THE AILBRIN SOCIETY commences the new year with an interesting and stimulating talk from Youghal native , Catherine Power. Catherine is the archaeologist with Cork County Council.

” A Ringfort on my Lawn; Rolling Heads and Family Trees: the work of a Cork County Archaeologist”

The talk will be held on Wednesday, 26th January at 8.30 pm at the Red Store, North Main Street, Youghal. Admission: members free; non-members 5E. New members always welcome
* Please note change of date.

11th January 2011

Tuesday, January 11th, the Commissioners of Irish Lights confirmed that their last nine remaining fog signals – including those at Roches Point and Ballycotton – will immediately cease operations.

While the Commission states that it consulted widely about its decision, Youghal Fishermen’s Co-Op member, Sean Murphy stated, “It is a bad idea to discontinue the fog horn service which is an immensely valuable aid to the fisherman and small boat users. The fog horn signal from the Ballycotton Lighthouse is a navigation aid back to the safety of Youghal Harbour when fog at sea. Anything that helps at sea is vital. Not all vessels have GPS, especially smaller boats. It’s a ludicrous idea. Why are they doing this?”

The Commission has been closing fog signals on a ‘case by case basis’ over the past 20 years and state that they are no longer ‘an aid to navigation.’

Text below from the The Commissioners of Irish Lights Website
Termination of Fog Signals
The Commissioners of Irish Lights announce that their last 9 remaining fog signals will no longer operate after today.

Although we have been closing fog signals on a case by case basis for over 20 years, the 2010 Aids to Navigation (AtoN)  Review re-confirmed that fog signals can no longer be considered as AtoN.

The recommendations in the Review were accepted by the Boards of the GLAs and the Marine Users Consultative Committee.

Irish Lights provide an integrated service of Aids to Navigation in British and Irish waters with our sister Services -Trinity House and Northern Lighthouse Board. Our mandate is to provide Aids to Navigation commensurate with the amount and nature of marine traffic and the degree of risk.

Then 3 GLAs carry out a joint AtoN Review every 5 years. The 2010/2015 Review commenced in May 2009 and was completed and published in May 2010. Each AtoN is examined with regard to the amount of traffic and the degree of risk and whether the AtoN remains relevant.

This review is available on the CIL website at www.cil.ie/publications

CIL published a Notice to Mariners, No 10 of 2010 on 24th September 2010 advising that the remaining fog signals would be closed down on or about the 11th January 2011.

Text below from LORNA SIGGINS, Marine Correspondent with the Irish Times

THE COMMISSIONERS of Irish Lights says it consulted widely about its decision to discontinue the last fog signals around the coastline.

Nine lighthouses directly run by the lighthouse authority will stop using their fog signals tomorrow, while several other lighthouses run by local authorities or harbour boards, including Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, will also fall silent.

A number of other fog signals were discontinued over the previous 20 years.

The last nine directly run are at Fastnet, Old Head of Kinsale, Roches Point and Ballycotton on the Cork coastline; Hook Head and Tuskar Rock, Co Wexford; the Kish tower off Dublin Bay; Dundalk, Co Louth; and St John’s Point in Co Down.

Capt Kieran O’Higgins of the commissioners said the decision was notified to mariners last September, and was taken due to rapid advances in marine navigation technology, and the fact fog signals are “not an aid to navigation”.

However, a former master of the Jeanie Johnston , Capt Michael Coleman said he did not believe the decision had been adequately publicised. Many small boat users without electronic equipment could rely on a such signal for their safe passage in thick fog, and even bigger boats with satellite equipment could be affected if they had a power failure in a hazardous situation, he said.

Irish Fishermen’s Organisation chairman Ebbie Sheehan said it was probably true that fog signals were no longer required by most fishing vessels equipped with an “array of electronic aids”.

“On the other hand if you have a problem with your equipment and you are coming in to Castletownbere in thick fog from the west and hear the foghorn on the Bull Rock to the southeast, you know you are north of it and safe,” he said.

“So the horn does have its uses, and small boat owners might miss it.”

Most mariners now rely on satellite navigation, through the global positioning system (GPS).

However, the Commissioners of Irish Lights also warn shipowners, fishing vessels and marine leisure users to ensure that no single aid to navigation is relied on.

Click on and play (at Fog Horn volume) Alas Smith and Jones: The Predictable Lighthouse-keeper

Sinn Féin County Councillor, Sandra McLellan is calling on companies charged with administrating receivership of insolvent companies, to conduct their affairs in a manner that doesn’t put other jobs at risk and cause further hardship for those relying in-part on others for their source of business.

Councillor McLellan made the call, after three small businesses ceased trading in the town of Cobh last week, where one which employed a number of local people, had to close down because its landlord and premises were taken into receivership, and where inflexibility on the part of the Receiver around future rents, made it impossible for the company to continue trading.

Sandra McLellan said Receivers should take cognisance of the current economic situation in our country and how every Irish person who has a degree of control over the protection and maintance of jobs should exercise it in a positive way.

Cllr. McLellan added, “In times like these where Receivers have never  been so active, they have a moral and patriotic duty to protect where possible as many jobs as possible. This can very often be done through the exercise of a little flexibility and common sense”.

- Implementation of strategy to significantly change Ireland’s third level landscape with establishment of Technological Universities and provision of equal support for full and part time students -

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., today launched a strategy that will see the transformation of Ireland’s higher education sector over the next two decades.  The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, which has been endorsed by the Government as the future blueprint for the sector, was developed by a High Level Group under the Chairmanship of Dr Colin Hunt.  The Strategy sets out changes for the sector that are aimed at providing for:

o a more flexible system, with a greater choice of provision and modes of learning for an increasingly diverse cohort of students;
o improvements in the quality of the student experience, the quality of teaching and learning and the relevance of learning outcomes; and
o ensuring that higher education connects more effectively with wider social, economic and enterprise needs through its staff, the quality of its graduates, the relevance of its programmes, the quality of its research and its ability to translate that into high value jobs and real benefits for society.

The Strategy recommends a number of significant structural changes that are aimed at supporting these objectives, including:
o having a smaller number of higher education institutions of greater strength, critical mass and governed according to international best practice;
o providing for the establishment of Technological Universities;
o restructuring and strengthening the Higher Education Authority;
o providing for a sustainable system of funding to allow for further growth and development;
o changing the funding model used to allocate resources to and within institutions to ensure all students, whether full-time or part-time, on-campus or off-campus, be supported equally;
o ensuring that public funding is more aligned to national priorities and needs;
o ensuring a more performance oriented system, with much more transparent flows of data;
o requiring greater interaction between our higher education and enterprise sectors; and
o ensuring much greater assessment of the wider outcomes and impacts of the higher education sector, together with strengthened accountability for institutions according to agreed performance contracts.

Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said: “This strategy contains detailed recommendations for the development of a modern, flexible and responsive higher education system that is ready to meet the new challenges of the next twenty years in supporting Ireland’s economic renewal and growth.   It envisages a system that is more accessible to a much greater range of people, is more engaged with the enterprise sector and wider community and has high quality and innovative provision of teaching and research as its hallmark.

“While we can be justifiably proud of our higher education institutions and the quality of the graduates they produce, our system and how it is resourced must change if it is to be equipped to meet the range of new demands it faces over the next two decades.”

The Tánaiste highlighted that these include a projected increase of over 70% in the numbers of people seeking to participate in higher education over this period.

“While the growth in demand for higher education is extremely encouraging in terms of the contribution which highly skilled graduates and the research system will make to economic recovery and social regeneration, responding to this demand imposes a number of challenges as well as the opportunity to fundamentally enhance the capacity, responsiveness and reputation of our system”, she said.

The Strategy clearly identifies the tension between growth in participation, costs and the quality of education provided and concludes that further growth in numbers is not sustainable without an expansion of the funding base.  The Tánaiste highlighted that the provisions of the Government’s Four Year National Recovery Plan already recognised this in committing to a higher student contribution to the cost of higher education over the period to 2014.  Addressing the issue directly, the Tánaiste said: “I want to make it clear that it is not my intention that students should be left with an unmanageable debt burden upon graduation; rather, students should make an equitable contribution to the overall cost of the significant economic advantage they gain from higher education”.  In parallel, the Tánaiste said that recommended reforms contained in the Strategy for arrangements on the administration of student grants are already underway.  She also said that implementation of the Strategy would see, for the first time, all students, whether full-time or part-time, on-campus or off-campus, be equally supported by the funding model used to allocate resources to and within institutions.  “This move reflects the changing way in which students now engage with third level education and allows for greater flexibility and encourages lifelong learning.  It is a proposal that will be particularly welcomed by part-time students.”

The Tánaiste stated that the proposed structural changes to support delivery of the Strategy’s objectives will have important policy implications for the development of roles and relationships across the existing network of higher education institutions.

“There is a strong case for consolidation to support quality.  However, the distinct traditional missions of universities and Institutes of Technology, which are recognised as a major strength of the Irish system, should be retained”, she said.

While the Government has decided that existing applications for university status will not be approved or progressed, the Strategy provides that Institutes of Technology which amalgamate on a regional basis and meet certain criteria and performance requirements may seek re-designation as Technological Universities.  Resembling the international Universities of Applied Science model, such institutions will be governed under new legislation to be enacted.  The Tánaiste said: “The criteria for re-designation will be robust and will be based on the strong foundation of the existing Institute of Technology sector mission.  Initial work on development of the criteria has already commenced and international expertise has now been engaged to assist in their finalisation.  I expect their publication for public and stakeholder consultation late this spring”.

The Strategy also provides for the establishment of a new performance framework within which publicly funded higher education institutions will be held accountable to Government for their performance against defined national priorities.  Changes in the composition of institutional Governing Bodies are also recommended-to include majority external memberships.

The Tánaiste said: “The Strategy strikes a positive balance between the need to ensure institutional autonomy and academic freedom on one hand and financial accountability for taxpayer’s money on the other.  The new performance framework and the emphasis on transparent performance indicators will ensure high levels of public confidence in our system”.

The Strategy also recommends that a strengthened Higher Education Authority will be required to manage this process. This will involve changes in the composition of the Authority itself requiring legislation as well as an organisational review of the HEA Executive to ensure that it has the necessary expertise available to it for the strengthened role.  The Tánaiste said that this review would get underway immediately.

Concluding, the Tánaiste confirmed that she was establishing an Implementation Board tasked with overseeing implementation and delivery on the range of essential internal reforms and developments recommended in the Strategy.  The Implementation Board will be chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.

The Strategy can be accessed via the following link on the Department’s website http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=10815&ecategory=18896&language=EN

Ballinhassig 1 – Youghal Utd 2

Youghal’s U-14 girls finally got back into action after the big freeze out over December. The girls have played little football and  trained infrequently since defeating Crosshaven 7-0 last November.

This encounter against a Ballinhassig side that previously defeated a depleted Youghal team 6-2 in the cup saw a return to form in the league campaign. Despite the long lay off Youghal started with a quick tempo and imposed themselves on the game. Some quick one-twos between Amy Benaim and Holly Twomey went unrewarded by a number of dubious offside decisions. However, the visitors kept calm and breached the Ballinhassig defence with a typical move. Ellen Benaim played the ball out wide to Claire Keniry whose first touch to the corner was collected by Holly Twomey. Holly beat two defenders and cut into the box where she rolled the ball into the path of the onrushing Rachel Galvin.

Rachel struck the ball first time to the underside of the bar and into the net. Ballinhassig looked somewhat taken aback by a team they had beaten easily in the cup and when Rachel Galvin’s individual effort hit the post it looked like Youghal might win the game in the first half. Rachel did add a second on 23 minutes when indecision in the Ballinhassig area led to a clash between defenders. Rachel took control of the ball and from a very tight angle shot across the keeper, the ball deflecting in off the far post. Half-time 2-0.

The goals were reward for some excellent play from Youghal and the insurance of a second goal was welcome as they turned to face a low sun and strong wind in the second half. As expected, Ballinhassig pressed for a goal but Sarah Roche, Kamilla Picuch, Jen Geary and Katie Manning were outstanding in their determination and no little skill.

Two significant events almost spoiled the day for Youghal when firstly Ballinhassig pulled a goal back with a great individual effort from their midfielder and secondly when Kamilla Picuch turned over on her knee and had to be carried off. Youghal had to readjust with influential midfielder, Ellen Benaim going into defence. Youghal were now stretched, conceding a lot of possession in midfield. However, it was Youghal’s passing that proved to be the most influential aspect to an increasingly tense affair. Holly Twomey had a great effort held by the keeper. Rachel Galvin then chipped over the right back to Holly Twomey who squared the ball low and hard across the area where Amy Benaim connected first time. The ball seemed to be heading into the corner but the keeper got down to grapple it to safety.

Youghal survived a late scare after the referee inexplicably played advantage outside the Youghal area and then blew for a free kick. Fortunately, Ballinhassig fluffed the opportunity by blazing high and wide. It was the last action of a tough game.

One drawback for Youghal was the injury to Kamilla and all the players and coaches would like to wish her a speedy recovery as she is always committed to giving her best for her teammates. Squad: Steph Fitzgerald, Kamilla Picuch, Sarah Roche, Katie Manning, Marie-Louise Keane, Claire Keniry, Ellen Benaim, Rachel Galvin, Emma Varney, Amy Benaim, Holly Twomey, Jen Geary, Nikita Savage, Lynda Galvin. Next match away to Glounthuane 29.01.11 in the Evening Echo Cup followed by league game away to Crosshaven in February.

Posted on Monday, January 10th, 2011
Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton has demanded that action be taken to deal with the noxious smells in Youghal. Both Cork County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency have been aware of the problems for quite some time but very little has been done to address the problem.

“I have received numerous complaints from residents in Youghal. They are very distressed at the noxious smells that seem to be emanating from the Foxhole area. I know that many complaints have been made to Cork County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency on this issue also. It is not good enough that residents of Youghal have to endure these foul odours, which some people have told me have led to them becoming physically sick.

“I have written to the Minister for the Environment and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment asking both of them to take action in the event that the EPA and Cork County Council fail to do so.”

“I am aware that there are sensitivities around highlighting matters such as this especially as Youghal depends so much on tourism. However with a new tourism season due to begin shortly it is very important that this matter is dealt with now, once and for all, and that the emission of these odours from whatever source cease immediately.

“This matter has been ongoing for a number of years. Residents of Youghal deserve better.

See related story on YoughalOnline.com http://www.youghalonline.com/2009/02/20/furious-youghal-council-seek-personal-meeting-over-landfill-odours/

The launch of the society’s C.Y.M.S. Calendar 2011 recently took place in the main hall with guest FÁS supervisor Mary Carson. Speaking at the launch the President of the society Brendan Cooney congratulated all those involved in the making of the calendar and particularly thanked FÁS supervisor Mary Carson and Cathy O’Mahony, resource tutor with the Youghal Adult Learning Centre.

He said anyone who brings benefit to the organisation as William Swayne, Ray Phelan and Christopher Hennessy, who designed the calendar, also bring benefit to the wider Youghal community by their work. He heaped much praise on Mary Carson from FÁS who’s input to the work of the society did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated. He also paid tribute to William and Anne Swayne for their support of the society. He thanked Michael Hussey who took the photos for the calendar and said the non-profit calendar may be purchased at the CYMS office or from any committee member.

In turn, Mary Carson, FÁS supervisor, said that she was delighted to be associated with the wonderful work that the Youghal CYMS do and could see this especially with the young teenager members as an invaluable place to go within the centre of our community.

The calendar is the brainchild of senior member William Swayne. This year the calendar’s theme focused mainly with photos of the junior snooker finalists in the various tournaments that were held over the 2010 season and also pictures of people with the World Snooker Trophy and world champion John Higgins during the fantastic snooker exhibition held at the society last year.

MUSIC fans will today mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Phil Lynott, remembered by many as one of the country’s greatest rock stars.

The live audio below is from 1980. This is a rendition of “Whiskey in the Jar”, live at Cork, Ireland on 13/4/1980. The unique thing about this version is that this was one of the rare times when Thin Lizzy had 3 guitarists in the band.
Snowy White had just joined prior to the Irish tour and Midge Ure (Visage/Ultravox) was still around through this leg of the tour. Scott Gorham (of course) was there as well, rounding out the three guitar lineup. Ure mostly played keyboards, but occasionally would pick up a guitar and play along, as he did on this song.The former frontman for Thin Lizzy died of drug-related illness in 1986, but not before securing his legacy for generations of music fans through his time with the band and his own solo material.

In addition to the annual Vibe for Philo concert in Vicar Street in Dublin, other events will today mark the 25th anniversary of his passing at the age of just 36.

One Dublin music store is calling on Phil fans to gather for a commemorative “flash mob”, while Hot Press magazine has announced plans for a major new exhibition of Lynott memorabilia which will begin in March.

The Philip Lynott Exhibition will feature song lyrics, exhibits, paintings, tributes and photographs and will start on March 4 in what has been designated “Philip Lynott Month”.

The exhibition will be held on the top floor of St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and will include guitars, basses, tour jackets, flight cases used by Thin Lizzy, lyric books, school reports and even Lynott’s shares in Manchester United Football Club, as well as personal letters, cards and other unique items collected by his mother, Philomena, and friends over the years.

According to the editor of Hot Press, Niall Stokes: “We wanted to hold the exhibition in a place that has special resonance for fans of Philip Lynott and Thin Lizzy and the band’s second album, Shades of A Blue Orphanage, features beautiful shots of Philip Lynott and fellow band members Brian Downey and Eric Bell walking in St Stephen’s Green, in an area directly overlooked from the location of the exhibition.

“All his favourite haunts were in close proximity — The Bailey, Neary’s, the Coffee Inn in Anne Street and Switzer’s, which is now Brown Thomas. Harry Street, where the Philip Lynott statue stands, just outside Bruxelles, is just 100 metres away in Grafton Street, so it is a perfect location.

“He saw himself as a wordsmith, read at poetry readings in Dublin and published his lyrics in book form — and so the exhibition will be part of the programme for the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature celebrations, which are taking place throughout the year.”

Phil’s mother, Philomena, said: “There is a huge feeling of goodwill out there towards Philip and so I think this is going to be an inspiring event for all of the Irish people who loved my son and his music.”

www.vibeforphilo.com

See also http://www.youghalonline.com/?p=24893&preview=true