Submissions are invited from interested parties to take ownership of Eochaill, the salmon yawl built in 15th century Tynte’s Castle during summer 2010 in a tourism and heritage project. The boat’s construction was overseen by master boat builder Jimmy Horgan from Youghal and was officially launched by MEP Sean Kelly last month. The project was supported by Youghal Socio Economic Development Group (YSEDG) and SECAD.

YSEDG representative Cllr Barbara Murray says ideally the boat would be taken over by a group or society, such as a rowing or fishing club, though individuals are not being discounted. “The most important criterion is that it is put to use in a non-profit making, sport or leisure capacity,” she says, adding “we have one interested source at present.”  Interested parties are asked to contact the YSDEG or Barbara on 087-2854971

Over 100 people gathered on Youghal’s quayside for the launch of Eochaill, a salmon yawl built a year previously as part of a maritime heritage project. Present were Fine Gael EP Sean Kelly, who performed the  launch and his party colleagues, Cork East TD David Stanton, Youghal and Cork County Councillor Barbara Murray and Canon Tom Browne P.P.

The project, supported by Youghal Socio Economic Development Group and SECAD, was conducted within Tynte’s Castle, a 15th century townhouse on North Main Street, last August. Overseen by veteran boat builder Jimmy Horgan of Youghal, it drew immense interest from tourists and locals, who were invited to ‘drive a nail or share a tale’ over pots of tea. Two shifts, working day and night, built the boat in traditional fashion over 11 days and it was painted and varnished last winter.

Mr Horgan, 67 and a competitive rower, said Youghal once nurtured over 30 such boats during drift net salmon seasons. Last year, just one remained, built in 1947 by the late Paddy Buttimer and which Eochaill exactly replicates.

Mr. Kelly said the project the realisation that “Ireland must develop from communities’ strengths and potential.” He said Europe was looking to develop an “Atlantic Strategy, from Ireland to the Iberian Peninsula,” with emphasis on fishing, energy and maritime tourism, inclusive of boat building, adding that Youghal, encouragingly, held “a great heritage and a great maritime tradition alongside wonderful beaches.”

Cllr Murray said further maritime projects may see construction of miniature replicas of boats famously associated with Youghal and which, ideally, would reside in an eventual maritime museum. Doubtless, Mr. Kelly’s offices may be asked to update on funding possibilities on both counts  in lieu of Youghal’s hospitality!

Canon Tom Browne PP blessed Eochaill before it was set afloat to the strains of  Mo Ghile Mear (My Bright Darling) from  Olan and Christy McCarthy of  Youghal Pipe Band. Its cedar wood material –as against larch for working crafts- makes it ideal for leisure or sporting activity and interested, parties are invited to make submissions towards its future. Inquiries: Barbara Murray 087- 2854971

Click on image to enlarge

Almost a year to the day after it was completed, a large crowd gathered on the quayside in Youghal to see the coastal town’s very own ‘Salmon Yawl’ traditional fishing boat officially launched by Munster MEP Sean Kelly (21st August 2011). Named ‘Eochaill’ the 18 ft (5.5 m) boat was based on the only surviving example, built by Youghal native, Paddy Buttimer in 1947.

The project was the brain-child of Jim Horgan, from Youghal, but now living in Galway who has almost single-handedly revived traditional boat-building through his teaching and practical methods.

Speaking at the launch, Jim recounted the traditional skills used in the building the boat which was built of cedar strip-planked onto six solid frames made of grown oak.  “I want to pay particular tribute to the carpenters involved in completing this wonderful project, and the many volunteers that gave of their time in building the craft”.  The boat was built in a record two weeks, in the historic ‘Tyntes Castle’ in the centre of town, where traditionally this type of boat would have taken six weeks.

Sean Kelly, MEP commented on Youghal’s long maritime heritage, which is synonymous with the town, and also the wonderful natural resources in the area.  “Being a Kerryman, I remember well traveling at least a half an hour to get to the seaside as a youngster said Sean, whereas here on your doorstep you have such beauty and resources.  The MEP also commended the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to complete the boat.

Next to speak was Cllr Barbara Murray who worked with the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group in securing a grant from SECAD (South & East Cork Area Development) for the project.  The Councillor thanked Jim Horgan for his efforts in completing the project in such a short time, and expressed her hope that this project would be the first in a series of similar projects.  “Hopefully we will see replicas of other boats particularly associated with Youghal, like The ‘Kathleen & May’ constructed and housed in a Marine Heritage Museum in the town in time to come.  Thanks also to the McCarthy family for opening the doors of Tyntes Castle for the duration of the project said Barbara.

“I also want to congratulate the only woman who took part in the construction of the boat, Andrea Lane, who bravely stood shoulder to shoulder among 25 men to play her part in the project” added Barbara.

Community Radio Youghal broadcasted live from the quayside, only adding to the atmosphere of the occasion, with MC Tommy Collins leading proceedings with his usual professionalism.  Canon Browne blessed the boat, before Olan and Christy McCarthy of the Youghal Pipe Band ‘piped’ as the boat was lowered into the water to the cheers of the gathered large crowd.

‘Eochaill currently remains in the careful hands of The Youghal Bay Boat Club.  However, submissions from groups, clubs, and societies are now being taken on the future ownership of the boat.  If your group is interested, please contract Cllr Barbara Murray directly by email: barbara.murray@corkcoco.ie or by post to: The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, 7-10 Enterprise Youghal, Emmet Place, Youghal.

Click on image to see the launch of the new boat ‘ Eochaill’

COMHALTAS CRAOBH EOCHAILLE has received €30,000 from Cork County Council’s Community Grant Scheme. The award follows an application for €100,000 over three years and while it remains unknown whether further funding will be forthcoming, Comhaltas chairman Micheál De Buitléir is delighted with this year’s success. “It’s very welcome and I like to think it reflects the county council’s confidence in us and our contribution to culture and tourism in the county,” he says. Mr De Buitléir says the money will contribute towards the organisation’s planned extension to its Brú na Sí headquarters at Magner’s Hill. The development is intended to augment training and education facilities at the centre.

The grant allocation comes amidst a hectic period for Comhaltas Craobh Eochaille. A recently week’s schedule included Brú na Sí performances on Monday and Thursday nights, along with a gig in the Commodore hotel Cobh on Wednesday, a further outing at the Radisson Hotel, Little Island on Friday, followed by participation in the annual Munster Fleadh Cheoil in Ballincollig on Saturday and Sunday.

COMHALTAS CRAOBH EOCHAILL stylishly celebrated the launch of its 21st year of summer entertainment (Ceolta Si seisiúns) with an evening of music, song, dance and story at its Bru na Si, Magner’s Hill. The night was venerated by an invited audience led by Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Jimmy Deenihan. Other guests in a roll call of politicians, community pillars, Bru na Si patrons and general culture vultures, included Ard Runai of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann Tomás Ó’Maoldomhnaigh, Runai of Waterford Count Board Martin Forrester, East Cork TD’s David Stanton (FG) and Sandra McLellan and acting mayor of Youghal, Barbara Murray. All available town councillors were present, except the Fianna Fail contingent of Mary Linehan-Foley, Eoin Coyne and Sammy Revins, whose presence was summoned by leader Micheal Martin to a party pow-wow in Midleton.

The absentees missed a wonderful occasion. Bru na Si’s under 15 musicians set the tone for a series of excellent performances across several disciplines, with Youghal pipe band’s Brian and Tom McCarthy also contributing their unique talents. The standard unequivocally high, a glancing survey denoted unified appreciation and enthrallment amongst the audience.

‘Cupla focals’

‘Fear an Tí’ –chairman will do to Sassenachs- Michael de Buitléir, then ushered the dignitaries to deliver their words, beginning with Acting Mayor Cllr Murray. The councillor stressed upon Minister Deenihan that Youghal was striving to become an “iconic centre for arts, culture and heritage,” with particular regard for the Clock Gate and the Town Walls. Funding support, she pleaded, would be most welcome. Cllr Murray also paid tribute to hard work of Youghal Comhaltas and its immense value to local tourism, children and heritage.

Mr Ó’Maoldomhnaigh said Comhaltas came into existence 60 years ago and had managed, along with similar organisations, to preserve Irish language and culture through voluntary hard work. He acknowledged the government’s generosity in supporting Comhaltas’s five-year plan in 2001, which improved services for voluntary sectors such as Youghal. It now had seven regional resource centres and nine smaller centres like Bru na Si.

The speaker said Comhaltas now aimed to support the Irish language in a new structure which would look at ways to include the language with music and dance. Furthermore a three-year plan was focused on getting people to use whatever few Irish words they had, in a bilingual capacity.  Concluding, he turned to the performers lauded the “fantastic entertainment here tonight.”

Minister Jimmy Deenehan officially launched Seisiún 2011. He stressed Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann’s crucial role in Ireand’s tourism. Adding his appreciation to the prise of the night’s performances, he said “there must be a very high quality education programme involved.” He added, perceptively, “It’s great to see so many happy people in unison tonight and for that alone I am delighted to be here.”

Minister Deenehan said Irish music “wasn’t so cool’ when Comhaltas originated but today it is globally renowned, with “a unique sound that resonates with so many people.” He proceeded, “Ireland is perhaps best known for ours writers, musicians, singers, actors and artists and I am convinced that our arts will repair the damage done to this country and its image.” He acknowledged the international, ambassadorial role played by Youghal Comhaltas and believed that “the more Irish artists out on the world platform the better.”

Mr.de Buitleir advised the minister that Youghal Comhalts had represented the Department of Foreign Affairs in China and Mexico during its many foreign trips. “So we are available for bookings,” he suggested, smiling.

In a typically humorous aside, Minister Deenehan acknowledged Youghal TD Sandra McLellan as SF spokesperson for Arts and recalled “we’ve already had some very interesting encounters in the Dail,” he surmised. “She’s a very ladylike figure in the Dail. I’d suggest that she would stay like that!” he added to much laughter.

Expansion

The minister promised he would help however he could regarding expansion plans at Bru na Si. However, refreshingly insightful, he suggested that the “small and not over-ambitious centre” was “just about the right size as it is.” He warned against “over-ambition” and losing the crucial, intimate connection between performers and audience as had occurred elsewhere. Mr De Buitléir explained that the expansion was intended to meet education and family needs as against expanding the performance arena. The chairman then presented the minister with a Jack O’Patsy Plate to commemorate his visit, advising him not to drop it meanwhile. “I never dropped anything in my life!” returned the former Kerry footballer with a grin. .

Future

Future plans for Comhaltas Craobh Eochaille, officially founded in 1983, include the on-going outreach programme to national schools, whereby introductory tin whistle is taught for half an hour weekly. A second programme intended to restructure this arrangement to allow a child to conduct Irish music as a curriculum item from early age to university is also imminent. Meanwhile the group will be represented by five groups at the Munster Fleadh in Balincollig on Jul 17th and a trip to Holland is timed for next September. The next 21 years promise nothing but the sound of success and great service.

Seisiún Ceolta Sí occurs every Monday and Thursday from 8 pm. Adm €10. See www./comhaltas.ie/locations/detail/youghal_comhaltas

The Evening Echo Intermediate Football Championship 1st Round

Youghal    1-11
Glanworth    1-10

By Derek Kiely
In Castlelyons

Youghal deservedly progressed through to the next round of the Evening Echo Intermediate Football Championship by the narrowest of margins on Saturday night – 14th May 2011- with a one point victory over Glanworth in a game with a touch of controversy late on.

There is no doubt, but Youghal deserved to win this one and got off to a tremendous start with three points scored after only two minutes of play and could have had a goal as well only for a top drawer save by the Glanworth keeper Thomas Fitzgibbon.
The first white flag was raised after just 41 seconds when Youghal wing forward Nigel Roche sent the ball over from a tight angle.
Immediately Youghal who were playing into the stiff breeze in the first half scored again straight from the kick out, this time the very impressive Conor O’Sullivan pointed to double the margin.
Again Youghal swarmed the Glanworth kick out and a ball to the left corner was met by Paul Moylan who slotted over the ball and Youghal couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Glanworth then had two scores from play from Michael Pierce, but back came Youghal again and Conor O’Sullivan was yet again on target with a superb point from play to re-establish the two point lead.
Glanworth’s best player by a mile, full forward Pierre O’Driscoll scored from a free, but in reply Paul Moylan sent a point over with a free after ten minutes of play.
O’Driscoll was on target again seconds later for Glanworth, but the excellent Ken Dempsey was on target himself minutes later for Youghal who were managing at this stage to keep the two point lead intact.

The next four minutes saw Glanworth score three unanswered points, a free and a point from O’Driscoll and on the 21st minute Michael Sheehan gave Glanworth the lead for the one and only time.
Youghal responded well and the defence was superb, dispelling wave after wave of attacks, forcing six wides out of the Glanworth forwards and when Youghal were awarded a free on the Glanworth ‘45’ few would have given Conor O’Sullivan a chance of getting the ball over, but a super strike saw the ball fly over and a white flag raised as the game was level and remained that way at the short whistle.
Youghal came out fired up and within seconds Paul Moylan had Youghal back in front with a well taken free. O’Driscoll levelled with a pointed free of his own some ten minutes later as neither side could capitalise on some scoreable chances.
Conor O’Sullivan slotted two free’s for Youghal on the 45th and 47th minutes respectively and it took another O’Driscoll free to narrow the margin to one point with nine minutes remaining.
Youghal got a free on the Glanworth ‘21’ seconds later for an off the ball incident, spotted by the Banteer referee Conor Lane and rather than just settle for the point, Youghal took a quick free into full forward David O’Mahony. O’Mahony turned brilliantly and drilled the ball into the goal to the delight of the large travelling support from Youghal, but it wasn’t quite over yet.

Paul Moylan then pointed a beautiful and crucial score for Youghal with seven minutes remaining, but then two moments of extremely poor refereeing, which could have had spelled disaster for Youghal.
Incident one concerned David Pyne of Glanworth falling untouched to the ground and a free was awarded and was duly slotted over by O’Driscoll.
Then a goal was awarded for Glanworth when it was clear to everyone in Castlelyons that the player who in the square scooped the ball off the ground into the net.
The referee consulted with his umpires for a minute, but despite the appeals of the Youghal players the green flag was waved and the goal stood.
With two minutes to go O’Driscoll made it a one point game with a pointed free, but despite late pressure Youghal held out for the win and Peter Queally’s men go marching into the next round.
Youghal’s Premier Intermediate Hurlers are in action in two weeks time ar Riverstown the home of Sarsfields where they take on Ballincollig, where Peter Queally is again the man in charge and this win in the Intermediate Football Championship will give the Youghal lads a much needed break from football and time to concentrate on Hurling.

Scorers for Youghal: Conor O’Sullivan 0-5 (3f) Paul Moylan 0-4 (3f) David O’Mahony 1-0, Ken Dempsey and Nigel Roche 0-2 each.

EOCHAILL: Pat Mackey; Brendan O’Sullivan, Paul O’Driscoll, Stephen Twomey; Michael Cronin, John Grace, Barry Ring (Cpt); Conor O’Sullivan, Damien Ring; James O’Mahony, Ken Dempsey, Paul Kelly; Nigel Roche, Paul Moylan.

GLANWORTH: Thomas Fitzgibbon; William Blackburn, Denis Gallagher (Cpt)  Shane Kiely; Tommy Pierce, Brian Gallagher, Sean O’Keefe; David Pyne, Robert O’Driscoll; Chris Quirke, Ger O’Neill, Liam Cotter; Michael Pierce, Pierre O’Driscoll, Michael Sheehan.

Referee: Ger Lane (Banteer)

Rith 2010 in Eochaill on Saturday 13th March

Beidh an rith an teach go hEochaill ar an Satharn 13th Márta timpeall 2.30 i.n.

Beidh fáilte roimh gach éinne má theastaíonn uathu páirt a ghlacadh.  Rachaidh an rith timpeall an bhaile agus ansan ar aghaidh go Corcaigh.

What is Rith 2010?

Rith 2010 is a new national festival for Ireland which will take place from 10-17 March 2010 as one of the main events of Sechtain na Gaeilge.  A 1500km course has been set out to do a non-stop relay run from Belfast to Galway over 7 days with tens of thousands taking part throughout 400 towns.  A baton with a concealed message inside will be carried by Rith 2010 from start to finish.  The baton will not be liad down until this message of support for the Irish Language will be ready out on St. Patrick’s Day in Galway.  Rith 2010 is a brand new way for communities throughout Ireland to visibily celebrate the Irish Language and culture while also raising money for the development of Irish.  Youghal G.A.A. Club will be taking part with Rith on the 13th March next.  Find examples of events on www.rith.ie

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Outdoor Hurling Blitz – Under 10’s Saturday 27th @ 2pm

The next round of hurling blitz happened last Saturday the 27th of February at Club Arás, Youghal.  There were three teams playing each other and the start time was 2 pm on Saturday the 27th.  The teams participating were Youghal, Midleton & Kiltha Og.  This was a great day out at Youghal with over 70 children participating and were cheered on by their parents, friends & families. The games were played at the top pitched and sandwiches, snacks and refreshments were supplied to all after the matches.  All players also received a medal.  Thanks to all for helping out on the day and for the help with the clean up afterwards.  The team manager for Youghal was Joe Kirk and the mentors and coaches were Martin McMahon, Pat O’Brien and Con Spillane.   For further details on future Blitz dates and times please contact our Blitz Co-ordinator Fergal Keenaghan.

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The Decky Guckian Hurling League – Launch Date 26th February @ Glen Rovers

The launch night of the Decky Guckian Hurling League was held in Glen Rovers club on Friday 26th February.  The under 10’s will be participating in this league.

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Street Leagues
Welcome to the 2010 Football Street League. This years street leagues will start the week of the 3rd of April and will continue each week, with the finals being played on Sunday May 9th  (La ná gClub Day).  This was a superb day for all members, family and friends last year. If you are not already a member of Eochaill Og and would like to play in the street leagues please contact team managers listed below for information on how to join the Street Leagues.  Come on give it a try.