‘An Evening of Fashion, Style & Entertainment’ April 8th in Knockanore, Co. Waterford.

KGK hall in Knockanore, Co. Waterford will see a style extravaganza like never before on Friday, April 8th at 8pm.

This night will be brought to you by our own well-known, Paula Goulding.
Paula from Riverdance fame, ‘Dancing Thru’ The Ages’, RTE’s Celebrity Jigs n’ Reels and now Colour & Style expert with RTE is hosting this unique night in aid of KGK Hall and Leukaemia.

The evening is not quite a fashion show but a fashion event with a twist. There will be style sections where Paula will be explaining about different body-types, key tips and advice for dressing for your shape. Colours to suit and demonstrations on how dressing in your correct colours and styles can make such a difference.
“I want this night to be more informative for the audience so that by sitting back and enjoying the evening they can also pick up some really helpful tips.”

The entertainment line-up for the night makes the evening a coveted one. Vocalist Caroline Fraher will be lending her talents. British and All Ireland dance champions from the ‘On Your Toes Academy’, Clonmel will most certainly be a crowd pleaser. There will be excerpts from the hit show, ‘Dancing Thru The Ages’. To top it off the compere for the event is Gerard Byrne; aka Malachy from ‘Fair City’ and that’s just a flavour!

“When I called people about being involved in the night the response was overwhelming and so reassuring. We have such a good value system in this country and in our area. People are so supportive and helpful, it’s really been a joy organizing this event. I am so excited about our entertainment, the audience will be kept on their toes! I am also over the moon to have Gerard as our compere!”

 

The money raised from the night is going to KGK Hall and Leukaemia (Friends-of-Leukaemia-Patients, Cork).
“Unfortunately our family suffered loss recently to leukaemia so that among the obvious reasons of every charity being deserving is why I chose to raise much needed funds for leukaemia.
Also to give back to my community. They are so dedicated and have done absolute trojan work for our parish. The facility that we can now boast about, the KGK Hall is a testament to the Committee and community that put blood, sweat and tears into getting it from a dream to a reality.”

There will be top boutiques showcasing such as;  Sheenas – Dungarvan, Signet – Dungarvan, Touch of Class – Youghal, Bijou Bridal – Tramore and more from the surrounding areas.
This has all the makings of a spectacular night and something a little different.
“I think the night will be a real treat for the audience.”

‘A Unique Evening of Fashion, Style & Entertainment’ is on April 8th at 8pm in KGK Community Hall, Knockanore, Co. Waterford.
Tickets €15
For reservations or to book tickets call 087 6699095 / 024 97286

YOUGHAL GAA Club and St Coleman’s Boxing Club came together for a worthy cause on the 18th of March turning  Club Aras into ‘Ceasar’s Palace’ for a charity boxing night in aid of the Youghal Branch of St Vincent De Paul. - Pics: Michael Hussey www.youghalonlinecom

Yes you read it right, Youghal G.A.A Club was transformed on Friday night last the 18th of March into a boxing stadium as good as you would see anywhere. All the stops were pulled out for this Charity boxing event featuring local talent and our very own players to help raise funds for both Club training fund and the very worthy cause that is St. Vincent de Paul. A professional sound and lighting system were put in place over two Days to enhance the project and make it a night to remember.

The night opened with a Girls fight which saw Ballymacoda’s Karen O’Sullivan narrowly defeat Fermoy’s Kelly Carroll in a fiercely fought three rounder.

Next into the ring was our very own Conor Coleman who took care of the big hitting Rocky Lucas from St. Colemans boxing Club. Conor came out of the traps very quickly and despite taking some heavy punishment held on for the victory.

Bout 3 welcomed two up and coming stars to the ring, with Garry Kavanagh of St.Frances boxing Club and Damien Laffen of St. Colemans going toe to toe. Our next home grown fighter into battle was none other than Barry the bone crusher Ring who lived up to his name pounding his opponent nearly to submission in the first round but experience told in the end and Barry was narrowly defeated.

Following this was one of the main events of the evening with Youghal’s All Ireland Champion Adam Curley taking on and defeating the well fancied Clive O’Mahony of St. Francis. This was a classy fight with both boxers in superb form.

Unfortunately for bout 6 Damien Rings opponent failed to show and by the look in Damiens eye he can count Himself very lucky not to have shown.  Bout 7 saw none other than multi award winning Declan Quinn from Youghal take on Noel Murphy from Macroom. Declan started well but was staying well within himself as he had to travel to Dublin to fight again on the Saturday, and was defeated on a split judgement.

Next into the ring was Patrick the handsome one O’Mahony to take on Wes Healy the experienced fighter from C.I.T. Patrick struggled with the surface and slipped several times during the fight. Pa lost narrowly which left the crowd puzzled as they thought he had taken the points in every round. The main thing though Ladies, is the good looks are intact, as I know a few of you were worried.

Next up was none other than the main Man behing the idea and the organisation of the night Mr. Ken the bruiser Dempsey. Ken fought against another experienced opponent in C.I.T.’s Eoin Murphy. Ken gave himself too much to do after the opening round, and said himself, he gave his opponent too much respect. Unfortunately for Ken their will be no rematch as he turned the enviable age of 35 on the Monday, which rules him out of future contests.

Local legend Barry Walsh next graced the ring against Paddy McCarthy of Brian Dillons. Both these Guys although very young are well experienced with Barry’s footwork superb which kept his chin intact and his opponent always under pressure.

Barry Goggin was next into action and entered the ring like a World Heavyweight Champion saluting the Crowd to huge roars of support. Barry had the unenviable task of taking on well known circuit boxer Mike Fouhy. The punches landing could be felt in the Car Park in the first round, and unfortunately for Mike he received a cut over his left eye and the fight had to be stopped. To tremendous applause and cheers Barry’s Daughter entered the ring to give Dad a big hug.

There was respite after this one for the more than 400 crowd assembled who were being thrilled at every corner, in the form of a brief interval. The break was needed to prepare for the next bouts which were the main events of the night.

The penultimate fight paired World Military Games Silver Medalist Pa O’Shea take on Sligo’s Thomas Rohan. This was another great contest with two classy fighters strutting there stuff to the delight of the Crowd. Pa was narrowly defeated, again on a split decision.

The last bout was the main event on the bill with Youghal’s Brendan Coleman being led to the ring by a juvenile Flag bearer carrying the red and white of Cork. His opponent, none other than Waterford Senior Hurler James Murray was led in with a flag bearer carrying the blue and white of Waterford. James had brought a lot of support with him and the roof was raised by the noise inside throughout the fight.

The lads went at it like Men possessed in the opening round, both landing blows that would have canvassed lesser athletes. The judges could not split them in the first two rounds but James’s experience told in the latter stages of the 3rd as Brendan tired, leaving the Deise Man take victory.

A great heartfelt thanks to all those who helped in the organisation of the event. You know who you are so I don’t need to mention you all.

Special thanks to St. Coleman boxing Club who gave their time to train the lads over a four Month period to get them to the required standard. I would also like to thank all our sponsors especially Cara Ambulance Service and John Long World Wide Cabs.

Without doubt the heroes of the Day were the Men and Ladies who took to the ring. It is without the biggest sacrifice anybody has ever made for the Club. To put yourselves through the type of training and physical pain you have endured over the last 4 Months is well and above the call of duty. I have nothing but admiration for each and every one of you.

Click the images below to see the boxing action at the Youghal GAA club – Pics: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Eva Porter, Cork’s newest singer-songwriter.
Debut Album “Heart on My Sleeve”

It might seem strange that a mother of three, working in insurance, who had never done a gig, decided to record an album of her own songs but that’s exactly what Eva Porter has done. Eva has been writing songs since the age of twelve and has always had a passion for music but never took it further than home.
It was only when her then 6 year old son told her on a drive home one night, after they had been singing along to a song Eva had written, that he thought his mum should make a record, that Eva decided to give it go. 18 months ago the journey from singing her songs to her children to sharing them on her debut album “Heart on my Sleeve” began in earnest.
It started with a phone call to Eva’s uncle, Cork singer & soon to be co-writer Joe Corbett. Over the next year, Eva & Joe collaborated on the songs for the album. Brian Connor, Belfast keyboard player and producer whose credits include albums for Freddie White and Albert Niland, heard Eva’s demos and signed on as producer. Brian played keyboards on the album and assembled a line up of Ireland’s finest musicians to join him – Johnny Scott, guitarist, Rod Patterson, bassist and Danny Byrt, percussion.

The album was recorded in Sonas Studios, Glenflesk, Co. Kerry in December 2009. The album was engineered by Tony O’Flaherty of Sonas Studios and mastered by Ruairi O’Flaherty. Eva’s music reflects her wide range of musical influencesand love of folk, country and soul. “Heart on My Sleeve” was launched on Thursday 17th June at the Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Cork. You can find out more about Eva on her website www.evaporter.com or contact Eva on 087 217 4717 or at info@evaporter.com

You can view her EPK on http://breakingtunes.com/evaporter You can also listen see to samples of all 12 original tracks on website www.evaporter.com.

Since the album launch on the 17th June, 2010 Eve has been very fortunate to get airplay & receive favourable comments on The Neil Prendeville Show on 96FM, “The Blue of the Night” on Lyric FM, “The Late Date” on RTE 1, WLR FM, “Shades of Green” Tipp FM, “Sounds Country” on Radio Kerry, Dundalk FM where her album was album of the week, Cry FM in Youghal, UCC College Radio, Access 96FM Dublin & her album is on the playlist for C103FM where she had great support from Martina O’Donoghue & Colum McGrath who have had Eve on their shows as guests.

Eve has had have an appearance on Balcony TV and on Bandwagon TV. She also supported John Spillane in Oct 2010 and JACK L in March 2011 at the Lodge in Mallow, Co. Cork. Youtube videos of which can be seen on her Breakingtunes page. Eve also had good support from local press, Evening Echo, Cork News, The Southern Star, East Cork Journal and some national papers The Examiner & Irish Daily Star

DOG ACTION WELFARE GROUP known as D.A.W.G. is an organisation founded in 2007 and run completely by a network of volunteers concerned with the welfare of abandoned, abused and ill-treated dogs in Cork, they also endeavour to educate the public on dog welfare and dog ownership. DAWG are after opening a new shop at 55 Main Street, Midleton which they hope will help raise much needed funds to go towards buying a new premises as well as the running of the Charity itself.

Speaking with Trish Gravina coordinator of dog fosterers in the Midleton area during the week it came to light that the organisation have had some bad news recently they are going to lose their current shelter which is based in Doneraile, Co. Cork. Over the last few years they have been renting premises where they housed all of the unwanted and abandoned dogs that come into their care. Unfortunately the current owner has decided to sell the property they have been renting and as such DAWG have to vacate the premises by July 1st of this year. They are calling on all our supporters to help them in this very difficult time. At any one time they have over 30 dogs in their care with at least another 10 waiting to come in.

Over the last few years these hard working people are rescuing up to 600 dogs a year. With that figure reaching a high of 827 animals in 2010. If Cork DAWG does not have a safe haven for these dogs to go, then what will happen to them? The answers vary depending on who you ask but the options are limited to the local pound? The side of the road? Another dog rescue group or a visit to the vet to be euthanised. Any of these are possible but they do not solve the problem that DAWG are dealing with each year. Many of the dogs that come into our care require serious veterinary treatment so funding is always a challenge as our veterinary bills are approx €5000 a month. DAWG have two charity shops, one in Midleton and the other in Mallow, and are constantly trying out fund raising activities.

Trish says herself that “We appreciate that these current times are hard for everyone and nobody has much to spare but we are not proud and are begging for help, no matter how small. We cannot stand back and do nothing, the need is too great. It has always been our dream to have our own shelter, a place where a dog can call home, where it will be loved and cared for, and for a lot of dogs it will be the first time in their lives where they have been shown compassion by a human. Unfortunately as with most things in life to achieve this we need money. The constant fund raising events that we hold are just about covering our vet and food bills so there is nothing to spare. For now we will stay optimistic and do whatever we can to make this dream a reality. So if you or anyone you know has some property in Cork County that has some outbuildings is in a quite area and has enough space to hold these animals, please get in touch with anyone from the Shop based in Midleton or you can ring Trish direct on this number 086 1062337. We are looking for a premise in a rural setting with 4 or 5 acres of land and some outbuildings which could be converted in shelter for the dogs. We have been fund raising to secure a mortgage for such a place but, given the current credit constraints securing a
mortgage, this is a huge challenge. In light of this we are looking for a long term let/lease to rent, with the option to buy.

It’s not just finding a new shelter, but there are ongoing costs in rescuing these poor animals. Currently DAWG are running a “5 to
survive campaign”. We are asking for 5 minutes of your time to complete a standing order of 5 Euro a month and help us achieve our
target of 500 new standing orders. This money will go directly to help the dogs that need it and it will enable us to continue our work. Our target will be posted on our website and will be updated weekly. In return for signing up DAWG will send each new member a thank you pack including your very own DAWG postcard, key ring and magnet. Please help us achieve our goal and reach our target. Once we reach our target ALL our standing order supporters will be entered into a draw.

More details on the draw will follow. Also for those of our supporters who already have a standing order with DAWG, please email and we will forward you our thank you pack. The dogs of Cork need us so we cannot let them down. If you are in a position to help us, you can donate on line. This money will go directly to the purchase of a new property. We will keep you posted over the coming weeks and months. If you feel you cannot support DAWG by giving a cash donation you can also help out in the fostering side of things If you love dogs but feel you are not yet ready to commit to a dog for life why not consider fostering?

Are you at home a lot during the day? Do you have an enclosed garden and a little bed indoors? Do you like walking and need a companion? Alternatively, if you own another dog but have room in your home and heart for a little pal then please contact us. A foster home is extremely important to prepare the animals for their new homes and is also a key link in learning more about their personalities so we can find the most suitable placement for the animal. We are so busy at the moment in the kennels and some of our dogs do not do well in the kennel environment. Fostering is a rewarding experience and in taking a dog into your home gives us the opportunity to help another dog in need. Food and veterinary bills are covered by DAWG we just need your time and care with these dogs. You can help in so many ways. To find out more information you can go to the website www.dogactionwelfaregroup.ie or you can contact the office direct Dog Action Welfare Group. P.O. Box 558, Togher Sorting Office, Cork.
Telephone: 086 3457488 or you can email:
info@dogactionwelfaregroup.ie.

Trish says she would love to find a home for Penny. She a beautiful little dog but needs a very secure garden.She would be fine with anyone who has experience of owning a dog but not a first timer as she needs a firm hand. Penny is about 1 yr old, vaccinated, spayed and house trained. She’s super smart and responds to training very well.

Click on image to enlarge

This week  I spoke with Art Supple during the week on Youghal Radio and I know Art and myself are related but when it comes to music and music connections the simple fact that Art is one of our best known musicians in Cork.

I asked Art to explain how he became involved with the music business. I started out singing in school we had a great teacher who always encouraged us to sing and be involved in music, this led us to forming the Barrony Aces, a group of young school children who would put on small plays and performances in our local hall and school. I was like any young person of that time and saw no reason why I wouldn’t become the next Oscar winner or music star. I then got involved with the Patsy Irwin band and we used to play the local halls in and around East Cork. We used to play in Redbarn before the main bands. At that time there was a showband on the scene who for me were the best band on the circuit, They entertained with a group of top class musicians they danced, they sang and had us all enthralled in the show they put on each time they came to Redbarn they were called The Clipper Carlton They were the forerunners for the showband scene as it became known.

I was working out in the field at our farm with my father one day when two gentlemen in suits arrived on the scene they explained that they were putting a band together and needed a singer Local man Murty Lucey from Redbarn had told them to get in touch with me as he had seen me performing in Redbarn Dance Hall. They spoke about many things but the one thing that caught my attention was the mention of an American tour, now this was 1963 and the thought of a tour to the USA was a big deal at that time nowadays people fly over and back to America but back then it was not as easy as it is today. I didn’t need much more convincing I accepted the offer to become the singer with the Victors Showband and we set off from there.

After a short while we had become one of the top ten showbands touring Ireland at the time and we did our American tour, I have to say looking back on it was a great time for showbands. In Ireland around then there were over 850 showbands touring the circuit, not all professional but they were all playing to huge crowds. If you think back there was no TV in a lot of places and we only had the one radio channel so entertainment was a night out to see a band in the local dance hall. It was such a busy time for bands that dances were running seven nights a week with anything from 800 to a few thousand people crammed into these large ballrooms.

I was lucky in that during this time because the scene was so strong many of the top international acts wanted to tour Ireland because the cost of travel etc was large most of the singers would arrive along and work with an established band in our case we were lucky enough to tour with the likes of Roy Orbison, Chubby Checker, Englebert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Jim Reeves, Millie, Johnny Cash to name a few. We shared the stage with The Beetles, Had tea with the rolling stones and met many of these and other famous singers on our travels.

Looking back on it was a great time and things have changed so much, I remember that we were recording a new song and we had all the band part of the Concert orchestra a group of backing singers all in one room singing into the one Microphone and because it was all recorded on very expensive tape we only had one take to get it recorded, there was no editing or adding in tracks it was basic and it worked all because of the quality of musicians who worked in these showbands.
Nowadays you can get the same sound in our bedroom at your computer but back then it was expensive we had to travel to the only studio in Ireland which was based in Dublin we had to hire all the musicians so it was like getting a small army on the move for one performance which they would have to get right.

Looking back on his career which is now in its 48th year as a professional singer Art has met so many wonderful people from Christy Ring who he had the privilege of playing hurling with to The Irish Soccer team who he entertained. He has sung to presidents from many countries, and met many wonderful people around the world. There was so much more to ask and talk about but like all good tales we will have to leave the rest for another day.

CRY 104fm’s radio jock Shane Supple talks to Warren Tivy, who during the year undertook a charity climb to one of the world’s best known mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa which is 12,000 meters above sea level.

Warren Tivy, musician, producer, sound engineer and owner of Claycastle Studios in Youghal decided to do some work for charity and he was doing work for different  bands and acts who were all raising funds for the Charity Africa Direct so it did this seemed like a good idea at the time.  He had to raise €6,000 to go to Nairobi where he spent two days visiting the projects that the funds were being used for. Warren said he had never seen anything like it; Nairobi is like any other city it’s busy and bustling But driving out to the slums where over 2 million people live in abject poverty he got a sense of what this was all for. What prompted him to do this I asked and he said one of the things he found interesting about this charity was that every penny and cent raised was handed over to the charity who were working in the slums providing care health basic needs to the people living in these slums.

After spending two days there they headed across the Serengeti by bus it took over a day to travel to Mushy on the other side of Kenya to base camp for the climbing. Warren had already spent the year working out getting fit and working in the gym as well as doing lots of running. He met with many other climbers who were treating it a little more serious then Warren and his fellow climbers from Ireland. It was a rough trek where you worked your way up through the rain forest first before hitting the volcanic rock of the mountain. It took seven days to climb and each night you would sleep over at that point you reached that day, It was tough going as the higher you climbed the altitude started taking its toll, for the last two days Warren says he felt sick constantly headaches and tired, sick feeling in your stomach. It was awkward as the higher they climbed the chances of illness increased the problem with that was because of the altitude there were no helicopters able to fly at that altitude due to lack of air so it was going to be tough on anyone who had to turn back down the mountain.

On the sixth day they arrived at Kabuki Huts where they spent several hours just getting used to the altitude and at 1am they set off to reach the peak in order to be there for dawn. It took six hours and it was only a small distance but with ice and lack of oxygen it was tough going. At around 7am they reached the summit and managed to see the dawn break. On the way to the summit they met many other climbers who had to turn back because of illness but the Irish group continued on.

I asked Warren what went through his head when he was standing on the summit. He said it was an emotional time the first thought that went through his head was oh my god I now have to climb down this mountain again. But it was beautiful standing there looking around at the world below you. As time was short they only got to spend a few minutes at the summit when they had to make there way back down.

The hardest part of it was the sweat that had built up under his protective clothing had turned to ice and as he descended it started to melt, within a short time he was soaked through and had to continue climbing down. By the time he got back down the mountain he was down to wearing a t shirt because of the morning sun and the heat it was difficult climbing down and they had to stop several times on the way down to acclimatise and get used to the altitude. I asked him would he do it again and he replied that he would do it all again, he is raising money all the time for the charity Africa Direct.

It’s good to see a local musician taking on such a large task all to raise funds for charity. Currently Warren and the crew at Claycastle are working on different projects but one that sticks out is the Marine session Live CD vol 2. After the success of the first CD they decided that so many musicians responded that they had enough material to start a second album so that’s what they are working at now, if you see Warren or any of the bands he works with playing in an area near you go along and support them.

Well Cheltenham may have come and gone, and depending on the information you had, to hand, perhaps you made a few Euro, or maybe not. But next Friday Night at Rosie’s Bar, you have your chance, all over again, to get involved with the excitement of Horses, Trainers and Jockeys, a Tote and all that, all in a good cause.

As a major fundraising exercise, the Lower Aghada Pier Development Group are holding a Race Night, at Rosie’s Bar, Friday Night, March 25th. at 20.30hrs. All are welcome, with lots of excitement, and all the thrill of being a Horse Owner, or possibly a Trainer, or perhaps take on the mantle of being a Jockey for the night, and see if you can steer your Horse, around the course and win one of the 10 major Races on the night. There will be lots of prizes, and a great night’s enjoyment is guaranteed.

The Pier Development Group are involved, at the moment, in negotiations with the Port of Cork and the Cork County Council, and are assisting in the drawing up of a scope of works, to have the necessary repairs to the Pier, carried out, and the Car Park area tidied up and enhanced.

The Pier is a focal point, in this area of East Cork, and while the origin of the Pier itself, goes back to the Famine Times and the Royal Visit to Cork in 1850, there are also the connections with the American Seaplane Base, at what is now the East Cork Boatyard / Lower Aghada Tennis Club. There is also some evidence to suggest that this area was also a base for a Sailing Group / Club, with their centre of operations located further over to the East, at Rostellan, and it has been suggested that Sailing was very much in evidence here, even before the establishment of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, in Cobh, prior to it’s being moved to Crosshaven, its present location.

Whether or which, the Pier is now in need of repairs, and the County Engineer together with the Port of Cork, have given their assurance that these repairs will be carried out. It has been requested by the County Engineer that a local financial contribution will be required, and the Pier Development Group, are fundraising, so as to have these funds ready to hand, for when they are required.

So make it a date, Friday Night, Rosie’s Bar, 20.30 hrs., for all the thrills and spills of Horse Racing at its very best, see you there.

On Friday March the 25th at 7.30 The Walter Raleigh Hotel Youghal is the place to be for The Sacred Roots Launch concert & release of The Y FACTOR 2010  talent show D.V.D recorded live at the Walter Raleigh on January 8th 2011 by Michael O Brien & Sons at Ardmore video  productions plus The Y FACTOR  2010 music CD recorded by John burke at Claycastle Recording Studios here in Youghal, featuring

Sam Forest ( Y Fsctor under 14 winner )
Chris Moloney ( Y Factor 15 + winner )
Catriona Savage
Leah ahearn
Denis botrel
Millie Cooper & Lucy McGrath
Eoghan moloney
Matthew doherty
Indecision ( Finn & Oisin Mullins – Diarmud Beecher – Padraig Walsh)
Elle & Tom budds
Grainne slattery
Tracey symon
Cher forest
The Mixtapes  (Kevin Murphy – Jak Kallilec – Helen Murray – Adam Mc Carthy )
Daniel Ryan
Leo Mullane

January 8th 2011 saw Youghal’s Walter Raleigh Hotel packed to the rafters when The Sacred Roots ‘Y’ Factor final 2010 was held featuring some of the most talented young performers one is ever likely to see.
The twelve finalists six aged under fourteen years and six aged between 15 and 18 years, were hand picked from auditions held in The Hot spot Youth Center on december 18th with a winner picked from each category on the final night.

The acts in the final included singers, dancers and entertainers with some performing to live accompaniment and others to a backing track .
Lessons were certainly taken from this incredible night, which shows evidence of the huge amount of talent which abounds among the young people of Youghal.

D.V.D  &  C.D are just €10 & will be available to buy on the night and also at Scott’s Gift Shop at North Main St. Youghal.
go to www.sacred-root.com

The Sacred Roots is a non profit, voluntary run project, helping people realise their potential through the form of music.
GOD BLESS YOU & THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

On Saturday April 2nd at 8pm, George Conn will give a very interesting and informative illustrated talk on “The Harry Ferguson story”. An evening looking at the life of this great inventor from a historical, farming, engineering and Christian perspective. The G.A.A. pavilion, Magner’s Hill, Youghal is the venue and admission is free.

This event is being organised by Youghal Baptist Church. For more information contact: Mervyn Scott – 086-1732034/024-25964

Bio for George Conn

Guest speaker George conn served his apprenticeship in R. Hewitt Motors Ltd. Portadown in the mide 1970′s. He later taught motor vehicle engineering in Dungannon Technical College. He now works with the Faith Mission and has a keen interest in vintage tractors.

The credibility of Youghal’s main street as a commercial centre has been further reinforced with the opening of new photography and art gallery in a prime location. Consumers and fellow retailers alike on the beleaguered thoroughfare will welcome the advent of McGoldrick’s Art & Photography at 89 North Main Street. The site, adjacent to the Clock Gate, had been idle for mere weeks following the closure of the previous fashion accessories outlet.

Proprietor Eileen McGoldrick and her husband Will Nick have lived in Youghal for about eight years and reside in Strand Street. The Belfast-born couple have previously lived in Oxford and over past decades have developed an impressive reputation in the arts world, hosting acclaimed exhibitions in Oxford and London as well as Cork and Dungarvan on this side of the pond.

With a target market of locals and tourists, the location obviously is of prime relevance. However the “quality of natural light”, that flows through the front and side windows was a major factor in choosing location. Alongside selected manufactured illumination, the combination brings a focus of perfection to the works on display.

Variety

The inaugural exhibition stretches across photography, oils and acrylic, though the display will alternate monthly. Within the compact space, the visitor can browse, for example, on the astounding depictions of Helvic Head cliff faces and beach rocks, their shapes and pastel hues rendered unique and enchanting through the magic of Will’s photography. “One visitor said she admired ‘the aerial view of the Caribbean island,” smiles Will. “In fact it was a view of a rock from Ballycotton!”

Eileen’s inventive cross-media pieces offer the colourful surrealism begat from subjecting acrylic, cloth netting and scanning technology to an unfettered imagination. The results reflect ‘dream sequences’ but are subject to individual interpretation.

Elsewhere a photo of derelict fishing boat’s revealed layers of colours bear witness to its lives, competing for attention with the acrylic depiction of a woman in a black dress hanging white washing against a background of industrial rust. A rainbow finds the Ferry Point, Muckross Abbey stands sultry, Moby Dick’s pink perkiness is viewed from the Pier Head past the blue hue of a boat.

Other creativities are manifested book form, themed to unravel by the enamoured page. From envelope-sized originals of €8 cost to 30 inch square masterpieces of seventy times that value, the walls and shelves do their new home proud.

If the works are beautiful, they are complimented by their creators’ belief. “I have great confidence in selling art, if art can be sold, on Youghal’s main street,” says Eileen. Yet she equally yearns to create an oasis perhaps “where visitors can browse, with no pressure to buy” and where they can view art for art’s sake –evocatively reminding them of what derives from their own lives.

Classes

McGoldrick Art & Photography will also host art lessons weekly, on Mondays. Two sessions, managed by Eileen, will cater separately for children and adults. Classes are open to all levels from total novices to budding Van Gogh’s! “It will be tailored totally towards the nurturing and developing the abilities of each individual,” says Eileen.

Details:  (024) 90494; 087-22865921; 087-4116483. Web: www.mcgoldrickart.com;  email: mcgoldrickart@gmail.com