‘Magazine’ production is coming to The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal on Saturday 15th October 2011 and promises to be a night of pure entertainment. The storyline of this production is a very topical one – and is something that we can all identify with at some point in our life. Cork County Audiences will be the first to preview this exciting new piece from emerging playwright Jennifer Rogers.

When Katie runs away from the death of her best friend, she ends up down an alleyway in-front of a billboard of herself from 5 years before. Katie literally crashes into herself – from here the story unfolds.  Rogers takes us right into the moments leading up to the crash and uses it as a metaphor for the way Irish Identity has crashed as a result of the economic down turn.

For Rogers the play centres on the pervasive nature of the fashion industry and the pressure that was (and still very much is) on women to conform to the ideal image.

‘Headlines in Magazines are like statements of fact and often they have a militant tone to them; ‘Battle the Bulge’ ‘Combat Cellulite’, it’s almost as if we are to wage war on ourselves’.

Magazine’ is about Katie’s feelings of emptiness that never leave, regardless of how many transformations she buys into. It is about the pressure she feels to conform to the ideal image, to be something she is not and holding tight to what other people think of her.

It’s about how self-belief and individual identity become and how consumerism leaves behind the toxic haze of depression and self-destruction.

Told in a funny and heart moving way, ‘Magazine’ reminds us to accept ourselves for what we are and embrace the ‘supposed’ imperfections that make us perfectly unique.

Last year, ‘Lipstick’ another of Roundhouse Production was a huge hit with the audiences of Youghal – this year promises to be no different.

The production takes place on Saturday 15th October at 8pm in the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal. Please contact Joyce on 083-3606507 to reserve tickets – alternatively tickets can be purchased in advance of the night from Youghal Tourist Office or on the door on the night of the show. Ticket prices are 15 euro for adults and 10 euro concessions.

THE TREACY FAMILY celebrated 110 years in business last Saturday 12th Feb 2011. Family, friends and customers had a great night dancing and partying to the music of Celtic Invasion. Congratulations to the all the Treacy family. Have You found The Nook! Click here to visit Find The Nook website www.findthenook.ie

Click on image to enlarge

Michael Treacy, proprietor, talks to Christy Parker about the 110th anniversary of the Nook bar in Youghal. The bar will hold a special night celebrating the 110th anniversary this Saturday the 12th of February.

Click below to listen to the interview on CRY Youghal Local Radio – Audio courtesy of CRY

THE TREACY FAMILY are celebrated 110 years in business this Saturday 12th Feb 2011. Family, friends and customers are looking forward to the big birthday party with music by Celtic Invasion. The best of wines, beers and spirits, food and sports are assured. Congratulations to the all the Treacy family. Have You found The Nook!

This pub in Youghal has been in the same family since 1901, when it was bought by Michael Treacy, a local farmer. Previously, the pub had been in the ownership of the O’Mahony family, but it is not known how long it had been in operation. The pub is in the oldest part of Youghal, with Walter Raleigh’s house, which dates from the Elizabethan plantations of the 1560’s, to the rear of it, and thus this pub may have been in operation for several centuries.

When it was bought in 1901, it was a one-roomed bar-cum-grocery, but the Treacy’s extended it by buying four adjoining cottages and converting the former homes into drinking quarters.

In the 1940’s, Michael’s son Joe Treacy became licensee. As the business expanded, the farm was sold. Joe and his wife Maureen continued with the grocery and expanded the bar to include a singing lounge and dance floor. The singing and dancing continues today. The grocery is gone, and is now an off-licence with an eclectic range of beers and spirits and wines. It also has its own deli counter supplying homemade food to go, or to eat in the bar.

Joe’s son Michael Treacy is the current licensee and he is extremely proud of the pub and the central role it plays in the social life of Youghal. Treacy’s is involved in sponsoring lots of local clubs.

As the bar has extended, the décor has been kept in harmony with the pitch-pine of the original premises. Throughout the bar, the walls are covered with photographs of Youghal in times gone by. When the Treacy’s were celebrating their centenary as licensed traders in 2001, all drinks were sold at a penny a pint or a glass.

Over the years, drinking habits have changed, says Michael, with very few customers now asking for the traditional order of “a large whiskey and a pint”. He says:

”As well as drinking less whiskey, people now drink later in the evening. There was a time when I used to have a customer who would come in when we opened in the morning and he would order six whiskeys with a raw egg placed in each of them!”

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

A brilliant, new comedy will have its premiere at The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal, from Monday Dec 6th to Thurs Dec 9th (incl).  It is presented by the multi-talented ‘Harmony’ group and is their Christmas Show for this year.  It promises to be a fantastic night’s fun for all the family. It would be a good idea to book at Cree’s Card Shop (024 93899) by you can also pay at the door.  As usual, with ‘Harmony’ the emphasis will be on top quality entertainment at budget prices – Adults €12 Children €10.

‘Weenie’! features gamblers, chancers, baters, lovers, Teddy-boys and Teenie- boppers, singers, dancers and a dead Cat!

It is a story of the innocence and hidden strength of  ‘little’ people at a head-spinning turning-point for us all – the sixties, when we first began to ask the question we’re still asking now: ‘What’s happenin’ man’?

But most of all, it is a hilarious and heart-warming love-story.  Then, as now, all anyone ever wanted was a happy ending.  In ‘Weenie’! – in an explosive, hand-clapping, toe-tapping finale – we get it!

‘Weenie’! with original songs and parodies is written by local man, Finbar Hannon.  It is his first play.  Finbar is an accomplished stage and musical director.  He has many shows to his credit, including ‘The Communication Cord’, ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’, ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Annie’, ‘South Pacific’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’.

As an actor, he has won Best Actor Award at the All Ireland Drama Festival, played leading roles with Everyman Theatre and guested with The Abbey Touring Company.

Among his fondest memories are those of Youghal Choral Society, when they won premier awards at festivals throughout the country, including a two-in- a-row at the Cork Choral festival.

He is currently musical and stage director for ‘Harmony’, which is dedicated to the further development of singing and acting talent in the community.  ‘Harmony’ is an entirely voluntary and open group and new members are always very welcome.  It doesn’t ask for financial assistance from the already hard-pressed local community – it is self-supporting. ‘Harmony’s’ shows are always to a very high standard and thoroughly enjoyable.  Among it’s many successes are ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, ‘From Here to Broadway’, ‘A tribute to John B & Showtime’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’, along with various recitals, concerts and Christmas Shows.

This year ‘Harmony’ is presenting adaptable set units, along with a stage extension and steps unit – all expertly constructed, free of charge, by Jimmy and Maurice Flanagan – to the Mall Arts Centre, for use by other local and visiting groups, with a big kiss and a Happy Christmas!

Don’t forget: ‘Weenie’!, Mall Arts Centre, Mon – Thurs, 6th to 9th Dec. 8pm. Adults €12, Children €10. Book at Cree’s Card Shop 024 93899 or pay at the door. Don’t miss it!

The long awaited charity Head And Wax Shave incorporating a fantastic raffle in aid of The Laura Lynn Foundation took place at Berties Bar, North Main St. Youghal, last Friday night 15th Oct. 2010. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The fun started at 9pm. Family and friends came along to support the Youghal Super Valu staff who organised and volunteered for this great cause. Emma and Micheala Bailey from ‘Team Bailey’ Hair Salon did the head shave and Norma Stone and Vicki O’Sullivan, from ‘Tone and Tan’ did the wax service, to the delight of all who attended (except for those who participated in the excruciating painful event of course). Well done to all involved, lots of money was raised on the night and the cheque presentation will follow shortly.

- If you would like to feature your upcoming event or fundraiser in the “Gigs and Events Calendar” on YoughalOnline.com email details to news@youghalonline.com

Click on image to start slideshow of the charity event at Bertie’s Bar. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

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.

On Friday, April 17th last the Irish Whip Wrestlers arrived in style at the Walter Raleigh Hotel to strut their stuff to their local fans, who were queueing up outside the hotel long before the doors opened at 7pm. Report: Denise Fitzgerald -  Photo: Denise Fitzgerald/Michael Hussey(YoughalOnline.com)

East Cork Journal went along to see what it was all about. The first surprise was the long line of people waiting to go in which included all ages from about four years up to very senior fans. The fans were mostly male, but there were several female fans here and there and believe it or not, they were every bit as vocal (if not more so) than the guys. Excitement was wild, even in the queues, and anticipation very high. Read more

Photo: John Hennessy

Jason Ansbro and Noel Cashman from Youghal- Corks only Thundercat Team

Youghal, Co. Cork is set to be the most exciting location in the country this weekend when the Thundercat European Beach Challenge takes place from the 20th to the 22nd. On water, on land and in the air, the thousands that attend are promised world-class entertainment for the entire family. For the first time ever in Read more