Barry Hendrick & the Treetops and the Music Men. In more recent years he plied his talents on guitar and frequently sat in on sessions in Youghal. “He had a great mind for electronics too,” remembers his sister Mary, “and even built a few guitars. He could never refuse help to anyone, so he’d be fixing guitars for people as well.”

On the night…

Fittingly, many Youghal musicians acquainted with Mickey’s talents will perform at what promises to be a fundraising event with the emphasis as much on fun as funds. “Local bands Rannach and Clockwork will play but there will also be guest musicians from Youghal and Cork,” says Ger.

In difficult economic times, the generosity of businesses and individuals towards the cause already reflects astoundingly well on the town and beyond. Youghal road bowlers recently raised over €600 which, allied to private donations, has helped swell the fundraising coffers to over €5,000 three weeks before the main event.

Admission on the night event brings free entry to a raffle in which donated prizes again reveal amazing generosity. The array includes an i phone 4 (estimated value €700), two LCD televisions, two nights b&b with one evening meal in Ennis, €100 shopping voucher, a petrol lawn mower, a petrol hedge strimmer, dinner for four in Midleton and much more. “People have been exceptionally kind,” agrees Ger, “All our outlays have been sponsored, so every cent we raise goes directly to the Mercy hospital. Mickey himself was a generous man and this is a very fitting way to honour his memory,” he adds.

The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th. Admission €10 at door or advance tickets at Cree’s shop and from committee members, Dave & Mag Cooley, Ger  Kenneally, Con Kiely, J.J. Cooley, Paudie White. Inquiries: Ger Kenneally: 087-6204084; Dave & Mag Cooley: (024) 91586.

Fans of ‘the Man in Black’ will walk the line towards the Mall Arts Centre on Friday October 8th when American country singer John Schmid performs a “Tribute to Johnny Cash,” (from his album of the same name), concert in aid of Youghal Community Hospital and the Keith Phelan fund.

The concert marks the American’s return to a venue he last graced almost two years ago to the day. For those unimpressed by Johnny Cash (every community has its eccentrics) John Schmid seems an interesting kind of guy to share a room with anyway. He is the founder and director of Common Ground Ministries, a “singing ministry” based in Ohio, with a focus on prisons and the Ohio Corrections System. In a calling that would impress the late, San Quintin-phobe, Mr. Cash himself, he ministry provides free Bible teaching and correspondence courses to prisoners in the Ohio system.

John visits over 50 prisons annually, plus various churches, boot camps, banquets, embassies, schools, street fairs, seminars, concerts and “a fair amount of living rooms,” as he cheerfully testifies. The rest of the time he tours overseas, lest he get bored and fall asleep on the couch one supposes.

Don’t even ask…

It is worth recalling an observation connected with his last visit to these shores, when it was noted that a cardinal rule of prison ministry is never ask an inmate what he did to deserve prison. Once, in 19 years, John Schmid did so. Later he watched aghast from the stage as the inmate sang, prayed and laughed in the audience. John, unfortunately, now knew the awfulness of the man’s crimes and spent the evening “wanting to beat the daylights out of him.” While the incident reminded him that, “sin kills and causes suffering,” he had also “got a glimpse of the awesome power of the Gospel. But asking why a man is in prison doesn’t’t help at all,” he concludes ruefully.

The minister might well have become, if not another ‘Man in Black’ at least an original ‘Guy in Grey’ had God not disrupted his concentration. He was singing in a C & W band in 1972 when he became converted, hence discovering that Nashville wasn’t the real heaven after all and set upon the road that would see him play guitar for God.

Physically, John Schmid’s stature resembles that of Johnny Cash, though his voice carries fewer pebbles, one might opinion. His singing style forms the blend of country/folk/gospel that once begat rock ‘n’ roll and his performances are sprinkled with stories and soft humour, while much flavoured with the Biblical message.

Worthy causes

The economic maelstrom means the Youghal Community Hospital needs financial assistance as never before, while the Keith Phelan fund brings a cause to more recent public attention. Keith, 11 and a pupil at Bun ScoilMhuire, suffered a bi-lateral Grade 4 Haemorrhage in premature birth, culminating in his being quadriplegic, epileptic and suffering Cerebral Palsy. His family hope to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center in Dusseldorf, Germany, where stem cell treatment may improve his condition and prospects.  (See story on http://www.youghalonline.com/2010/09/21/keith-phelan-appeal-by-michael-twomey/ )

Tickets for John Schmid’s ‘A Tribute to Johnny Cash,’ are available from Cree’s Card Shop, @ €10/€5 (concessions). The evening is being organised by Youghal Baptist church in association with CRY’s ‘Reflections’ programme.

The Walter Raleigh Hotel in Youghal was the venue for the Drug Awareness Launch on Monday last (4th Oct. 2010), at which a large representative group were in attendance.  The initiative Dial to Stop Drug Dealing, using the number 1800 220 220, was introduced and, following an introduction by Chris Black, co-ordinator, a comprehensive Presentation covering all aspects of the campaign , was given by John Sutton, PCC. Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonlie.com

This was followed by an interesting and in-depth talk by Superintendent Flor Horan who outlined the ways in which the new campaign can help not only those affected by drug use, but can also help the Gardaí and other services to deal effectively with this very intrusive and damaging problem.

Paddy O’Sullivan, Customs, Cork then spoke about the many different methods and various ways of intercepting and dealing with many forms of smuggling – from drugs to money to cigarettes.   His colleague, Gillian  Hyde, then spoke about one particular drug catching method – their dog, Max, who is trained to sniff baggage and luggage for any drugs they may contain.   Eddie Fitzpatrick is Maxs’ trainer and handler and he proceeded, with the help of Max, to give an interesting demonstration of how they go about their work.

Joe Deane, the famous Cork hurler, was delighted to put his name and face behind this campaign and he also spoke in favour of the initiative.

The Campaign was formally launched nationwide on Wednesday, October 6th and will run for a period of approximately five weeks, with cards, beer mats, TV advertising and Radio, and leaflets will be put in letterboxes all over the Youghal area.   These will bring awareness to all that there is help out there, but the co-operation of the public is needed.

And the way you can help?    Just dial 1800 220 220 and relay any information you may have, which will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and which cannot, in any way, be traced back to you.   You can help stop the drug dealing just by letting your fingers do the talking….Dial 1800 220 220

On 9th August 2010 a wonderful community based project got underway in Tyntes Castle, Youghal which re-ignited the traditional craft of boat-building which has a long tradition in Youghal.  The project was based around the recreation of the ‘Salmon Yawl’ boat which was unique to Youghal. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Initiated by Cllr Barbara Murray through The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group and part funded by South & East Cork Area Development, this project was delivered by Mr. Jim Horgan, a Youghal native, currently living in Galway.  Jim is the only surviving person with these traditional skills.  Commenting on the project, Cllr Murray stated: “We were extremely anxious to use the knowledge that Jim was willing to impart on the local community.  He has been undertaking boat-building projects using traditional methods since 1992, and has given extensive training in building of Galway Hookers and Currachs.  Participants in the course were literally guided through the steps from design stage to construction of the boat, through to the finished boat product”.

The project involved specific training in boat-building of small traditional craft and was aimed at re-igniting the traditional craft of boat-building which was synonymous with Youghal for many years.  Over the course of the boat-building, each day the local community was awarded the opportunity to get involved in the project.  Morning and afternoon information sessions were conducted by Mr. Horgan while a series of lectures by guest speakers on areas of interest on Maritime Heritage were also an integral part of the project. These casual sessions were conducted free of charge.

The project took place at Tyntes Castle, in the centre of The North Main Street, with participants aging from 25 – 75 years of age.  The promoters, The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group wishes to sincerely thank Mrs Nora McCarthy and son Tom allowing the boat to be constructed on their property.  Special thanks to South & East Cork Area Development (SECAD) and Youghal Town Council for their support throughout the project.

Those worthy of a special mention include guest speakers who gave talks; Sean Noonan, Liam Coveny, Frankie Mills, as well as  neighbours Carmel O’ Halloran and Eileen Quill who provided cakes and tarts daily and came for the progress report and the chat! The Buttimer Family must also be acknowledged as it was Paddy Buttimer’s boat that provided the inspiration!  Photographs were supplied by the Buttimer family showing boat building in 1947 when Paddy built his last boat.

In reflecting on the project, Cllr Murray said: “This project it must be said far exceed all expectations.  It was wonderful to have the old Youghal tradition of boat building revived and on view in Youghal.  Youghal is extremely fortunate that Jim Horgan is one of our own and took the initiative to encourage this project forward – putting huge time and energy into the project!   Thanks also to the Horgan girls Mary, Joan and Patricia”.
To date, the boat is almost near completion and all that remains is for it to be oiled and varnished.  As funds have run out and in order to complete this final step a bucket collection on the weekend of 15th October 2010 will take place throughout Youghal. Your support in this fundraiser is generously appreciated.

Issued by: The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group
Tel: 024-81814 E:tourism@youghal.ie

Click on image to start slideshow of the boat building project – Photos: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

On Wednesday the 29th of September 2010 a common dolphin washed up on Clay Castle beach in Youghal. By Janet Howley | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Although the biggest  common dolphins in Ireland are over the continental shelf and in deeper waters, they are frequently observed in shallow inshore waters off the south and southwest coasts and around the Aran Islands but also frequently seen in the southern Irish Sea and offshore. They are frequent visitors to Youghal and have been seen swimming up the the river Blackwater.

They are more frequently seen off headlands during the summer but there is evidence of a strong inshore winter peak along the south coast, possibly associated with movements of sprat. Common dolphins live in groups ranging from a few tens to several thousands. They are active and boisterous and often bow-ride boats and ships. They are highly vocal, producing a wide range of whistles and pulsed sounds

Common dolphins feed on a wide variety of squids and fishes, particularly schooling fish such as herring and sardines. The diet varies seasonally in some areas. The schools adopt a number of different cooperative feeding strategies, including driving the shoals up to the surface where they are easier to feed, often attracting other predators, especially birds to the area. So if you see lots of  birds diving as you walk along the beach it is worth having a second look to see if you might spot some dolphins coming up for air. Although no reliable estimates of world population exist, the common dolphin is undoubtedly one of the most abundant of all dolphins.

If you come across a dead or a live stranded dolphin please contact your local member of the Irish whale and dolphin group www.iwdg.ie
Padraig Whooley Tel: 023 8838761       Janet Howley Tel: 086 3977160

This year marks the bicentenary of Chopin’s birth so “The Last Ballade” was a particularly appropriate way of celebrating the anniversary, appealing as it does to lovers of music and theatre and what better setting than in the 230 year old building that is The Mall Arts Centre. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The musical drama was held at the theatre on Tuesday 28th Sept. Actor and pianist Michael Lunts portrays Frederic Chopin, man and musician, in this unique musical drama about the composer. The Last Ballade played for one night only, as part of a UK and Ireland tour,  at the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal

“The Last Ballade” relived the stormy end to one of the great romantic relationships, between Chopin and his muse, the novelist and ‘femme fatale’ George Sand. The music Sand inspired, including the beautiful Berceuse, the famous ‘Minute’ Waltz and the F minor Ballade, is played live as part of the action.

The Last Ballade offers audiences a dramatic insight, through the eyes of Chopin himself, into this extraordinary woman who has been variously described as both his muse and his “vampire”.

For further information on upcoming events call 083 360 6507 or email themallartscentre@gmail.com. The event was kindly supported by Cork County Council.

THE Government has been accused of abandoning a once thriving manufacturing town which lost its last major factory. The closure of Tytex in Youghal, East Cork, brought to 2,500 the number of manufacturing jobs lost to the historic walled town over the last decade.

Danish-owned Tytex, which developed and made medical textile products at the Springfield Industrial Estate for almost quarter of a century, announced its closure last November citing high production costs, and said it was moving production to eastern Europe and the Far East.

From a peak employment of 150, it ceased production last Friday. Just 37 workers left the factory for the last time just after 11am yesterday.

Fine Gael TD David Stanton said its closure has devastated the town.

“The whole town has been completed abandoned over the last 10 years. Every large industry has closed,” he said.

And he accused the Government of doing little over the years to halt the decline.

“I have tried on several occasions to get ministers involved. But nothing happened,” he said.

“We got a new second-level school and pool. That’s about it. Most people from Youghal are now working outside the town.”

The Tytex closure is the last in a long list of large-scale factory closures which have decimated the town’s manufacturing base, including:

- The closure in 2007 of the French-owned office supplies manufacturer Elba with the loss of 55 jobs

- The closure in 2006 of long-established local employer, US-owned Couristan Carpets, with the loss of 92 jobs.

- The closure in 2003 of Technicolour Home Entertainment, formerly Eastman Kodak, with the loss of 200 jobs.

- The closure in 2002 of Artesyn Technologies, with the loss of 160 jobs.

Youghal Carpets, Seafield Fabrics, Blackwater Cottons, and Bryant Rubbers have also closed in recent years.

The former Tytex workers said they have no hope of finding any other manufacturing work.

“This was the last factory in the town,” said Liam McLellan, a SIPTU shop steward, who worked at Tytex for 14 years.

“I have nothing lined up. There is absolutely nothing in the town. There are a lot of jobs on the minimum wage but there is no likelihood of anything in the manufacturing sector coming.”

He said the company did everything possible to help its employees, including organising briefings with Fás, Social Welfare officers and pension experts. But he said the silence from Government parties was deafening.

“If there was an extension opening here, they’d all be around. There was no one around this morning,” he said.

“The only TD that contacted staff at the factory was David Stanton. One job lost in Youghal is the same as a job lost anywhere.

“When the job losses in Dell were announced, they got EU funding.

“But there has been between 2,500 and 3,000 jobs lost in Youghal in the last 10 years. We need the big political noises to make noise and it’s not happening.”

But a spokesman for Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe said the Government is focused on a “whole of enterprise” strategy.

“That means we are putting record levels of investment into our enterprise agencies to meet ambitious job creation targets; we are fixing the banking system; we are restoring order to the public finances; we are regaining our competitiveness; and we are getting credit flowing to small businesses,” he said.

“All of these measures are aimed at creating a business environment conducive to the creation of jobs.”

He said Irish-based enterprises must continue the progression to high value-added sectors and activities, and increase productivity through investment in human capital, technology and innovation.

“While there is no doubt that the recession has taken its toll on communities across the country and many businesses have been shuttered, we must also recall that our economy is recovering and the country must have confidence in our ability to grow again,” he said.

“Businesses are closing but equally over 10,480 new firms have been incorporated so far this year.”

But Mr Stanton said there must be a concerted effort from Government to help the town identify its strengths, especially around tourism.

Local Cllr Sandra McLellan said it is very sad to see the town’s last factory close. “They have all closed one by one. It makes you wonder what’s going to happen next, where are our children going to find work?

“I hope that Youghal will be a priority in Brian Cowen’s plan to create 300,000 jobs,” she said.

Text courtesy Irish Examiner

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cork-town-abandoned-as-last-factory-shuts-doors

THE NOOK BAR IN YOUGHAL joined forces with the ‘Trad for Trocaire’ campaign where musicians play tunes for charity. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

‘Trad for Trocaire’ kicked off at The Nook on Friday, September 24 and ran until Sunday 26th. It is a weekend celebration of traditional Irish music, run by Trocaire and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with musicians, venues and trad music fans. The Nook patrons and musicians ‘raised the roof’ by organising and supporting the local traditional music session.
As part of the initiative, THE NOOK BAR had an early ‘Trad for Trocaire’ session on Wednesday 23rd, which is a  regular and popular weekly trad session in the bar.

Mick Mangan & Rannach, Bobby Lee & Friends and The Butterfly Band were just some of the trad musicians who took part.

Money raised through the campaign will support the overseas aid organisation’s worldwide work to help poor and vulnerable communities overcome poverty.

Michael Treacy, proprietor of the popular Nook Bar on North Main St. said “The ‘Trad for Trocaire’ campaign was a great success  thanked everyone involved in supporting this worthy cause, especially all the musicians who played over the ‘Trad for Trocaire’ weekend.

Click on image to view slideshow

Saturday, October 2nd at The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal, there will be a FREE screening of two award winning documentaries Kids With Cameras and Unbeaten (Unbeaten has been accepted by the Academy for Nomination for the Best Documentary Category, 2011).

1) Kids With Cameras follow the progress, challenges and triumphs of a group of children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome participating in a unique film camp.

2) Unbeaten This inspirational story chronicles the exploits of 31 disabled athletes as they make their way over six days in wheelchairs and hand cycles in what is known as the toughest road race in the world, “Sadler’s Alaska Challenge.”

“Kids With Cameras shows that autism is not a debilitating condition. The creativity expressed in this documentary coupled with kids with autism working together is as educational and enlightening as it is fun to watch.”      Keith Duffy from Boyzone

The event will start at 2pm with registration and run until 5.30pm.  Light refreshments will be served.

2.00 – 2.10 – Registration

2.10 – 2.20 – Welcome + Talk By Trevor Toughy on Autism

Austism, what it means, what it’s like to live with

2.30 – 3.20 – Kids With Cameras

3.20 – 3.30 – Q&A/Comments

3.30 – 4.00 – Break

4.00 – 4.10 – Goal setting and never give up

4.10 – 5.30 – Unbeaten

Tea & Coffee will be served during the break and, so you don’t feel hijacked, there will be a donation bucket for those who want to give and the proceeds will be split between the two causes, Autism and Enable Ireland.

This is purely to accommodate those who would like to give.

This event is kindly supported by Youghal Town Council.

Limited spaces so please send your intention to attended to howardmjhughes@gmail.com

–
Oona Colin
Facilities Coordinator
The Mall Arts Centre/St. Mary’s Collegiate Church
Tel: 083 360 6507