A BALLOON let off at Plymouth Argyle FC Home Park ground in the west of England has made its way across the Celtic Sea to Youghal. The balloon with the distinctive green and white Plymouth Argyle FC logo was found by local Youghal resident Maria Moynihan when it landed on a fence at Youghal’s front strand near Ballyvergan Bog. Maria made the discovery at  around 12.00am on Wednesday 4th May 2011. She was a bit surprised and said  “There was a strong wind for the past couple of days but couldn’t believe that it had traveled so far”. The balloon had blown nearly 200 miles from Plymouth to Youghal. Plymouth Argyle FC are the most southern and western League club in England.

Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, confirmed that there were strong South Easterly winds which could have allowed the balloon to float in a North Westerly direction from Plymouth towards Youghal in East Cork. Chris Parsons, a media spokesperson for Plymouth Argyle FC said there was a big match at the Home Park grounds last Monday where Plymouth Argyle FC were playing an important fixture against Southampton. That could explain the release of the balloon and how it had blown all the way over to Ireland. ” The Pilgrims” as they are know lost the match 3-1 to Southampton. Although Youghal United are current holders of the Guinness Book of Records for 5-a-side soccer ( 33 ½ hours) which they achieved last summer, Guinness World Records said it does not monitor balloon races because there is little way of tracking the balloons for their entire journey.

 

Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Katie faces tough test in Youghal – By Brendan Mooney

KATIE TAYLOR puts the finishing touches to her preparations for the EU championships at the Night of Champions promoted by St John’s Boxing Club, Fermoy, at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal on Friday, May 6.

Pa Flynn, PRO and coach with St John’s, brought Taylor to Fermoy in 2005 when she turned in an explosive performance to stop Welsh champion, Lorna Cooper, in just 30 seconds.

Since then the Bray woman has gone on to win three world titles, four European championships and will be bidding for a fourth EU title in her next outing after Youghal.

She has boxed four times in Fermoy and her most memorable contest there was against the Canadian champion, Katie Dunne, which she won 18-11.

In Youghal she will face a new opponent in the German 57kg champion, Maike Klueners, a quarter-finalist at last year’s world championships.

The Youghal bill has 14 bouts featuring some of this year’s national senior championship stars. At heavyweight, Pat O’Shea (Army/Sunnyside) who is a world military championships silver medallist, will take on Thomas Rohan from the Ballinacarrow club in Sligo.

Welterweight Craig McCarthy (St Paul’s, Waterford) will box intermediate champion, Conor Tighe. At super heavyweight, Galway’s Pat Corcoran will meet Chris Devanney (Ballinacarrow) who went the distance with China’s Olympic silver medallist in Dungarvan last month.

 

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/other-sport/katie-faces-tough-test-in-youghal-152638.html#ixzz1LItnfR6P

On Sunday ( May 1st 2011) people  gathered at the Market square in Youghal, where the charity Féileacáin organised the inaugural ‘Walk to Remember’ marking ‘International Babylost Mothers Day’.The walk started in Australia over three years ago and now hundreds of people from all over the world help to mark the day, to remember not only the babies, but also to honor their families journey.The loss of a baby not only touches the parents and siblings, but the whole circle of love and support that surrounds the parents in their journey, this special day helped signify this and show how all these precious lives will be always loved and never forgotten.
Report: Bronwen Howley | Photos: Bronwen Howley & Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Over 70 people came together in the Market Square, traveling from Cork city, Waterford, Skibbereen and of course Youghal and the surrounding area itself to mark this very special day. This special occasion was also marked around the world , with the International Babylost Mothers Day walk taking place in Australia, America, Canada, England and now Ireland has joined the list and hopefully it will grow from strength to strength with walks already planned for Waterford, Galway, Tralee and Belfast for next year.

For people who could not attend, Féileacáin also included their babies names on balloons with messages to be released at the end of the walk. Messages also came from America, Australia, New Zealand and Northern Ireland, Féileacáin attached these names and messages onto balloons to be included with the rest of the balloons released. Some people whose family attended the walk here, while their family members abroad also released balloons for them where they live at the same time. It is a very comforting thought to know that people from all over are reaching out to support one another

The day was overcast and rain hung in the air, but it wasn’t going to stop anyone taking part. Mothers, Fathers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts and Uncles, cousins and friends all gathered to remember the babies who only touch their lives for a short while, but will be forever in their hearts. There were lots of smiles and laughter, tears and sadness, but most of all there was remembering and support and that is what the heart of Féileacáin is all about

Eyes welled with tears when messages to the little angles were being wrote. Some broke down and cried and were comforted by loved ones. Looking around you got to see how important every little angle was, no one here is ever going to forget their existence. It is so important to remember that support and tears are a part of the journey. Today gave everyone the chance to support each other on their journey. The walk started in the Market square and ended in the front strand with a beautiful little ceremony before the balloons were released, as the balloons were carried away tears flowed freely and everyone looked to the skies and remembered, hands slipped into hands, arms surrounded bodies and heads rested on shoulders…..everyone just taking the time to remember and support as the balloons and messages drifted away

Féileacáin would like to thank all who helped on the day, from Susan Spillane for supplying the balloons, Youghal Supervalu for the refreshments and snacks for all who took part in the walk and to everyone who helped in anyway to make the day possible. The friends of Féileacáin are such an important part of the group and without them, organising days like this would be so much harder. Their work and support is very much appreciated by the group. Féileacáin would also like to thank Caroline Foley who sang so beautiful for everyone at the beach, her song was perfect for the occasion and helped to make it even more special.

Féileacáin work hard to touch as many bereaved parents as possible and to help support them on their journey by any means they can. They are happy to announce that they have been given permission by “Now I lay me down to sleep” to run a training/support course for the photographers who have been affiliated or who recently applied to become a part of this International charity. They now have a total of 20 photographers attending on this coming Tuesday 3rd May and they will soon be able to help and support parents and give them precious memories and photo’s of their beautiful babies. All of this is done free of charge.

 

Contact :
Helpline 085 2496464
Email info@feileacain.ie
Website: www.feileacain.ie or check out the Féileacáin
Charity number CHY 19635

Click on image to enlarge – Photos: Bronwen Howley & Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com