YoughalOnline.com will be broadcasting the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade live on the street. Webcast Starts at 3:00pm (GMT) approx. We are preparing for a much better webcast this year having switched from Ustream to Livestream as our service provider. Click Here for webcast.

Láinseáil Seachtain na Gaeilge 2011 – Launch of Irish Week 2011

Tharla Seoladh Seachtain na Gaeilge in Ionad na hÉalaíne Eochaille ar an 7ú d’mhí Márta, 2011. Láinseáil an aoi-chainteoir, Liam Suipéal, an seachtain go hoifigiúil, fear ón gColáiste na Rinne a thug bronnadh ar bhuntáistí a bhaineann le labhairt ár theanga dúchais. D’fhreastail Méara an Bhaile, Máire Ní Fhoghlú agus a chomhghleacaithe comhairleoirí Baile Eochaille. D’fhreastail Cathaoirleach an CLG Eochaille, David Kilgannon agus Micheál de Buitléar ó Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann chomh maith. D’fhreastail daltaí agus múinteoirí ó gach ceann de na scoileanna in Eochaill agus an ceantar dúchais. Bhain siad an-taitneamh as an gceol ón ngrúpa áitiúil Lár na Cruinne. Bia agus sólaistí a bhí le fáíl ar an óiche sin ón gConradh na Gaeilge.

Ghabh Donacha Ó Cearúil, rúnaí an brainse áitiúile buíochas ar gach éinne a bhí i láthair agus thug sé bronnadh ar na heachtraí atá ar súil i rith na seachtaine. Mar shampla, beidh Comórtas Fhuinneoge na Siopaí ar siúl, Dioscó na hÓige agus Tráth na gCeist sa CLGChlub Áras agus beidh gach scoil ag déanamh ‘Cabaret as Gaeilge’. Chun críoch a chur leis na seachtaine, beidh an Paráid Lá Fhéile Pádraig bliantiúile ag tosnú ar an 17ú d’mhí Márta, 2011. Beidh an-craic againn gan dabht!

Launch of Irish Week 2011 – Láinseáil Seachtain na Gaeilge 2011

The launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge took place in The Mall Arts Cente, Youghal, on Monday 7th March 2011. The launch began with guest speaker Liam Suipeál from Coláiste Na Rinne who gave a brief presentation of the benefits of speaking our native tongue. The launch was attended by the Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan Foley and fellow Youghal Town councillors. Chairman of the Youghal GAA David Kilgannon was also in attendance as was Micheal de Buitlear from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Pupils and teachers from each of the schools in Youghal and the surrounding area atteneded the launch and enjoyed the music of local group Lar Na Cruinne. Food and refreshments were provided by the Youghal branch of Conradh na Gaeilge.

Donacha Ó Cearúill, secretary of the local branch of Conradh na Gaeilge thanked all who attended and gave a brief outline of the wonderful events taken place during Seachtain na Gaeilge which included the popular shop window competition, Teenage Disco/Trath na gceist in the GAA Club Áras and each school doing a “Cabaret as Gaeilge” culumating of course in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Youghal on the 17th March 2011.

 

YoughalOnline.com will be broadcasting the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade live on the street. Webcast Starts at 3:00pm (GMT) approx. We are preparing for a much better webcast this year having switched from Ustream to Livestream as our service provider. Click Here for webcast.

Fota Wildlife Park are hosting a special Family Fun event this coming Sunday in association with South & East Cork Tourism to promote a new website www.familyfunholidays.ie, which is promoting East Cork and West Waterford as a family fun destination.

The new website which is funded by Failte Ireland aims to bring more families to towns such as Cobh, Midleton, Youghal, Lismore and Ardmore in 2011 through special offers, news, events and easy access to required information online. The site will act as the main promotional tool for the family fun hub which was established with Failte Ireland back in 2009.

Speaking about the new site chairman of the Family Fun Steering group Stephen Ryan hopes it will provide more information to tourists, “we have a lot of things for people to see and do in the area but sometimes its not easy to find out about them and we hope that this new website will enable potential visitors to find out all they need to know on one site. The new site has been designed by award winning Cork company Studio Forty9 and is set to appeal to all age groups with its easy navigation and bright colours.

The site will be officially launched this coming Sunday March 13th at Fota Wildlife Park’s Education Complex in association with South & East Cork Tourism and will bring together 40 different tourist businesses under one roof showcasing what they have to offer the public in 2011. Speaking about the launch Stephen who is also head of marketing at Fota Wildlife Park added “each year both Youghal Chamber and South and East Cork tourism have networking events for tourism providers however this year we are looking to get some of the public involved here at park so they get to see what else is on offer in the area plus enjoy some food tasting, enter competitions and have some fun with an array of characters who will be here on the day”.

Amongst the stands on the day will be Trabolgan, Perks Entertainment Centre, Cobh Heritage, Lismore Heritage, Jameson Distillery and Carleton Resorts. The event itself will run from 12pm until 5pm at the newly refurbish education complex with free childrens activities at the parks entertainment marquee throughout the day.

To celebrate the launch of the new site they are giving away a number of fantastic prizes including membership to Fota Wildlife Park and a weekend break at Trabolgan Holiday Village. To win one of these prizes you have to enter a special online survey through the new website which is being done in association with 3rd year students from the tourism department in Cork Institute of Technology.

March’s Community Alert meeting took the form of a coffee morning/information morning which was held at the Red Store, North Main Street on Tuesday March 1st.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The company supplying the socially monitored alarms addressed the meeting while representatives of several other organisations also provided first-hand information and advice on relevant community services like the Care and Repair project held at the Cumann Na Daoine centre in Catherine Street. Community Garda Peter Queally gave an update on the successful Dial To Stop Drug Dealing project.

 

 

Further Inquiries: Sergeant John Sharkey at Youghal garda station (024) 92200 or Michael Beecher, Chairman of the Youghal Community Alert Group on 087-2349472

Youth drama survey & plans for Co Waterford and the South East – can you help?

Call to Youth Theatre/Drama Groups
South East Arts Initiative – State of Play: Youth Theatre and Drama
As part of the new South East Arts Initiative and in partnership with the Coracle project, Wexford County Council Arts Department will focus on Youth Theatre initiatives in the South East region.

Survey

Would you like your youth theatre / drama group included in a database of drama opportunities for young people in the South East?

Would you like to inform us about the amazing drama activity carried out in your drama group, ensuring your group is represented in a report on youth theatre/drama in the area?

Are you interested in getting involved in the exciting youth theatre initiatives that Wexford County Council are planning for the South East?

If the answer is yes, then simply fill in the online questionnaire that will only take 10 minutes!

To complete your survey…
Simply log on to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stateofplay and follow the instructions.
If you have any questions about completing the survey, if you’d prefer to be posted a copy of the questionnaire please call Rhona at 01 878 1301.

Wexford County Council is participating in a 3 year INTERREG funding partnership project called Coracle. This partnership aims to maximise the economic, social and cultural value of the creative cultural arts in the South East of Ireland and the South West of Wales. See www.irelandwales.ie

In the future, Wexford County Council aims to establish structures / relationships which:
• encourage the development of youth theatre training workshops
• explore the notion of cross-border collaborative productions
In order to achieve this, Wexford County Council has contracted the National Association for Youth Drama (NAYD) to carry out:
• an audit of youth theatres and drama opportunities for young people in the South East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow), and;
• a needs analysis of youth theatre/drama training within this region.

How can you take part?
Survey

To complete your survey…
Simply log on to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stateofplay and follow the instructions.
If you have any questions about completing the survey, if you’d prefer to be posted a copy of the questionnaire please call Rhona at 01 878 1301.

Meeting for Youth Theatre Leaders & Drama Facilitators
NAYD will also hold a focus group meeting with youth theatre leaders and drama facilitators:
• to explore existing training available in the region and beyond
• to identify any gaps in training provision leaders have experienced
• discuss their own particular training needs
This meeting will also provide a great chance to network with other youth theatres / drama groups in your region, as well as the opportunity to meet Wexford County Council staff and find out more about Coracle and potential youth theatre initiatives.
The focus group meeting will take place:
at
Wexford Opera House
on
Saturday 12th March at 2.00pm

Please confirm your attendance at the meeting by 9th March, by emailing rhona@nayd.ie or calling Rhona at 01 8781301.

NAYD and Wexford County Council are looking forward to finding out about all the fantastic drama opportunities for young people in the South East. We hope to speak with you soon!

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Rhona Dunnett, Research and Development Officer at NAYD. Contact details are provided below.

National Association for Youth Drama
7 North Great George\’s Street
Dublin 1

Tel: 01 8781301
Fax: 01 8749816
Email: rhona@nayd.ie

If you would like to find out more about NAYD, why not log on to our website: www.nayd.ie

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Ireland Wales Programme (INTERREG 4A).

Venue Address:
Email: southeastartsprogramme@gmail.com

Lismore Music Festival 2011, presents, Don Giovanni at Lismore Castle and an expanded programme of events – 4th & 5th June
A unique Summer Music, Opera Festival at a spectacular outdoor venue

The Lismore Music Festival (LMF) box office is now open to the public 00 353 87 168 0258 or 00 353 58 52769 www.lismoremusicfestival.com.  The 2011 expanded programme of events take place over the June bank holiday (Sat 4th & Sun 5th) weekend in the historic and picturesque town of Lismore, County Waterford.

The festival which takes place over two days, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June will present a new production of Mozart’s much loved classic Don Giovanni, directed by Dieter Kaegi in the stunning surroundings of Lismore Castle.  A new arrangement has been commissioned by LMF and has been especially arranged by Nick Roth for violin, cello, flute, trombone, saxophones, harpsichord, piano and percussion.

LMF is an eclectic mix of musical genres with opera at its core and aims to become an annual event which will attract music lovers and visitors to the region.  Situated in what is often referred to as the Irish Riviera, Lismore Castle, the privately owned residence of the Duke of Devonshire and his family will play host to two performances of Don Giovanni in the transformed upper stables on the grounds of the castle by kind permission of Lord and Lady Burlington.  The LMF has transformed the former castle stables into a beautiful setting for its production and every effort has been made to weatherproof the venue and maximise comfort for its patrons including a roof and tiered seating.

Following the success of the inaugural LMF last June,   the programme for the weekend has been expanded to include a concert ‘Opera for Guitar and Voice’ at Lismore’s historic St. Carthage’s Cathedral on Sunday 5th June at 12.15; a recital of Italian Arias sponsored by the Italian Institute of Italian Culture, featuring Irish Sopranos, Sandra Oman and Deirdre Masterson as part of the  LMF recitals on the Blackwater at Salterbridge House on Saturday 4th June at 2pm.  There will also be free musical performances at various locations around the town of Lismore including the walled garden at Eamonn’s Place on Main Street, the  Millennium Gardens and the gates of St. Carthage’s Cathedral.  The Lismore Farmers Market on the castle avenue and the Opera Supper Club at O’Brien’s Chop House will also feature as part of this year’s festivities.

This year, as part of the LMF access programme, local school children from transition year will be invited to attend the dress rehearsal on the Friday night.  The opera will be explained to the students beforehand and the students will get a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most exciting artforms and for most it will be their first experience of opera.

LMF have assembled a fantastic cast of Irish and International singers and musicians for this unique Summer Musical event.  The Don Giovanni cast includes,  Anthony Kearns as Don Ottavio; Cara O’Sullivan as Donna Anna; Andrew Ashwin as Don Giovanni, John Molloy as Leporello; Fiona Murphy as Donna Elvira;  Mary O’Sullivan as Zerlina; Gerard O’Connor as Commendatore & Gavan Ring as Masseto

The LMF Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Maestro David Brophy, includes,  Cora Venus Lunny – violin; Adrian Hart – violin ;  Kate Ellis – cello;  Fiona Kelly – flute;  Nick Roth – saxophones; Colm O’Hara – trombone & David Adams – piano / harpsichord

The musicians are all renowned soloists and share an interest in a wider musical world including their collaboration in gypsy and yiddish group ‘Yurodny’ among countless other collaborations. Taking their name from the memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich, Yurodny was founded in 2007 by saxophonist and composer Nick Roth. The ensemble was built on the principle that in order for intelligent communication to take place between people, the language of one must be absorbed by the other.  A deep fascination with a range of diverse repertoire, leads to constant collaborations with leading musicians from around the world  in a constant quest for meaning, understanding and the ability to express this with the traditional powers of music.

“We are delighted with the reaction the inaugural festival received from audiences, critics and locals and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback and encouragement to build LMF into an annual event.  We intend The Lismore Music Festival to be a gem of a Summer Festival on the Irish and International calendar, providing a weekend to indulge all the senses with music, food & wine, gardens, historic architecture and art.  We have very ambitious plans for LMF, artistically and from a cultural tourism perspective.  Lismore and West Waterford is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets and we hope the festival attracts visitors from neighbouring counties, all over Ireland and beyond and provides economic stimulus to the town of Lismore, Blackwater, West Waterford and East Cork region.

“We are very grateful to Lord and Lady Burlington for their generous support, allowing us to use the grounds of what is in my opinion the prettiest castle in Ireland.  The people of Lismore and the surrounding area have embraced the idea of hosting an opera and music festival here.  The business, tourism and hospitality community have all contributed their time and enthusiasm. The hospitality and tourism sector are enthusiastically supporting us by providing weekend packages and pre opera menus as well as hosting events.  Failte Ireland and Waterford County Council are “onboard as funders and Jonathan Ackroyd Jeweller is also a festival sponsor.  The festival creates seasonal employment for musicians, singers and everyone involved in the production team as well as providing business for all the festival suppliers such as marquees,  printers,  designers and catering etc. “  said Jennifer O’Connell,  LMF Founder/Director.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early,  enjoy some Anti pasti + Caponata alla polo + tirumasu ice cream prepared by Eunice Power with a glass of wine from the Power Wine Merchants cellar in the romantic and magical surroundings of the castle gardens.  The organisers have also set up a Prosecco and Wine Bar within the castle walls for the weekend.

Be one of the first to experience this unique Summer event in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, tickets are selling fast and early booking of tickets and accommodation is recommended.
For  further  information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:
Jennifer O’Connell,  LMF Founder/ Director – 00 353 (0)87 972 1776 or jenniferjoconnell@gmail.com

Click on image to see the launch of the Lismore Music Festival 2011

Tickets & packages:

€95 Opera only

€120 Opera + Anti pasti/Caponata alla Polo + glass of wine + Tirumasu ice cream + Tea or Coffee.  (Vegetarian option available)  Food must be ordered in advance

€25 Cathedral Concert only

€20 LMF Recital on the Blackwater at Salterbridge House. (includes Tea or Coffee and scone)

* A Prosecco & wine Bar will be open pre opera and during the 45 minute interval
* Gardens and Castle gates open to LMF audience from 6.30pm. Enjoy the spectacular grounds and gardens of one of Ireland’s most beautiful castles in the beautiful heritage town of Lismore, Co.Waterford.
* Meet members of the cast in the Opera Supper Club, O’Briens, Main Street Lismore after the performance
* Dress code: Cocktail/Jacket. Please remember to bring something warm to wear when the sun goes down.

Quotes from media 2010 LMF:

“We just finished recording the Carmen piece. It was sensational. Fiona  sang beautifully, and looked great on camera, and the music brought such a wonderful flamenco feel to this operatic classic. One of our music highlights of the year. .. …..Thanks”

Betty Purcell – The View (RTE One TV)

“Ireland’s first-ever Lismore Music Festival,  was more than a local musical event – it was a bold statement that promising opportunities can be created even during financially trying times. Being there to witness the birth of opera in Co. Waterford,  I was happier than ever that my second country is, and always has been, Ireland.”

Brian Kellow, Features Editor, Opera News Magazine (the largest opera publication in the USA)

“Must See festival”

Sunday Times Culture Magazine

The spectacular setting of Lismore Castle provided the ideal backdrop for the opera Carmen.  From the start the musical arrangement and choice of instruments was devilishly clever,  the music complemented both the setting and the plot lines to perfection.”

Carl Dixon,  Irish Examiner

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Lismore Music Festival 2011, presents, Don Giovanni (Mozart) at Lismore Castle

A unique Summer Music, Opera Festival at a spectacular outdoor venue

Conductor: David Brophy

Director Dieter Kaegi

Lighting Thomas Maeker

Costumes Patsy Giles

Props/Sets Ciara Gormley

Producer Jennifer O’Connell

Don Giovanni Cast:

Andrew Ashwin            Don Giovanni
John Molloy                 Leporello
Anthony Kearns           Don Ottavio
Cara O’Sullivan            Donna Anna
Fiona Murphy              Donna Elvira
Mary O’Sullivan            Zerlina
Gerard O’Connor         Commendatore
Gavan Ring                Masseto

LMF Chamber Orchestra:

Cora Venus Lunny – violin
Adrian Hart – violin
Kate Ellis – cello
Fiona Kelly – flute
Nick Roth – saxophones
Colm O’Hara – trombone
David Adams – piano / harpsichord

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Listings information

Lismore Music Festival 2011 presents

Don Giovanni by Mozart, New Arrangement by Nick Roth commissioned by LMF,  at the  Lismore Castle Stables, Co. Waterford

Castle Gardens & Prosecco Bar open to patrons at 6.30pm

Performances begin at 8.30pm each night

Two Act Opera with One 45min after Act i Interval

Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 June 2011

Tickets from €95 – €120 including  Anti Pasti, Caponata alla Pollo,  Tiramasu ice cream, glass of wine & Opera

Box office 00 353 87 1680 258 or 00 353 58 52769

email: boxoffice@lismoremusicfestival.com

Website: www.lismoremusicfestival.com

www.lismorecastle.com

Facebook: lismore music festival

LMF 2011 presents

Opera for Guitar & Voice – Concert recital by Redmond O’Toole & Guest Singers

At St. Carthage’s Cathedral,  The Mall,  Lismore, Co. Waterford

Sunday 5 June 2011 at 12.15

Tickets €25

Box office 00 + 353 + (0) 58 527 69 or 00 + 353 + (0) 87 168 02 58

Website: www.lismoremusicfestival.com

LMF Recital on the Blackwater at Salterbridge House & Gardens

Sponsored by The Italian Institute of Culture

Staring Irish Sopranos Deirdre Masterson and Sandra Oman

Saturday 4th June 2011 at 2pm

Tickets €20 (include Tea or Coffee & scone)

Box office + 353 + (0) 58 527 69 or 00 + 353 + (0) 87 168 02 58

Website: www.lismoremusicfestival.com

www.salterbridge-houseandgarden.com

A new community and traders group held its first, tentative meeting at the Red Store on Tuesday last, February 22nd. The gathering was organised principally by florist Kaye Curtin and Boutique owner Lil Dann. As closure after closure afflicts shops on the main street, the area’s retail sector is facing considerable challenges and the meeting was called, “as a way of trying to spark new ideas and initiatives, however small or large,” explains Kaye.

Times Past - Youghal Traders pictured below from the 1970′s

Planning and pre-publicity was relatively restricted but the short timespan still allowed time for rumour and a degree of paranoia and even resentment to set in. Principally, the assumption grew that the gathering marked a ‘splinter’ group keen to break from the main frame that is the Chamber of Commerce. That a group –or even a pair- of individuals trying to help their own and other businesses to survive could be viewed with suspicion and negativity, perhaps fills its own chapter in the story of Youghal’s retail woes.

Inclusive

Tuesday’s ‘gathering did not constitute an elected or nominated team of officers, but the ’top table’ was populated for the occasion by Kay Curtin, Lil Dann,  door and windows specialist Jimmy  Flanagan with ,Dara Murphy of Read and Write, appropriately taking minutes! There was general acceptance in the room that the new group seeks to be inclusive across all community sectors, whether traders, clubs, other organisations or private individuals. In that sense, ‘traders’ could appropriately be defined as ‘trading in ideas.’  Some members of the Chamber of Commerce attended and contributed to the discussion, prior to attending their own meeting later the same night.

The meeting opened with Ms Curtin reading from a report on Youghal traders’ determination to support a vibrant Christmas in the town “despite the tide of pessimism that tends to permeate the land in these days of economic hardship.” It was written in 1976!! Mr Flanagan reflected that the difference between that recession and the current one is the complete absence of industry in Youghal nowadays. However, he reflected that the town still has a council, a Chamber of Commerce and many individual organisations working for the town. He called on sectors of local society to “start fighting back” on behalf of the town. “What we want to know is, how do we fight back?”, he asked.

Views, ideas, intentions

About 40 people occupied the room as ideas and observations regarding the Youghal economy were invited. The hour that followed saw voices from the floor focus on the following:

The Community Bus:

It was proposed that the community bus be utilised if possible, given the “extortionate” system of charging by the head as operated by the taxi services. It was related that families holidaying in the Quality Hotel for example, were avoiding visits to the town due to the cost of travelling by taxi. Holidaymakers in Ardmore were similarly deterred, it was claimed. If the community bus could not be utilised for such service, it was proposed that an approach be made to the taxi services for an alternative fare system. Michael Beecher of the Community Bus committee said that as far as he knew, the vehicle was available to any non-recreational group and he would look into it.

Later opening:

It was recommended that businesses remain open a little later at weekends, with evidence that some people travel to Cork for late shopping on Friday nights. It was felt the move would draw in consumers from surrounding regions and towns. As with the community bus issue, a few volunteers committed to pursuing the idea and local businesses are to be canvassed for their views.

Parking:

Views differed. One man proposed that free parking persist outside the town centre, with €1.50 per hour imposed within, along with the first half hour free, to keep traffic moving. There were diverse views on this issue, including a completely opposite view that parking meters be removed completely from the street.  Amidst a dearth of awareness as to the nature and implications of the imminent new car parking byelaws, the entire issue was designated to a few members in attendance to investigate and report to the next meeting.

NCT:

It was reported that many people were keen to visit the town while awaiting their car tests and ideas were sought as to how they could be accommodated. The community bus was suggested as a possible solution.

Resident Population -Newsletter:

Youghal is “turning into a message town,” as far as residents on its immediate surrounds were concerned, according to one opinion. The speaker said that those residing in Cork Hill, Knockaverry and beyond were simply not deliberating downtown beyond pausing for basic necessities.  He advocated half hour free parking to discourage such hurried visits. It was observed that during the icy weather, when driving was treacherous, main street traders were extremely busy. The proposer also suggested that a small, business newsletter be circulated advertising the attractions of shopping local.

The Clock Gate:

An argument was put forward that the Clock Gate should be promoted commercially, aesthetically and culturally as a major tourist attraction of Youghal, if not a town emblem in itself. Reference was made to the “30-40 tourists per day who photographing the iconic structure but are never incited to dwell in the vicinity nor permitted to see it from the inside. It was mooted that the unique building held enormous, untapped potential as a tourist attraction. There was a near total lack of knowledge as to what future is being planned for the Clock Gate. Michael Beecher, as town councillor, said plans were very advanced for the structure’s restoration and funding had been allocated for the project.  An opening date on 2012 is anticipated and it is hoped to update the overall situation in the next edition of Youghal News.

Bypass signage:

There was unanimous criticism that the signs indicating Youghal at the Cork side entrance were pathetically inadequate. Lighted signage was promised, said one contributor and had not been delivered by Cork County Council. It was agreed to pursue this issue further.

Students:

The point was made that the students in Pobalscoil na Trionoide were geographically disassociated from the town centre, with considerable economic and even social consequences. The speaker said that students in Carrigaline spend an average of 1,000 students €6 each a day on lunches in the town.  He urged greater ties between the town and the school through whatever means or methods available. Reference was made to a discount card scheme initiated with the school through the Chamber of Commerce and which was to be launched officially later that very night.

Christmas Lights:

A chamber representative spoke of the need for larger, longer-term planning and investment from traders. The Chamber of Commerce had sent €50,000 on advertising in 2010, promoting a range of attractions. The Chamber also enabled members to acquire Christmas lights for at a 50% lower price than non-members, a point of information that flickered in debate for a little while also. The Chamber speaker elaborated that unity was essential and hoped the perception of a splinter group being formed would not take hold in the public domain. Mr. Flanagan stressed full agreement with this view. Ms. Curtain appealed for traders to obtain local radio membership for €12 per annum, before the meeting concluded in an air of amicability and some optimism.

The next meeting takes place at the Red Store on Thursday March 10th at 6pm. Inquiries (024)92634, business hours

The chamber welcomed the overdue arrival of Labour councillor Tommy O’Connell, whose party had finally ratified his co-option in place of Cllr Donie Daly. The councillor accepted the mayor’s welcome with a smile and without words.

Town Clerk Lam Ryan delivered the third -and final- section of his statistical report on Youghal. Following on his reports on population and employment, the concluding portion dealt with the town’s education infrastructure. See elsewhere in this issue for a synopsis.

Votes of Congratulations:

Cllr Sammy Revins congratulated Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley and deputy mayor Eoin Coyne on the council’s inaugural community awards night of the previous weekend. Cllr Coyne paid tribute to Youghal lifeboat for a recent rescue mission successfully concluded of Whiting Bay. Cllr Sandra Hennessy congratulated Pobalscoil student Cliodhana Cotter on finishing first nationally in the Leaving Cert geography exam, ahead of 26,000 peers.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Liam Burke noted there two street lights nos. 2 & needed replacing at Strathan na Sali, potholes needed tending at Knockaverry and that the old railway station signal cabin repairs had not yet commenced.

Cllr Coyne said a light needed replacing at the top of the Jail Steps. He asked for an update regarding the second report on the closed diving rocks area, which was to have been conducted last May (and promised for last July’s meeting!) The town clerk said he was seeking information on same.

Cllr Michelle Hennessy was concerned over the road condition at the end of Cork Hill.

Cllr Michael Beecher asked when the contactor was going to complete the refurbishment of a house in Blackwater heights, into which a large family was waiting to move.  He also asked that some trees in Chestnut Drive be pruned.

Cllr Barbara Murray said the council needed to be “extremely conscious,” especially on behalf of older council tenants, that a system of storage heating in its housing system was being compounded by “inadequate insulation.”

Cork County Council Items:

Town engineer Paul Murray offered the following report on matters arising from January’s meeting:

The potholes at Ballyvergan had been reported to the county council’s Estates Department as a result of the poor state of the road. He said the developer was pricing the repair work as well as addressing other issues in the private estate. Mr Murray said the footpath replacements at Catherine Street and Grattan Street were completed. The outfall pipe at the front strand was being checked and cleared almost daily, while a short extension was being proposed.  The engineer said potholes around town are being treated, sections of the Quarry road and Golf Links Road are soon to be resurfaced, Cork County Council had filled in Tallow Road potholes in their jurisdiction, with the entire section to be resurfaced later in 2011. Mr Murray proceeded that funding had been had been secured for the resurfacing of the main street form Windmill Hill to Cork Hill and a concealed entrance sign is shortly to be erected at Summerdale Lawn.

Main Street resurfacing

The town clerk added that funding acquired from the Department of Environment for the relaying of the main street amounted to €300,000. The work is scheduled to commence in autumn and be finished by Christmas. He thanked the town manager Patricia Power and the engineers from Cork County Council whose submissions secured the money from the government.

Cllr Sammy Revins then referred to the “disgraceful” condition of the road near Copperally and also the bottom of Cork Hill. The town clerk suggested it be raised under the Non-National Roads grant that had also been acquired.

Cllr Liam Burke asked that potholes on North Main Street be filled before once again relating “the usual list of broken footpaths, aka Tallow Street South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey/Strand Street.

Potholes, grit and tarmac

Tommy O’Connell asked why “gravelly grit, with tar” had replaced the traditional tarmac in the treatment of potholes. “It’s sticking to people’s feet and being carried into shops and houses,” he pleaded. The town engineer said there had been no perceptible change in the material used, but that cold mix tarmac had replaced a heated mi, while the cold weather may have affected its adhesive qualities. He would check the specifications nonetheless. Cllr O’Connell alluded to the Mall Lane, citing a large pothole repair that had been rolled yet, an hour later, returned to its vacuous state! Mr Murray said a hot mix would be poured on the afflicted area in due course.

Cllr Michelle Hennessey welcomed Cork County Council’s repairs on the “lethal” Tallow Road but asked that Waterford County Council be asked to follow suit. Mr Murray understood that Waterford County Council was preparing to do so shortly. The town clerk said it would likely be more productive if the members applied pressure on their respective party equivalents on Waterford County Council. Cllr Hennessy said the local council was “getting blamed for it” so she still wanted Youghal and Cork County councils to write to Waterford’s local authority. “It has nothing to do with Youghal Town Council,” clarified the town clerk. Cllr Barbara said she would continue to raise the matter at Cork County Council level and felt sure Cllr Sandra McLellan (who was a little late arriving at the meeting) would do likewise.

Cllr Murray pointed out that scarce funding meant Cork County Council could only treat 1 ½  miles of road, whereas they ideally needed to treat four miles. She felt that Cork and Waterford County Councils should appeal jointly for more government money.

Cllr Beecher expressed concern that the resurfaced main street would be dug up again to accommodate future ducting, including the burial of overhead wires under the Public Realm Plan. The engineer said he would ask all organisations liable to seek ducting to contact him as soon as possible, while also pointing out that ducting is usually administered under footpaths anyway.

Mall Lane

Cllr Beecher echoed Cllr O’Connell’s sentiments regarding the “disgraceful” condition of the Mall Lane.  The town clerk referred to the Non-National Road Grant, as would be addressed later in the meeting and said all councillors could decide if they want to allocate money towards the lane resurfacing from that fund. He reminded that the lane was paved for pedestrian traffic but that the then councillors (many of whom are still in situ) had subsequently re-opened it for vehicular traffic. “You have to decide what you intend to do with the Mall Lane!”, he strongly recommended, “and then provide the funding to do it.” Mr Ryan added that the lane “should be considered a priority” and reflected that its state reflected “political decisions” taken prior to it being re-opened. Cllr O’Connell challenged the chamber to stand at Mall Lane “for one hour” any weekend and experience first-hand the immense volume of traffic. He said it should be re-pedestrianized, with a commitment for appropriate re-surfacing agreed at the meeting.

Cllr Murray interceded that she had been on the council but was “naive” back then and had accepted what she now deemed unacceptable. She said the lane was closed and resurfaced on a sand-based premise, during which it had been “very presumptuous of the town clerk” to think it would never be re-opened again. In 2004 a “political tactic” had done just that, she elaborated, amidst interruptions from Cllr Revins that “the traders” had been political “not the councillors.” She believed the lane should be resurfaced for vehicular traffic and remain open.

Gullies, insult  and funding

Cllr Murray then referred to blocked gullies causing extreme flooding on the approach road to Claycastle car park. She asked if parallel parking could be introduced with the main street resurfacing, as part of the long-term regeneration plan. The councillor said a solitary cone was six months guarding a hole in the road at Clancy’s and a stop sign at McCurtainstown was needed.

Cllr Beecher said a dip in the road near the entrance to SuperValu was causing traffic to swerve, a sewer connection at Tallow Street needed attention, a manhole at Raheen Road remained un-addressed save for the “insult” of a solitary shovel of tar. The town engineer said the contractor had “faithfully promised” to tend to it. The councillor asked when Chapel Lane was to be closed. The town clerk believed it would be discussed at March’s meeting.

Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley welcomed the new footpaths on the back street and asked that a remedy be found for the “crater” at Fitzgerald Terrace, funding notwithstanding. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said ever local authority in the country was “starved of funding” and advised the councillors to relay concerns to the general election candidates.

Manager’s Orders:

The mayor said she was delighted that tree-felling was to be undertaken in the cemetery. Cllr Murray asked whether a bank bond from Churchill Developments could be drawn on foot of their alleged failure to address some issues, including those pertaining to public lighting, at their private estate at Ard na Mara. Mr Ryan said the bond was in place until March 31st. Cllr Murray was also informed that the council intends to demolish the old shop adjacent to the town walls in favour, most likely, of a viewing area.

Mayor’s Business:

Mayor Linehan Foley remarked on the success of the previous weekend’s Community Awards night and thanked deputy mayor Eoin Coyne and council office staff member Geraldine O’Connell for their voluntary contributions. She reminded that nominations are welcome for further recipients at the next ceremony in June. Cllr O’Connell held a mixture of curiosity and scepticism regarding the awards ceremony, asking often would they occur. He said he had avoided the inaugural award night due to the ‘public perception that it was of the nature of a ‘booze session’ and such unsavoury and financially-flippant indulgence The councillor was informed by way of a lengthy monologue from the mayor, that the awards were twice-yearly and brought recognition of the recipients’ contribution to their town and/or community, family, organisation, etc.

Essentially, explained the mayor, the awards provided recognition and appreciation to a wider section of the community while simultaneously signalling the cessation of full-blown civic receptions except for the more exceptional achievers.  Cllr Murray added that there was no boozing and no misappropriation of council funds.

Cllr O’Connell said he was “quite happy” with the enlightenment, although Cllr Revins nonetheless availed of the opportunity to request vehemently that he “look happy, wake up, look to the future and stop nit-picking.” The issue then threatened to nosedive into an acrimonious bout of ‘Fianna Failure versus Labouring’ verbosity between the two men but the mayor quickly disarmed them with a sharp reminder that the chamber would echo only to locally defined matters.

The mayor invited councillors who might be interested in travelling (to France) that the 25th anniversary of the Youghal/Larmor-Plage twinning would be celebrated in June. She said their French counterparts “make it a bigger thing than we do” and would be celebrating it “from June 23rd onwards.” Interested parties were to contact the town clerk.

Gallagher’s Mews and bottle bank blues

Mayor Linehan Foley circulated photographs submitted with a petition from residents at Gallagher’s Mews. The residents want the recycling bins at the adjacent Tesco centre removed, claiming they are attracting illegal dumping that is spilling onto the small estate. The photos showed evidence that a wide variety of vermin-luring waste was being dumped beside and beyond the bins. The mayor said Tesco was doing the town “a big service” and laid the blame firmly on the shoulders of the illegal dumpers. The town clerk said Tesco’s was a private site. Cllr Coyne suggested that, as a resident of the area, he would willingly attempt to co-ordinate a council-Tesco-residents solution to the problem.

Mayor Linehan-Foley praised the organisers of both the senior citizens’ dinner dance and the Walter Raleigh boxing tournament that she had recently attended. She asked that a metal grill on the path near the Bank of Ireland had lifted and posed a threat to pedestrian, having already claimed one victim.

The mayor read from a letter conveyed by the Youghal Community Bus group seeking a donation towards running costs. The letter reminded that the 16-seat bus was providing an increasingly popular service, assisted by a FAS-provided driver and supported by the HSE. The annual running costs were €7,100. The town clerk said there was “absolutely no discretionary funding available from the 2011 budget” and advised they apply for assistance in the 2012 budget. On inquiry from Cllr Revins, he said if another organisation did not claim its allocated funding then the situation might be different in the second part of the year. Hence the request will be reconsidered in October.

2011 Regional & Local Roads Grant Allocations – Department of Transport:

The town clerk said the total allocation was €131.500. The council had spent €26,500 on salting and emergency repairs during the cold weather, plus another €25,000 on patching repairs on roads.  €80,000 was being allocated to repairs on badly deteriorated surfaces at Quarry Road and Golf Links Road. A balance of €63,500 remained. As reported in the last edition of Youghal News, the town council subsequently decided to allocate €30,000 of this sum to resurfacing on the Mall Lane. Mr. Clerk also advised that should the council in due course opt to implement the Traffic Management Plan for the Ashe Street/DeValera Street area then signage costs etc. would need to be met from the same balance.

Cllr O’Connell advocated resurfacing for north end of Allen’s Quay to the double slips, which he said was a popular local and tourist walk “in terrible condition.” The town clerk recommended that the area be considered for the remaining funds after the previously mentioned works were completed. Cllr O’Connell agreed, somewhat reluctantly.

Allocation of Budget 2011 General Fund to Individual Residents Associations and Sporting Groups:

Each of the following residents associations received €300:  Dysart Grove, The Rise, McCurtainstown, Raheen Park, Crestfield, Bayview Grove, Woodview Court, Dermot Hurley Estate, Blackwater Heights, Dun Coran, Hillview, Gallagher’s Mews, Woodland Grove, North Road Residents Assoc., Ard na Mara, Sweetfield Estate, Ridgewood and St. Anne’s Rise.

Contributions to Sporting Associations:

Each of the following received €300: Youghal Pigeon Club, Youghal Bowling Club, Youghal CYMS, Youghal Karate Club, Youghal Badminton Club, Claycastle Pitch & Putt Club.

Taking in Charge Procedure: Gort Aoibhinn, Upper Cork Hill, Youghal.

Motion: “That the Gort Aoibhinn, Upper Cork Hill, Youghal, road of linear length 209 metres be declared a public road, due consideration being given to the financial implications of same.

This motion was proposed by Liam Burke and subsequently adopted.

Motion in the name of Cllr. McLellan seconded by Cllr. Hennessey:

“Calling on Youghal Town Council to take responsibility for all plumbing and electrical works in all their Local Authority Houses and to review and update the tenancy handbook reflecting same:

As reported in the last edition of Youghal News, this issue was debated somewhat contentiously in the chamber, along with the town clerk’s written response to the emotion. The outcome was a decision to amend the Tenancy Handbook 2009 to facilitate what was deemed a more appropriate response from the local authority to such situations as were described.

Correspondence:

Cllr Hennessy, referring to a letter from Michael Twomey as co-producer of the documentary

Town out of Time, said she had never been invited by email (or otherwise) to the public screening of the film last December, as the letter inferred. Consequently, she had not declined by e-mail either. She had received an apology from Mr. Twomey for his error but she remained unhappy that he had not posted such clarification publicly via Youghalonline.com, as he had “been very fast to do” with the letter that indicted her. Cllr Coyne said he was “a bit peeved too” that he had explained he could not attend the screening as he was working but was subsequently also was similarly implicated in the letter. Cllr Murray said she had intended going but was at another function out of town and didn’t get back in time. She said she would still love to see the film or even purchase a copy.

Conferences

Cllr O’Connell queried the attendance of councilors at conferences and the benefits thereof. Cllr Coyne said he would be attending a local authority conference in Louth on economic revival. Cllr O’Connell suggested a discussion on such events be conducted prior to sending a delegate. The mayor said this had been done last year, (the mayor had raised the issue at September’s meeting but discussion was brief and non-contentious) and that “reports are provided.” (It was agreed in September that reports should and would be provided, as against had been). Cllr O’Connell said he had not been on the council at the time of such discussion, to which the mayor responded that she thought his predecessor Cllr Daly “would have filled you in on that one. (This would have been difficult as Cllr Daly officially resigned his seat in August and hadn’t attended a council meeting since the move to Tuesday mornings in April.)  “He didn’t,” replied Cllr O’Connell, adding that “You learn something new every day.”

As the meeting concluded Cllr. O’Connell thanked the town clerk and his staff for their assistance and courtesy during the six-months it took the Labour Party to validate his co-option.

The future of Tesco’s bottle and clothes bank facility is in serious jeopardy due to on-going illegal dumping in the immediate surroundings. A wide diaspora of waste, from food leftovers to plastic and electrical appliances is being deposited at and behind the banks on a daily basis, attracting rodents and creating a health hazard around the facility. A breach in the wire dividing the estate from the supermarket car park where the banks are located has exacerbated the situation, allowing easier access to the rear of the facility for illegal dumping.

While the recycling banks are located on private ground, residents in the adjacent Gallagher’s Mews have submitted a petition and photographs to Youghal Town Council to highlight their concerns and seek their assistance. Cllr Eoin Coyne, who lives on the estate, says, “Tesco provided a great facility and the blame for this situation lies completely with the people abusing it.”

Fellow resident Barry Clohessy describes the situation as “totally unacceptable”. He says people on the estate are “worried about disease, particularly with children living here.” Cllr Coyne says he intends to contact Tesco’s to discuss the matter and his neighbour is forceful about one possible solution. “Why don’t Tesco move it closer to their own door?!” asks Mr. Clohessy.

In answer to that suggestion, Tesco liaison officer Michael Sullivan’s says “the car park surface wouldn’t support the lorries needed to access and empty the banks.” Mr Sullivan says he is “very concerned” about the issue and is willing to meet the residents or anyone else involved in pursuit of a remedy. “Unfortunately, if the worse comes to the worse we would have to consider removing the facility entirely,” he explains.

Abolish them

As far as Youghal’s Tesco branch manager Brian Buckley is concerned, the worse has already arrived -and is not getting any better! “My suggestion to head office is that we get rid of the banks altogether,” he declares unequivocally. “I think if we relocate them we’ll only be moving the problem elsewhere.”

Mr Buckley says the facility was working well and up until six months ago. “It has just got worse and worse since then,” he says and “We end up having to collect and store the stuff in our own yard and then disposing of it. Aside from everything else, we don’t have the man hours to be doing that.”  He says the company has been reluctant to install CCTV at the banks, as he once advocated suggested, opting instead to erect CCTV warning signs! “That worked for awhile but it’s no longer much of a deterrent” he concedes.

The banks are emptied about twice weekly and perhaps the other significant aspect to consider is that they are being used considerably. “A lot of people avail of them and in recent months we have noticed a big increase in the usage of the clothes bank,” Mr. Buckley says. “Unfortunately a very small minority of people may now deprive them of all that.” The store manager says he will be discussing the issue with M. Sullivan later this week.

Following presentation of his previous statistical analysis on Youghal’s population and employment/unemployment profile, town clerk Liam Ryan brought the third and final section to the town council at February’s meeting.  The analysis deals with Education in the town with, in some instances, figures derived from the 2006 census. The town clerk stresses that the information forms part of a wider perspective relevant to the future planning and development of the town.

Youghal’s Town Development Plan (2009) notes that many schools are located in old, town centre buildings and moving some of them to the outskirts could meet the demands of a rising population. In those areas. Older facilities could be refurbished for change of use.

EDUCATION PROVISION:

The town is principally served by four primary schools, plus those at Clonpriest and Kyle. The largest school is Bun Scoil Mhuire, with 506 places, divided equally between boys and girls. The schools and enrolments read as follows: Bun Scoil Mhuire (506: 252g, 254b);  Galescoil Chorain (286: 145g, 141b); South Abbey NS (61: 35g, 26b); Scoil Naisiunta An Phairc (18: 9g, 9b); Clonpriest NS (121: 54g, 67b); Kyle NS (39: 14g, 25b); TOTAL: 1,031 -509g, 522b.

There is one Montessori schools listed for the town amidst five preschool facilities as follows: Little Cherubs Montessori Play, Fr. Murphy Hall, Old Youghal; Clashmore After School Service, Community Centre, Closnaomh Mochua; Rocking Horse Creche/Pre-School, Raheen Road; Roseville House and Sr. Enda Dineen Childminding Service.

Secondary school requirements are met by Pobalscoil na Trionoide, which has 905 students (2010/11) and represents an amalgamation of three secondary schools (Loreto, CBS and Colaiste Eoin) since 2006. There is also a fulltime adult education centre at the Adult Education Centre East Cork & Garbour Region on Golf Links Road. This facility provides also a Youthreach Centre for East Cork. Additionally, training courses are provided at Cumann na Daoine.

 

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT:

The following analysis form the 2006 census shows the highest level of education completed by those 15 years and over, whose education has now ceased. It shows that some 21% of this category have had no formal education or have been educated up to Primary level. This is a higher figure than the 16% for towns of similar size (5,000-10,000 population). Also in comparison with similar sized towns, a lower proportion of people in Youghal completed their education at third level.

No formal education/primary level: 917 (883 urban; 34 environs)-21% compared to 16.8% for similar towns.

Lower Secondary: 1,041 (987 urban, 54 environs) -23.9% compared to 21.9% for similar towns

Upper Secondary (incl Tech/VEC): 1,351 (1,258 urban, 93 environs)-31% compared to 33% for similar towns

3rd Level: 1,048 (966 urban, 82 environs)- 24.1% compared to 28.4% for similar towns.

TOTAL PERSONS CEASED EDUCATION: 4,357 (4,094 urban, 263 environs). This excludes 368 ‘not stated’ respondents in Youghal and 8,163 similar for all towns.

Gender-wise, a slightly larger proportion of Youghal males cease education at earlier stages than do females. In both genders, the largest proportion of those who choose to cease education do so at Upper Secondary level, including Tech/Vocational courses. Significantly however,  26% of females cease education after completing Third Level, as against 22% of males.

THIRD LEVEL EDUCATION ATTAINMENT:

The 2006 census cites Youghal as having a higher percentage of persons whose highest qualification is of ‘non-degree’ level than do most other similar towns (465; or 44%, to 40.2%). However, Youghal also has a higher percentage of people who have completed education to post-graduate degree diploma level than other towns (137; or 13.1% to 11.3%) and to professional qualification (degree) status (107; or 10.2% to 9.2%). On the other hand, Youghal has a lower proportion of persons with a primary degree than other towns (170; or 16.2% to 18.7%) and also with a post graduate degree (59; or 5.6% to 8.4%).

CHANGE IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN YOUGHAL 1996-2006 (15+yrs):

1996 2006

No Formal Education:    32%;   21%

In Lower Secondary:    23.2% 23.9%

Upper Secondary/Tech/VEC:  30.4% 31.0%

Third Level:    14.4% 24.1%

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT:

The proportion of those in Youghal who ceased education at Upper Secondary level and are unemployed is slightly higher than national figures. However, importantly, those who have ceased education at Third Level and are unemployed constitute a lower proportion than the national equivalent. This is viewed as a tendency for young people with higher educational attainment to gravitate towards larger cities, whether employed or not. The following table shows the relevant statistics:

Educational Attainment:  % Youghal Unemployed  % Nationally Unemplpyed

No Formal Education     26%    25.8%

Lower Secondary   32.6%    31.7%

Upper Secondary/Tech/VEC  30.6%    27%

Third Level    10.8%    15.6%

The man who controls fishing rights on the river Blackwater, its estuary and in Youghal harbour has been encouraged to transfer them over to the local residents by Fianna Fáil councillor and election candidate in Cork East, Kevin O’Keeffe. The rights date back to 1753, and anyone who fishes on the river has to pay a fee to the Duke of Devonshire.

“Over the years local fishermen and tourists have contributed thousands to the Duke and his family for using the river. Given the difficult economic conditions and the effect they are having on the people of Youghal, I think that the Duke should make this concession in recognition of all that the people from the area have done for his family,” Cllr O’Keeffe said.

“The people of Youghal and the surrounding areas have been supporting the Duke and his ancestors for hundreds of years. He has access to considerable funding so there is no need for him to rely on this income stream. By giving back the fishing rights to Youghal it will not only help the people but also provide a strong source of potential funding for the town to raise much needed finances.”

The 12th Duke, Peregrine Cavendish, also claims right to the riverbed, which means that local authorities in Youghal cannot put moorings or any similar structures in place without permission. His Blackwater- related permissions were valued at €10 million alone in 2008. – www.corknews.ie

RTÉ – Documentary On One – Sunday 20th April 2008

Fishing the Blackwater-A documentary about fishing rights on the river Blackwater (44min 58sec)

[ click on icon link above to download or play the radio interview above ]

 

Related stories: Click Here Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Christy Parker and click here From The Independent.ie

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bridge-over-troubled-blackwater-1353371.html

Bridge over troubled Blackwater By JEROME REILLY
Sunday April 20 2008

IT’S a saga with a rich cast of characters including Fred Astaire, Tiger Woods and Sir Walter Raleigh, but now Peregrine Andrew Mornington Cavendish, the 12th Duke of Devonshire, has agreed to the first discussion for 250 years of the vexed question of his family’s ownership of one of Ireland’s finest and most exclusive salmon rivers.

“I think that the issue of the ownership of the Blackwater — especially in relation to the harbour — the best thing that could happen is that we should sit down with the people of Youghal — the officials — and not deal with it through the media.” he said, breaking his silence on the controversy , which has pitted the well-liked Duke against local Irish interests.

The duke, worth more than €800m, is the largest private owner on the River Blackwater in Cork and owner of the 8,000 acre Lismore estate, which came into the family’s ownership in the early 18th century and was once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh.

The Duke’s Irish estate consists of the spectacular Lismore Castle, where his close friend Prince Charles, and his bride-to be Camilla Parker Bowles stayed before their wedding, and the fishing rights to two-thirds, or 12 miles of the tidal water of the Blackwater and a range of other fishing rights, totalling almost 20 miles of river.

It’s prime salmon fishing water and Tiger Woods, via his friend John Magnier of Coolmore, has indulged his passion for angling on the Blackwater, stalking the same banks where Fred Astaire regularly fished.

Control of the river by a generally absentee English landlord, despite the family’s popularity in the area, has been a contentious issue since the foundation of the State, but in the past few years there have been a number of disagreements of a more practical nature that has brought ownership into sharp focus.

The Duke has legally challenged the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who ordered him to remove a weir at Clondulane on conservation grounds.

There has also been controversy about control of the mouth of the river and if local fishermen can harvest mussels in the estuary at Youghal while some local anglers also question the Duke’s rights to stop them casting a line into the river. The issue of drift net fishing in the estuary is moot at this time because the Government has banned it — though historically fishermen did pay a fee to the Duke for the right to fish for salmon returning to the Blackwater to spawn.

The Duke maintains all his historical rights including those of the harbour. These rights are contested by the local town council who would like to legally challenge the Duke but haven’t the money to do so.

The Duke leases some of his waters to a number of local salmon angling clubs who pay his estate for the privilege. However, his most prized asset on the river is the exclusive fishery lodge at Careysville where guests pay from €2,500 to €4,000 per week for accommodation and fishing.

But in an interview to be broadcast on RTE Radio One tonight at 7pm for a documentary titled Fishing the Blackwater, the Duke offers to sit down with officials from Youghal Town Council and discuss the river and its ownership.It’s the first time in 250 years that the family have agreed to discuss the issue.

“There are a number of issues which we would like to resolve and I would welcome an approach from the council to come and discuss them with us,” he says.

He added that following the Government decision to end drift-net fishing, his family had voluntarily suspended the issuing of their licences to drift net but that they still maintain the right to reinstate should the Government change its position.

He said that he regarded his estate’s ownership to be where the Blackwater reaches the sea, which is normally defined as a line across the river to the Youghal lighthouse. He added that he was aware that there are people in Youghal Council who would take issue with that.

- JEROME REILLY