THE YOUGHAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP held an innovative fundraising night on Saturday night, June 11th in the local Rugby Club.  The theme of the night was a GiGi’s Reunion and the turnout and support for the event was fantastic.

Therese O’Connell, Chairwomen of the Youghal Cancer Support Group told The East Cork Journal that they are so grateful to everyone for their help, and in particular would like to thank Marie and Karlaigh Trihy for coming up with the great idea for this fundraiser.   Marie worked tirelessly over the past few months to make sure that it was a great success. To her sister, Eleanor and Tara O’Connell, for helping to get things organised and for all their hard work.

A big thank you to DJ’S Mossie Tatten and Fergal Coleman for giving their services free of charge and helping to bring the musical memories of GIGI’S back. The Date Auction was different, innovative and needed courage to enter, so thanks to all who did. They were indeed very brave! The MISS GIGI’S competition was a great success and congratulations to popular winner, Silvia Flaherty, who was crowned Miss GiCi 2011.  The worthy runner up Vickie O’Shea. To everyone who sponsored prizes for the night, we are very grateful.    A special thank you to Youghal Rugby Club for their kind permission to use their great venue which was superb.

 

To all who came along to support our fundraising drive for Youghal Cancer Support Group, we must say a huge THANK YOU.  Without your support, the night would not have been the great success it was.   We do appreciate it.

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THE 4TH YOUGHAL ARTS NETWORK  MIDSUMMER’S GALA BALL held in the bedroom of the Walter Raleigh Hotel on Saturday 18th of June 2011 – Pics: www.youghalonline.com

One of the highlights of Youghal’s social calendar is the popular and enjoyable Youghal Arts Network Midsummer’s Gala ball. This year the Gala Ball was held in the ballroom of the Walter Raleigh Hotel where the fabulous Swingin’ Blue Cats will took to the stage to play a selection of jive, jazz and swing dance numbers to get the crowd in the mood. Everyone had a great time and this year’s Midsummer Ball proved to be the most successful and enjoyable in the new venue.

Blue Cats, Buffet and Black Ties at Youghal Arts Network Midsummer Gala Ball
By Denise FitzGerald

The 4th Youghal Arts Network Gala Midsummer Ball was held this year in the spacious ballroom of the Walter Raleigh Hotel, which was specially decorated for the occasion.   On entering, one could be persuaded into thinking they had stepped into a Viennese Waltz.   The lighting was soft and subdued, candles twinkled, tableware sparkled, and the guests were attired in formal evening wear which stunned.  Organised as a Black Tie event, the gents looked better than any James Bond movie, but the ladies were to be lauded on their magnificent evening dresses in all colours and styles which were absolutely stunning, and which gave an atmosphere of enjoyment and a fabulous ambience.

At 9pm, a superb buffet was served and background music played while the guests wined and dined.

At 10pm the mood swung when The Swinging Blue Cats 6 piece band crashed into place with their own brand of jive, jazz and swing numbers which got the crowd up and moving onto the dance floor.

Midnight brought the attention of the twinkle toes to the Auction and Raffle which took place.   The Auction included a painting by local artist, Paul Daly, of the Vermeer “Girl with Pearl Earring”, and the reserve was far exceeded as the painting was sold for a massive €175.   Superb prizes were sponsored for the Raffle, and 0 Donacha O’ Cearuill told The East Cork Journal that they were indebted to Paul Daly, local businesses and all the sponsors for their generosity to the Youghal Arts Network.  ‘Without our sponsors’, Donacha continued, ‘we would not be able to put on such a wonderful fundraising event.  All monies raised from this event each year, Donacha confirmed, are ploughed back into the local community to fund various art projects in the town for the following year”.

Not finished yet, at 12.30am Warren Tivy made his appearance on stage and continued with music to suit everyone, keeping the guests entertained until 2.30am when, very reluctantly, they finally accepted that it was time to go home ‘after the (Gala) ball was over’.

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Photo Captions:
Photo: 0 Donacha O’ Cearuill pictured with his daughter Aisling O’ Carroll
Photo: 1 Noel and Kimmy Barry
Photo: 2 Deirdre McCarthy and Laura Trihy
Photo: 3 Maria Moynihan and Sarah Brosnan
Photo: 4 Actress Ruth Hayes from The Chatterbox Dance Studio Youghal
and her husband John
Photo: 5 Ladies enjoying the Youghal Arts Ball
Photo: 6 Donacha O’Cearuill and Jenny Kirwan
Photo: 7 Revellers enjoying the Youghal Midsummers Annual Ball
Photo: 8 Ian Tabone and Aisling O’Carroll
Photo: 9 Luna Flor de Luna, Louise Fitzgerald, Helen and Carol Coen
Photo: 10 Joe and Stella Finn with Caroline and John Connelly
Photo: 11 Barbara Kirwan and Marty Hynes
Photo: 12 Donacha O’Cearuill and Maurice Hennessy
Photo: 13 Caitriona O’Dwyer, Trish Hickey, Claire Regan and Sinead Griffin
Photo: 14 Mark and Caroline Nolan with Linda and Kevin O’Sullivan
Photo: 15 Nicola Browne, Marty Hynes, Sinead Griffin, Jenny and
Barbara Kirwan and Trish Hickey
Photo: 16 Rattana and Ann from Thailand enjoying the Youghal Arts
Network Midsummers Ball
Photo: 17 Maria Moynihan and her daughter Claire Regan
Photo: 18 Alice and Tommy Del La Cour with Miriam Keogh
Photo: 19 Maria Moynihan with her daughter Claire Regan and Nocola Browne
Photo: 20 Donacha O’ Cearuill
Photo: 21 Donacha O’ Cearuill and Maurice Hennessy
Photo: 22 Swingin’ Blue Cats
Photo: 23 Swingin’ Blue Cats
Photo: 24 Maria Moynihan,Alice and Tommy Del La Cour with Miriam Keogh
Photo: 25 Maria Moynihan with her daughter Claire Regan

Community Radio Youghal held its 2011 AGM at a well-attended main hall in Cumann na Daoine, Catherine Street on Monday 13th June. At last year’s AGM of Youghal Communications Ltd (the company that runs Community Radio Youghal), new Articles of Association were adopted, paving the way to open up membership of the station.

C.R.Y Chairman, Tommy Collins welcomed all present to the meeting and proceeded to get through the agenda. The AGM heard of much progress made during the year. There are over 100 members of Community Radio Youghal to date, and this figure is expected to continue to rise. Volunteer activity at the station is also on the increase, with some 130 volunteers active with the station at the moment.

The meeting was told how, in common with all other businesses in the area, the radio was finding the current business climate very challenging, but the station is keen to play its part in supporting local initiatives and events. Reference was made to the two top national awards won by the station since the last AGM – for the ‘Last of the Yarns’ series and the ‘Perspectives’ programme. Two more major series, supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland  will be made in the Autumn; one about life on and around the Blackwater and the other focussing on Youghal’s Heritage Trail.

Plans are at an advanced stage for a move to premises at Nagle House, where – subject to available funding – new studio facilities will be built. These will allow the station to better accommodate and facilitate its increasing number of volunteers and to provide a much improved service to the listener.

The meeting was taken aback when, towards the end of the AGM, Tommy Collins announced that he was stepping down as Chairman and from the Board. After several member present expressed their surprise and disappointment at this announcement, Tommy agreed to remain on the Board for the time being. However, he re-iterated his intention to step down from the chair at the next meeting of the Board.

A members’ draw was then held.

The Chairman then closed the meeting and invited all present to partake of some light refreshments.

 

After the recent success of their short film When They Least Expect It the St. Raphael’s Drama Group Youghal are currently preparing for the upcoming Irish Performing Arts Festival 2011 – June 28th – July 1st

Organised by COPE Foundation, this national competition in drama, dance, singing and instrumentation takes place in various venues around Cork City

As part of this festival the St. Raphael’s Drama Group together with the Windy Lane Puppet Group will present their new play entitled An Angel Fell from the Sky

As St. Raphael is said to be the angel of happy meetings, this play tells the story of an angel who one day falls from the sky. The angel goes on a journey of happy meetings that eventually lead to his own journey home.

When: Wednesday June 29th at 12.10pm

Where: Firkin Crane Theatre, Shandon

For all details see www.irishperformingarts.ie

Come and support this multi talented group of actors and puppeteers from St. Raphael’s

Photos from the previous production of  ‘Those were the Days’ by the Windy Lane Theatre Group from St. Raphael’s Centre, Youghal, back in 2007

Rates spat erupts

Thursday June 23 2011

FERMOY’S Town Clerk believes his counterpart in Youghal is acting outside their powers in their plan to reduce rates in the town.

Ray Owens made the remark in response to a motion by Cllr Seamus Coleman (SF) at this week’s meeting of the local authority. Cllr Coleman referred to a recent motion adopted by Youghal Town Council whereby the town’s executive uses its discretion to strike off due rates in certain circumstances at the end of the year to offer an incentive to landlords.

“There is no provision in rate law for this, it is a national issue,” Mr Owens said, “I wouldn’t agree with what they have done. I think they are acting outside their powers in doing that.”

Source: The Corkman.ie

The Youghal Concerned Citizens Group held a meeting on Tuesday June 7th in the Red Store.  The producers of the recent if not controversial documentary “Town Out Of Time” Michael Twomey and Kieran McCarthy were asked to hold a viewing of the documentary on the night, as it was felt that the Concerned Citizens group should look at what some of the problems facing them were going to be. The documentary makers agreed to hold a viewing provided it was open to the public.
Report Shane Supple

At 7pm the Youghal Concerned Citizens held their normal meeting and at 8pm Michael Twomey introduced the documentary. In his introduction Michael briefly explained what the Documentary was about and that when it was over he hoped that the room would discuss what they saw and there feelings about it. He added that if anyone had questions on the actual documentary itself he would gladly answer all questions. One pleasing aspect of this viewing was the some members of the town council were present. While this in itself is not that important, it was significant in that none of the town Councillors attended the first and only other public showing of this documentary despite being invited to do so by the makers.

The room full of viewers numbering approximately 60 people sat silent throughout the viewing, as one person said afterwards you could hear a pin drop. When the documentary finished and the last of the credits rolled up on screen the room broke into spontaneous applause which lasted for several minutes. Michael then invited any questions or comments from the floor. One of the first to speak was Cllr Barbara Murray who congratulated the film makers for making a very well put together piece of work. She continued by saying it would make people think and that people should become more involved and open in discussing what this film showed. People should question more of what this town needs,  sitting here watching this film was very sobering, very sad, it was very reflective and is a very good thinking tool that gets people thinking and talking , that way at least  when something else comes up that people will think about it and talk about it. Many more questions were asked from the floor about the making of the documentary, and issues were raised that many people were agreeing on.

The general consensus was that Youghal was a wonderful town but people needed to be more active in the running of the town, for the next local elections more young people should be encouraged to be involved as this town was their future. Another person from the floor asked Michael if they were planning to do a follow up to this documentary one that showed a more positive side of Youghal. Michael replied that he felt his goal and aim was to point out what he saw wrong with the town, to deal with the feeling of apathy, he felt that he had done that and had gotten people talking about it. It was time for people to move on and if someone else wanted to make a further documentary showing a different side to things he would welcome that but he himself was moving on to other projects, this was a personal project and as such it is now time to put it behind us and move forward.

Another concerned citizen noted that it was an excellent film, but that it should not be put out to the public domain as it did paint a bad picture of the town and if visitors from abroad saw it they might not come to Youghal. Michael replied that it was not the film which would put people off, but the town itself, if changes were not made. People have come to Youghal and said it was a great place, the people were great etc. It is they who will tell others when they go home to visit or not visit the town of Youghal.

After answering question for over 40 minutes Michael thanked everyone for showing an interest and for coming tonight to view the film. He wished Youghal Concerned Citizens Group every success for the future, stating that it’s the people who make the town, not the buildings, the streets, the beaches, it’s the people.

As people were leaving the Red Store they were talking about what they had just seen, comments about how good the film was, to how it makes a person think about our town, ideas to improve the town and even the odd comment of “I remember” as they spoke of happier times in Youghal. There are no plans to show this film in Youghal or to make it available on DVD just yet; Michael and Kieran have been invited to several colleges to show the film because it’s something that can happen to any town. They have received a large number of requests from students and educational facilities abroad for copies on DVD. But as the two lads say themselves this was not money making commercial venture, we didn’t receive a cent in funding or sponsorship, nor did we look for it. This was about us telling our side of a story, the fact that it has snowballed and many more people want to hear this story, is for us payment enough.

Visit: www.completecontrolfilms.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/completecontrolfilms.com

What do you think the future of Youghal Town should be? Please share your views by using the comment box below. All comments are moderated before publishing.

Team Youghal continues their epic journey in the Race Across America. The Team cut through the Rocky Mountains on Tuesday the 21st of June when the Blue Team of Ger Christy and Alan climbed the Cuchara Pass, which was once an old Indian trail, used as early as 1779. Long before the road appeared, the Indians gathered at the top of Cuchara Pass each month to share stories of brave deeds. They would have a feast and dance around the campfire. The Red Team of Michael, Kieran, the two Brians, Gordon and Ray cycled through the night, scaling the highest point in this year’s RAAM at 10,857ft.

The Team reached an important milestone in the race when they passed through Alamosa CO, a former rail centre for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, at 12:48pm, Irish Time, Tuesday the 21st. At this stage of RAAM they had cycled over one third of the final distance, having covered 1,006 miles with 1,983 miles to go. This was a welcome boost to all the team as the heat of the day and the cold of the night was taking its toll.

Team Youghal descended through the Rocky Mountains and entered Kansas passing through Ulysses KS, located in the Southwest corner of Kansas, 40 miles from both the Colorado and Oklahoma borders, Time Station 23, on Wednesday 22nd, at 7:37am, Irish Time. The weather in Kansas was hot and humid with harvest time in full swing as could be seen by the many combine harvesters out in the fields.

Kansas also produced another milestone for Team Youghal as they passed the half way stage of the toughest endurance race in the world at 7:09pm, Irish Time, through a suburb of Wichita called Maize KS . All the team felt a huge sense of achievement when they reached this stage but were still very conscious of what is ahead. 1548.3 miles cycled with 1441.18 miles to go.

The sense of achievement progressed when the Team crossed the Mississippi River at 10:27pm, Irish Time. They have now cycled over two thirds of the Race Across America which is going to be a huge boost to their physiological well being……Go Team Youghal..

Bonfire Night is an annual celebration held on the 23rd June (St. John’s Eve). The celebrations take place in towns and villages across the country and centered around the summer solstice.
Report/Photo: Michael Hussey Email: news@youghalonline.com

The custom dates back to pagan times. Bonfire Night was always celebrated in Youghal with bonfires in different parts of the town but these customs and traditions are largely ignored nowadays. The embers of this long tradition have become a burning or more accurately a non-burning issue. The photograph shows everybody enjoying the annual spectacle of the bonfire in the plot Sarsfield Terrace back in 1983.

St John’s Eve (or Oiche Fheile Eoin (Bonfire Night) is celebrated in many parts of rural Ireland with the lighting of bonfires. This ancient custom has its roots in pre-Christian Irish society when the Celts honored the Goddess Áine, the Celtic equivalent of Venus and Aphrodite. She was the Goddess Queen of Munster and Christianised rituals in her honour (as Naomh Áine) took place until the nineteenth century on Knockainy, (Cnoc Áine – the Hill of Áine) in County Limerick.

During the festival, people would say prayers, asking for God’s blessing upon their crops. They would also take ashes from the fire, and spread them over their land as a blessing for protection for their crops. It was also common to have music, singing, dancing, and games during the festival. The fire was used for destroying small objects of piety (rosary beads, statues, etc.) without disrespecting God. It was also common for people to jump through the flames of the bonfire for good luck.

In Thomas Flanagan’s The Year of the French, the ancient festival of St John’s Eve takes place. The book is set during the Irish rebellion of 1798. Here is an excerpt from The Year of the French:

Soon it would be Saint John’s Eve. Wood for the bonfire had already been piled high upon Steeple HIll, and when the night came there would be bonfires on every hill from there to Downpatrick Head. There would be dancing and games in the open air, and young men would try their bravery leaping through the flames. There would even be young girls leaping through, for it was helpful in the search of a husband to leap through a Saint John’s Eve fire, the fires of midsummer. The sun was at its highest then, and the fires spoke to it, calling it down upon the crops. It was the turning point of the year, and the air was vibrant with spirits. –The Year of the French

Some regions of Ireland follow a custom seemingly inspired by the activity from which this saint takes his title, Baptist (more accurately, Baptizer). They head to the ocean and immerse themselves in its waters. In this, they imitate the original form of baptism practiced by St John, as well as by the early Christians.

Team Youghal started their Race across America on June 18th at 10:40pm, Irish Time, leaving Oceanside, California, for a three thousand mile journey across the continent of the USA. All eight team members were on the start line and were applauded by spectators and some ex pats who turned up to cheer them on. Christy McCarthy from Youghal Pipe Band, and also a member of Team Youghal, played the National Anthem on the bagpipes to a huge reception which boosted the spirit of all the Team and anyone with Irish connections that were there for the start.

The Blue Team of Alan Sheehan, Christy McCarthy and Ger Flanagan cycled the first 142 miles to Brawley CA which included the Palomar Mountain which was 2,000ft high. They were supported by Ray Flanagan and Gordon Nicholson. The weather was very hot and humid but the scenery was breath taking especially from the top of the glass elevator at 4,227ft. The team made excellent time reaching Brawley a little after 6am, Irish Time.

The red team of Brian Hehir, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Groeger, Michael Hines and Tommy Roche, supported by Jill Kinahan and Peter Roche then took the night shift to Parker Arizona. On the way they followed the Colorado River northward towards Arizona and entered the Colorado River Indian Reservation. They battled on through the night and met with the Blue Team outside Parker AZ, between a town called Bouse AZ and Hope AZ, at 1:00pm, Irish Time.

The Blue Team then set off for Prescott AZ via Skull Valley in the sizzling Arizona heat. They reached Prescott at 10:26pm, Irish Time. At this stage Team Youghal covered 440 miles during their Race Across America. Red Team then took over and went down the Prescott Valley and up through the Hickey Mountains with Cottonwood AZ in sight. The Red Team blasted through Verde Valley and reached Flagstaff AZ on Monday at 05:44am Irish Time and handed back to the Blue Team.

The Blue Team, Ger Flanagan, Christy McCarthy and Alan Sheehan, supported by Peter Roche and John Sanders, then headed for Tuba City AZ, entering the Navajo Indian Reservation on the way and skirting the edge of the Grand Canyon. They continued on to Kayenta AZ where they met up with the Red Team of Brian Hehir, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Groeger and Michael Hines at 3:06pm, Irish Time.

The Red Team then left Kayenta and continued on to Cortez CO seeing spectacular scenery through monument valley and when passing Mexican Hat UT and the tombstones. During this stage the Red Team interacted with another, Californian based, eight man team, called Team Learning 4 Life. The Red Team were tussling back and forth with the American team throughout the stage but Michael Hines got the better of them and pulled away. The Red Team then handed over to the Blue Team in Cortez CO at 11:15pm, Irish Time after Team Youghal cycled 813 miles across America for The Emer Casey Foundation.

For the Team there were two things that stood out for every one of the team members.

The first was the helpfulness and friendliness of everyone that they met at the start of the race and through all the different stages that they cycled through. Ger Flanagan said; “Without the support from the American people and the Irish this endeavour would be twice as difficult as it is. We would like to thank everyone who helped or gave advice in any way as it meant a great deal to everyone involved. We would also like to thank all the followers on facebook, whose comments are a great boost to us when we need a little push.”

The second was the unbelievable scenery that they encountered going through Arizona and on to Utah. Crew Chief, Aonghus O’Broin, said; “When you see the sights in reality that nature has created it lifts the spirit and helps you to continue with a renewed energy.”

813.7 miles done, 2175.81 miles to go, next stop Durango CO.

Click on image to enlarge

On the eve of Team Youghal’s toughest challenge to date, The Race Across America, a chance meeting in O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Carlsbad California has lead to the establishment holding a benefit night for the teams chosen charity, The Emer Casey Foundation, on the 30th June.

Team Youghal donated one of their team jerseys that will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, where all of the proceeds will go to local Youghal charity, The Emer Casey Foundation.

The Emer Casey Foundation was established in June 2006 following Emer’s untimely death from ovarian cancer. The aim of the foundation is to raise awareness and to raise funds to secure the best independent advice possible in the area of ovarian and uterine cancer.

Team Youghal are competing in the Race Across America, which is a 3,000 mile race across the continent from Oceanside, California to Annapolis Maryland in under nine days.

The team is made up of leisure cyclists and will cycle 24 hours a day in a non-stop relay until they reach the finish line.

Follow the team by logging on to www.teamyoughal.com and on Facebook, where there will be regular updates during the race. For more information on the Emer Casey Foundation please log on to www.emercaseyfoundation.com