Scenic view of Youghal's famous quays - A favourite for artists and photographers

An Taisce monitors all towns of population 6,000 and over independently, in accordance with international grading standards.   Commenting on the result for Youghal, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “An excellent result for Youghal, a seaside tourist town.  Many of the top ranking sites were not just clear of litter but very well presented and maintained, for example Lighthouse Hill, Front Strand, the Town Walls as well as St. Mary’s Collegiate Church .

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The North Main Street of the town came in for particular praise with shop fronts cited as being “well presented, with bunting across the street adding a splash of colour.”  It was proclaimed to be “a well maintained street’ by the panel.

Other sites given particular mention in Youghal included the Lighthouse Road considered “ a superb stretch of road which has been very well presented and maintained – it was enhanced by attractive street lighting and the way in which it has been so well cared for and respected.  Also given particular mention was the Front Strand noted for being “another immaculate site in Youghal – the individual houses were very well maintained – and the whole stretch of road gives a very positive impression of Youghal.

The Strand Youghal - by Wim Stan

“To mark the success of Youghal as one of the 9 towns receiving the ‘Sustained Excellence Award’ it will receive a number of birch trees for planting locally.  These are provided by the Irish Tree Centre, an IBAL member based in County Cork” said Dr. Cavanagh.

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“The local authorities in award-winning towns such as Youghal have a strong rationale behind their sustained efforts in combating litter.  They recognise the returns that a litter free environment can bring to a town.  It clearly attracts tourism, but it also draws inward investment in the form of shoppers and also commuters and others opting to live in the surrounding area.  At a time when retailers are struggling and ghost estates are proliferating, the need to attract new inhabitants has never been greater.”

“Our environment continues to get cleaner despite a tightening of the public purse at local authority level, says Dr. Tom Cavanagh, Chairman IBAL.  “This indicates that the fight against litter is not about money.  It’s equally about a spirit of local pride and volunteerism among the local community, and we’re seeing a resurgence of this in the current climate”.  Concluded Dr. Cavanagh.

Issued by: Youghal Town Council

Further information contact: 024-92926 E: liam.ryan@corkcoco.ie

IBAL Anti Litter League Finale 2011 Results Table
Rankings     Town/City     Status
1     Trim     Clean to European Norms
2     Swords     Clean to European Norms
3     Killarney     Clean to European Norms
4     Cavan     Clean to European Norms
5     Dun Laoghaire     Clean to European Norms
6     Wexford     Clean to European Norms
7     Youghal     Clean to European Norms
8     Ballincollig     Clean to European Norms
9     Waterford City     Clean to European Norms
10     Fermoy     Clean to European Norms
11     Cobh     Clean to European Norms
=      Castlebar     Clean to European Norms
=     Bray     Clean to European Norms
14     Naas     Clean to European Norms
15     Dungarvan     Clean to European Norms
16     Ennis     Clean to European Norms
=     Ballina     Clean to European Norms
=     Nenagh     Clean to European Norms
19     Longford     Clean to European Norms
20     Kilkenny     Clean to European Norms
21     Tramore     Clean to European Norms
=     Sligo     Clean to European Norms
23     Drogheda     Clean to European Norms
=     Monaghan     Clean to European Norms
25     Tullamore     Clean to European Norms
26     Kildare     Clean to European Norms
27     Maynooth     Clean to European Norms
28     Clonmel     Clean to European Norms
29     Dundalk     Clean to European Norms
30     Tralee     Clean to European Norms
31     Galway City     Clean to European Norms
32     Roscommon     Clean to European Norms
=     Newcastlewest     Clean to European Norms
=     Mullingar     Clean to European Norms
=     Athlone     Clean to European Norms
36     Arklow     Clean to European Norms
37     Wicklow     Clean to European Norms
38     New Ross     Clean to European Norms
39     Cork City     Moderately Littered
40     Mallow     Moderately Littered
41     Navan     Moderately Littered
42     Gorey     Moderately Littered
43     Carlow     Moderately Littered
44     Limerick City     Moderately Littered
45     Dublin Airport Environs     Moderately Littered
46     Tuam     Moderately Littered
47     Tallaght     Moderately Littered
48     Portlaoise     Littered
49     Letterkenny     Littered
50     Dublin City     Littered
51     Tipperary Town     Littered
52     Knocknaheeny – Cork     Litter Blackspot
53     North Inner City Dublin     Litter Blackspot

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IBAL Anti-Litter League 2011,

in conjunction with the Department of the Environment

Youghal:  7th out of 53 towns / cities surveyed.  Litter Classification – Clean to European Norms.

An excellent result for Youghal, a sea-side, tourist town.  Many of the top ranking sites were not just clear of litter but very well presented and maintained e.g. Lighthouse Road, Front Strand and Town Wall and St. Mary’s Church & Collegiate. Rincrew Roundabout and Waterford Approach Road were also top ranking sites.  There were no bad sites but three failed to make the top grade.

View of Youghal's inner harbour

Rincrew Roundabout:  Grade A.  This was a very clean and fresh site – road surface / signage / markings were in good condition and grass, though high, was not littered.

Waterford Approach Road:  Grade A.  (Mill Road).  There was a virtual absence of litter this approach road.  An attractive ‘Youghal Information’ notice was set in colourful shrubbery.

Store Street / Brown Square area:  Grade B.  This was a mixed site – it comprised a mix of old warehouse style buildings, offices and many modern buildings – some aspects of the site were spotless but not all. As one approached the water there was dog fouling and alcohol related litter on Store Street.

Catherine Street:  Grade B.  Dog fouling was very prevalent along this street – despite Dog Fouling notices and facilities for same.  This is a real pity the presentation of the street has been enhanced by colourful flower boxes and bollards – a good deal more care is required on behalf of dog owners.

Seaview Place:  Grade A.  The individual houses in this residential area were well presented and maintained.  The public grass / shrubbery areas were in good order – overall, a top ranking site throughout.

GAA:  Grade B.  The GAA site was let down by the area immediately surrounding the clothes recycle bank – if this area and the base of the shrubbery were cleaned up it could easily be a top ranking site.

Town Wall and St. Mary’s Church & Collegiate:  Grade A.  A really wonderful amenity which has been well cared for and respected.

North Main Street:  Grade A.  Many of the shop fronts were well presented, some of the paving was in good order and the bunting across the street added a splash of colour – a clean and well maintained street.

Lighthouse Road:  Grade A.   A superb stretch of road which has been very well presented and maintained – it was enhanced by attractive street lighting and the way in which it has been so well cared for and respected.

Front Strand:  Grade A.  This was another immaculate site in Youghal – the individual houses were very well maintained and the whole stretch of road gives a very positive impression of Youghal.

The Strand Youghal - by Wim Stan

Blue Flag with Youghal beach in the background

The lighthouse Hill - Youghal, Co. Cork

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2. YCC And Town Council To Tackle Dog Litter Problem.
3. The School of Irish Archaeology at the Youghal Medieval Festival 2011

Maybe you can use it for your site.

Kind regards,

Wim Stam
Arnhem
Holland

Click on the video below to watch Dutch Wim Stam’s video view of Youghal

Youghal (English pronunciation: /?j??l/; Irish: Eochaill, meaning “yew woods”) is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout. At the 2002 census the population was 6,597, but the population of its catchment area is about 10,000.

Lying on the coastline of East Cork, the bustling and picturesque town of Youghal is deemed one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. The historic walled seaport town of Youghal has many historic buildings and monuments within its ancient town walls, and has been designated as an Irish Heritage Port by the Irish Tourist Board. Formerly a strong manufacturing town, Youghal continues to experience sustained economic decline and employment in the town itself has seen a marked decrease in 2008. Many of the town’s population commute to work in the Cork or Waterford region.

Name

The name Youghal (pronounced yawl) comes from the Irish Eochaill meaning “yew woods”, which were once plentiful in the area. Older anglicisations of this name include Youghall, Yoghel and Yochil.

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Youghal local radio CRY 104fm interviewing "Town Out Of Time" producers Michael Twomey and Kieran McCarthy

At 7pm the Youghal Concerned Citizens held their normal meeting and at 8pm Michael Twomey introduced the documentary. In his introduction Michael briefly explained what the Documentary was about and that when it was over he hoped that the room would discuss what they saw and there feelings about it. He added that if anyone had questions on the actual documentary itself he would gladly answer all questions. One pleasing aspect of this viewing was the some members of the town council were present. While this in itself is not that important, it was significant in that none of the town Councillors attended the first and only other public showing of this documentary despite being invited to do so by the makers.

The room full of viewers numbering approximately 60 people sat silent throughout the viewing, as one person said afterwards you could hear a pin drop. When the documentary finished and the last of the credits rolled up on screen the room broke into spontaneous applause which lasted for several minutes. Michael then invited any questions or comments from the floor. One of the first to speak was Cllr Barbara Murray who congratulated the film makers for making a very well put together piece of work. She continued by saying it would make people think and that people should become more involved and open in discussing what this film showed. People should question more of what this town needs,  sitting here watching this film was very sobering, very sad, it was very reflective and is a very good thinking tool that gets people thinking and talking , that way at least  when something else comes up that people will think about it and talk about it. Many more questions were asked from the floor about the making of the documentary, and issues were raised that many people were agreeing on.

The general consensus was that Youghal was a wonderful town but people needed to be more active in the running of the town, for the next local elections more young people should be encouraged to be involved as this town was their future. Another person from the floor asked Michael if they were planning to do a follow up to this documentary one that showed a more positive side of Youghal. Michael replied that he felt his goal and aim was to point out what he saw wrong with the town, to deal with the feeling of apathy, he felt that he had done that and had gotten people talking about it. It was time for people to move on and if someone else wanted to make a further documentary showing a different side to things he would welcome that but he himself was moving on to other projects, this was a personal project and as such it is now time to put it behind us and move forward.

Another concerned citizen noted that it was an excellent film, but that it should not be put out to the public domain as it did paint a bad picture of the town and if visitors from abroad saw it they might not come to Youghal. Michael replied that it was not the film which would put people off, but the town itself, if changes were not made. People have come to Youghal and said it was a great place, the people were great etc. It is they who will tell others when they go home to visit or not visit the town of Youghal.

After answering question for over 40 minutes Michael thanked everyone for showing an interest and for coming tonight to view the film. He wished Youghal Concerned Citizens Group every success for the future, stating that it’s the people who make the town, not the buildings, the streets, the beaches, it’s the people.

The Clock Gate Youghal - Pic: www.youghalonline.com

As people were leaving the Red Store they were talking about what they had just seen, comments about how good the film was, to how it makes a person think about our town, ideas to improve the town and even the odd comment of “I remember” as they spoke of happier times in Youghal. There are no plans to show this film in Youghal or to make it available on DVD just yet; Michael and Kieran have been invited to several colleges to show the film because it’s something that can happen to any town. They have received a large number of requests from students and educational facilities abroad for copies on DVD. But as the two lads say themselves this was not money making commercial venture, we didn’t receive a cent in funding or sponsorship, nor did we look for it. This was about us telling our side of a story, the fact that it has snowballed and many more people want to hear this story, is for us payment enough.

Visit: www.completecontrolfilms.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/completecontrolfilms.com

What do you think the future of Youghal Town should be? Please share your views by using the comment box below. All comments are moderated before publishing.

Related posts:

1. The Youghal documentary ‘Town Out Of Time’ to be screened at the Belltable, Limerick.
2. Town Out Of Time – The Red Store – Youghal – Tues 7th Jun 8pm – Free Public Viewing
3. YOUGHAL CONCERNED CITIZENS MEETING JULY 5TH 2011

Written & Directed by Michael Twomey | Film & Photography by Kieran McCarthy

Complete Control Films will screen Town Out Of Time documentary film upstairs at The Red Store, Youghal on Tuesday 7th June 2011 at 8:00pm.

This will be the second public screening of this film and due to high public interest you are advised to come early. Admission is FREE.

Comments on Town Out Of Time:

“I was very impressed. It’s an excellent documentary and deserves a wider audience.”
Dr. Gwenda Young. Senior Film Lecturer, UCC

“A searingly honest, well-crafted, well-researched documentary portraying a town struggling to re-establish its identity.”
Colm Keane. RTE Broadcaster.

“…it is taut and focused, sharp and powerful… visually, the film is stunning. The overall effect is of a tragic beauty. This is the kind of filmmaking that we need.”
Dr. Kieran Keohane. Sociologist and author, UCC

“…it’s excellent: raw, powerful…The montage of the closed shop-fronts, in particular, was stunning… a superb piece of work.”
Carl O’ Brien. Chief Reporter, The Irish Times.

This is a story of how a town can effectively die when politicians make the wrong decisions and when politics has no vision.

With interviews from experts and local businesses, the film reflects on how greed and apathy led to the neglect of a town throughout the Irish ‘boom years’.

The Red Store Bar, Youghal
Tuesday June 7th 2011 8:00pm ADM: FREE

A short trailer clip from the documentary. Please press play.

Related posts:

1. “Town Out Of Time” documentary has second public screening
2. Town Out Of Time – Youghal Documentary Film
3. Town Out Of Time – Sun 12th Dec 8pm – The Walter Raleigh Hotel – Youghal Documentary Film

Youghal documentary, Town Out Of Time is to be featured in The Irish Times newspaper this Saturday 2nd March 2011

Having the documentary featured in The Irish Times is a real boost for the local, amateur filmmakers, Kieran McCarthy and the aforementioned Michael Twomey. “It’s kind of bizarre really to make a documentary film for the first time and have the reaction we’ve had and now to see it featured in a series in The Irish Times is a huge surprise and very fortunate. I suppose we shared an instinct with Carl O’ Brien that what has happened to Youghal and to other towns needs to be recorded. The article gives the film the kind of exposure you dream about but it also shows how important local media can be such as YoughalOnline.com and CRY Radio, ”  Michael said. The documentary was screened last December at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, receiving a very positive reaction. “When we made it we thought people might not take kindly to the content because it’s pretty stark. Since we screened it, unfortunately, things have become even starker with the closure of Merricks as well as a number of other businesses. We were pleasantly surprised by the response,” he added.

The producers are currently working on a trailer for Town Out Of Time that the Irish Times has requested to put on their website to use in conjunction with the series. The article is bound to draw more attention to the film. However, the producers said there are no plans at present to re-screen the film but don’t rule out such an exercise in the future.

 

Comments on Town Out Of Time:

“I was very impressed. It’s an excellent documentary and deserves a wider audience.”
Dr. Gwenda Young. Senior Film Lecturer, UCC

“A searingly honest, well-crafted, well-researched documentary portraying a town struggling to re-establish its identity.
Colm Keane. RTE Broadcaster.

“…it is taut and focused, sharp and powerful… visually, the film is stunning. The overall effect is of a tragic beauty. This is the kind of filmmaking that we need.”
Dr. Kieran Keohane. Sociologist and author, UCC

“…it’s excellent: raw, powerful…The montage of the closed shop-fronts, in particular, was stunning… a superb piece of work.
Carl O’ Brien. Chief Reporter, The Irish Times.

Related posts:

1. Town Out Of Time – Youghal Documentary Film
2. Town Out Of Time – Sun 12th Dec 8pm – The Walter Raleigh Hotel – Youghal Documentary Film
3. The Youghal documentary ‘Town Out Of Time’ to be screened at the Belltable, Limerick.

Please click on the playback video below to view todays event.

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For more info on Shane Supple visit http://www.reverbnation.com/shanesupple

For more info on Blue Shed Productions – Video visit www.blueshedproductions.com

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We, the producers of the documentary film, “Town Out Of Time” are writing in response to media reports and an informal message that the Council wishes to view our film at a private sitting in the Mall House. With respect, and without prejudice or malice, we must decline your offer.

There are a number of reasons why, in our opinion, engaging in a private viewing would be inappropriate. Firstly, all council members were invited to the public screening on December 12th at the Walter Raleigh Hotel via email. Some councilors took it upon themselves to respond, some chose not to respond at all, while others stated they would be present. The councilors were invited because we believed they have a vested interest in any reflection, comment, report, opinion, article and so on about the town in which they have put themselves forward to represent. Whether you would have attended in that capacity, as public representatives, or just as curious viewers was not something that could be controlled by us, no matter what way you were invited. We stress that other bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce were also invited via email. Invitations were extended to members of the press and to members of the Film Studies department at UCC and finally to those who took part in the film and those who helped during the making of the film. Beyond these invitations the screening was open to all, free of charge.

Secondly, that none of the councilors were present at the screening at the Walter Raleigh Hotel was not a concern to us. We were relieved, appreciative and heartened by the turn out. We were not aware, throughout the screening, that no member of the council was present. We did not need the council to be present.What was evident in the post-screening discussion was the anger and frustration expressed by members of the audience that no representation was made by the council in what was a public event. It must be clearly understood that the expectation of people should not be seen as ill-judged. Following a very comprehensive and successful media campaign the dog on the street was aware of the event and, more poignantly, what the content of the film was about. If issues about Youghal are being discussed amongst its people and those who represent them are invited to attend and don’t, then they have every right to be angry and frustrated. If any member of the council had expected to take criticism due to the film’s content then there are a number of points that should be made clear.

We as the makers of the film were acutely aware that we ourselves were open to harsh criticism as we were honest in our appraisal throughout the advertising campaign that the film did not paint a pretty picture, therefore we stood to be charged with damaging the town’s image further and hurting those who believe such a portrayal is an insult to their sensibilities. Nevertheless, if one can’t stand by one’s convictions then what is there left to stand by only dishonesty? In short, we were willing to take that criticism on the chin. If the members had seen the film they could not have disagreed with the assertion I made in a Community Radio Youghal interview that no-one in the film is made accountable or blamed for the decline of our town. The film simply looks at what happened. Had even one member attended one can only imagine the kudos (not votes) that they would have gained. For years, Irish politics has been blighted by a small town mentality of gaining favour and votes through the cringe-worthy habit of politicians hanging around funerals, pubs, photo opportunities and so on. At election time, humility and modesty are forsaken as the landscape is marred by posters and streets littered by leaflets telling the public how great they are and what they can do. That world is dead in the hearts and minds of modern Ireland. People of Youghal, who it must be said are of considerable intelligence and oftentimes rare ability, were angry at the screening of our film because they felt councilors who could have attended bottled the responsibility to represent them. Politics is supposed to be for the brave and honest, not the cute and clever. If there was a fear factor then let it be said. If a person is honest to themselves and about themselves then there is nothing on this planet to fear.

Imagine then, if you can, how it would be perceived for Complete Control Films to attend a private viewing of “Town Out Of Time” in the chamber of the council. To engage such action would be to turn democracy inside out – the people should not be going to their council, the council should be coming to the people. To ask such a request is only to heighten the perception that politicians are separate to people, that they are at best ill-informed and at worst arrogant. I have stated publicly on a number of occasions and on the night itself that the council has a thankless job and any council member knows on taking their seat that politics is a lose-lose game. I personally know that many councilors work extremely hard and that local politics is often tougher than the national arena because there is nowhere to hide, it is a goldfish bowl. The public is all too aware of this, but hard work cannot be only evident at a time of the politicians’ choosing but of the people they represent. Being present at the screening of a film that portrays Youghal as being on its knees is hard work but it would have been worth it to you and it would have been greatly appreciated by the people who were present.

Finally, and in conclusion, it is impossible not to wonder what screening the film in the council chamber could possibly achieve. We presume that the invitation is an attempt to right a wrong and that effort, however misjudged and well meaning, is appreciated. There have been many requests to re-screen the film such has been the interest. We are sure that the members are as curious as anyone else, but why should we afford a viewing to you and not the others? Having received an invitation, we do hope to screen the film at Youghal’s Adult Education Centre as a means of supporting students working with communication skills and to discuss the impact of film. This seems to us to be a wholly appropriate exercise. Viewing it in the council chamber serves no purpose, it would only inflate the undeserved self-importance of the film, the producers and the council. We hope that this letter makes clear the reasons why we must, and why we want, to decline your offer. Following submission to the offices of the council, we also intend to publish this letter online as we have been asked by so many people who attended the screening about our intentions following the media report in the Youghal News 20/01/211. Publishing the letter means all the people of Youghal who want to know, will know.

Sincerely,
Michael Twomey
Co-Producer “Town Out Of Time”
www.completecontrolfims.com

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1. Town Out Of Time – Youghal Documentary Film
2. Town Out Of Time – Sun 12th Dec 8pm – The Walter Raleigh Hotel – Youghal Documentary Film
3. Youghal documentary “Town Out Of Time” features in The Irish Times

Live Webcast At The Nook Bar, Youghal

Celtic Invasion

Please support this event

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Written & Directed by Michael Twomey |  Film & Photography by Kieran McCarthy

Town Out Of Time is a film that takes a contemplative look at what happens to a town when all its industry disappears, its economic centre collapses and speculators change the landscape.

This is a story of how a town can effectively die when politicians make the wrong decisions and when politics has no vision.

With interviews from experts and local businesses, the film reflects on how greed and apathy led to the neglect of a town throughout the Irish ‘boom years’.

The Walter Raleigh Hotel

Sunday December 12th 2010  8:00pm  ADM: FREE

Followed by open public discussion.

Related posts:

1. Town Out Of Time – Youghal Documentary Film
2. Youghal documentary “Town Out Of Time” features in The Irish Times
3. Open Letter To Youghal Town Council – “Town Out Of Time” Documentary Film