Christmas Eve – By Christy Parker

Bated breath, eyes open wide, anticipation wells inside

On the night that culminates past the ‘father of all waits’

Visions of a laden sleigh crossing moonbeams on its way

Induce each hour to tease and test young brittle minds that cannot rest

And who, propelled on shoeless feet, hasten toothpaste across teeth

Lest that wise man knowing why, should see them sleepless and pass by

So scrambled sheets secure and tell the all-seeing eye that all is well

Where palms pressed hard by little fingers authenticate the wait that lingers

Like a song whose chorus when, it finishes starts up again

Is that a noise upon the roof? Could it be a reindeer’s hoof?…

If you’re awake he’ll turn and go, so shut those eyes that he won’t know

But angels gliding by your bed wrap you in sleep and dreams instead

Of morning time that will shed light on the magic of that night

In coloured packages of paper that cannot wait a second later

For young hands that tear in fear that they might somehow disappear

Before the joys so wound and bound inside the packages are found

Meeting friends from far away, home for Christmas, not to stay

Noisy bar in beer-gut scrudge, with precious little scope to budge

Brain engaged in one last push to somehow win that counter rush

Then laden with the liquid force, squeeze back to rejoin the discourse

Now sprouting through intoxication wings of wild imagination

And answering the clarion call of bonhomie and alcohol

Soars you past the stifling clouds of mediocrity and crowds

To the rightful place where you belong: upon the throne of chat and song

An erstwhile Queen amongst your peers in the War of Lending Ears

Your voice is resonant in glory through every charge of joke and story

But the battles not being lost, impose on you that loathsome cost

Of wilting balance, muscles weary, vessels swollen, red eyes bleary

Yet, one more round -make it a double- in this rosy Christmas bubble

Not quite ready to be burst while there remains this ego thirst

Until you cross the beer-strewn floor towards the night and your front door,

Remembering in lurching pause, tonight Mum, you are Santa Claus.

 

“Christmas Eve” taken from  ‘Don’t Step In The Poems’ by Christy Parker available at Alan Prim’s Bookshop, 6 South Main St, Youghal. Co. Cork. Phone: +353 (024)92781

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

The History of ‘Pasley’s Old Man’

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

“Xpose Xmas Xperience”
Friday 2nd December
Quays Nite Club Youghal Doors open 8pm

TIME TO GLAM UP FOR CHRISTMAS by attending “Xpose Xmas Xperience” Youghal with special guest Avril Geary “Style Coach and Image Consultant” Avril will be on hand throughout the night and will be giving advice on how to dress for your body shape.

This red carpet event will take place in the Quays Nite Club on Friday the 2nd of December at 8pm and will showcase some of Youghal’s finest  fashion and beauty.  Tickets cost only €15, and on the night you will be greeted with a champagne reception and canapés. One lucky person will win an extreme makeover which will be uncovered on the night.

A facebook competition is currently running to choose the lucky winner for more information on how you could be in with a chance to win go to Youghal Chamber facebook page.  Experts will be on hand to give plenty of fashion advice; beauty tips glamorous hairstyles and gift ideas for Christmas.

You will also have an opportunity to buy some fabulous gifts for Christmas at a special “Xpose Youghal” discounted price on the night!  And if that’s not enough you will receive a goody bag on arrival and a draw will take place for some fantastic prizes and spot prizes will be given throughout the night.

After the show you can put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away for a glitzy style disco in the club with DJ Chris which is included in the price of your ticket.  This would make a great Christmas party staff night out for many small businesses

A donation from the proceeds of the draw will go to Youghal Community Bus.

This event is being run by Youghal Chamber to encourage “SHOP LOCAL” and to highlight the best of what our town has to offer for Christmas shopping.

Shop Local for Christmas is the message that Chamber President Mary O’Donnell wants to spread and commented  “I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to make a real effort to support our local shops, please try to buy your Christmas presents here in Youghal this year. By shopping local you are helping to sustain local employment and the future of our town”.

So put some sparkle back into your Christmas and come to Xpose Xmas Xperience Youghal. Tickets cost €15 are available from Youghal Tourist Office 024-92447, Team Bailey Hairdressers and Sole Shoe Shop or any of Youghal Chamber Directors.

THE STUNNING SURROUNDINGS of Youghal’s 13th century St. Mary’s Collegiate Church will play host to the inaugural Medieval Christmas Market on Sunday 4th December 2011. The event, which is being organised by Youghal Town Council’s Heritage Committee, is a one-stop shop for all your Christmas gift needs, with in excess of 15 first class indoor stands on show.

The magnificent setting will showcase craft and food products of the highest calibre, including quality textiles, pottery, children’s medieval themed arts and crafts, jewellery, fine art, sculpture, confectionary, jams and preserves, cheeses and many more.  Delicious mince pies and mulled wine are sure to warm the cockles of visitors as they browse!

Commenting on the upcoming event, Catherine Desmond of the Heritage Committee said: “This is another event in the calendar year to celebrate Youghal’s Medieval past.  It follows on from the annual Summer Medieval Festival, in the heart of Youghal’s historic quarter in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church.  We are looking forward to presenting a market full of quality producers, many of whom are local, at what we hope will become an annual event.”

St. Mary’s Collegiate Church Medieval Market is one Christmas fair you will not want to miss. Featuring only the very best in hand-made craft and food produce, all direct from their makers.  The market will run from 1pm until 6pm on Sunday 4th December 2011

Flying Pigs Productions presents Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, Cork Arts Theatre, November 30th – 10th December 2011. She’s Back And Bolder Than Ever!

MOTHER NATURE threw everything she had at Mrs Bob Cratchit in the ice storms last winter and still couldn’t take her out!  Directed by Tess Healy Maguire and produced by Flying Pigs Productions, Christopher Durang’s hit play Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge returns on Wednesday, November 30th, and will run nightly through Saturday, December 10th, at the Cork Arts Theatre.  Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge is a playful, skewed look at the Dickens classic Christmas tale where miser Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas.  In Durang’s version, the quietly suffering sainted Mrs. Bob Cratchit has been given one foundling too many and is determined to drown her sorrows then herself by leaping off the London Bridge.

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge starts out with the familiar tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s visit from a Ghost.  From there, things start to go awry.  The Ghost’s magic is off.  Instead of the fateful hourly visits, Scrooge and the Ghost, pop in and out of time and place.  They end up haunting the beleaguered Mrs Cratchit who is now convinced they are voices in her head.

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge peers behind the image of the poor-but-happy Cratchit family to reveal that Bob is really a bit of a nitwit and Tiny Tim is too good to be true.  The Ghost has a taser to help her tame the wayward Scrooge but he seems to be falling for the newly liberated Mrs. Cratchit.  Well meaning help from Clarence the Angel from Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, television stars and Dutch tourists only complicate matters for the Ghost.  And then, there are still all the children …

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge is part pastiche, part parody and all comedy.  It is an antidote for those who feel they too may drown in the syrupy schmaltz of the holiday season.

The cast includes:  Antoinette Hilliard, Una Ryan, Cian Daly, Patrick Gilley, Alan Riordan, Mark Cosgrave, John Ryan Howard, Judy Donovan, Tess Healy Maguire, Alex Murphy and a host of Cork’s finest young talent.

For more information, contact Tess Healy Maguire, Flying Pigs Productions, on 086 277 6029 or flyingpigsproductions@gmail.com.  For booking, contact the Cork Arts Theatre on 021 450 5624.

Sung by The Drifters. Cartoon by Joshua Held.
Featuring Bill Pinkney on lead bass and Clyde McPhatter on tenor.
An animated Christmas Card, and a homage to a great song, a great band, and a great Holiday.

Christy Parker reflects on an urgent excursion to save his Christmas during the recession of the early ‘80’s.

As history repeats itself with a vengeance, many of us recall the enforced departures that saw us unpack our bags in foreign rooms in the 1980’s. Nostalgia is selective of course and what may have once seemed cold and uncertain acquires a warmer glow with time. Christmas, in particular, ignites the memories.

Before Ryanair, the likes of Aer Lingus were expert practitioners of the attitude that would define the Celtic Tiger; they charged exorbitant prices. At Christmas they increased them. Consequently, coach & boat was the dominant mode of transport for emigrants to London, even if every journey took ten times longer while conversely reducing one’s life expectancy by a year.

In late 1982 I had formed an attachment with a girl in Youghal, which helped happily to divert my attention both from being unemployed and from doing anything to rectify it. However this sustaining situation cast a discomforting hue across Christmas as I realised that my impoverished state (hasn’t changed by the way) would see me fall badly short when it came to celebrating the birth of Christ in every bar in town. On November 1st, my hopes and chattels in a green rucksack, I boarded Slattery’s bus for London, vowing to return by Christmas a wealthy man, for at least two weeks.

I quickly acquired a live-in bar job through the Tara Catering Agency, Paddington, a one-woman service operated by the late Nora Nesbitt (nee Dunlea) of Glendine. Nora dispatched me to a bar in the Holloway Road, where a 5 ½ day week of 13 hour shifts awaited. I’d been mangled by the system before so this didn’t surprise me.

I would be the sole staff in a small, L-shaped bar, where grim wallpaper and worn carpet didn’t add its attraction. The jukebox consisted 50% Joe Dolan, 40% Brendan Shine and the remainder for English people. The guv’nor (as landlords are known over yonder) was a small man in possession of a huge stomach, several cheeks, a few chins and a walk that seemed reluctant. His name was Tony but everyone referred to him as ‘The Pig,’ though not to any of his faces. His wife, Anne, dressed in miniskirts and carried a 1970’s beehive hairstyle. She was seldom seen in the bar nor, allegedly, outside it since the mid-70’s. They were childless but had an old, lame sheep dog that seemed to be the wiser of the three.

My lino-floored room had a bed, a chair, a dressing table and a fan heater. I was summonsed to work by a loud rap and a yell of “nine-a-clock y’awake?!” On my first morning I had my head out the 2nd floor kitchen window conversing with a departing delivery man on the street below. I was oblivious to The Pig’s voice until he roared in frustration, “You’re f****ng breakfast is ready! Are you f****ng deaf or f****g stupid?!” I responded, “Must be stupid, or I wouldn’t be here!” To which he smiled delighted, “I like your style. Good man.”

Thereafter, as seemed to be the norm, I always ate alone in the kitchen. My diet largely consisted of combinations from toast, boiled eggs, beans, bacon, cheese, fish fingers, steak & kidney pie, pork chops, ready mashed potatoes, peas and tea. I would be summoned to the kitchen by a bell to find it prepared on the table courtesy of the elusive Mrs Pig who would either be absent or about to depart. She rarely spoke to me. Soon the dog and I had become had formed an empathy and began taking each other for walks after closing time.

Saturdays were busy and the rest of the week ticked by as casually as summer waves rolling onto Youghal beach. In this vacuum of energy, I polished every glass and dusted every shelf twenty times a week while Joe Dolan professed his love for the girl in the white washed gable only feet away.

The clientele were small in number and mostly represented elderly locals and some younger Irishmen en route to livelier haunts. Occasionally a few young girls happened by but the juke box soon cleared them. Most nights, The Pig sat at the counter talking to friends and casting a caustic eye at any stranger who might alight on the premises, though this was normal behaviour for guv’nors.

One night, feeling I wasn’t contributing sufficiently to life’s dynamism, I hurled an ice cube into the air with a spoon and caught it in a spirit glass before administering the whiskey. The Pig’s eyes nearly popped onto the counter. He broke off from conversation to ask, with unconcealed awe, where I had “learned that trick.” Thereafter, his limitless admiration demanded that I repeat the manoeuvre whenever he himself wanted to impress someone. I resolved never again to work for someone who didn’t go out.

Then there was ‘Harpo.’ It wasn’t his real name but his resemblance to the famous Marx Brother was uncanny. This was not merely due to his physical appearance but, appropriately, he could neither hear nor speak. He also had a glass eye. Harpo worked in a local restaurant but spent much time in the bar playing cards. He possessed an amazing communication skill whereby his hand and facial gestures seemed to telepath his wishes.

Harpo was mostly loved but sporadically ridiculed. One afternoon a customer was aping his rather loping walk when suddenly Harpo turned and caught him in mid-gait. Embarrassed, the mimic began to apologise and Harpo half turned away, scrunched his fist over his eyes and then offered his irritant a reconciling handshake. The joker eagerly accepted and a second later screamed in alarm as he discovered Harpo’s glass eye staring up at him from his palm! Harpo, grinning widely, waved his finger in his face by way of a lap of honour.

Two weeks later, to circumvent the possibility of being instantly cast into a cold dark night, I informed The Pig by daylight that I was going home for Christmas. I’d stay a week to give him time to replace me. Like a couple whose relationship had settled for acceptance over ambition, we had grown to expect no surprises from each other and so this made him swear profusely. Then suddenly he mellowed, sighed and observed, “I should have known when I saw the rucksack that you weren’t a man to stay put.”

A new man, more determined than I to rid himself of Ireland, arrived within days. I hoped the dog would understand.

Youghal’s most melodious waiter Michael Del Punta, serves up a singing delicacy with the release of Michael Del Punta’s Christmas Collection. The seven-track predominates with- known classics masterfully rendered in typical jazz/swing style by the 20 year-old crooner. The CD, limited to 500 copies for the Christmas market, was launched at the Nook bar on Friday December 2nd.
Report: Christy Parker / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Now regarded as one of Ireland’s most promising talents, the singer was recently recruited to perform with Ireland’s Garda Band in Youghal. His Christmas CD hears him accompanied by a full band of highly-talented and experienced civic performers as he delivers a work of exquisite accomplishment. The full line-up runs as Michael Del Punta (vocals), Jenny Stack (backing vocals), Pat Barratt (double bass), Ollie Loughnan (drums), Roy Kelleher (trumpet)Warren Tivy (keyboards).

Nothing half-baked there and the musical menu features:  New York at Christmas, The Christmas Song, Let it Snow, Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle (Italian carol  –translates as You Come Down From The Stars), Silver Bells, White Christmas and Santa Clause Is Coming To Town. Though sang many times by many artists, Del Punta manages to apply originality in his interpretations.

A second year economics student in UCC, Michael works part-time at Youghal’s Italian-flavoured Capri Bay restaurant, where he will often deliver a serenade with spaghetti. He considers his current creation as “much better” than his first CD, which itself was an accomplished EP –perhaps retrospectively best deigned as a taster.

Reared in Grange, he describes the collection as “favourites from childhood” but mentions two songs in particular. “The first track was written by American Richard Courier and recorded by Rob Thomas in the mid-’70’s. It never took off but it’s a great song and I want to resurrect it,” he elaborates. “It’s dedicated to my brother who will be spending Christmas in New York.” A second track dear to his heart is Silver Bells. “For the simple and endearing reason that “it’s a duet with my girlfriend Jenny Stack,” he explains.

The whole shebang took about six weeks to record at Claycastle Studios, under the diligent dexterity of producer Warren Tivy. “If it wasn’t for his guidance it just wouldn’t have happened at all. He’s brilliant,” Michael observes.

Michael Del Punta’s Christmas Collection coast €9.95 and is available in Youghal from Broderick’s, Touch of Class, Capri Bay, Cree’s Card Shop, the Cyber Room and of course from Santa Claus late on December 24th.

Click on image to enlarge

Over 1,000 people were on hand to welcome Santa to Youghal as he made a spectacular entrance on water on Saturday 4th December 2010.  The arrival ceremony and subsequent ‘Free Santa Visit’ in Youghal Town Council’s Mall Arts Centre kick-started the seaside town’s annual Christmas festive season celebrations. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Speaking afterwards, the main organiser of the event, Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage Committee commended and thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who worked so hard in delivering the free event to the town.  “This year more than ever before we were determined to take the financial pressure off families with a free event, and we believe we succeeded in doing just that. There was a great atmosphere throughout the whole day, with kids and adults alike in wonderful spirits.  Santa’s arrival with Aquatrek was spectacular to begin with and it just continued from there with hundreds of kids meeting Santa and promising him to be on their best behaviour for the next few weeks!” said Clodagh.

Following his high speed boat trip across Youghal Bay, Santa was delivered by horse and carriage to The Mall Arts Centre for an afternoon of free fun which was open to the public. Hoards of kids of all ages enjoyed the festivities until 4.30pm with a ‘free Santa visit’ and gift of a selection box, courtesy of ‘XL’ Convenience Store in Youghal and Tesco Youghal, together with a photograph courtesy of Irwins, Kodak, Youghal.  Activities included face-painting, mingling with the cast of Aladdin, all to the tunes of Youghal’s wonderful ‘Barty’s Disco.  Performances by the wonderful Youghal Youth Orchestra and Youghal Choral Society only added to what was an afternoon of true Christmas cheer!

Not to be forgotten, Mums and Dads sipped on warmed mulled wine kindly sponsored by ‘Next Door Wines’ and mince pies provided by Collins Bakery & Le Gourmet.

At 4.30 pm Santa led the nationally renowned Youghal Pipe Band on their march to Market Square for the official turning on of Youghal’s Christmas Lights.

Organisers wish to extend a sincere thank you to its many sponsors which enabled the event to be undertaken.  These included: Youghal Town Council, The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, Youghal Credit Union, Youghal Heritage Committee, Aquatrek, Barty’s Disco, Next Door Off-Licence, Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Collins’ Bakery, Le Gourmet, Tom Morley (Horse & Cart), Community Radio Youghal, Irwin’s Kodak, ‘XL’ Convenience Store, Tesco, The Youghal Youth Orchestra, Youghal Choral Society, The Cast of Aladdin (Graham McDermott School of Dance) Youghal Pipe Band & Woodland Print & Design,

Issued by: Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group

Further details on event E: clodaghmahon@hotmail.com

Click on image to see more photos of Santa in Youghal

Will the evil Abanazer convince Aladdin to enter The Cave Of A Thousand Dreams and fetch the lamp? Will Princess Jasmine find the boy of her dreams? And will Widow Twankey finally wear something that doesn’t look like an explosion in a paint factory? Why not find out and come to Youghal Community Centre to experience Pantomania’s Christmas production of Aladdin.

The show will run from December 9th for 4 nights with show time @ 7.30pm, tickets are available from our very own box office beside Toymaster and is open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Adult €15, Child €10 and family ticket €40.

Pantomania is a new pantomime company in Youghal. It was founded in the summer of 2010 by Graham Mc Dermott and Fiona Coughlan. Our aim is to provide entertainment to the people of Youghal and the surrounding areas during the Christmas season. Pantominia hope to stage a panto annually at Christmas in Youghal. This is an invaluable opportunity for the youth of Youghal and the surrounding districts to display their talents on stage, and for the local community to enjoy top class entertainment by locals for the locals.

This year, 2010, we will hold our inaugural production of Aladdin. We are confident that the long hours of rehearsals by the cast and crew will ensure that the show will be an outstanding success.

We would like to thank all those involved in the set design and construction, the back stage crew, front of house, all the cast members and anyone who helped in any way to stage this production. Pantominia are grateful to all our sponsors and advertisers whose support is vital and very much appreciated.

Click on image to enlarge – Photo: John Hennessy