Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton has welcomed the news that funding has been approved for Cork County Council to carry out a flood risk assessment study in Carrigtwohill. Cork County Council will be allocated €72,000 to carry out this work.

“I am pleased to confirm this significant amount of funding for Cork County Council. The monies are being provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW)to carry out an important flood risk assessment study of the Carrigtwohill area”, said Deputy Stanton.

“Cork County Council submitted an application for funding to the OPW under the Minor Flood Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme is open to all Local Authorities to secure additional finance to carry out works to areas which may experience regular flooding problems which can, at times, cause extensive damage to people’s property, waste water systems and force road closures.

Posted on Friday, December 9th, 2011

Youghal GAA Club held its Annual General Meeting at Club Áras last Sunday evening ( Sunday 11th Dec 2011) with a very big attendance present.

The outgoing Chairman of the Club David Kilgannon thanked everyone who helped the club and himself over the previous 12 months and congratulated the players and selectors of all teams in the club at all grades.

Present was the Uachtaran Chumman Luthcleas Gael Crioistor O Cuanna who also spoke to the meeting encouraging everyone to support the club for the coming year. The President congratulated the Chairman of Youghal GAA clubs underage section Fergal Keenaghan and his committee and team of voulanters for their great work within the club and he singled out Youghal GAA’s Cul Camp as one of the most organised events in the country.

Cork County Board and Youghal GAA Club Culture Officer Liam O Laochdha echoed those sentiments and remarked that there will be two significant dates in March for the Uachtaran.

We also, at this time, remember all those associated with the club who have gone to their eternal reward. Former players, young and old, some unexpectedly, passed away during the year and we remember Pádraig Coyne, Tom Pomphrett, Donal O’Neill, Frank O’Brien. Recently, a great friend to many of us, Tony O’Connell, a man who did tremendous work for the club in maintaining fields and premises was called to his eternal reward and we remember him tonight also. To all members, supporters and families who suffered bereavements during the year, we extend our deepest sympathy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-amanacha. Our annual Mass for deceased members and friends will be celebrated early in the New Year, as it was not permissible to do so tonight.

Club Áras continues to go from strength to strength under the hard work and guidance of Ken Bulman. The courtesy and commitment of Ken and all his staff has to be acknowledged by all and without his drive, the ‘buzz’ around the place would be missing. Special mention must also go to Deirdre McCarthy for the assistance she has given Ken and the time she has put into the club, particularly recently. Caroline Malone, who has just completed a three year FÁS term, is thanked too for the additional work she has put into the club when required. Special thanks also to Tony Kelly who puts in a lot of voluntary time in the club helping out. Our thanks to all who use the club facilities and we would ask members to think of supporting your club throughout the year when possible.

FÁS

To all the FÁS employees who are doing wonderful work, in maintaining our fields and within Club Aras, the club wishes to thank you for your help and dedication to the club and the pride you take in working for the club. Our club could not be as active as it is without your input.

BOARD DELEGATES

To Paddy Coleman, Billy Carroll, John Parker and Mickie Walsh, who represent us at County Board and East Cork Board we thank them for their commitment in attending these meetings. Also, to any member who may have attended or represented the club through the year, thank you very much.

INTER-COUNTY

Congratulations to Bill Cooper who played Senior Hurling Championship with Cork this year, the first Youghal player to do so since 1984. Congratulations also to players who represented the club on Imokilly Hurling and Football teams and who played at College level.

UNDER-AGE SECTION

To the hard working committee members, selectors and parents who look after our juvenile members, I would like to say a big thank you to the juvenile club officers, under the guidance of Cathaoirleach, Fergal Keenaghan, your trojan work is beginning to reap its rewards and the club are indebted to all of you for your efforts. Our juvenile club continues to go from strength to strength and the numerous titles won, at all grades, during the year is proof of this. The juvenile section of the club is in good hand and it will not be long before we see the fruits of their labour breaking into the adult club. Congratulations to all involved and best wishes for 2012.

LADIES FOOTBALL

2011 saw the official launch of Youghal Ladies Football club, under the guidance of Catriona Hill and Cormac Galvin. A young and vibrant club that will go from strength to strength no doubt and we wish them all the best for the future.

YOUGHAL CAMOGIE CLUB

This branch of Gaelic Games continues to expand, due to the dedicated work of their club officers, committee and mentors. Congratulations are extended to them on their successes during the year and best wishes for 2012.

SCHOOLS

We would like to thank all the schools in the parish for their continued promotion of Gaelic Games throughout the year. To the teachers and principals thanks for allowing our coaches, Siobhán Downing, assisted by Shane Spillane, Daniel Mulcahy, and Ken Dempsey, the time to teach the skills of our national games to the young boys and girls. Also thanks to John Parker, who liaises with all schools and looks after gear etc., for the matches. Keep up the good work as the benefits are already there to see and a special thank you to Christy Cooney who donated Club Jerseys to our local National Schools.

FIRST AID

Thanks to all the various “physio teams” who looked after our injured players during the year. This year we had some serious injuries and it is good to see them all on the road to recovery. To Dr. Michael Twomey, who also gives his time and attention to our players, when asked to do so, we thank you sincerely.

REFEREES/UMPIRES/LINESMEN/HELPERS

The club currently has three registered Referees, in Shaun Oliphant, Jim Daly and Christy Hennessy. A directive, issued from Croke Park earlier this year, outlined that for insurance purposes and Official Referee must be appointed for all games, including challenge games. This might have made things difficult, but we would like to thank all three club referees who willingly gave of their time, free of charge during the year, when asked to referee challenge games and it is great to see, what has always been club policy in this regard still continuing. We would also like to acknowledge their willingness to referee schools games when requested.

To all who gave of their time in preparing teams, ie. jersey minding, water, hurleys etc., a big thank you to all. To the many people who provided refreshments for teams or after training sessions, a míle buíochas duit.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

To all those who support and organise our various social activities, during the year, a big thank you. Special thanks to the Dinner Dance committee, who recently organised a wonderful night in the club.

Organising club events, particularly when our main hall is being used is an onerous task and we would appeal to club members to lend a hand when requested to do so. Thanks also to all members and friends who support all these activities.

SCÓR/TG4

Thanks to Liam Ó Laochdha for organising our participation in the Scór competitions during the year. Also, this year after a lot of persuading the club was represented on TG4’s “Ceist GAA le Hector” quiz show. Andrew Curtin and Keith McCarthy travelled to Co. Galway to participate on our behalf.

GOLF CLASSIC

The club thanks Jerry Russell and his hardworking organising committee for keeping the golf classic going for another year. Fundraising at the present time is not the easiest and we would like to thank all who sponsored the prizes, tee boxes, etc., and those who took par in this valuable club fundraiser.

LOTTO/COUNTY BOARD DRAW/FINANCE PROJECT

A big thank you to all who are supporting our club Lotto, County Board Draw and our new Finance Project, all valuable fundraisers for the club.

The club has four dedicated lotto teams who take turns to run the lotto on Monday nights. We also have some volunteers who give a hand whenever they can. Thank you all for continuing with the smooth running of the lotto. Thanks to Shaun Oliphant who distributes and collects lotto books, from the various people and outlets, throughout the town and surrounding areas.

We would like to acknowledge and thank all the business in town for allowing our lotto to be sold on their premises and also those who buy and sell tickets.

The County Board draw currently has a membership of over 300 and we thank all who continue to sell and support this draw. Thanks also to Finbarr Coleman, of our Finance Committee, who co-ordinates this draw for us.

SPONSORS

The club is indebted to many people and businesses that sponsored various events in the club during the past year. To anyone who sponsored in any way we very much appreciate your support

MEMBERSHIP/INSURANCE:

Membership registration with Croke Park is now an annual requirement, for insurance purposes and so that the Membership Cards can be issued by them. It is important that this is done early as possible in the year. We have a number of categories of membership and our club Registrar will be only too pleased to provide details on request.

CLUB SHOP

The club shop is getting bigger and it is great to see the children and adults now wearing our club colours around town with pride. Continued success to Catriona and Áine and thanks for your ongoing commitment to the shop.

MEDIA

Once again our local station Community Radio Youghal (CRY), continues to provide great coverage of the local matches. It is a great asset for those that may not be able to attend our games that they can keep up-to-date at all times. Thanks to Mick Sheehan, Mick Walsh and their co-commentators who provide the commentary for the games. Congratulations also the club PRO, Derek Kiely, for his award winning GAA show. We acknowledge also, the local Youghal News and the East Cork Journal for covering club games and activities.

WEB SITE/TEXT SERVICE

Thanks to Cormac Galvin who continues to provide the club with the now expected valuable messaging service. It is great that we can all get to know what is going on for the week with this great service. Cormac also keeps the web site updated and this is a valuable means of keeping up-to-date with club activities for those that have had to move from town. Thanks to all who contribute and provide information for these valuable services.

EMPLOYMENT/EMIGRATION

The country continues to be blighted by unemployment and emigration. Our own town and club have certainly not escaped from these dark times, and we must all hope that things might change soon. The club wishes all those who have gone away and those who are considering going all the best and we sincerely hope that some or all of you may be back sooner rather than later.

STRATEGIC REVIEW

Changes continue as part of the new plan that will be implemented with all clubs. The big changes for this year saw the launch of Coiste na nÓg, to run all juvenile matters from minor down, within the county. County leagues were also introduced for all divisional winners of adult competitions. A review of the year and plans for the future were spoken about at a recent County Board meeting. This club will have to implement further changes as they come on stream.

SOCIAL INITIATIVE & ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS

It was intended at the start work on this project during the past year. It is recommended that every club should become involved in running events which would be suitable for the older members of our community. It is an opportunity for every club to possibly involve people who would have played with our club but who no longer participate in club activities. A lot of these people, if they became involved again would offer valuable experience and knowledge that could only benefit our club.

45 DRIVE

This is a weekly social event that is proving very popular and we thank, Gene Fox, Maighréadh Ní Laochdha and Angeline Murphy, who organise the weekly game. Again more support from club members would be welcome each Tuesday night. It is a weekly event that could possibly be incorporated into the Social Initiative by the club.

Elected Officers

President Dan O’Sullivan

Chairman Ger Motherway

Vice Chairman Michael O’Regan

Secretary Alan Hennessy

Treasurer Ned O’Connell

PRO Derek Kiely

Culture Officer Liam O Laochdha

Teams and Managers for 2012

Premier Intermediate Hurling: Peter Queally

Intermediate Football: Peter Queally

Junior ‘A’ Football: Micky Walsh and fellow selectors

Junior ‘B’ Hurling: Kevin Curtin

Under 21 ‘A’ Football: Aidan Foley

Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling: Con Spillane

Get Ready for the Brand new Panel Discussion show coming soon to  CRY104fm

WHAT’S IN A NAME? – Knockanore’s Marita Kelly,Youghal’s former first lady Mary Linehan Foley and Linda Carroll who’s now resident in Carrigtwohill  form the 3 panel team on this new afternoon show on Community Radio Youghal where the ladies will review the weeks happenings in the world of Politics and Current Affairs both locally and Nationally before looking at all the latest Entertainment and Fashion news with all the latest Celibrity gossip and Reality TV news .

What the ladies are missing is a name for their brand new show and they want to hear from you with any suggestions you may have for a name for this “Midday ”  style panel  discussion show .

If you have any ideas please text Community Radio Youghal  on 024 92288 , Text us on 087 2544745 , Leave a message on our Facebook page  or e-mail us on programmes@youghalradio.com

Let’s hope a new Christmas tradition has started in Youghal with last night’s (Thur 8th Dec 2011) staging of Harmony’s Christmas Special in the Methodist Hall. I left the hall with a spring in my step, a song on my lips and a kindly wish for Christmas.  The whole experience was full of seasonal atmosphere.  This was largely due to the venue, the staging, the choice of programme and the great talent. Report/Pics by YOL.

Before the performance the director Finbar Hannon thanked the many people who helped with the production including, Gordon Good and the Methodist Community, Susan Healy who decorated the hall and the accompanist for the night Tracey Symon.

The first half of the programme was a medley of songs from the musicals mixed with solo vocal performances by Terri  Fitzgerald, Ruth Hayes, Tish Flanagan Pa Murphy, Leah Ahern and Liz Coleman and a solo harp performance by Jane Crowley.

During the interval a presentation was made by the director Finbar Hannon on behalf of Harmony to John Power who accepted the cheque on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.

The second half got under way with the audience swaying and singing along to the Gospel Songs performed by Harmony Choir conducted by Finbar.  The Gospel singing was followed by more numbers from the solo artists and then a duet from cousins Esther and Kitty who sang the well known number “Sisters”!  One of the high lights of the show was the re- enactment of the 1915 singing  of ‘Silent Night in No Man’s Land’ between the trenches.  The solo was performed by Finbar Hannon supported by the male members of the Harmony Choir.  The whole effect was both memorable and moving.

Changing the tempo up a gear the Harmony Choir was joined by children from Blackwater Academy,  Chatterbox and High Spirits for a medley of Festive Favourites.  The atmosphere created got the audience to join in with gusto.  Another moving interlude was created by Jack and Esther performing the duet ‘A Winter’s Tale’.  The entire show was rounded off with two Christmas Carols ‘O Come all ye Faithful’ and a powerful rendition of ‘Silent Night’.

The intimacy and atmosphere of the setting along with the joyful participation of the audience made for a special Christmas event to be remembered and hopefully to be repeated.

‘Harmony’ is pleased to announce that we have secured performance rights for Martin McDonagh’s hilarious play ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ which we will stage in the Community Centre in May 2012.

Click on image to enlarge – Photos by YOL

Congratulations to Simon Prim from South Main Street, Youghal, who was conferred with a MA in Politics at University College Cork, last Tuesday 6 December. The Winter Conferring Ceremonies are taken place all this week.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Ireland and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. On Sunday (4th December 2011) at The Nook Bar, North Main Street, Youghal, the great  ‘Movember Tash-Off ‘ took place featuring – and removing- some of Youghal’s oldest and greatest moustaches! Live music and grub on the evening provided a great craic and all donations were in aid of mens health.

On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shave face and then for the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Mo Sistas are the women who register to support the men in their lives, raising funds by seeking sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros & Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

December 8th is a Catholic Church holiday (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) is when people normally start shopping for Christmas gifts, and is one of the busiest shopping days in the run up to Christmas. Youghal people fondly remember when ‘Pasley’s old man’ was on display, in the run up to Christmas, at the old Pasley’s grocery shop at North Main Street, Youghal. Hope the picture here reminds you of Christmas past.

The History of ‘Pasley’s Old Man’

‘Pasley’s Old Man’ was made in Germany in 1870 and was displayed in Pasley’s shop window every Christmas from 1880  -2002. In August 2003 Pasley’s transferred its business to Brookes Supervalu and has been on display there ever since.
The statement ‘ I never got a “drop” at Pasley’s’ refers to the fact that alcohol was never sold in Pasley’s for many years.
The ‘bottle’ of Guiness is actually a Christmas cracker and dates back to about 1910. To date, 4 generations of the Brookes family have been involved in the grocery trade in Youghal since John Brookes started at Pasley’s in Youghal in 1888.

Moby Dick on the horizon as Youghal plans new literary festival  -  By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL is set to pursue Moby Dick once again as the town’s Concerned Citizen’s group is poised to harpoon a literary festival to Herman Melville’s tale of the great white whale. The one-day festival will be launched on March 16th and is intended to target to American market in particular, with the bait of St. Patrick’s Day 24 hours later an added, cleverly laid lure for attention.

While generally recognised in this part of the world, Melville is extremely acclaimed in the US and anything pertaining to celebrate his name and fame is certain to attract American attention.

The festival hopes to include live webcast debates between American colleges and locals who played parts or extras in the opening scenes. Other ideas being developed include “readings, a photography exhibition and re-enactments,” according to PRO for the YCC, Ruth Vance. “But we are inviting other proposals from the public as well,” she adds.

The initiative comes fifty eight years after director John Huston and his entourage temporarily transformed the east Cork town into a the whaling centre of New Bedford on America’s eastern seaboard. Huston and stars such as Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, Leo Genn and Ireland’s Noel Purcell dazzled locals while considerably boosting the local economy over three glorious months of glamour as they shot  the opening scenes of the much acclaimed film.  Youghal has long prided itself on its associations with Moby Dick but the link has remained undeveloped from a tourist perspective until now.

Olly Casey

Recently retired town councillor and mayor, Olly Casey, visited New Bedford, as guest of ex-pat association Sons of Saint Patrick.

As a 12 year-old, Mr. Casey witnessed the 1954 filming and his reminiscences regaled large gatherings over three days in which Paris-based Irish theatre company Gare St. Lazare Players Ireland, performed  a one-man adaption of the story. “I was struck by the people’s fascination for everything about Moby Dick,” says Olly. “They all wanted to come to Youghal and that interest indicates a major potential for our town’s tourism.”

Youghal Concerned Citizens, which was founded last February, adds the Moby Dick Literary Festival to its growing list of annual events, including Mackerel & Regatta and Halloween festivals and a Teddy Bears’ picnic. A Dickens-themed Christmas commences next week.

Inquiries etc., to Ruth Vance on 086-3252278 or Adrian Hyde (024) 91355; e mail: youghalcc@gmail.com.

Summer arrives in December to re-enchant as new art gallery opens. – By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL has acquired a new art centre with the opening of Frida Gallery at 38 South Main Street last Wednesday (November 30th). Youghal Mayor Eoin Coyne cut the tape on the new business, which is owned by Offaly-born Lora Murphy, now in her fourth year of residency in the town.

The three-storey building, owned by Lora, formerly housed a tattoo parlour on its first two floors with a painting studio in the upper reaches. The two lower floors will now accommodate exhibition spaces, where artists from throughout Ireland are expected to display their work. “I hope in the long term to provide a focal point where young and emerging artists can be encouraged and can display their work,” says Lora.

A graduate from UCC, free-spiriting Lora arrived in Youghal having resided for over 20 years in Montana and Alaska. She was poised to settle in Abbeyside, Dungarvan –indeed had paid a deposit on a house- when a day trip to Youghal turned her head. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful the town was and immediately opted to live here instead!,” she recalls. She purchased a home in the strand the work base in South Main Street.

Inspiring

Frida Gallery is named in honour of Frida Kahlo, an iconic early to mid-19th century Mexican artist renowned particularly for her surrealist self-portraits, depicting “pain and passion”, through intense, vibrant colours. Her work is highly celebrated in Mexico as emblematic of national and indigenous tradition, and by feminists for its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. “She was and remains a hugely inspiring figure,” says the inspiring Lora, simply.

Last week two new exhibitions were launched at ‘the Frida.’ On Floor 2, Re-enchantment currently features abstract paintings by Greystones painter Barbara O’Meara. The inaugural ground floor exhibition carries the wishful title of Summer in December’ a theme carried by over 20 established artists, local and national, in ‘Plein Air’ mode as the easel world terms it -that is to say, the paintings are outdoor creations. They traverse oils to acrylic to watercolours and all points in between, with representations varying from Killarney’s luscious landscapes to a Kerry rave scene by way of a County Cork rail station!

Orphanage support

The gallery will donate 25% of its income to an orphanage project in Uganda called Toro Babies Home. Championed by Lora’s partner Lars Moeslund and run by Norwegian volunteers, the orphanage houses over 50 children, whose parents have died or are dying of AIDS.  “It provides a ‘substitute  mother and family’ and enables them to have some normality through attending school etc,” says Lars. “The plan is to make the orphanage as self-sufficient with its own food production over the coming years.” The gallery will continue to support the orphanage project into the future.

Summer in December and Re-enchantment run until Christmas Eve from noon to 6 pm. Enquiries: 085-8866424; e-mail: mornag@usa.net; fb: look up Gallery Frida

Please click on image to see more photos of the opening night of Gallery Frida – Pics by YOL

Yes, it’s definitely Christmas! Santa is here!  Santa certainly visits boys and girls around the world in many different ways, but on Saturday 3rd December 2011, Santa made a spectacular entrance on water with the help of local sailing school, Aquatrek to the Quayside in Youghal.  Organised by Youghal Town Council’s Heritage Committee, Santa was transported on horse with his ‘one horse open sleigh’ to The Mall Arts Centre for an afternoon of free fun and festivities where the children of Youghal were treated to a ‘free’ Santa visit.

Hundreds of kids turned out to greet Santa on the day, which saw the Youghal Pipe Band give of their time to accompany Santa to Market Square in the town for the turning on of the Christmas Lights. The occasion was made all the more special with a blessing by Canon Browne of the Christmas Crib which was presented by Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development.  Speaking about the event, organiser Clodagh Mahon thanked all those who assisted in making the event possible.  “This event was meant to really lift the spirits of the families of Youghal and I really believe we managed to achieve that even for one day.   We wanted to take the pressure off many hard-pressed families, providing a ‘free-Santa’ visit on the day.  Our sponsors once again allowed us to undertake an entirely free event, really demonstrating the community Christmas spirit in the town.”

Local Mum, Zara Kelly was thrilled with the day, commenting: “Well done to everyone involved in the festivities. It was a fantastic day and very well organised and run by those involved. My 3 year old woke up this morning and said “Mom and Dad, thank you for my lovely day yesterday”. Her smiles were all down to the hard work ye put into it. Thanks so much to all involved.

Following on the party atmosphere, the stunning surroundings of Youghal’s 13th century St. Mary’s Collegiate Church played host to the inaugural Medieval Christmas Market on Sunday 4th December 2011. With over 1200 people attending the event, it proved to be a  one-stop shop for all Christmas gifts with in excess of 15 first class indoor stands on show.  The magnificent setting showcased craft and food products of the highest calibre, including quality textiles, pottery, children’s medieval themed arts and crafts, jewellery, fine art, sculpture, confectionary, jams and preserves, cheeses and many more.  Warmed mulled wine was on hand to warm the cockles of visitors as they browsed and was very gladly received by the visitors!   This event was proudly organised by local volunteer, Catherine Desmond of the Youghal Heritage Committee.  “We were really thrilled with the turnout on the day, and hope to build on the success of this year in years to come.  This venue is such a wonderful setting, and is just another event in the calendar year to celebrate Youghal’s Medieval past, following on from the annual Medieval Festival each August.

Photos: Denise FitzGerald courtesy of the East Cork Journal.