Community Radio Youghal held its 2011 AGM at a well-attended main hall in Cumann na Daoine, Catherine Street on Monday 13th June. At last year’s AGM of Youghal Communications Ltd (the company that runs Community Radio Youghal), new Articles of Association were adopted, paving the way to open up membership of the station.

C.R.Y Chairman, Tommy Collins welcomed all present to the meeting and proceeded to get through the agenda. The AGM heard of much progress made during the year. There are over 100 members of Community Radio Youghal to date, and this figure is expected to continue to rise. Volunteer activity at the station is also on the increase, with some 130 volunteers active with the station at the moment.

The meeting was told how, in common with all other businesses in the area, the radio was finding the current business climate very challenging, but the station is keen to play its part in supporting local initiatives and events. Reference was made to the two top national awards won by the station since the last AGM – for the ‘Last of the Yarns’ series and the ‘Perspectives’ programme. Two more major series, supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland  will be made in the Autumn; one about life on and around the Blackwater and the other focussing on Youghal’s Heritage Trail.

Plans are at an advanced stage for a move to premises at Nagle House, where – subject to available funding – new studio facilities will be built. These will allow the station to better accommodate and facilitate its increasing number of volunteers and to provide a much improved service to the listener.

The meeting was taken aback when, towards the end of the AGM, Tommy Collins announced that he was stepping down as Chairman and from the Board. After several member present expressed their surprise and disappointment at this announcement, Tommy agreed to remain on the Board for the time being. However, he re-iterated his intention to step down from the chair at the next meeting of the Board.

A members’ draw was then held.

The Chairman then closed the meeting and invited all present to partake of some light refreshments.

 

Michael Del Punta is the latest singing sensation to come out of Youghal. The talented 19 year old crooner wows the diners with his singing in the popular Capri Bay Italian restaurant in Youghal, where he works as a part time waiter. The diners have discovered that Michael is not only good at serving tables, he displays his fine talents singing his favourite songs by artists such as Sinatra, Crosby, Tony Bennett, etc., much to their delight and surprise.Report/Photo: Michael Hussey & Tony Irwin for YoughalOnline.com

The UCC student found he could not afford to bring his girlfriend to fancy restaurants so he decided to work as a part-time waiter in town. After meeting the proprietor of Capri Bay, Gerald Esposito, he immediately got the job and has been working there part-time for the past seven months. While working, Michael would often break out in song in the kitchen, when Gerald and his father Rocco asked him, with such a magnificent voice, to go out and sing to the customers. This has proved to be so popular that he has been affably called ‘the singing waiter’ by the customers and now Michael sings regularly to the packed restaurant. Now, customers come from far and wide to hear Michael serenade them at the tables as ‘the singing waiter’.

A recent Youtube videoclip of Michael singing in the restaurant, made by YoughalOnline.com, is rapidly climbing in the rankings of the entertainment section and is just one of many to be uploaded by YoughalOnline.com in the near future. Michael was also interviewed by Shane Supple on Youghal’s local radio station, C.R.Y.

His debut self-titled EP, recorded at Claycastle Studios in Youghal, has exceeded all expectations, so much so that he had to order a second pressing, such is the demand for the singing waiter. Michael says his goal one day is to sing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, sell twenty five million albums and appear on the Late Late Show!

Michael and his family, who have been living in Youghal for the past seven years, originate from Verona, Italy. Since he was a young boy, when his older siblings were listening to the likes of Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Madonna or Kylie, Michael’s first contact with music was through his mother’s record collection consisting of works by Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He has continued this love of that ‘big band’ genre ever since. He has trained his voice with the help of well-known music conductor, Mary Peadar-Daly where she taught him to study his breathing technique so much so that Michael and his mature voice have been likened to Michael Bublé, although his favourite artist of all time and greatest influence is undoubtedly Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

After moving to Youghal from Italy and studying at the old Youghal CBS school (he was the last person to do the Italian Junior Certificate exam in that school), he completed his fifth and sixth year studies in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide and now currently studies Arts at UCC, Cork City.

Michael has proved to be so popular, he is asked to sing regularly by friends at parties and weddings and is growing in confidence all the time. Speaking exclusively to YoughalOnline.com, he said “I am amazed by the reaction of the Youtube video and would like to thank YoughalOnline.com and everyone involved for their support” and confidently added “the way I see it, you should be able to do whatever it takes to make it to the top.”

So on your next trip to Capri Bay Italian restaurant to hear the singing waiter, when ordering your “big-a pizza pie”, you’ll get “Amoré” than you bargained for!

For the latest updates on Michael Del Punta go to his fanpage on Facebook or click here to view his Youtube videos.

Jane Crowley and Holly Rose Twomey are presenters of a newly formed radio show known as ‘The janeholly show’. Photo: Youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

janeholly are currently in their 7th week working with local radio station, C.R.Y. (community radio, Youghal) The Girls were more than happy when station Manager, Declan Gibbons invited them to do a recording of one of the first shows the Girls had prepared. After hearing the connection and brilliance janeholly had together on air, Declan told the Girls about C.R.Y.’s new schedule which began on March, 30th. The girls were offered a place on the schedule every Tuesday from 6:30-7:00 P.M. on 104 F.M.

The first show was aired and received amazing response. With top of the charts music and competitions, the phones were buzzing. With many thanks, of course, to Claire Keniry and Isha Savage who controlled the text line and the phones in the station’s office. On each show, the Girls play the latest Music, talk about Fashion, Movies, Sports, Town events and much more. The Girls have also interviewed lots of interesting people such as: Nicola Lucey, winners of the Y Factor 2009 ‘the Seaside Girls’ , Nikita Savage of Youghal athletic Club, Mr.R and Breffny Morgan from last years ‘The apprentice’.

So, of course, tune into janeholly, Tuesdays at 6:30-7:00 on C.R.Y.’s 104 F.M. or listen online on www.facebook.com or www.youghalradio.com To enjoy the very best of Youghal radio!

Jane Crowley and Holly Rose Twomey from Youghal have been best friends for many years.   Jane, daughter of Margaret and Eoin, Copperally and Holly Rose, daughter of Michael and Catherine, Ardrath Park, are both thirteen years old and 1st year students in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal. Denise FitzGerald Reports | Photo: Youghalonline.com

When the local radio station, C.R.Y. recently looked for volunteers to help with their extended on air-hours, the girls decided it would be fun and applied.  Speaking with the East Cork Journal, Holly and Jane told of how they met with Declan Gibbons, Station Manager, who discovered that the girls were top notchers on all the latest movie releases, gig reviews, music charts and magazines styles.   Declan gave them the opportunity to produce a pre-recorded show, and then another, before giving the go ahead to the girls for a live radio show as, Declan said, ‘they have a natural on-air chemistry’.

Tuesday, March 30th last was the fantastic debut of The janeholly Show when the girls plugged into the 104 frequency and let it fly.   Their 30 minute show covered a range of topics, including all the above, and also gave details of events in the town, school news and sport.    Such was the success of the show that their phones were inundated with calls, texts arrived at a hundred a minute, and there were many calls to the Station itself.

Chatting with the East Cork Journal, the girls told of how their parents were delighted with their involvement with CRY, and how their many friends contacted them with ideas for future broadcasts, ideas about what else could be covered (and sometimes HOW it should be done!).   As their show is all about what they themselves are interested in, it had a light, enthusiastic and enjoyable element which was picked up by all listeners.

Jane and Holly were loud in their praise of two more friends, Clare Keniry and Isha Savage, who worked very hard behind the scenes answering the phone and taking notes of the many requests and questions being submitted.

“It was great”, the friends enthused, “and we are working on future programmes together which will be bigger and better as time goes on.  We are delighted we had the courage to apply, and intend to present a great half hour each week.   We are hoping our show will encourage more young people to tune into CRY”.   Confidence, indeed, from two thirteen year old budding radio presenters.

You can give the girls a call on 024 91199  or text on 087 2544745 for any requests or suggestions, and you can be sure they “will give it Holly – or perhaps that should be

“give it janeholly!”

Check out the CRY facebook page entitled CRY Youghal where you can listen online while you chat to your friends, or of course on www.youghalradio.com or www.youghalonline.com

Back in 1991 Mary Sheehan joined the team of C.R.Y. Youghal as a volunteer – having in mind doing a little admin work, answer the phones etc.,  but certainly with no thoughts of ever getting behind the ‘mike’.  Well, things didn’t go quite the way Mary planned and she ended up doing ten years of broadcasting, presenting not one but two programmes, one which was co-hosted with Eddie Maloney.   The Deise News programme, which Mary presented every second Saturday ,was one of the most listened to and certainly a very great favourite with the listeners.   Her very special way of talking is unique to Mary herself, and the chuckle in her voice delighted everyone who tuned in to her programme. Report: Denise FitzGerald / Photo: Michael Hussey E-Mail: news@youghalonline.com

On Saturday last, November 12th, Mary ‘hung up her earphones’ at the end of her Deise programme, much to the regret of not only the listeners, but also her colleagues at C.R.Y.   Mary, however, after ten years said that it was time for her to ‘move on’, but promised not to lose contact completely with the Station, which gave her so much pleasure and sense of achievement over the years.

Much to Mary’s surprise and delight, all the presenters and her colleagues at C.R.Y. gathered at the end of her programme to wish her well, and to thank her for her years with the radio.   A magnificent crystal bowl was presented to her, along with a huge bouquet of flowers which were given by her friends at the Station.

Mary said she wished to thank all who helped her so much over the years, and in particular to her listeners who she called ‘her special air friends’.  Margaret Carey, she said, was fantastic on the phones and her writing exemplary and so easy to read.   She paid tribute to Colin Paynton for his efficiency and co-operation over the years and to all who helped her in any way.

Mistletoe was produced and everyone availed of the meaning of it to give Mary many good luck kisses.   Tributes were paid to her and, as one of her colleagues said, ‘Mary is the real lady of CRY’.  Before she left the Station at the end of ten years of broadcasting Mary, with a few tears in her eyes, promised that ‘maybe’ this would not be the last that the listeners would hear of her.   Let’s hope you keep that promise, Lady Mary Sheehan.
Click on image to enlarge

Author Nicola Depuis talks about her new book Mná na hÉireann – Women Who Shaped Ireland, which includes a chapter on the extraordinary Youghal born Anna Haslam. The interviewed with Stan Notte for C.R.Y. Youghal local radio will air on Tuesday (24th Nov. 2009) at 6.20pm.
Click here to listen to the interview – Podcast courtesy C.R.Y. Youghal Local Radio

Mná na hÉireann – Women Who Shaped Ireland by Nicola Depuis

From Queen Medbh to Mary McAleese, Constance Markiewicz to Nell McCafferty, this is a collection of profiles of women who have shaped Ireland.

All too often when people discuss important figures in Irish history, only men are represented. When women are mentioned, it tends to be the same one or two well-known figures. Yet Irish history is full of an impressive array of women who have brought change and progress to the island and their stories are collected together for the fist time, in Mná na hÉire­ann.

From nuns to aviators and revolutionaries to civil rights campaigners, Mná na hÉire­ann profiles over fifty formidable Irish women. These profiles bring to life the amazing courage, determination and selfless actions of the inspirational women who have shaped this nation.

THE MNÁ NA HÉIREANN WHO MADE THE LIST:

Mary Aikenhead   Doctor James Barry  Louie Bennett   Eavan Boland   Saint Brigid   Sister Sarah Clarke   Margaret Cousins   Eileen Desmond   Bernadette Devlin McAliskey   Maire Drumm   Biddy Early   Ann Louise Gilligan & Katherine Zappone   Maud Gonne   Lady Augusta Gregory   Veronica Guerin   Anna Haslam   Lady Mary Heath   Nora Herlihy   Garry Hynes   Mother Jones   Nan Joyce   Sister Stanislaus Kennedy   Delia Larkin   Doctor Kathleen Lynn   Mary McAleese   Nell McCafferty   Catherine McAuley   Mairead Corrigan Maguire & Betty Williams   Catherine Mahon   Constance Markievicz   Queen Medb   Joan Denise Moriarty   Agnes Morrogh Bernard   Nano Nagle   Rosemary Nelson   Christina Noble   Edna O’ Brien   Sinead O’ Connor   Nuala O’ Faolain   Maureen O’ Hara   Grace O’ Malley   Sonia O’Sullivan   Anna Parnell   Edel Quinn   Mary Robinson   Adi Roche   Peig Sayers   Hanna Sheehy Skeffington   Edith Wilkins

Author Information
Nicola Depuis is from Cork. She has worked as a journalist for eight years writing for the Irish Examiner, the Irish Independent and The Evening Echo. Her journalistic experience and her lifelong interest in the role of women in our history has inspired her to write Mná na hÉireann.

Mná na hÉireann
is published in hardback at €24.99

C.R.Y. is a busy, successful and necessary source of entertainment and information for the people of Youghal and East Cork.   From its formation, the Radio Station has gone from strength to strength, and whilst most of the work is done by volunteers, the time has more than arrived when a Station Manager is necessary to improve and extend the scope and efficiency of C.R.Y. Denise FitzGerald Reports/Photo Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Declan Gibbons, a Kilkenny man, saw the advertisement for C.R.Y. on CRAOL website, which is a network for community radio stations.   He was immediately interested and promptly applied for the position.   After interviews, meetings and more interviews, Declan was offered the position which he was delighted to accept.

The East Cork Journal spoke with Declan and asked him how he felt about the relocation from Kilkenny to Youghal.   Declan replied that he and his wife, Christina, know Youghal quite well and have some friends in the area.   This, however, was not the only reason for his interest – in fact, Declan is a total radio buff – with a passion for anything which is broadcast.   Even though he is, as he terms it, a small farmer In Kilkenny (if such a thing as a small farmer exists!), his life revolves around radio and all it represents.   He was involved from 1994 for many years as a volunteer with Radio Kilkenny and enjoyed it immensely.   His forte was sports and current affairs broadcasting, but all aspects of radio interested Declan.   From 1997 to 2000 Declan was the main sports presenter with Radio Kilkenny.    From 2000 to 2004 he was involved with CKR – Carlow Kildare Radio.   He was also head of sport at KCLR 96fm.   Around that time, Declan was approached with a view to setting up a temporary Radio Kilkenny station as only a temporary licence was available at that time.  He was responsible for all aspects of setting up the Station, and such was the success of the temporary station that seventy volunteers came on board, all keen to make a go of it.   Declan told the East Cork Journal that application has now been made for a full licence, and Radio Kilkenny is hoping to go on the airwaves as soon as this is granted, a fact of which Declan is particularly proud.

When asked of his plans with regard to C.R.Y., Declan was very enthusiastic and excited about the challenges ahead of him.  His first step, he said, is to meet with as many people and organisations as possible in the Youghal and surrounding areas to find out what they want from C.R.Y.   He sees the Station as an essential part of people’s lives, and he is determined to achieve this.   All the ingredients are there, and Declan is determined to make a positive and permanent impact on the listening pleasures of all who tune in.   With such enthusiasm and determination, we have no doubt that he will succeed.

Listen to CRY on 104fm or visit their website on www.youghalradio.com- also click on link at the top of this page for direct feed to CRY radio broadcast.