A short Documentary film on the Social Changes to Youghal Town during the Boom Years.

Written & Directed by Michael Twomey |  Film & Photography by Kieran McCarthy

Town Out Of Time is a film that takes a contemplative look at what happens to a town when all its industry disappears, its economic centre collapses and speculators change the landscape.

This is a story of how a town can effectively die when politicians make the wrong decisions and when politics has no vision.

With interviews from experts and local businesses, the film reflects on how greed and apathy led to the neglect of a town throughout the Irish ‘boom years’.

The Walter Raleigh Hotel

Sunday December 12th 2010  8:00pm  ADM: FREE

Followed by open public discussion.

Capri Bay – “A taste of Italy” 55 South Main Street,Youghal, Co. Cork
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11:00 – 15:00 and 17:00 – 23:00
Telephone: 024 90262

Lucinda O’Sullivan is Ireland’s most widely read Food and Hospitality Critic. She is also the longest-standing Food Critic with any one newspaper for, as readers of her weekly column in the Sunday Independent know, Lucinda tells it as it is . . . warts and all.
This is what Lucinda says about her visit to Capri Bay – Italian Restaurant, Youghal, Co. Cork.

The Italians have a gift for creating atmosphere, sometimes it may be a bit kitsch but always confident. We were sitting in the Capri Bay Trattoria in Youghal, but it felt like we could have been in a side street in Sicily or the eponymous Capri. Cheery flower baskets abound outside along with Italian, Irish and E.U. flags. We entered through a continental style string curtain ‘door ‘ that affords both privacy and fresh air in hot climes. Italian newspapers, 1950’s style wallshelves with a few bottles and bric a brac, artificial flowers, paper place mats, and a big TV showing Italian programmes with no sound, opposite the music system belting out Italian music, greeted us. How could we be in Youghal – when would I wake up?

Starters €7.90 – €13.50 included a selection of salami and cheeses from Lazio; Fritto Misto of crispy squid and black tiger prawns; sauteed mussels with fresh tomatoes, garlic, chilli and basil; and Carpaccio di Bresaola. There was a genorosity of spirit here as we first received a selection of bruschetta, and later, glasses of Limencello. We were lucky ‘walk-ins’ for the place was rapidly packed with families and couples.

Brendan had a Caprese salad (€10.50) which consisted of a whopping ‘snowball’ of fresh milky Buffalo Mozzarella from Campania with sliced tomatoes and rocket – delicious – he wondered would he get through it all – he did! I had cracking grilled baby calamari (€13.50), charred and tasty, tentacles and all, with chilli and rocket salad.

Pastas of all shapes and varieties €13 – €19.50 include homemade ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach with a Gorgonzola and radicchio sauce, whilst cannelloni is filled with chicken fillet, mushrooms and a cheese sauce. Tagliatelle is with a spinach sauce, fresh cream and chicken breast, whilst Spaghetti No. 7 has sauteed tiger prawns and roast Picaddilly tomatoes. Rissotos feature also, including ‘Pescatora’ with Carnaroli rice and seafood in a tomato sauce.

Mains €16 – €27.50 include two interesting hearty grill plates – Mista di Carne and Mista di Pesce – meat and fish respectively. The meat platter includes a homemade sausage, pork chop, lamb chop and smoked Scamorza cheese, whilst the fish platter proffers the fish of the day, squid, prawns and a potato gateau. It was good to see they use Irish veal with the traditional Saltimbocca alla Romana. Chicken is every which way – “Pepperonato, Ubriaco, Pizzaiola, Limone, alla Fra Diavolo, Boscaiola – broadly a melange of – tomatoes, peppers, Chianti, wild mushroom, garlic, capers, black olives, oregano, lemon, chillis – all covered! In the event, I had lobster with linguine (€19.50), a big plate of perfectly al dente pasta tossed in a cherry tomato sauce with a decent half local lobster on top. It was really lovely and good value. Brendan’s 10 oz Angus fillet steak (€27.50) had me watering at the mouth! Succulent, tender, perfectly cooked rare, it was topped with porcini mushroom and Taleggio cheese sauce, and came with a raft of piped creamy mash. We were in a group of five so we had the benefit of seeing other dishes – all ace – spaghetti frutti di mare, penne chicken Carbonara, Pollo Ubriaco.

We finished off with sinful Caprese chocolate and pear syrup cake (€5.50) and Panna Cotta (€5.50) topped with berries and three ‘wafers’ set in a retro sundae dish straight out of the icecream parlours of my childhood. With a litre of Rosso Puglia (€21) our bill for two with optional service came to €113.

By the way they also do a big range of pizzas from €13 and I noticed two “Supper Pizzas” created by Italian language students Aaron O’Callaghan and Naomi Grahame from Bunscoil Mhuire in Youghal. At the end of 6th Class, teacher Sarah Brosnan took them to Capri Bay where she tells me owner Geraldo Esposito was very generous with the kids ordering in Italian and getting a real experience. What a great community spirit and encouragement to get kids cooking.

Did the waiter sing? – a local friend asked. He didn’t but I will have to go back for that!

Capri Bay,
55 Main Street,
Youghal,
Co. Cork.
Tel: (024) 90262

www.lucindaosullivan.com

This Review Was First Published In The Sunday Independent On October 10, 2010.

Capri Bay – “A taste of Italy”  55 South Main Street,Youghal, Co. Cork

Michael Del Punta, The Singing Waiter – Amoré than you bargained for!
Posted on Friday, August 27th, 2010

Michael Del Punta is the latest singing sensation to come out of Youghal. The talented 19 year old crooner wows the diners with his singing in the popular Capri Bay Italian restaurant in Youghal, where he works as a part time waiter. The diners have discovered that Michael is not only good at serving tables, he displays his fine talents singing his favourite songs by artists such as Sinatra, Crosby, Tony Bennett, etc., much to their delight and surprise.Report/Photo: Michael Hussey www. YoughalOnline.com

The UCC student found he could not afford to bring his girlfriend to fancy restaurants so he decided to work as a part-time waiter in town. After meeting the proprietor of Capri Bay, Gerald Esposito, he immediately got the job and has been working there part-time for the past seven months. While working, Michael would often break out in song in the kitchen, when Gerald and his father Rocco asked him, with such a magnificent voice, to go out and sing to the customers. This has proved to be so popular that he has been affably called ‘the singing waiter’ by the customers and now Michael sings regularly to the packed restaurant. Now, customers come from far and wide to hear Michael serenade them at the tables as ‘the singing waiter’.

A recent Youtube videoclip of Michael singing in the restaurant, made by YoughalOnline.com, is rapidly climbing in the rankings of the entertainment section and is just one of many to be uploaded by YoughalOnline.com in the near future. Michael was also interviewed by Shane Supple on Youghal’s local radio station, C.R.Y.

His debut self-titled EP, recorded at Claycastle Studios in Youghal, has exceeded all expectations, so much so that he had to order a second pressing, such is the demand for the singing waiter. Michael says his goal one day is to sing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, sell twenty five million albums and appear on the Late Late Show!

Michael and his family, who have been living in Youghal for the past seven years, originate from Verona, Italy. Since he was a young boy, when his older siblings were listening to the likes of Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Madonna or Kylie, Michael’s first contact with music was through his mother’s record collection consisting of works by Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He has continued this love of that ‘big band’ genre ever since. He has trained his voice with the help of well-known music conductor, Mary Peadar-Daly where she taught him to study his breathing technique so much so that Michael and his mature voice have been likened to Michael Bublé, although his favourite artist of all time and greatest influence is undoubtedly Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

After moving to Youghal from Italy and studying at the old Youghal CBS school (he was the last person to do the Italian Junior Certificate exam in that school), he completed his fifth and sixth year studies in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide and now currently studies Arts at UCC, Cork City.

Michael has proved to be so popular, he is asked to sing regularly by friends at parties and weddings and is growing in confidence all the time. Speaking exclusively to YoughalOnline.com, he said “I am amazed by the reaction of the Youtube video and would like to thank YoughalOnline.com and everyone involved for their support” and confidently added “the way I see it, you should be able to do whatever it takes to make it to the top.”

So on your next trip to Capri Bay Italian restaurant to hear the singing waiter, when ordering your “big-a pizza pie”, you’ll get “Amoré” than you bargained for!

Youghal’s most melodious waiter Michael Del Punta, serves up a singing delicacy with the release of Michael Del Punta’s Christmas Collection. The seven-track predominates with- known classics masterfully rendered in typical jazz/swing style by the 20 year-old crooner. The CD, limited to 500 copies for the Christmas market, was launched at the Nook bar on Friday December 2nd.
Report: Christy Parker / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Now regarded as one of Ireland’s most promising talents, the singer was recently recruited to perform with Ireland’s Garda Band in Youghal. His Christmas CD hears him accompanied by a full band of highly-talented and experienced civic performers as he delivers a work of exquisite accomplishment. The full line-up runs as Michael Del Punta (vocals), Jenny Stack (backing vocals), Pat Barratt (double bass), Ollie Loughnan (drums), Roy Kelleher (trumpet)Warren Tivy (keyboards).

Nothing half-baked there and the musical menu features:  New York at Christmas, The Christmas Song, Let it Snow, Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle (Italian carol  –translates as You Come Down From The Stars), Silver Bells, White Christmas and Santa Clause Is Coming To Town. Though sang many times by many artists, Del Punta manages to apply originality in his interpretations.

A second year economics student in UCC, Michael works part-time at Youghal’s Italian-flavoured Capri Bay restaurant, where he will often deliver a serenade with spaghetti. He considers his current creation as “much better” than his first CD, which itself was an accomplished EP –perhaps retrospectively best deigned as a taster.

Reared in Grange, he describes the collection as “favourites from childhood” but mentions two songs in particular. “The first track was written by American Richard Courier and recorded by Rob Thomas in the mid-’70’s. It never took off but it’s a great song and I want to resurrect it,” he elaborates. “It’s dedicated to my brother who will be spending Christmas in New York.” A second track dear to his heart is Silver Bells. “For the simple and endearing reason that “it’s a duet with my girlfriend Jenny Stack,” he explains.

The whole shebang took about six weeks to record at Claycastle Studios, under the diligent dexterity of producer Warren Tivy. “If it wasn’t for his guidance it just wouldn’t have happened at all. He’s brilliant,” Michael observes.

Michael Del Punta’s Christmas Collection coast €9.95 and is available in Youghal from Broderick’s, Touch of Class, Capri Bay, Cree’s Card Shop, the Cyber Room and of course from Santa Claus late on December 24th.

Click on image to enlarge

Over 1,000 people were on hand to welcome Santa to Youghal as he made a spectacular entrance on water on Saturday 4th December 2010.  The arrival ceremony and subsequent ‘Free Santa Visit’ in Youghal Town Council’s Mall Arts Centre kick-started the seaside town’s annual Christmas festive season celebrations. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Speaking afterwards, the main organiser of the event, Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage Committee commended and thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who worked so hard in delivering the free event to the town.  “This year more than ever before we were determined to take the financial pressure off families with a free event, and we believe we succeeded in doing just that. There was a great atmosphere throughout the whole day, with kids and adults alike in wonderful spirits.  Santa’s arrival with Aquatrek was spectacular to begin with and it just continued from there with hundreds of kids meeting Santa and promising him to be on their best behaviour for the next few weeks!” said Clodagh.

Following his high speed boat trip across Youghal Bay, Santa was delivered by horse and carriage to The Mall Arts Centre for an afternoon of free fun which was open to the public. Hoards of kids of all ages enjoyed the festivities until 4.30pm with a ‘free Santa visit’ and gift of a selection box, courtesy of ‘XL’ Convenience Store in Youghal and Tesco Youghal, together with a photograph courtesy of Irwins, Kodak, Youghal.  Activities included face-painting, mingling with the cast of Aladdin, all to the tunes of Youghal’s wonderful ‘Barty’s Disco.  Performances by the wonderful Youghal Youth Orchestra and Youghal Choral Society only added to what was an afternoon of true Christmas cheer!

Not to be forgotten, Mums and Dads sipped on warmed mulled wine kindly sponsored by ‘Next Door Wines’ and mince pies provided by Collins Bakery & Le Gourmet.

At 4.30 pm Santa led the nationally renowned Youghal Pipe Band on their march to Market Square for the official turning on of Youghal’s Christmas Lights.

Organisers wish to extend a sincere thank you to its many sponsors which enabled the event to be undertaken.  These included: Youghal Town Council, The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, Youghal Credit Union, Youghal Heritage Committee, Aquatrek, Barty’s Disco, Next Door Off-Licence, Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Collins’ Bakery, Le Gourmet, Tom Morley (Horse & Cart), Community Radio Youghal, Irwin’s Kodak, ‘XL’ Convenience Store, Tesco, The Youghal Youth Orchestra, Youghal Choral Society, The Cast of Aladdin (Graham McDermott School of Dance) Youghal Pipe Band & Woodland Print & Design,

Issued by: Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group

Further details on event E: clodaghmahon@hotmail.com

Click on image to see more photos of Santa in Youghal

Pictures of snow in Youghal taken on Sunday November 28th 2010

Click on image to enlarge

A fantastic day was had by all at the “Spirit of Christmas Market” supporting Childline held in Green Barn on Sunday Dec 3rd. Brave shoppers embraced the cold and arrived in their droves , stalls included – Oonagh Poynton of Rhincrew Cookery School, Yawl Bay,Yew Craft, Ahernes, Collins Bakery, Perks, Capri Bay, Absolute Flowers, Jewellery, Rolys Fudge, Rebel Chilli, Green Barn, Hand Painted Glass, Jackie Troy,Christmas Wreaths, Hand Painted Furniture among others.

Shoppers enjoyed mulled wine and hot drinks in keeping with the festive season and were entertained by Ceolta Si, Pantomania’s Christmas Production of Aladdin and the Holy Family Choir. At 2.30pm all the kiddies gathered to await the very special guest where Santa Claus arrived by vintage car.

The Spirit of Christmas Market organised by the Family Fun Group Youghal proved a great success for Childline with the Christmas Wish Tree and the hugely supported Christmas Raffle, winners included Ollie Hegarty,Catherine O’Connor, Agnes Curtin & Richard Collins
Thank you to all who supported this event !

The next Christmas Event run by the Family Friendly Group is “An Evening of Christmas Inspiration” on December 15th at 7.30pm in Green Barn Bistro with demonstrations by David Fitzgibbon of Ahernes, Oonagh Poynton of Rhincrew Cookery School, Susan Spillane of Absolute Flowers and Stella Perks Table Settings, with Christmas Shopping in Green Barn on this special evening where 10% of all purchases will be donated to the Family Friendly Group supporting Childline, with Free Mulled Wine & Mince Pies this promises to be a great night out ! Tickets are € 20 and are available from The Green Barn, The Red Store & Youghal Tourist Office.
All food, flowers etc will be raffled on the night.

Click on image to see the “Spirit of Christmas Market” at Green barn. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Harmony, Youghal’s highly talented singing and dancing group will perform Weenie, a newly-written, musical comedy as their Christmas 2010 presentation.  The show will run for four nights from Dec. 6th to the 9th. As the promotional blurb tells us, the time is the 1960’s, that gloriously optimistic era during which “we first began asking the question we’re still asking – ‘What’s happenin’ man?!’” (Indeed, of late we’ve been asking it more than ever!)  The place is Cork city with, like the old railway line of the time, strong links to Youghal. Report:  Christy Parker / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Weenie is written by Harmony’s veteran stage and musical director Finbar Hannon and features a cast of over 30. Its eclectic set of characters present an array of “gamblers, chancers, baters, lovers, teddy-boys and teeny-boppers –and a dead cat.” There is also someone called Madge, “up from the country” and carrying more superstitions than a street load of ladders on Friday 13th.

While the title role is played by Martin Hennessy, with Ruth Hayes as his friend Rita (both 28), the actors are cast as equal status. “That’s because the story is essentially about the “the innocence and hidden strength of ‘little’ (ordinary) people at a head-spinning turning-point for us all,” says PRO Ann Brookes. “Most of all,” she adds smilingly, “it is a hilarious, heart-warming love story with an explosive, hand-clapping, toe-tapping finale!” A happy ending seems assured in this tale of pre-Nama Ireland.

Debut

The play also marks Finbar’s debut as a stage writer. Having first nurtured, 20 years ago, the shadow of an idea that he might possibly consider chancing to write something for the theatre sometime perhaps, he finally put the process to paper last May, applying the final full stop in August.

In doing so, he has not only woven a story but has embellished it magnificently with original songs alongside inspired parodies of recognisable tunes. Few writers/directors are better placed in the history of Youghal theatre to do so.

Finbar’s lengthy credit roll of success includes musical director of such shows as The Communication Chord, Annie, South Pacific, Dancing as Lughnasa, Oklahoma  and My Fair Lady.  As an actor, he has won Best Actor Award at the All Ireland Drama Festival and played leading roles with Cork’s Everyman and guested with the Abbey Touring Company. He can also reflect on many immensely successful and fulfilling years with the Youghal Choral Society, during which many premier awards were acquired the length and breadth of Ireland.

For its part, Harmony is a self-supporting theatre company “dedicated to the development of singing and acting talent in the community,” says Ann. “We are entirely voluntary and needless to say, new members are forever welcome,” she adds.

The formula seems infallible. Since Hannon met Harmony, hailed productions have included Many Young Men of Twenty, Some Enchanted Evening, From Here to Broadway, Guys and Dolls and A Tribute to John B & Showtime. That’s not to mention various concerts and recitals. The 2010 crew features several new faces, front of stage and back.

Christmas spirit

It merits mention also that this year’s show is presenting adaptable set units, along with a stage extension and steps unit. The non-technically minded will just have to employ their eyes to appreciate these innovations but their construction is due to the generosity of Jimmy and Maurice Flanagan. The works have been donated to the Mall Arts Centre for perpetual use by all local and visiting groups. Makes up for the dead cat.

Weenie runs at the Mall Arts Centre from MondayDecember 6th to Thursday December 9th , commencing at 8pm. Adm: Adults €12, chislers €10, available on door or in advance from Cree’s card shop (024) 93899.

Cast in order of appearance:

Finbar Hannon; Kitty Kenny; Mary Clohessy; Ruth Hayes; Jimmy Flanaghan; Con Kiely; Martin Hennessy; Liz Morey; Alice Terry; Ann Brooks; Paul Kenefick; Jimmy Morey; Pa Murphy; Monica Parsons; Jordan Hennessy; Liz Coleman Lee; Maeve Henegan; Tommy Curtin; Heather Boyle; Beverly O’Brien; Kieran Leahy; Breeda Dempsey; Tish Flanagan; Masie Kenefick; Liz Coleman; Margaret Moloney; Adam Drake; Leah Ahern; Matthew Doherty; Alan Ware; Eoghan Moloney; Elena Schaffer O’Regan; Beth O’Reilly;and Corky the Cat

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE PREVIEW SCENE’S FROM THE SHOW – All photos Michael Hussey www.YoughalOnline.com

The Youghal Cycling Club were delighted to present the fundraising cheque to the Keith Phelan Appeal recently. The charity fundraiser cycle from Youghal to Castlemartyr was held last October. The funds will aid local boy Keith Phelan from Raheen Park, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, to travel to Germany for an operation, in the hope that it will improve his quality of life. Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The Phelans are attempting to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center Dusseldorf, Germany where they believe he could benefit from stem cell treatment. Following inquiries to the centre they were informed that Keith had a number of options: surgical or lumber puncture (where cells are withdrawn from the hip bone marrow, good cells are retained in the lab where they regenerate and are reinserted by lumber puncture). It takes five days to complete the procedure.

An account for the fund has been set up through the Allied Irish Bank and the family is already busy planning ways to make the campaign successful.

To donate to the fund: Sort Code: 93-43-05, Acc. No.: 05841087. To contact to assist in fundraising or organise events, contact: 024-20843.

Eanna Dowling’s 6 track demo CD Change has been selected by Jackie Hayden of Hot Press magazine as the “Pick of the Fortnight”. Presented as a “Righteous Soul Rebel” project, the Youghal resident composed and recorded the 4 songs and 2 instrumentals at home on his laptop. It’s a real grass roots cottage industry as he designed the cover and produced the CD at home. He’s been quietly selling and sharing the limited edition and one of the rare copies came into Hayden’s hands.

“I was at a concert in Wexford,” says Eanna. “My friend from Clare was there and I’d brought some CDs for her to bring to the West. Milling around outside afterwards I found myself standing next to Jackie so I gave him a copy. I’m delighted he reviewed it and chuffed that he chose it as this edition’s pick.”

Jackie Hayden has written for Hot Press for many years but will always be known as the man who gave U2 their first recording contract with CBS in 1979. His regular First Cuts column reviews demos by bands and solo artists, offering a frank critique of the work and an introduction to the readers of the music magazine.

He has this to say about the Righteous Soul Rebel ep: “‘Change! Economy Voodoo’ has echoes of A House’s ‘Endless Art’ and is a spirited diatribe about the state of the world, with deft samples and treated vocals. ‘The Eye of the Storm’ has a heavier vibe about climate change, although Dowling’s vocals could be more dominant in the mix. ‘Doctor Bankenstein’ has smart synth washes on an instrumental that . . . is really a provocative slab of electronica.

“Its sleeve notes convey his sense of anger about the mess we’ve been plunged into through corruption, greed and a dose of stupidity. Fascinating stuff that confronts real world issues.”

Dowling is currently recording a new album of songs in Claycastle Studio, Youghal. Provisionally called “Rising” he hopes to launch it in the Spring. This time he’s working with local musicians to create a more acoustic, folky sound for his original songs.

Further information and CDs: righteous.soul.rebel@gmail.com

Beat the cabin fever this weekend as weather conditions are set to improve and head down to the KGK Community Sports Hall for an action packed Comedy night. This is your final reminder to come along this Friday night the 10th or Saturday 11th at  8.15pm to enjoy two comedies, “Moules Mariniere” by Mary Marron and “And The Winner Is” by Mitch Albom, both directed by Tomas Roche. As always in Knockanore a friendly welcome and atmosphere awaits you along with a warm cup of tea or coffee at the interlude as you collectively share in the enjoyment of the night. The cast of both plays are sure to keep you entertained with their exciting and competent performances. For any enquiries you can call Ber O’ Farrell on 024 97315 /087 9940043 or Bridget Hunt on 086 8398247.

Remember to book the hall or simply make an enquiry for birthday parties, meetings, classes, or anything else you may require the space for you can do so by calling 087 9675399  between 7pm and 9pm.

The KGK Community Sports Hall is kindly sponsored by Tallow Area Credit Union.