Bhí slua i láthair i gClub Áras Chumann Lúthchleas Gael ar an Luan 8ú Márta.Bhíodar bailithe ann do Láinseáil Seachtain na Gaeilge. Photo: Michael Hussey YoughalOnline.com

Chuir Liam Ó Laochdha, Cathaoirleach Chonradh na Gaeilge, fáilte roimh gach éinne agus chuir sé Finín Mac Cárthaigh, Aoi Speisialta, in aithne don slua. Dúirt Finín gur seans iontach é Gaeilge a úsáid ag an am
seo den bhliain agus mhínigh sé dúinn go bhfuil níos mó Gaeilge le cloisteáil i Stormont ná i nDáil Éireann.

Bhí díomá air nach raibh dea-shampla á thabhairt ag Dáil Éireann dúinn go léir. Ansin láinseáil sé Seachtain na Gaeilge go hoifigiúil. Chun críoch a chur leis an ócáid, ghabh Liam Ó Laochdha buíochas le gach éinne a bhí i láthair: tuistí, scoileanna, múinteoirí, daltaí, Finín Mac Cárthaigh agus le Club
na hÉochaille as a náiseanna a chur ar fáil.

Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan was the guest of honour at the official launch of Youghal Foroige’s Youth Centre and Café at Nagle House, South Abbey. The premises currently accommodate the offices of three valuable youth projects –the Youghal Youth Café, Youghal Garda Youth Diversion Project and the Youghal Community based Drugs Initiative. It is also home to a burgeoning range of youth activities and options. By Christy Parker

Ms. Logan was one several dignitaries that visited the town for the occasion.

They list of speakers who travelled to attend included Ryan Howard of South East Cork Area Development (SECAD), Detective Inspector Brian Dowling deputising for Garda Superintendent Flor Horan), Foroige Area Manager Denis O’Brien, Brendan Dempsey, Regional President of the St. Vincent de Paul, Peadar King, Chairman of the Regional Drugs Taskforce and Mairi McMahon, Vice-Chair of the national Council of Foroige.

Present from the more local community were Chairwoman of the Youghal Youth Development Committee Katrine Twomey, youth film producer Gavin Hurley, the Seaside Girls -2009 under-14’s Y Factor winners, Foroige youth participants Killian and Denise Collins, Catherine Curly, volunteer with the Hot Spot youth café and Darragh Lee, the 2009 over-14’s Y Factor winner.

Last, first and at all times in between were the excellently adept young MC’s Adaline Roddy and Bobbi Donoghue, whose eloquence and enthusiasm ensured the flow of speakers arrived and departed the stage appropriately.

The Hot Spot café was a room united in purpose as it hosted a polished ceremony that was informal and good-humoured, with the speakers delivering their thoughts briefly and sincerely.

Tour of excellence

Prior to the ceremony, guests were afforded a tour of the location and nobody could fail to be extremely impressed by what they saw. Nagle House has evolved –and continues to evolve- into a positive, enriching environment, where colour and light reassures the senses and where every one of the dozen or so rooms in use suggests involvement, inspiration and idealism. From the downstairs café, music and new sports room to the upstairs blue room with its massage seat that shares the corridor with the administration offices, a wonderful air of opportunity persists.

Against this background the various speakers addressed the gathering. It would be impossible to recount all contributions but the following points were amongst those illustrated:

Youghal Youth Development Committee

Katrine Twomey explained that the Youth Development Committee included representatives of SECAD, an Garda, Foroige, Youthreach, the Southern Regional Drugs Taskforce, Pobalscoil na Trionoide, the Community development Project and RAPID. There were many youth projects running in the town at present, she said and the committee were considering options for possible usage of the remaining half of Nagle House, in consultation with it owners, the St. Vincent de Paul, and SECAD. In difficult times, she said, “the youth centre will always have a positive environment for interaction.”

A song and an Area Manager

Following a highly accomplished performance from The Seaside Girls, accompanied by youth worker and singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Bobby Lee, Foroige Area Manager Denis O’Brien took to the podium. He reviewed the history of Foroige in the area, recalling various achievements and disappointments. He said a turning point arrived when Youghal acquired RAPID status as a town with socio-economic needs and was allocated badly needed funding.

Mr. O’Brien elaborated said the recruitment of full time youth worker Nicola Lucey followed and sparked a gradual improvement in fortunes for Youghal’s youth initiatives. A relationship with the St. Vincent de Paul evolved and culminated in the Society providing the rent-free usage of half the space in Nagle House. He thanked the Society for their invaluable contribution towards theirs and Foroige’s “common goals of social justice and human development.”

The manager observed that in recent years Youghal Foroige has won funding for a drugs project and for a Garda Diversion project, which brought an expanded youth service and three more workers. “In 2009 more than 335 young people used this premises,” he noted. “That makes everything worthwhile.” He thanked all involved, “especially the staff who work from Nagle House and who did so amidst cold and dust, during its two-year refurbishment.”

Drugs

In his first official engagement since being appointed last September, Peadar King, Chairman of the Regional Drugs Taskforce delivered high praise for the centre, citing “very good infrastructure” as essential for delivering good quality services.  He also reflected that this year will see the introduction into the Constitution a whole new plateau of children’s rights. “The actually details are really, really impressive. It’s been a very good week for children and should be celebrated,” he surmised.

Mr. King said the SRDT was contributing €37,000 of public money to the Nagle House project. In 2009, he said, 55 local young people and 40 family members were assisted and supported by drugs force workers Eric Trihy and Debby Long. He described the SRTD as working through brief intervention, applying programmes and principles to assist those struggling with reliance and addiction, “including getting them to the stage of abstinence.”

Garda

Detective Inspector Brian Dowling of Midleton Garda station spoke on the Garda Youth Diversion Project, which is being co-ordinated from Nagle House by Catherine Ryan and Kieran McCarthy. The garda said the programme “aimed to divert people away from behaviour likely to draw the attention of the local gardai” and arose from reconstructed community policing. “It aims to foster collaborative partnerships between gardai and community organisations,” he proceeded. The appointment of a community garda, such as Peter Queally in Youghal, was part of the process. The inspector remarked on a successful enterprise in 2009, which saw local gardai play soccer matches against boys involved in the project. He then made a ‘man of the match’ award for “outstanding skill” to young player Justin McCarthy who, he presented with a Munster rugby jersey. Asked for a comment, replied young McCarthy replied with un-hesitating honesty, “The gardai are brutal at soccer!”

Zombies

Gavin Curley, 14, introduced “Zombie House Hunters,” a brief film project which he helped produce as part of last year’s East Cork Film Project. Gavin appreciated how the project had introduced him to camera usage “and all the different aspects of film making.” It had brought him “one step closer to being the next Steven Spielberg!” he joked (I think). The film brought a highly entertaining portrayal of the more ghoulish potential of house hunting and should be compulsory for all those equally scary estate agents.

Personal experiences

Denise Collins and Killian Daly, 19 and 17 respectively, then spoke of their involvement with Foroige Youth Services since its inauguration in 2005. Denise, a member of Inch Foroige for five years, recalled being low in confidence initially.  In her second year she engaged with Youghal youth projects and subsequently became involved with the youth café, before joining the East Cork Youth Council, where she still serves. At 18 she became a youth leader, undertaking Foroige 1, 2 and 3 level training. She is presently contemplating a course in youth work. She said she “would not have discovered how much I like youth work were it not for Foroige. Its many programmes ensured I had to talk to different kinds of people,” thus increasing her confidence.

Killian -“most people call me Butterbean” – joined the Foroige Youth project in 2005 and became involved with the youth club in 2009. He was “just a bystander for the first year” but thereafter “came out of my shell.” He subsequently became a member of the youth café committee and an active member of both the East Cork Youth Council and the Garda Youth Diversion soccer group. He has particularly enjoyed the various indoor and outdoor activities that Foroige provides. His confidence nurtured, he may yet follow a path as a social worker later in life, he said.

St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Secretary Brendan Dempsey was “really impressed” by the current structure of Nagle House. “We used to use it as a holiday home for pensioners but it had deteriorated and would have cost about €2m to bring it the required holiday standards today,” he explained. He was “particularly delighted” with the community Garda involvement, given the high regard in which that policing initiative was held throughout the county. Recalling how Foroige had tabled an acceptable proposal for half of the building, he said, there would be “no opposition from me if you want the second half..” In conclusion, he acknowledged the role of Nano Nagle founder of the Presentation Sisters, from whom the St. Vincent de Paul acquired the building.

National Council of Foroige and Nicola Lucey

Chairwoman of the National Council of Foroige, Mairi McMahon, was a most appropriate guest having, as she described, “started out as a Presentation Sisters Novice before ending up in Foroige!” She said Foroige “believes strongly in the beauty, dignity and value of every person.” Ms. McMahon welcomed the variety of resources that enabled the Youghal centre to “provide for many kinds of activities in a welcoming atmosphere.” Within its walls, were to be found opportunities for “learning, relaxation, participation and responsibility,” she observed.

As a volunteer leader herself the chairwoman welcomed the relatively high number of volunteers who gave up at least two hours weekly to help Youghal youth projects. These included about ten youth café volunteers, volunteers overseeing music projects that catered for about 40 young people and two volunteers with the drugs project. She hoped they all derived as much satisfaction from their participation as she did from hers.

Acknowledging the contribution of all parties, Ms. McMahon particularly thanked Nicola Lucey for her “tireless” endeavours over 4 ½ years, during which “she sourced many of the grants to fund Nagle House, recruited and trained volunteers and worked diligently with young people, showing them Foroige’s purpose and philosophy.” She wished Nicola all the best on her upcoming departure and also in her life as a new mother. The applause for Nicola was deservedly earnest and resounding.

SECAD support

Ryan Howard of SECAD said his organisation was delighted to support Foroige through the years. No less important than funding and administrative support, he said, was the “need to believe” in order to develop the skills and commitment to achieve dreams. He urged all concerned to “keep the process going” and SECAD would continue to support projects to the best of its ability.

Café  volunteer

A mother of five Catherine Curley described the challenge and satisfaction of being a volunteer worker in the Hot Spot youth café. She recognised it as “a safe place for young people to hang out” but also a wonderful place for her, where genuine friendships were easily forged. She had got to understand young people better and had gained confidence through her participation.

Another song

Darragh Lee, his status and confidence raised by a highly acclaimed performance opening for Liam O’Maonlai at St. Mary’s Church recently, provided ample evidence that the 2009 Y Factor over-14 winner is likely to win many more awards should he pursue a singing career. His powerful rendition of Mick Flannery’s ‘Goodbye’ suggested an a talent arriving. He was succeeded on stage by the final speaker, Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan. Goodbye Mick Flannery

Children’s rights

Ms Logan’s affinity for the rights and interests of children and young people was palpable throughout. The former nurse described how, prior to acquiring her position in 2004, she had to undergo an interview process in which children interviewed her for the post. That represented a principle in which she strongly believed. So also did she strongly adhere to the principle that children be afforded belief and respect as individuals. “Its not something they earn. They deserve it,” she explained. Foroige, she said, recognised that.

Echoing the theme touched upon by Mr. King, the ombudsman spoke very welcomingly on the upcoming constitutional changes on children’s rights. “It means a changed perspective,” she said. “Before, it has always been assumed that adults knew better, but adults need to hear children. We must never stop believing in them,” she continued, “and adults can then see the rewards of believing in children.” Ms Logan praised the facilities, the efforts, the commitment and the very essence of what she had seen in Nagle House, urging all involved to “be proud of what you have here.” She then stepped forward to unveil the wall plaque to declare the Youghal Foroige Youth Centre and Café officially open.

FOROIGE:  Founded 58 years ago, Foroige provides a range of youth work services though the operation of Foroige clubs, local youth development projects and youth information centres. In this way it meets the developmental needs of young people generally and also focuses on vulnerable young people as affected by poverty, marginalisation, social exclusion, school issues, crime, substance abuse and family difficulties. By Christy Parker

Foroige’s services are primarily directed at adolescents and membership is confined to 12-18 year olds. However, it also operates local youth services and local youth development projects involving 10-20 year-olds. In helping members to become confident, caring individuals, it reaches some 50,000 young people annually, through 5,000 volunteers and 300 paid staff.

The organisation describes its purpose as enabling young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own and society’s development through developing their character and talents; thinking for themselves; having fun and making friends; building positive relationships, acquiring skills and knowledge and improving the community.

The Youghal Youth Project and Café

The Youghal Youth Project and Café provides such activities as: one-to-one support; after school groups; Junior and Leaving Cert support; youth music groups; First Cut film project; East Cork Youth Council; Focus groups for targeted young people; summer programmes; annual youth events.

The newly opened Hot Spot youth café is available to any person 13-17 from the Youghal area. It aims to provide a safe recreational space for young people to socialise, develop their lives and personalities and access services when required. It is managed by one full-time worker, who is supported by trained, adult volunteers. Opening hours are 7.30pm-9.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 7.30pm-10.00pm Fridays.

Co-ordinator: Nicola Lucey: Tele: 086-1702347.

Youghal Community Based Drugs Initiative

The initiative aims to enable young people who misuse or are at high risk of misusing alcohol or drugs to involve themselves in their own development, including taking positive steps to overcome problems due to drug and alcohol issues.

The project also operates family support groups for those whose lives are affected by alcohol or drug abuse in their homes.

Each Community Drugs Initiative has a local management committee comprised of local residents, professionals, an employing agency and the Regional Drug Taskforce. The age group is flexible but generally targets those between 14 and 21 who may have developed drug or alcohol addictions, or who are considered at serious risk of doing so.

Referrals to the initiative come from such sources as GP’s, social workers, gardai, the probation service and the general community. Thereafter the aim is to support the young person to change their substance use habits, either through harm reduction methods or encouraging total abstinence. The person may be also encouraged to take up education, participate in local youth activities or be referred for treatment.

Presently, a home detox support service is being developed in Youghal, piloted by a local GP. This programme is partly a response to the dearth of detox facilities, the difficulty in accessing treatment programmes and to accommodate those seeking to get clean without treatment.

Co-ordinator: Eric Trihy. Tele: 096-3842183

Garda Youth Diversion Project

The Garda Youth Diversion Project is a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative that seeks to divert 12-17 year-olds from anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. The service seeks to help young people understand the consequences of crime and stay out of the justice system. There are almost 100 Garda Youth Diversion projects running nationally.

The Youghal Garda Youth Diversion Project seeks to help young people who a) have been involved in crime and are deemed at risk of remaining within the justice system; b) have not been referred by the juvenile liaison officer but have come to the attention of gardai, community or local agencies and are at risk of entering the system eventually.

Participation is voluntary but the Youghal project strives to provide suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic and personally responsibility and work towards improving the long-term prospects of the participants.

Types of activities being promoted under the project fall under such following categories as: group and individual work; life-skills; family support; health initiatives; outdoor pursuits; seasonal prpgrammes’ day trips; youth information.

Co-ordinators: Catherine Ryan (tele: 086-0481956) and Kieran McCarthy (tele: 0867814849).

* The general, landline number for services based in Nagle House is (024) 90793.

The exemplary work being conducted through Foroige at Nagle House continues with a new youth club now being added to the many projects and programmes being conducted at the venue. Nagle House Youth Club caters for 12-15 year-olds and is being co-ordinated principally by Foroige Youth leader Emer Power, assisted by fellow-leader and Community Garda, Peter Queally. Both leaders have attained Module 5 –the highest on Foroige’s youth leadership training programmes. By Christy Parker

The club meets ever Wednesday night and held its inaugural meeting three weeks ago. The young members are currently in the process of electing its officers from their ranks. “They nominated and seconded their candidates and will be electing them by secret ballot next week,” says Emer. “So three weeks in, they’ll have learned one of the basics of democracy!”

Rules:

That they have embraced that admirable concept well is further evident from the mix of ‘negotiable and non-negotiable’ rules and sanctions they have installed thus far. Much thought and debate went into the process and the resultant examples include alcohol/drug use or smoking -or evidence of having done so in the building- resulting in suspension from a subsequent meeting. Mobile phone interruptions during a meeting will also bring sanction. Failure to wash one’s own utensils in the Hot Spot café will result in on washing everyone else’s ware subsequently.

Adherence to such regulations may be essential if, as expected, membership demand exceeds availability. “We’ve had about 20 attending so far and I’d say the maximum we can cater for will be about 30,” says Peter. “And at that we may need some parents to assist. But basically, there won’t be much room for molly-coddling if someone misbehaves too much, with others wanting to replace them.”

Emer’s energy

Who can tell what terrible sins Emer Power committed in a previous life, for the girl’s role in this one would seem to entail perpetual immersion in the affairs of those high-velocity, wise-cracking, optimistic, ambitious, argumentative, indefatigable, fearless creatures known ‘the youth!’ Everyone loves them but it’s an exhausting kind of love after the first 20 minutes!

A native of Youghal, Emer is a national schoolteacher in Killeagh and previously ran the ‘Youghal Youth Club, which ended about twelve months after ago two successful years. It catered for a slightly older age group and ended primarily due, eventually, to a dearth of adult leaders.

New home

A major advantage of the new club is that, unlike its predecessor it has a permanent, purposely-constructed base. “We used to meet in Bru na Si and other places but Nagle House is now very much developed towards youth facilities,” says Emer. “It’s a safe, familiar meeting place and provides everyone with a comfort zone.”

The club has began life relatively late in the year and may or may not continue through the summer. In any case, its tenure thereafter will run from September to June. The club’s functions evolve around a three-point structure: a) formal meeting; b) projects/plans for an event/outing; c) recreation.

Yeah right…principles.

Emer charges the venture with installing confidence, while channelling a sense of responsibility and social and community awareness amongst its members, but in tandem with fun and fulfilment. So while the rules and rigours of democracy contribute an educational aspect, the laughs and freedom that are synonymous with youthful exuberance are no less paramount. The members do not lack for aspiration. “They want to go camping,” says Peter. “In Oakwood preferably!” he adds, in reference to a renowned Welsh theme park.

That may or may not transpire but Peter is insistent that the club members realise that what might come from the Youghal community goes back into it in some way too. “I want them to realise that if, for example, we run a fundraising event, that it’s the people who are giving the money. So, in return turn we may run a graveyard or beach cleaning day or something like that. Those principles are important.”

Meanwhile the general run of things will see much opening of a book of about a thousand things to do in a youth club that fills half Emer’s bag. There are ideas for warm-up games and games to serve creativity, concentration, imagination, co-operation, chair and circle games, sports games and so on. Add in the various other projects, plans, programmes, inter-club events, café times and workshops and hey, its 16th birthday time before they know it! Oh to be starting shaving again…..

Some Nagle House Youth Club guidelines:

In tandem with the club’s recruiting scheme, the following guidelines are made known: The club meets ever Wednesday from 8pm-9.30 pm.

Parents’ responsibility:

The leaders’ responsibility begins when the club starts and ends when it finishes. The members are the parents responsibility outside these times.

Please inform a leader if a your child cannot attend.

If a child is frequently absent or late, the family will be contacted.

If there are activities outside club time, parents will be given a letter and a parent permission form to complete.

If a signed parent permission form is not received for a scheduled activity/outing, the child cannot attend.

Foroige have a number of policies on:

Recruitment of volunteers; child protection guidelines, tobacco, alcohol and drugs; insurance (public/product liability cover); inter club events; organisation constitution.

Club fees: €15per member annually or €25 per family.

Voluntary club leaders: Emer Power, Peter Queally, Barry Storran, Jason Goggin and Eoin Hodnett.

Further details on: Nagle House Facebook: naglehouse.foroige.com; Tele: (024) 90793.

It’s Been A Bad Week For Moustaches
by Christy Parker

It’s been a bad week for moustaches; a poor trip for the upper lip

It’s been poor God knows for the lower nose

Where the fungus halts the drip

It’s been smooth sailing for eyelashes; no fears for beards there be

But it’s been a bum’s rush for the manicured brush

-Thanks to Willie O’Dea

The eyes of the world were on Willie, trying to keep a straight face in place

With the aid of a ‘tache resembling a rash

Or some sort of strange grey life from space

Willie sent that ‘tache up, down and sideways and dancing about on his mouth

As he spun at full throttle in the hope that a brothel

Would not see his career counted out

It stayed true, it stayed stiff yet stayed nubile; it stayed glued as the battle ensued

It remained a non-quitter as Dan Boyle and his twitter

Tried to make Willie’s job stewed and screwed

It stayed stubborn near Cowen and Coughlan, refusing to fall in the Dail

As Willie insisted and further persisted

That his memory had lapsed –that was all!

But all hairy lips were a-quiver; men sighed and some women cried

Because unfortunate Willie looked increasingly silly

The more the truth showed he had lied!

Until even the Greens were embarrassed, then held sway at the end of the day

As the tape soon revealed just what Willie had squealed,

They called for his head on a tray

Amidst scandal, dishonour and shame, no trim could make Willie less grim

His ‘tache might be cute but the world and he knew it

Was beyond face saving for him

In their graves Mussolini and Hitler will have spun as the story was run

While Einstein no doubt would have failed to work out

How Willie thought he could have won

But now moustache wearers are wary as people they meet on the street

Take one look at the hair and respond ‘I declare

You are probably lying through your teeth.’

In affairs of the pocket or heart, the flash of the ‘tache is naive

And investors in both are being handed their coat

And politely requested to leave

It’s been a bad week for moustaches; smooth grins are now needed to win

So you’d best blow the whistle on your upper lip bristle

And dump it –with Willie- in the bin.

Kíla took to the stage with special guests Mal Blackie and Richie Foley at the hauntingly beautiful St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal. All proceeds went towards future Sacred Root music projects.Photo: B. Cashman and Michael Hussey for YoughalOnline.com

For more info, contact Sacred Root on 087 9957102 or email sacredroot@gmail.com or visit sacred-root.com.
Upcoming events include Luka Bloom on the the 20th of March

Click on image to enlarge

Youghal Community Nights Group celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th 2010 at Cumann Na Daoine, Youghal. Report/Photo: Michael Hussey for YoughalOnline.com

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday.

Every year, there is a theme to the day. The theme for International Women’s Day 2010 is Equal “rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.”

International Women’s Day celebrates century in the year 2010 : Although the date has only been recognized by the United Nations in 1975, the International Women’s Day was established in 1910 during the World Conference on Women held in Denmark. Therefore, a hundred years ago on March 8 the day is dedicated to women.

The choice of March 8 refers to that day in 1857, when textile workers in New York in the United States went on strike, occupying the factory, and their lobbying for easing the daily working hours, from 16h to 10h.

These workers – who received less than a third of the wages of men – were closed in the factory where they started a fire. About 130 women were burnt alive.

Professionals North American in 1903 created the Women’s Trade Union League, an association which had as objective to help all workers to demand better working conditions. Five years later, over 14 thousand women marched in the streets of New York protesting for the same reason the workers in 1857, and claimed the right to vote.

They walked under the slogan of Bread and Roses, where the bread symbolized the economic stability androses a better quality of life.

Cumann Na Daoine
Catherine Street, Youghal
Tel: Stacey 024-91900

Davie Murphy from Youghal, with the help of his family, friends and supporters, held a very enjoyable Table Top Quiz at the Youghal Rugby Club recently. The quiz is part of ongoing fund-raising activities to help Davie’s mission to Haiti where he will help to build houses with Cork born charity Haven. Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

Davie needs to raise €4,000 in fund-raising events and appreciates any help towards this worthy cause. Fellow Youghal natives, John O Riordan and Bobby Lee will also travel with Davie to help in the disaster zone where the terrible earthquake occurred on Tuesday 12th January 2010.

Each volunteer is required to raise a minimum of €4,000. Approximately €2,000 of this covers flights, accommodation, food and water for the duration of Build it Week. The remainder of the funds raised will go towards building materials for the houses that you will build during Build it Week.

Volunteers will live on site in basic accommodation, and will take part in all activities that go into the running of the camp as well as the construction of the new homes: roofing, plumbing, painting, medical, catering, water distribution, etc. With your help, Haven will build 300 houses across Haiti this year. Davie told Youghalonline.com that he would like to thank all the supporters, participants at the quiz, Youghal Rugby Club and especially the kind generosity of the sponsors in helping him to help Haiti. -Youghalonline.com
Click on image to enlarge

Meantime Theatre Company presents The Good Father at The Mall Arts Centre – March 13th 2010

Directed by Maria Moynihan and starring James Browne and Una Kirwan, Christian O’Reilly’s ‘The Good Father’ is a contemporary love story of how two people starting at the end try to reach a new beginning.

Tim and Jane are from different sides of the class divide, but when a random meeting at a New Year’s Eve party leads to an unexpected pregnancy they attempt to form a relationship against all odds.

Jack O’Rourke, music teacher at Pobailscoil na Trionoide, will provide an originally-composed live piano score for The Good Father. Jack studied music and composition at University College Cork and has worked musically on other exciting theatre projects such as Dark Week, a promenade piece at the Everyman Palace Theatre for Cork Midsummer Festival 2005, where he collaborated with Cork chanteuse Annette Buckley. He also composed the haunting piano score for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Granary Theatre last year. He fronts folk-rock band, Front Porch and will be supporting Luka Bloom in St. Mary’s Church, Youghal, on Saturday 20th March.

Jack is hugely enjoying his first year at Pobailscoil na Trionoide and is delighted to find himself in the Mecca of budding musical talent. He hopes that the inhabitants of his new hometown will come out to support The Good Father at the Mall Arts Centre, and that everyone enjoys the show!

Tickets on sale on the door at €15/€12,  show starts at 8pm !

Sean O’Neill is a well known and highly respected Playwright and Director. He lives in Youghal, where he is happy, comfortable, and back in the town he has loved all his life.
By Denise FitzGerald  Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Born in Dublin, the son of a Kilkenny man, Sean remembers being told by his father and uncles many times during his lifetime, that he was related to Fr. Peter O’Neill – the Irish Catholic Priest born in Coona, County Cork in 1757, brother of the famous Fenian Michael O’Neill Crowley.  During those troubled times,  Fr. O’Neill was accused of sanctioning the murder of a United Irishman suspected  of being a Government Spy.  Fr. O’Neill refused to give information, was arrested, received 275 lashes without trial, held in prison for two years, and then transported in 1800 to Australia.   He was released on January 15th 1803 and sailed to Ireland where he was reinstated as Parish Priest of Ballymacoda on July 29th, 1803 and where he remained until his death on June 30th, 1846.   All Youghal natives will be familiar with the memorial erected to his memory in Green Park.

Sean O’Neill may, or may not be related to this much revered son of Youghal but his love of the town and surrounding areas is the reason why he has decided that the World Premier of his new One Man Show, entitled ‘The Passion,’ will be staged in the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal with the opening night on Tuesday March 30th, running through to Saturday, April 3rd. Sean said he had options of premiering in theatres in different cities, including Dublin and Cork, but decided to bring his Show first to the town of Youghal.

Despite studying drama in London in his teens, and working in films following this, Sean’s real love is writing and directing.  Some of the diverse shows with which he was involved include Playboy of the Western World (Director), West Side Story (Director) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, to name but a few.

The title ‘The Passion’ indicates immediately the theme of this One Man Show, but Sean assures that this is a ’Passion’ with a difference.   For several years he tossed the concept around in his mind, and gave great thought to the life of Christ as we have been taught.  This Show, he says, ‘is about an ordinary man doing extraordinary things’.   It tells the story of Christ from the beginning of His ministry at age 30 when he was baptised by John the Baptist.    The story is based on the perspective of humanity, with all the feelings and emotions of man, and the circumstances that moulded the character of Christ.  Why did Christ do what He did?   Why did all of this happen?  What were His thoughts, feelings, ambitions?   How was He to deal with them?

The role of Christ is played by well known Youghal actor, Brian Hogan.   This is a very exciting and challenging role for Brian who, in this Show, will play the diverse parts of not only Christ, but also Peter, Judas, Joseph, and a Centurian.   Sean is delighted with his choice of actor, and says that Brian has all the talents, emotions and, most importantly, he has a ‘presence’ which will captivate any audience.

Sean confirmed that everything to do with this Show is being done on a local level.  All the stage props, carpentry, lighting etc., are in the hands of local Youghal people, and he is delighted to be able to bring employment to the area.

And so, we introduce Sean O’Neill, Playwright and Director, to the people of Youghal where the Fenian, Brian Crowley O’Neill and the Priest, Fr. Peter O’Neill  from Ballymacoda in the 1800s may be his ancestors.  Then again, they may not.

Make a firm date to go along at Easter time, from March 30th to April 3rd to the Mall Arts Centre, and get another perspective on the wonderful theme of Christ, the man, in the World Premier of Sean O‘Neill‘s, ‘The Passion’.