YOUGHAL SEWERAGE SCHEME  PROGRESS REPORT – By Christy Parker

Youghal Town Clerk Liam Ryan provided the November town council meeting with a progress report on the long-awaited Youghal Sewerage Scheme. There isn’t, in lay man terms, anything immensely significant to report, with the final assessment in the 11-point synopsis the most telling factor, ie “Subject to funding….”

The report runs as follows:

1.Finance:

The scheme is included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-12, with the marginal capital cost calculated as 32%. Should tenders be returned at the budget estimate of €18m, Cork County Council will be asked provide €5.76m.

2. Planning

Youghal Town Council has granted planning permission for the pumping stations and same is not required for the waste water treatment plant.

3. Land Acquisition:

Cork County Council has purchased the site for the Waste Water Treatment Plant, with agreement made regarding land for an access road to the plant. Contracts are presently being prepared.

4. Foreshore Licence:

Cork County Council has applied to the Dept. Of Environment, Community and Local Government for a

Foreshore Licence for the proposed main outfall.

5. Waste Water Discharge Licence:

Cork County Council has applied to the EPA for a Wastewater Discharge Licence, with additional information returned as sought.

6. Archaeology and Ecology:

There were no adverse findings following an Appropriate Assessment for the Waste Water Treatment Plant site and the discharge to the Blackwater. Archaeological monitoring of the Investigations contracts did not record anything of significance.

7. Investigations Contracts/Surveys:

All Investigation Contracts and Surveys required for the design have been completed, while a preconstruction condition survey will be procured to access the condition of building close to sewer routes.

8. Design:

Design is now complete, with elements of the scheme revised to provide cost savings.

9. Contract Documents:

Comments have been received from the Dept. of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Contract documents have been revised to incorporate design and comments returned.

10. Construction Procurement:

Pre-qualification of Contractor to Tender has commenced.

11. Construction:

Subject to funding and approvals, commencement is anticipated for mid-2012.

Anti-Hazardous Waste Group Holds Town Hall Protest  – By Christy Parker

About a dozen members of the Blackwater Estuary Action Group (BEAG) protested outside the town hall prior to Youghal Town Council’s November meeting. Group spokeswoman Michelle Ryan Hennessy said BEAG hoped to emphasise to the councillors that the proposal by sludge treatment plant Eras Eco Ltd. to treat hazardous waste at the Foxhole site was “completely unacceptable.” They sought to inform the council of their “wish and expectations that they (the council) would support the community in its campaign.” Furthermore, said Ms Hennessy, they wished to protest against the council and county manager’s “irresponsible failure to ensure protection of our health and environment and to call on Youghal UDC (sic) to act in a socio-responsible manner in the future development of our town.”

The spokeswoman said BEAG “would like to believe” that the councillor’s supported them “but they aren’t joining our campaign, answering our letters or behaving in a socially responsible manner.” Neither did she feel that the protest might alienate the very people who may support their argument. “We’re here because they don’t appear to be on our side,” she said.

Cllr Barbara Murray, the last councillor to arrive for the 10 a.m. council meeting, was the sole member to give of her time to the gathering. Missing the opening 15 minutes of her council commitment, she spent 20 minutes in dialogue at the entrance, where universal agreement with some of her views and opinions was not always forthcoming. “I think they should remember that the councillors are actually on their side but attending public meetings and so on isn’t always the best way for us to show it,” says the councillor. “I also feel they would best be served by concentrating on fundraising and perhaps employing a technical expert to conduct research, which may prove vital in time. I’ve done some research for then but I simply don’t have time to do it in depth.”

The protestors distributed a pamphlet posing several questions, based on the premise that Eras Eco’s successful planning application will persist. It asked whether a baseline study had been conducted in 2004 before AVR commenced operations; would a baselines study be conducted before Eras Eco upgraded?; what guideline/conditions would be enforced regarding hazardous waste transportation; was Youghal fire brigade specially trained to respond to any accidents?; was the council satisfied that Cork County Council followed appropriate EU directives in granting the application?; why were no impact studies or public? The argument was made that the town council was “in a better position than us” to acquire answers, which will probably please Cork County Council, who actually dealt with the planning application.

Waiting

Presently Bord Pleanála is considering whether the application was made under the appropriate criteria of Strategic Structure Development as against regular planning. Should the deem the application to have been invalid, Eras Eco will need to re-apply, this time to Bord Pleanála, to which the general public can simultaneously make submissions. Should the Bord endorse the application, then its attention will turn to the appeal against the permission that was lodged by Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. The Bord’s direction may be announced at any time, but the expectancy is post-Christmas.

While one may admire and respect BEAG’s awareness determined pursuit of their purpose, one observer of the morning protest asked why the group don’t express their feelings at the doors of Eras Eco Ltd themselves or at County Hall. That may be a card yet to be played because, BEAG aside, everyone seems to be waiting and hoping; waiting for Bord Pleanála’s decision and hoping it goes against Eras Eco. Should that transpire, the definite focus and time scale may see a surge in public involvement.

Meantime, the mind-set of the majority –councillors included- seems to be that protest is premature but preparation is a priority. Then there is the matter of diplomacy; Michelle Hennessy said she believed protests such as last Tuesday morning’s would pull the councillors onside. BEAG’s next –and third- public meeting is at 8 pm in the Walter Raleigh Hotel on Thursday November 24th.  It remains to be seen to what degree castigating the council leads to their presence.

Youghal And District Community Alert November Meeting In The Nook. – By Christy Parker

THE YOUGHAL AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT (YDCA) GROUP held its November meeting in the Nook bar on Thursday morning the 17th by way of augmenting its public profile. The officers present were Des Heffernan, chairman and Michael Beecher, PRO.

Amidst the comfort of a winter fire and complimentary tea, coffee and scones, the gathering was addressed by three speakers, while copious amounts of advisory and information literature on crime, alcohol and drug abuse and personal security was also distributed.

An Garda

PRO Sergeant John Sharkey eschewed the regular crime report to deliver a general summary of garda work in the locality and to take questions from the floor. The sergeant outlined that he is one of four sergeants plus 20 other gardaí and one civilian officer at the station. The service operates om a maximum base of one sergeant and five gardaí per shift across three shifts every 24 hours. He stressed that when the station closes at 10 pm, there remains a full complement of gardaí patrolling the general locality and under instruction from Midleton headquarter. “People should never hesitate to call us,” he added. “Calls are never a nuisance and are always valued.  It’s far better to be safe than sorry. Likewise, if you are unhappy with the Garda service in any way, please report it to a sergeant or any senior officer, as you would with any service provider. ”

Crime

Crime-wise, Sergeant Sharkey said Youghal was generally quiet at present, probably due in some measure to various Garda and community initiatives that focus on the principal of each individual being central to protecting their own property. This in turn created a culture of protectionism across the community that deterred would-be criminals.

Nonetheless, he said, there were issues of concern, particularly underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, as epitomised on Halloween night for example. Equally, unacceptably disruptive behaviour in the town in recent weeks had seen Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued to several young people. This effectively banned them from the main street and other areas for three month, with further action towards building a case towards court proceedings, following failure to comply.

The sergeant also referred to the important role played by Community Garda Peter Queally, underlining the crucial link between the town’s individuals, groups and organisations and Garda effectiveness.  In a similar vein, he promoted the monthly Community Alert meetings as an important mechanism by which the public and An Garda can interact with the public and build confidence and trust. Again he urged the community to ring the gardaí if harbouring any concerns or suspicions about anyone or anything.

Such an approach was particularly relevant to the rising level of rural crime, especially housebreaking and burglaries. Such perpetrators would drive or walk an area and he encouraged people to note unusual behaviour, note details such as car makes, colours and number plates and, especially, exercise caution when presented with yarns or offers that would incur entrance a stranger’s entrance to one’s home or the production of one’s money. It was important also to realise that many con artists will pose as health officials, civil servants, construction workers, gardaí, nurses, etc. The theft of car keys from homes was a current trend, the garda also reminded, urging they be kept in a secure location.

Sergeant Sharkey further warned about urban scams, often with gangs confusing shopkeepers with elaborate tactics in seeking change, or ‘buying’ expensive items with bogus credit numbers, etc.

Likewise the internet, he elaborated, was now a minefield of deception. Various incidents were relayed from the floor, including strangers interceding Facebook accounts in pretence of being stranded family member and seeking transference of money abroad for assistance. Bogus e-mails or phone calls seeking bank account details or pin numbers were also prevalent.  Youghal Garda station is on (024) 92200.

Care and Repair

An interesting and informative question-and-answer session followed between the attendance and the sergeant before spokesman for the Care and Repair movement Pat Carey took the microphone. Mr Carey explained that Care and Repair currently consisted of about nine volunteers who, working in pairs, conduct light repair work of behalf of the elderly (over 65’s). The service is co-ordinated through Cumann na Daoine, he said and all volunteers are Garda vetted, he assured.

Mr Carey advised that the group’s insurance does not cover heavy duty work such as general plumbing or electrical projects. A year in existence, the service averages one job per week now. The average time spent on a job is three hours daily but return visits are accommodated. Usually a job is undertaken within two days of being requested.  Care and Repair is a free, non- profit making  service, he proceeded, other than the provision of materials, though voluntary contributions (which some clients prefer to pay) are accepted on behalf of Cumann na Daoine. Gardening, painting, decorating, household repairs and alarm installation feature highly on the retinue “but no job is too small,” said the speaker. I response to an inquiry, he said the group operates within a three mile radius of the town.  Cumann na Daoine is on (024) 91900.

Drugs

The third speaker was Eddie McBride, new Youghal-based community drugs worker with the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force, replacing Eric Trihy. Mr McBride, from Waterford, said his background was in youth community development and family support pertinent to drugs issues. He was now charged, through Foróige, with co-ordinating drug abuse amongst the 14 to 24 age groups. The methodology centred firstly on “Education and Prevention,” he explained and secondly –for those already victims of the drug culture- “harm reduction.”

The official explained how his work entailed much liaising with Community Garda Queally on an advisory, as against a criminal, basis. Mr McBride brought interesting analysis to his address, not least informing that the “number one drug of choice and the one that caused the most upheaval in people’s lives is alcohol.” Given the setting it was an ironic equation. In terms of common usage, alcohol, he outlined, precedes cannabis and then opiates. Heroin exists in every town and village but it isn’t of prime concern, he stressed.

Mr. McBride said that in 2010 “63 individuals and 77 parents or concerned persons” in Youghal had sought help from the service he was now managing. He welcomed the statistic as evidence of increasing numbers realising their difficulties and actively seeking a solution towards better lives.

Interestingly, the speaker also dismissed a direct link between crime and drug use as considerably exaggerated. Amongst his other assertions is all drug issues are individual-based, with society comprised of communities, comprised of families, comprised of individual. He further advised that introduction to drugs are usually through ‘friends, peers or family, with alcohol generally involved. These and other matters relevant to his posting will be considered in an interview with Mr McBride in an upcoming issue of Youghal News. Eddie can be contacted on (024) 90793 / 086 3842183 for confidential advice and support.

The fourth and final speaker of the morning was Dermot Cronin, Community Alert Development Officer – Southern Garda Region. The next edition of Youghjal News will contain a report on Mr. Cronin’s address.

Gare St Lazare Players Ireland’s production of Moby Dick, currently touring the USA as part of Imagine Ireland, has brought Youghal, Co. Cork and New Bedford, Massachusetts into a sister-city programme. At a reception in New Bedford held jointly by the Zeiterion Theatre and The New Bedford Whaling Museum, Mayor Scott Lang of New Bedford invited Youghal to become a sister city with his own.   During a week of Moby Dick related events inspired by the Cork theatre company’s visit,  former Mayor of Youghal, Oliver Casey,was the guest of honour as the two fishing-port communities shared their Moby Dick heritage.

Youghal served as the location for the Massachusetts whaling capital during John Huston’s 1954 filming of Moby Dick starring Gregory Peck.  Gare St Lazare chose to mark the link by premiering their stage production there in 2009.  Now during a 10 city tour of the USA they have hailed their visit to New Bedford as a highlight.  “The twinning of the two towns is a perfect legacy not only of our production but also of Imagine Ireland.” Said  actor Conor Lovett who performs the show.  “Imagine Ireland is a seed which will ultimately be judged by the fruit it bears.”

Gare St Lazare Players already premiered this year at Kilkenny Arts Festival their newest work, written especially for the company by New York playwright Will Eno. The play, Title and Deed, will receive its US premiere at The Signature Theater on 42nd street in May 2012.  “We are thrilled that a major American playwright has written a new work for an Irish company”, said director Judy Hegarty Lovett.  “This and the New Bedford/Youghal connection are a great start to the legacy of Imagine Ireland.”

“Culture Ireland’s year-long intiative in the USA is about partnerships that will endure.” Said Oliver Casey, “Ireland partnering with America, Gare St Lazare with Signature Theater, writer Will Eno with actor Conor Lovett, Zeiterion Theater with New Bedford Whaling Museum and Youghal with New Bedford.”

Moby Dick continues to tour this week in Boston and next week in New London, Connecticut then on to Burlington and St Johnsbury, Vermont.  Gare St Lazare have performed at more US venues in 2011 than any other Irish theatre company.
- 11 November 2011

garestlazare@mac.com

www.gslp.ie

Current TOUR DATES 2011.

June 14    First Love, Oxford Playhouse, UK.

June 16/17    First Love, Brighton Pavilion, UK.

June 22 – 25  The End & First Love. York University, UK.

July 14    The End, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

August 10 – 14 New Will Eno Project, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ireland.

September 22 The End, College of Saint Benedict, St Joseph, MN, USA

September 23 Moby Dick, College of Saint Benedict, St Joseph, MN, USA

October 14/15 First Love, Miami Dade College, Miami, FL, USA

October 18 First Love, Liverpool Irish Festival, Liverpool, UK.

October 19 The End, Liverpool Irish Festival Liverpool, UK.

October 26  The End, Keene College, Keene, NH, USA

October 27  The End, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburgh, MA. USA www.fitchburgstate.edu

October 29 The End, MCLA Presents, North Adams, MA, USA www.mcla.edu/bcrc

November 2-5   Moby Dick, Zeiterion Theatre, New Bedford, MA, USA.  www.zeiterion.org

November 7-13 Moby Dick, Arts Emerson, Emerson College, Boston, MA, USA artsemerson.org

November 13 Moby Dick, Connecticut College, New London, CT, USA

November 16-17 Moby Dick, Flynn Centre, Burlington, VT, USA www.flynncenter.org

November 18 Moby Dick, St Johnsbury School, St Johnsbury, VT, USA

Programming enquiries for 2012 welcome.

A NEW ART GALLERY will open its doors for the first time on Wednesday, 30th of November.The official opening of  Gallery Frida will be performed by the Mayor of Youghal, Eoin Coyne. The first exhibition will support an Orphanage Project in Uganda (Toro Babies Home) run by Norwegian volunteers. The gallery is run by Danish man Lars Moeslund and artist Lora Murphy and the public are welcome to the opening. The gallery has its name from the mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who by her life has inspired Lora. Gallery Frida is situated at 38 South Main Street, Youghal.

The gallery will open with an exhibition called “Summer in December”, Plein Air, to bring in light and warmth in this dark and cold season. There will be represented around 20 established painters from all over Ireland. The plein Air part of the exhibition will be at the ground level and at the first floor Lora will exhibit some of her own paintings together with another female painter Barbara O’Meara from Greystones.

The exhibition will be opened on the 30th of November from 5-8 pm and the Mayor of Youghal, Eoin Coyne, will officially open the exhibition at 5.30 pm.

Part of the commission from selling the paintings will be used to support an Orphanage Project in Uganda (Toro Babies Home)run by Norwegian volunteers.

Dan Aage Mortensen from Norway is part of the volunteer group that raises money for the project in Norway. All money for this project is given by donors (private persons and companies).

This exhibition will become part of the project by donating 25% of the commission directly to the project in Uganda.

Gallery Frida will continue to donate money to the project in Uganda after this exhibition is over.

The Orphanage houses 50-60 children, who have no parents or their parents are dying of AIDS. The children live at the Orphanage with a “substitute mother” and have a life as normal as possible going to school and having a family. Almost all money from donation goes directly to the Orphanage. The plan is to make the Orphanage self sufficient with its own food (vegetables, milk, egg and honey) in the years to come. That will cost a good deal of money and therefore the money from this exhibition will be welcomed very much.
The exhibition will run from 30.th of November to 24th of December 2011 (12-6 pm every day).

Step aboard the great whaling ship Pequod and sail the seven seas with Captain Ahab and his daring crew as they search for the legendary white whale Moby Dick! All the excitement and high seas adventure of Herman Melville’s classic story are captured in this faithful adaptation, told in full color animation.

Producer: Walter J. Hucker
Director: Richard Slapzynski
Script: Alex Buzo
Music Richard Bowden & John Sangster
Voices: Alastair Duncan, Bevan Wilson, Ron Haddrick, Max Osbiston, Barbara Frawley, and Peter Corbett

Click on the videos below to watch parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the full color animation of  Moby Dick

Youghal Concerned Citizens are delighted to announce the return of the fabled Moby Dick to Youghal in 2012. On March 16th, Youghal will host the inaugural Moby Dick Literary Festival, using the town’s links with the film to promote Youghal in the American market.

The Moby Dick Festival will kick off Youghal Concerned Citizen’s schedule of events for 2012. Already pencilled in are the Mackerel/Regatta festival, Halloween and Christmas festivals, putting the group as one of the most active in Youghal promoting the town. Mooted since August, a sub group has now been formed within YCC to tackle the event.

“There is the obvious connection between Youghal and Bedford, USA – the town Youghal stood in for in the film Moby Dick,” said Ruth Vance, PRO for Youghal Concerned Citizens. “But more so, Moby Dick is one of the most read books in America. It’s read in virtually every school there as part of their syllabus. The author, Herman Melville, is as famous as Shakespeare here.”

Marketing Youghal to schools and the literary market in America will be one goal of the festival. Moby Dick is instantly recognisable to most Americans and there is significant potential to market Youghal using its links to Moby Dick. The focus in marketing Youghal has heavily switched to using the resources we have and Youghal Concerned Citizens have been to the fore in capitalising on what’s available in the town – whether that be great food, history, the sea or Youghal’s natural amenities. “If it’s there – use it!” commented Ruth.

Other town’s have successfully capitalised on films made in their environs and hooked onto the film’s fame in promoting their towns. Youghal now needs to do the same. As with all our festivals, the event will be organised by volunteers and anybody interested in helping organise would be most welcome.

Click on related videos below

THE WHITE WHALE by VIDEOBLAST

Click on the full movie below which was part filmed in Youghal – This classic story by Herman Melville revolves around Captain Ahab and his obsession with a huge whale, Moby Dick. The whale caused the loss of Ahab’s leg years before, leaving Ahab to stomp the boards of his ship on a peg leg. Ahab is so crazed by his desire to kill the whale, that he is prepared to sacrifice everything, including his life, the lives of his crew members, and even his ship to find and destroy his nemesis, Moby Dick.

Coming up on Youghal Concerned Citizen’s schedule

Others events by Youghal Concerned Citizen’s see below or use the search box on the front page for more information and photos

And remember that Youghal is the Tidiest Town in Cork 2011

Bun Scoil Mhuire, Parent’s Association, ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING and CAKE SALE, will be held in the school hall 0n Friday 2nd December 2011.  Admission €3.00 (Includes trea/coffee and scone with jam and cream, also entry into the Draw).

Sinn Féin have marked the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Hungerstrike by unveiling a portrait of three hungerstrikers in Leinster House. The piece which was painted by Kildare artist Billy McAndrew is of Mid Cork TD and Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, Cavan/Monaghan TD Kieran Doherty and Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP Bobby Sands. All three were elected representatives when they died on hungerstrike, MacSwiney in 1920 in Brixton Prison in England, Doherty and Sands in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh in 1981.

The painting, which will hang on the Sinn Féin floor of Leinster House, was unveiled in a ceremony attended by family and friends of former hungerstrikers, as well as senior Sinn Féin figures. Speaking at the launch, which was chaired by Gerry Adams, the party’s arts spokesperson, Cork East TD Sandra McLellan said:

“I am proud to represent the same county and the same party as Terence MacSwiney in the Dáil. The sacrifice that he and his fellow hungerstrikers made had a profound and lasting effect on the political landscape in this country. This beautiful piece by Billy McAndrew is our way of marking their significant contribution and continues the long tradition of celebrating our history and culture through art. The painting will have pride of place on the Sinn Féin floor in Leinster House and act as a constant reminder of the sacrifices that so many have made to give us the peace we now have.”

COMMUNITY RADIO YOUGHAL held there 3rd Annual Country Music awards on Monday 21st November 2011 in the local GAA cente. There was a fantastic crowd on the night with people traveling from all over to see there favourite stars of Country Music on stage. The beautiful glass plaque awards were designed by Yewcraft based in Ballymacoda.

         Award                                     Winner  

• Up And Coming Star       Simon Peters
• Most Popular Solo Artist on the Social Dancing Scene  Declan Aungier
• Most Requested Artist       Paddy O’Brien
• Most Popular Social Dancing Group     Checkers
• Most Popular Irish Male Singer      Damien Bowe
• Most Popular Album       Thomas & Fhiona
• Favourite Irish Female Singer      Pam Jackson
• Most Popular Duo        Michael Cleary & Breege Kelly
• Best Songwriter        P.J. Murrihy
• Most Requested Song       Jim Lane