Youghal 1978ish!!-The building/opening/blessing of the pier head(jetty) and other stuff!!

Video: 22rochey

Youghal Theatre Company
Presents
J.B. Keane’s ‘Sive’
Directed by Sean O’Neill

Venue: Youghal Community Centre
Monday 24th,Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, Friday 28th, Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th October 2011.
Tickets – €20  OAP’s & Students – €10. Bookings and information  – 087 2349472. Show start 8pm sharp.

Despite an awful morning of heavy rain, the skies had cleared up nicely just in time for the 2011 Evening Echo  Womens mini-marathon. It is estimated that some 10,000 or so took part in this event which raised a huge amount of money for various charities. The Youghal Cancer Support Group would like to thank everyone who took part in the Mini Marathon especially those who walked for the Youghal Cancer Support Group, You did us proud!!

On Friday September 23rd last, locals and visitors enjoyed the unique experience at Youghal’s second culture night which was a free night of entertainment, discovery and adventure.

The night featured a host of exciting events which including musicians,exhibitions, storytelling, choral singing, silver craft display and a host of other interesting cultural events. Art dealer Eamonn O’Brien of Gallery 126 featured an exhibition of late 19th century illustrated sheet music to the enjoyment of all who attended while musician Tom Connelly played selected songs on the mandolin.

Over in John Kennedy’s electrical shop, CRY 104fm outside broadcast crew went live from ‘The Gossip Shop’ which proved to be a great success. Radio jocks from the station entertained the listeners and the crowds who turned up at the open door, open mike session. Michael Roche read from one of his favourite poems and John Kennedy played some really unique original material from the distant past. Tony Sheehan, Jim Coleman and Tim Smith also played some of their favourite tunes. Meanwhile children were also being entertained at Oona Colin’s new shop ‘In Stitches’ with storytelling and crochet and stitching classes.

The photographic exhibition ‘Last Days. The Last of Carpets in Youghal’ in the Mall Arts Centre was also a highlight of the night. The exhibition captured the mood of the workers and the work place in the final days of the carpet factory in store street just before it closed back in 2006. The life size images gave a real depth to the exhibition.

Another photographic exhibition was on show over in McGoldrick’s Art & Photographic gallery on North Main St. entitled ‘Flight of Fancy’ and included a demonstration by local artist Eileen McGoldrick. Across the way at Luigi’s restaurant poetry reading by local poets and invited guests went on for the evening, organised by Alan Prim’s Bookshop on South Main St.

The diverse programme of events around the town was amazing and really had something for everyone. The  culture night definitely built up on the success of last year event and great praise to all involved. This type of local and national community involvement can only make next year’s Culture Night one of the main highlights in the autumn calender of cultural events in the town.

Click on image to enlarge – Photos by Ed Guiry & Will McGoldrick

 B.E.A.G. is a non profit community group for the preservation and conservation of the environment through education awareness and action.

‘Magazine’ production is coming to The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal on Saturday 15th October 2011 and promises to be a night of pure entertainment. The storyline of this production is a very topical one – and is something that we can all identify with at some point in our life. Cork County Audiences will be the first to preview this exciting new piece from emerging playwright Jennifer Rogers.

When Katie runs away from the death of her best friend, she ends up down an alleyway in-front of a billboard of herself from 5 years before. Katie literally crashes into herself – from here the story unfolds.  Rogers takes us right into the moments leading up to the crash and uses it as a metaphor for the way Irish Identity has crashed as a result of the economic down turn.

For Rogers the play centres on the pervasive nature of the fashion industry and the pressure that was (and still very much is) on women to conform to the ideal image.

‘Headlines in Magazines are like statements of fact and often they have a militant tone to them; ‘Battle the Bulge’ ‘Combat Cellulite’, it’s almost as if we are to wage war on ourselves’.

Magazine’ is about Katie’s feelings of emptiness that never leave, regardless of how many transformations she buys into. It is about the pressure she feels to conform to the ideal image, to be something she is not and holding tight to what other people think of her.

It’s about how self-belief and individual identity become and how consumerism leaves behind the toxic haze of depression and self-destruction.

Told in a funny and heart moving way, ‘Magazine’ reminds us to accept ourselves for what we are and embrace the ‘supposed’ imperfections that make us perfectly unique.

Last year, ‘Lipstick’ another of Roundhouse Production was a huge hit with the audiences of Youghal – this year promises to be no different.

The production takes place on Saturday 15th October at 8pm in the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal. Please contact Joyce on 083-3606507 to reserve tickets – alternatively tickets can be purchased in advance of the night from Youghal Tourist Office or on the door on the night of the show. Ticket prices are 15 euro for adults and 10 euro concessions.

Submissions are invited from interested parties to take ownership of Eochaill, the salmon yawl built in 15th century Tynte’s Castle during summer 2010 in a tourism and heritage project. The boat’s construction was overseen by master boat builder Jimmy Horgan from Youghal and was officially launched by MEP Sean Kelly last month. The project was supported by Youghal Socio Economic Development Group (YSEDG) and SECAD.

YSEDG representative Cllr Barbara Murray says ideally the boat would be taken over by a group or society, such as a rowing or fishing club, though individuals are not being discounted. “The most important criterion is that it is put to use in a non-profit making, sport or leisure capacity,” she says, adding “we have one interested source at present.”  Interested parties are asked to contact the YSDEG or Barbara on 087-2854971

THE FIGHT to save Youghal ambulance seems to have entered calmer waters following an on-going series of meetings between the HSE, regional GPs, TD’s councillors and the Save Youghal Ambulance group.

To recap, the HSE’s work reform proposes the abolition of on-call practice and Youghal ambulance replaced with an advanced paramedic first responder service, with two ‘roaming’ emergency-only ambulances  patrolling the east Cork area and an intermediary care vehicle for Cork north and east based initially in Mallow. The first responder would not have a hospital transport mandate. Thousands of people protested the proposals in Youghal last summer.

The protests sparked consultations between vested parties, resulting in a broader understanding on both sides.

It is now known that up to 90% of calls to Youghal ambulance are deemed ‘non-emergency.’ The HSE proposes to reserve ambulance deployment exclusively for emergencies and intend to deploy ‘intermediate care vehicles’ to conduct non-emergency functions.

Fine Gael Cork County and Youghal Town Councillor Barbara Murray, who sits on the Regional Health Forum, says, “The first responders would have advanced medical provisions and staff and effectively bring A&E to the patient, while the intermediate care vehicles would conduct non-emergency duties, such as pre-arranged patient transfers, etc.”

The system would revolve around GPS navigation technology, “with a Dublin-based control centre able to pinpoint at any time the exact location each medical unit in the area at any given time,” explains Cllr Murray. “The control centre would receive the initial call and decide on the most appropriate response from the information given. The first responder would also assess the situation on arrival.”

Under Phase 1, the HSE hopes to deploy the intermediate care vehicles to Mallow and Bantry in early 2012. Mallow will service east Cork until Phase 2 eventually sees a similar vehicle deployed in Cork city to serve the region. Meanwhile Youghal is expected to retain its ambulance base and current practice for at least 18 months as trade union issues are resolved.

Anxieties

There is concern in Youghal over this transition period. Local GP Declan Matthews says, “The proposals look very good on paper, but there are huge anxieties amongst doctors over a perceived lag time of some years between Phase 1 and Phases 2 and then 3. It means we would still have no proper cover when our ambulance is out of town.” He adds that the issue is soon to be discussed between doctors in east and north Cork and Mallow.

Echoing those concerns, spokesman for the Save Youghal Ambulance group Jim Flanagan says, “It may -or may not- be ok in the long term but we will continue to fight for our ambulance service here in the short term at least.”

Statement from Save Youghal Ambulance group:

‘To date we the above, with the support of local communities, TD’s, county and town councillors and GP’s have been opposed to the proposal from the HSE to remove the ambulance service from Youghal and surrounding areas.

The position to date is that though it may appear that we have been silent. Indeed, the opposite is true.

Since our first public meeting and subsequent protests, there have been a number of meetings between the HSE and all of the above mentioned.

The updated position is that further meetings are to take place and while the general feeling with the GPs is that the proposals put forward by the HSE look very good in the long term, Youghal and the surrounding areas could not be without an ambulance in the short term.

We will continue to fight for our ambulance service with the help of all the above and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our TDs, county councillors, town councillors, GPs and indeed the general public for all of your support so far to retain our ambulance service.

Signed: Jim Flanagan, PRO.

SINK OR SWIM –AURA’S NEW ADULT SWIMMING COURSES COMMENCE.

Christy Parker tests the water to improve his swimming technique.

I taught myself to swim more summers ago than I care to remember by lying face down in ‘dead man’s float’ fashion in the Blackwater and eventually practicing propulsion while trying not to swallow salt water. My technique, such as it is, has revolved around one deep breath followed by several more in the course of a journey during which I would try –not always successfully- to inhale more oxygen than water. However I have avoided water deeper than I am tall on the basis that once I use up my energy I sink!

Nonetheless my efforts have evolved to enable me to travel about 30 metres before yielding to exhaustion. This, I have always figured, would be sufficient to get me to the nearest pub in the event of Youghal’s drains backing up in a very heavy storm.  The shock reality though is that my daughter, almost eight and having learned to swim less than two years ago, can beat me in a race over short distances. She’d be on her second orange juice before I’d reach the counter.

It may all be about to change. Or then again it may not. Last week I signed up, at the behest of this magazine and Aura Leisure Centre, to seek to improve all that needs to be improved in my swimming abilities. The pool is 25 metres long but I now know that there is an ocean of improvement needed.  After the first of six weekly 30 minute lessons at ‘Intermediate’ level (those who eat fish at least twice monthly), my arms are sore, my shoulders are in shock and my spirits, well, have  sunk somewhat.

Technique

Last week I joined two other males and four females of differing ages but relatively similar standard at the poolside. Our instructor was Marcin, a fit and healthy man from the land of Poland, with impeccable qualifications to elevated standards. He spoke with calm and confident voice that seemed capable of controlling the tides themselves. Throughout, he would explain and demonstrate what was required of us. In technical terms, we were to deal with Total Immersion technique. It meant spending a lot of time half submerged, developing unaccustomed co-ordination, not panicking and trying hard to keep faith in oneself, although the latter part may have been applicable only to me.

To begin, Marcin handed us floats, of which mine was about the size of a sliced pan and asked that we hold it with one hand and push it forward, changing hands as we progressed. Easy, eh? No it’s not! My float kept sinking because I was not properly balanced in the water and was leaning on it, resulting in my floundering like a mackerel on a Youghal quayside in September, while everyone else seemed to disappear from view like ships calling off a rescue.

Things deteriorated further –well, for me anyway- when Marcin, in the course of ten minutes that were surely two lifetimes, instructed us on how to remain buoyant on our side, one arm extended, the other straight down, tight to the body. We were to practice how to breathe, swim, roll and then do the same on our other side, all the while retaining contact with the float. It basically involved simultaneously replacing several ingrained bad habits with a new technique; pushing off, keeping body straight, looking down, tilting head, breathing, down again, head –shoulder-hips to roll, repeat….but it’s oh so hard to make one’s body float when it has spent several decades thinking it’s supposed to sink! The dictionary doesn’t contain words to describe the mess I made of that. I never drank so much on a night either though I have to say I could develop a taste for chlorine.

Hope still afloat

Not that it was all failure, humiliation and trying to remain composed in disagreeable circumstances for me. In one early exercise, Marcin explained how expelling air enables us to sit on the floor of the pool, an exercise for which I seemed naturally suited. I learnt also that, in reverse to procedure on dry land, one inhales by mouth and exhales through the nose in the swimming world. To me, this was revolutionary information. “Everyone knows that!”, my seven year-old deflated me next day.

Most satisfyingly, I emerged from my struggle adept at floating on my back –while even moving in a direction of my own choosing (backwards)! “Hands straight down, body closed, head straight, toes pointing down, push off from floor,” advised Marcin.

Throughout the lesson I found Marcin to be patient, articulate and approachable. He was willing to address his charges as individuals in an honest fashion when asked for advice. This is very conducive towards overcoming obstacles and acquiring confidence.

Practice is the only route to perfection and it is suggested that students remain on for 20 minutes after lessons to rehearse what has been taught. This allows one to explore one’s liabilities and work on technique at one’s own pace. I’d go further and say it is advisable (or in my case probably essential!) to re-visit the pool for private practice between lessons. Furthermore, there is a vast amount of text and video guidance on Total Immersion on the internet (including You Tube). Where are my goggles?…

Spaces are available in adult swimming classes on an on-going basis, dependent on ability levels etc.  Inquiries: (024) 91614.

People across the region are reminded that the week September 20th to 27th is national Garda Supporting Safety Week. Youghal Garda Ronan Swann says road safety will be one area on which the local force will be focusing their energies for the duration. “There will be extra checkpoints and we will be concentrating on all aspects of driving and safety, including, speed, alcohol, drugs, using seat belts and mobile phones, tax, insurance, etc.,” he explains.

Accidents

According to the garda, “statistics show that half of all fatal accidents occur between 4 pm on Friday and 6 am on Monday.” Tiredness is considered a contributory factor in many cases, with people working harder and longer to make ends meet in the present economic climate. Garda Swann says “fatigue is almost as lethal as intoxication,” and advises weary drivers to slow down and also to avail of lay-byes for a fast nap in the course of their journeys.  Getting there late is better than not getting there at all is the message.

Burglaries

The garda also advises that October and November are the prime months for burglaries. He observes that employing “two or more security features greatly reduce the chances of being burgled.” He suggests that homeowners consider dogs, alarms, sensory lights and securing windows and doors as viable options, whether rural or urban dwellers. Garda Swann further advises to conceal jewellery, cash, cameras, laptops and any valuable belongings from the prying eyes of would-be intruders.  “Gold prices are very high at the moment,” he says, “and there are easy outlets to accept gold items. Pawn shops also sometimes accept goods on face value.”

School care

The garda reiterates his plea that motorists exercise “extreme care” in the vicinity of Gaelscoil Choráin and Bunscoil Mhuire during drop off and collection times. As regards parking, he suggested the town hall or the vicinity of the Devonshire Hotel for the former premises, while also asking drivers not to block the entrance to the garda station when visiting Bunscoil Choráin. “A few minutes can make a huge difference if we get an emergency call,” he explains.

Community Alert

Garda Swam informs installation of socially monitored alarms will commence shortly in the town, while application forms for further alarms are available from the garda station or through members of the Community Alert group. The next Community Alert meeting –the AGM in fact- will be held in Cumann na Daoine at 7.45 pm on Wednesday October 5th and, as always, the public are invited to attend.