On Sunday last 22nd August 2010, visitors flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 4th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com| Email: news@youghalonline.com

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 8,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day, a record number for the event. The glorious sunshine made the inclement weather of the event in 2009 a distant memory!

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Village’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in support of the event. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Co. Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were mesmerised by the archery display and huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ played host to some of the best activities seen at the festival to date. The ‘Mumbo Jumbo Circus Workshop’ was a flurry of excitement and activity as kids of all ages learned how to stilt walk or ride a unicycle. The bouncy castle area was a major attraction as children braved the obstacle course over and over again.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ saw the re-introduction of traditional arts & crafts fun. Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Catherine Desmond said: “Parents were delighted with the concept of ‘back to basics’ fun. Children were able to get involved and create their own Medieval Hats and Shields which they could then wear and bring home as a souvenir. Each year the committee tries to incorporate a good balance of fun, education and heritage into the festival and I think it’s fair to say that we achieved just that. Not only did we organise a ‘FREE FAMILY EVENT’ but we also reopened the historic quarter of Youghal which has seen a huge facelift over the last few years”, commented Catherine.

This year more quality food and craft stalls only added to the electric atmosphere of the gardens in ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’.  Traders recreated the colourful atmosphere of a noisy Medieval Marketplace and visitors were given the chance to purchase unique gifts and top quality food produce ranging from homemade ice – cream to wood-fired pizza.

The ‘bandstand area’ featured lively performances from local band ‘Rannach’ followed by local favourites ‘Redmond & John’ culminating with the Youghal Pipe Band.  Community Radio Youghal was of course on hand throughout the entire day to report on proceedings throughout the afternoon.

Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage said: “The event was a tremendous success and the support we’ve seen from the business community in the town deserves a huge acknowledgement. We received some fantastic spot prizes for our raffle and I would like to give them a big thank you on behalf of the committee. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our many hard working volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event. Festivals like these rely heavily on volunteers and it’s great to see such community spirit”.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.
Click on image to enlarge. All photographs www.youghalonline.com. For high resolution image copy of any of the photos seen here please email to news@youghalonline.com with Attention to picturedesk

Key to photographs
91 Youghal Town Cryer Cliff Winser with Noel Curtin and sons Jack and Robbie
105 William and Morgan Joyce with ‘Captain Jack’ Kieran Groeger
107 Paula, TJ and Amy Rusk, Teresa and Sean Slattery with Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley
110 Ann marie Roe, Patrice Desmond and Stacey O’Leary
112 Carmel Murphy from Limerick
113 Derek Kenefick fundraising for the Haven for Haiti building programme
119 Susan and Shane Morgan with facepainter Clara Foley
120 Tina Molloy with her children enjoying the free festival
122 Rebecca Hanna and Coran McCarthy with doggy Kerry at the Medieval Festival
138 Tilly McCarthy and Patrick Walsh
140 Sean Donovan and Ann Power
159 Michelle Hennessy, Sheila Whyte and Sandra McLellan and child
184 James and Alavoine from Cork
187 Seth Lewis and Viki Nagy
190 Mervyn Scott and Noel Cronin from Youghal local radio CRYIssued by:

Youghal Heritage Committee

Tel: 024-81814

E: youghalheritage@mail.com or tourism@youghal.ie

Youghal Medieval Festival 2010 movie clip by local photographer Barry Lawlor. Press the play button to enjoy this short movie clip of the festival

Please contact the photographer for high resolution prints at this ADDRESS:

3 Kenneally’s Tce,
Lr. Cork Hill,
Youghal,
Co. Cork

tel:     +353 086 8595300
email:     info@lawlorimaging.com

www.lawlorimaging.com

Youghal Vintage Club held a vintage display (Sunday 15th August 2010) which included old time threshing, steam engines, vintage  and classic cars all in aid of the Youghal Hospital and Hospice. The event was held at a Farrell’s Summerfield Bar in glorious sunshine and large crowds to see the wonderful machines as well as live entertainment. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Click on image to enlarge

Over 300 people turned up to the opening of the ‘Harvest Art Exhibition’ held at Ballymaloe House on Wednesday (11th August 2010) Mayor Mary Linehan Foley, Sheila & Nick Loughnane, Katie & Johnny Fitzgibbon and  artist Eileen McGoldrick  all  from Youghal.

The broad range of work on view in this exhibition fully represents the exciting artistic life of Cork and its environs, and is a wonderfully engaging and authentic reflection of a genuinely vibrant cultural scene.

Daragh Dukes a musician from Limerick, also from Limerick Colette O’Sullivan, Maeve Magill and Barra O’Toole. Guests were very impressed with the show,  a ‘stunning display of  talent’ was one of the many comments, most  people intend to return and see it again as it was so busy!

Hugh Lonergan CIT, Crawford College of  Art opened the show and  delivered a poignant and witty speech. Delicious canapes were provided in abundance by Hassets Bakery Carrigaline.

This exhibition is a ‘must see’ and will run in the Grain Store at Ballymaloe until Sept 18th, 12noon to 6pm daily.

The organising committee are pleased to announce the launch of the Youghal Farmer’s and Craft Market in Dolphin square on Friday 20th August 2010 and every Friday thereafter from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

This Market will be a vibrant social and commercial year round amenity for the town which  will enable the townsfolk, visitors and people living in the area to access top quality farm produce, artisan food and craft products direct from the producers while meeting with their friends and enjoying a cup of coffee. It will also encourage more people to visit the town thus benefitting the local economy as a whole.

In tune with the current need to foster local employment, the Market will provide a valuable outlet for the products of  farmers, artisan food producers and crafts people from Youghal and the surrounding areas.

There will be a wide range of products to choose from including—
Organic and locally grown fruit and vegetables
Locally produced artisan cheese
Fresh fish
Meat and eggs
Home baked goods
Coffee and Chocolate
and Craft goods

The Committee wish to thank Youghal Town Council for their encouragement and support in granting permission for the use of Dolphin Square as the site for the Market,
South and East Cork Area Development Ltd for their support and assistance in the planning and development of the project and Cumman na Daoine for their support and the use of their facilities throughout the planning and development process.

Monday last (Aug. 9th 2010)Youghal native, Jim Horgan, returned to his hometown to embark on a boat-building initiative in conjunction with Youghal Town Council, Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group and SECAD. Report: Becky Grice | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

And he’s not planning on building it alone. This modern-day Noah is hoping that the people of Youghal will come out and help him create ‘A Yawl for Youghal’ – a two-masted sailing craft similar to a sloop or cutter, but with an additional mizzen mast well aft of the main mast, often right on the transom.
The boat-building will begin this coming Monday, August 9th, at Tynte’s Castle on Youghal’s North Main Street at around 2pm, and anyone and everyone is welcome to come along and help with the building process. For those who want to really enjoy the ‘hands on’ approach, Jim is offering people the chance to sign up for daily building sessions, from 6pm onwards, at a total cost of €50 for 2 weeks, or until the boat is finished.

The yawl was originally developed as a rig for commercial fishing boats and, in its heyday, the rig was particularly popular with single-handed sailors, such as circumnavigators Harry Pidgeon and Francis Chichester.
Within a historical context, the 1928 Webster’s dictionary defined a yawl as ‘a small ships boat, usually rowed by four or six oars’ and the seminal American yacht designer, Francis Herreshoff reflected this traditional definition of a yawl.

But modern self-steering and navigation aids have made the yawl’s ability to be trimmed to sail without rudder input less important, and the yawl has, sadly, generally fallen out of favour.
Cllr. Barbara Murray, a member of the Youghal Boat Building Committee, who was instrumental in getting this project off the ground and into the water, so to speak, picks up the story.
‘The Horgan family are incredibly well-known in Youghal,’ Barbara enthuses, ‘so when Jim came to me with this idea a while ago, it seemed like a fantastic option for the town. Sadly – to use a fishing metaphor – no one was biting, so I decided to take on the project myself and, with a core group of interested individuals, the Boat Building Project began to take shape.’
But Barbara was going to run aground with the project several times before it reached fruition, having to fill in SECAD funding application forms (‘It was a case of third time’s the charm!’) before finding out, just last Thursday, that funding had been granted.

‘It was then a case of all hands on deck,’ Barbara continues, ‘Jim is coming down early to get everything organised, and we’re hoping to have a core group of 8-10 boat builders who sign up for the ongoing project.’
Jim, who now lives in Galway, has boat building in his blood. Widely recognised as almost single-handedly reviving the tradition of boat building in Co. Galway, Jim’s passion for this ‘old tradition’ is self-evident, declaring Youghal as ‘very much a boating town,’ a fact that Cllr. Murray wholeheartedly agrees with.
‘We’ve two key things in Youghal,’ she states, ‘our beaches and our heritage – and we have to take care of both of them as if they were babies. They’re precious and uniquely ours. It would be such a shame if the “old ways” died out, and it’s people like Jim who are keeping them very much alive.’
Building a yawl in Youghal may have been just a clever marketing ploy, but there’s more to it than that, as Barbara explains, ‘In days gone by, over 1,000 salmon would be fished in Youghal every week – most of them brought in on yawls. Albert Muckley’s daughter has completed her thesis on the maritime geography of the town and it is, quite frankly, stunning. Why wouldn’t we keep this tradition alive?’
As part of the Youghal Boat Building Project, noted maritime historians and boat builders will visit the town, giving talks on their particular areas of expertise and about maritime history in general. Jim himself will give two talks at Youghal Library (not, as previously specified three talks) taking place on Thursday, August 12th and the following Thursday, August 19th – both at 6pm.
On the first Thursday night, marine archaeologist Darina Tully will be present and will talk about the traditional boats of Ireland. Discussions will then be led by Liam Coveney, local fishermen and river fishermen and will be of particular relevance to anyone with an interest in the history of Youghal and the Blackwater River. The following Thursday night, noted author and marine historian Niall O’Brien will be the main guest speaker. Entrance is free and all are welcome to attend.

The Youghal Boat Building committee consists of those with an interest in Youghal’s maritime history, including Patrick & Christy Buttimer (whose family were boat builders in the town) and members of the Horgan family including Tommy Collins, CRY, and it truly is a passion project for all involved.
‘It’s going to be fun and informative,’ Barbara states, ‘Jim will be using all the old boat building methods, so people will be able to watch the timber being steamed and carved and it will definitely evoke memories of times gone by.’
Many discussions have taken place about what will happen when the boat is completed, hopefully in time for Youghal’s Medieval Festival in mid-August: Will it be used? Will it be displayed? And, if so, where?
Cllr. Murray tells the East Cork Journal, ‘We already have a large collection of maritime memorabilia in Youghal at the moment, including fishing nets, barrels and nautical aids. It is hoped to add this boat to the collection, and to exhibit it on special occasions and, when possible – if Youghal can create its own maritime museum – to make it a permanent fixture there.’
This isn’t the first time that a project such as this has been attempted (with others taking place in Cappoquin and even in a Galway Shopping Centre), but what makes the Youghal Boat Building Project different is the timeframe and the invitition for anyone to participate.
‘Previously, these schemes can take up to 3 months to complete,’ Barbara admits, ‘but with enough people helping, we’re confident that Youghal’s yawl can be completed in two weeks. Actually, I think it will take three, but Jim’s convinced it will take a fortnight – and he’s the expert!’
The nautical expression ‘sailing close to the wind’ springs to mind…
Regardless of all that, the Youghal Boat Building Project is set to bring a smile to the faces of many who were involved with ‘a life on the ocean wave’ in the town, and is the perfect opportunity to introduce a new generation (who think that ‘ketch’ is just short for ketchup) to a bygone era where hands, not computers, shaped the world.
‘We have to collect history, before it’s lost forever,’ Barbara implores, ‘This way people can literally make history – and that‘s not something you get to do every day.’
So, if you feel like contributing to Youghal’s Boat Building Project, jump on board.
There’s no cost to take part on a daily basis, but if you’d like to be part of the core group or would like further information, please contact Barbara at 087 2854971.
And remember, get involved before it’s too late… don’t miss the boat.

The Methodist Hall, Friar Street, Youghal is the very suitable venue for an amazing exhibition of talent by Youghal Art Group.   The Exhibition  includes exhibits from all thirteen members of the Group, which includes eight ladies and five men. Report:  Denise FitzGerald | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com | Email news@youghalonline.com

On Friday last, July 30th local author and award-winning radio journalist,Youghal man, Colm Keane, accompanied by his wife RTE newsreader Una O’Hagan, arrived in Youghal to perform the official opening of the Exhibition, where a large crowd of people were already packed into the Methodist hall, admiring the paintings on exhibit. Colm spoke eloquently to all present, and said how delighted he was to have the honour of officially opening this wonderful Exhibition.

Included in the paintings Julia Cracey Cox’ painting “All Creatures Great and Small” which was the winner of the ICA Challenge Cup Cork Federation 2010, and “To Fanore Beach” which was highly commended at the Burren Art competition, Lisdoonvarna 2010.   Exhibitors include Risteard MacSuibhne, Louise O’Loughlin, Brigid Hughes, Chris Meehan, Michael O’Loughlin, Gretta Kelleher, Marina O’Loughlin, Julia Gracey Cox, Vanessa O’Loughlin, Bríd O’Brien and Gwillym Dewick.

Painting, they say, “ is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do”!

The members generously make a donation to local charities in lieu of cheese and wine at the opening night.
This was their 16th exhibition.
Youghal Art Group (024) 93376 or 087-7670413

Click on image to enlarge

HARVEST Opening night is Wednesday August 11th.Thursday August 12th it is open to the public and runs daily from 12noon to 6 p.m., August 12th until September 18th at The Grain Store, Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co. Cork

Combining the work of three painters – Rebecca Bradley, Diane Magee and Louise McKeown – with that of four ceramic sculptors – Liz Burgess, Andrea Cashell, Martha Cashman and Nedyalka Panova – this is an exhibition that varies in approach, content and theme, but is united by the location in which these artists live, the dedication with which they work, and their instinctive responses to the world around them.

The four ceramic sculptors exhibiting work in an array of different methods, demonstrating mastery of each medium along with flair, imagination and skill.

Based in Kinsale, Liz Burgess creates elegant and contemporary torsos of male and female forms, and garden sculptures inspired by the rock formations found at beaches around Cork, in raku-fired ceramics. Andrea Cashell is an award-winning ceramic artist from Youghal who makes contemporary slab-built sculptures using white stoneware clay, based on the organic forms and repeat patterns found in nature like those of shells, plants and flowers.

Martha Cashman is also from Youghal, now Cork based, and a very well known ceramicist who transforms the most humble of objects, such as tools and spoons, into symbolic pieces using delicate porcelain with bright lustre glazes, woven wire and wood. Nedyalka Panova is Bulgarian but lives and works in Cork, and is an award-winning ceramic artist whose work, inspired by nature, uses using a wide range of materials and techniques, from fine bone china to raku.

Each of the three painters in the exhibition also responds directly and immediately to the individual environment in their work.

Rebecca Bradley was born in London in the 1960s and has lived and worked in Fermoy for the past eighteen years. Ranging from light, open, minimal paintings to more densely worked textural pieces, landscapes and places she has visited provide a starting point for her work.

Diane Magee was born in Youghal, where she lives and works, and her work explores and records the landscape, light and views which surround her daily. Originally from Clonmel, Louise McKeown is based in Kinsale where she runs her own gallery.

Deriving ideas, tastes and styles from various sources, she produces both landscapes and portraits, with her painting primarily influenced by the Irish countryside and its rich colours and people.

The broad range of work on view in this exhibition fully represents the exciting artistic life of Cork and its environs, and is a wonderfully engaging and authentic reflection of a genuinely vibrant cultural scene.

www.rebeccabradleyartist.com            www.andreacashell.com

www.marthacashman.com                   www.dianemagee.com

www.louisemckeon.com                      www.nedyalkapanova.com

Liz Burgess (website in progress) tel: (087)7532956

On Tuesday (August 3rd 2010) last the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr. Mary Linehan-Foley and members of the twinning association welcomed a group of teenagers and their supervisors from Larmor-Plage in Brittany. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Youghal has been twinned for almost 25 years and this visit will serve to strengthen the strong links that have been forged between the two towns.

The French teenagers, who were accompanied by their supervisors Marion and Thierry, are camping in Youghal and are enjoying their experience of holidaying in East Cork.

They are part of a group named Multivacs which organises activities for teenagers living in Larmor-Plage.

3 August, 2010

Publication of detail on areas for possible divesting of catholic primary school patronage

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, TD, today published the outcome of work undertaken by her Department, at the request of the Catholic Church, to identify areas that may offer potential for the church to divest its patronage of certain primary schools.

The possibility of the Catholic Church divesting itself of certain primary schools was raised by the church with the Tánaiste’s predecessor as Minister for Education and discussed at a meeting in November 2009 with senior representatives of the church.

At the request of those senior representatives, the Department undertook to identify possible areas where the demographics and existing school configuration was such that there might be potential for the Catholic Church to consider divesting patronage.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills has today made this information available on the website of her Department.

The following criteria were applied in selecting the initial locations where a change of patronage may be warranted in areas outside of the five (5) city areas of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford:

1. Areas with a population of greater than 5,000 persons and less than 20,000 persons, as per the 2006 Census;
2. Areas that did not experience greater than 20% growth in the inter-censal period 2002-2006 and where the establishment of new schools is unlikely to emerge until at least 2016;

3. Areas that have at least three primary schools within a 2km range of the CSO Town Boundary; and
4. Areas where school provision is predominantly Catholic or where there is very limited diversity of provision at present.

A total of forty-three (43) town areas satisfied these criteria and six (6) were selected at random, having regard to achieving a diocesan and geographic spread for the purposes of more detailed analysis.

The four (4) Dublin City areas are random samples of areas that have relatively stable demographics where no new schools may be warranted in the medium term.

They are also areas that have a predominance of denominational school provision.

The Catholic Church authorities may now wish to identify some areas to trial the modalities by which the number of catholic schools could be reduced and thus releasing some schools for other patrons.

The decision on the identity of the particular catholic school or schools to be trialled will ultimately rest with the Bishop, as patron, and the catholic community in the parish or parishes concerned and must follow consultation with the parent body and staff of the schools.

Should the Catholic Church identify any such schools, there will be a need to put in place a range of processes, including appropriate consultation with staff, to address the implementation issues that might arise, such as ownership of buildings and transfer of staff.

These will include the necessary arrangements to consult and decide on the future patronage of identified schools.
The report can be accessed through the link below
www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/report_divesting_of_patronage_primary_schools.pdf