The first Gortroe 5k Fun Run & Walk is being held on Thursday May 9th to raise funds for Clonpriest National School.
Everyone is welcome, whether you are a competitive runner building up your speed, a brisk walker on a health drive or just wanting a gentle stroll around the picturesque route.
Gortroe village promises a great atmosphere on the evening and refreshments will be supplied for all participants. Prizes will be awarded for Men’s and Ladies’ races: 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, and 1st Over 40, Over 45 and Over 50. With some spot prizes for the less competitive!
Éadaoín O’Neill, a teacher at Clonpriest NS and member of East Cork Athletic Club, is well known in local running circles “I’ve been racing in competitions for many years and I am delighted to be doing it now to support my own school.”
The Gortroe 5k route is on flat roads which have been measured so it provides an ideal event for runners to improve their running times in the lead in to a busy summer season and also makes for a very enjoyable walk.
Bring your friends and family and make your way to Gortroe Village on May 9th, walkers start at 6.45pm and runners begin at 7.30pm.
Registration can be done on the website beforehand or in the Gortroe Community Hall on the evening. The entry fee of €8 is payable at the event. The Gortroe 5k is open to anyone over 12 years old, and under 16’s will need supervision at the start and end of the route. Sponsors include Aquatrek, SuperValu Youghal and TRInRUN. More details can be found on www.clonpriest5k.com

This is a promotion preview of the music video for Youghal based band “SYNÉRGY” featuring their original song ” Organised Crime” from the recently released album “TRANSPARENCY”

Recorded in Cork and Claycastle Recording Recording Studios, Youghal, Co Cork, Ireland. The finished video will be online shortly.
https://www.facebook.com/SynergyArtMusic
Camera: Michael Hussey | Liamoooooooo | David Farrell

Edit: Warren Tivy | Michael Hussey
Further info:
Email: synergydanceband@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/SynergyArtMusic

Synérgy play happy upbeat music, fusing reggae rhythms with Folk and Rock
dynamics. Every Synérgy gig gets the audience dancing whether it be at
a festival, a party or a venue. They’ve gathered a great live
reputation along the South Coast and on their journeys up country.

“Synérgy are an eight piece success story from the sunny south east of the country”. With the eldest of the band being 68 and the youngest member being just 20 the music is a blend of folk trad reggae dance music. Some of the members have used music as a therapeutic aid to life .
We have enjoyed much success throughout the country playing the Electric Picnic last summer being our zenith. Synérgy have performed for many Charities raising thousands for Cancer research and tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. The band plan a trip to the island of no sorrow (Sri Lanka) this year to raise awareness and much needed cash for the survivors. Our mission moving forward is to spread positive vibrations and awareness .

BAND MEMBERS
Frank McLellan Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
John O’Riordan Didgeridoo, Percussion
Warren Tivy Bass Guitar,vocals
Clive Baker Saxomophone
Simon Daly Electric Guitar,vocals
Olliver Loughnan Drums
Éanna Dowling Keyboards, Vocal
Kieran Cantwell Art, Poetry,rap
synergydanceband@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/SynergyArtMusic

INFLUENCES:
Bob Marley ,The Police,Third World, The Specials, Prince Buster, Dave Matthews Band ,
Cat Empire , Led Zeppelin , Thin Lizzy , Fairport Convention , Fleetwood Mac ,
Kila,The Clash,Max Romeo,Massive Attack,Prince Fatty,Stevie Wonder, David Bowie

WITH glorious sunshine basking down on Youghal beach on Saturday 29th September, Youghal GAA Club and all of its units, Senior, Eochaill Óg, Ladies Football and Camogie held their inaurgual Fun Walk in association with Rebel Óg and the Mercy Hospital Trust. With over 150 juvenile members decked out in the maroon and gold taking part and supported by parents, grand-parents, babies in buggies and family pets the group of approximately 400 congregated on Youghal’s promenade for a 5 km walk out along the beach to Redbarn and back.

The location couldn’t have been better and more importantly safer for the group as the beach offered the freedom to walk, run or sprint with some of the juvenile members taking it as an opportunity to get some extra training under the watchful eye of their respective mentors who acted as marshals on the day. Everyone really enjoyed this Club event as it gave all the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and exercise on one of East Cork’s beautiful beaches and also raise funds for both the Mercy Hospital Trust and underage clubs in Youghal GAA. Every juvenile on the walk was presented with a Rebel Óg watch and also received a RSA reflective armband which no doubt will be put to great use now that the walking bug has bitten!!.

Youghal GAA and all of its units would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sponsored the kids on this Fun Walk. Finally to our Fun Walk coordinator, Aine Martin and her committee well done on organising a fantastic morning.

Youghal4All have an exciting food festival every year – the Mackerel festival. This year’s festival was a huge success and attracted lots of tourist to the town. The fun voluntary group even organised the good weather as the Sun shone down over the town for the weekend. Well done YoughaL4All! Photo below of some of the fun events below taken at the Sunday Festivities

2:30pm-5:30pm Free tasting of Mackerel dishes prepared by Youghal Chefs at Barry’s Lane.
3pm Beach Volley Ball fun challenge on the Mall Beach (see posters)
4:15pm Sea Shanties sung by Harmony at Barry’s Lane
5:15pm Presentation to Beach Volley Ball winners at Barry’s Lane
Sunday, 2nd September
2:30pm – 5:30pm Free tasting of Mackerel dishes prepared by Youghal Chefs at Barry’s Lane
2:30pm Music by John Cunningham at Barry’s Lane
2:30pm-3:30pm Sand Castle competition for children at the Mall Beach
3pm The Dungarvan Gospel Choir perform at Barry’s Lane
3:30pm-4:30pm Crab competition on the Quay’s for children
4pm-6pm The Arkadia Show Band at Barry’s Lane

Click on images below to see some of the Sunday’s Festivities

 

Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat lends assistance to rib during its Family Fun Day on August bank holiday Sunday

Rescue location     East of Ballycotton lighthouse
Date                5 August at 12:30pm
Craft               5 metres Rib with 4 persons on board

THE ANNUAL family fun day was held on Ballycotton pier to raise funds for Ballycotton lifeboat on bank holiday Sunday afternoon, 5 August.  At 12:30 the lifeboat station received a call from a rib with engine failure east of Ballycotton lighthouse and requesting assistance.  The lifeboat crew abandoned their posts on Ballycotton pier and proceeded to the all weather lifeboat moored in the harbour.  The Ballycotton lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, proceeded east of the lighthouse and reached the rib with four persons on board.   The pleasure craft was taken under tow to Ballycotton harbour, where they were closely observed by visitors on the pier attending the fundraising activities.

The afternoon was a hit with the many visitors being able to observe a live rescue. Among the afternoon’s activities was “Rock the Boat” which took place at 3:00pm, with in excess of 100 people taking part to fulfil a condition of a sponsor who offered €100 if 100 people or more took part.  A short video clip of this is available to view on the Ballycotton Lifeboat website www.ballycottonlifeboat.org.  At 3:45pm the Waterford based Coast Guard helicopter did a fly-by over the pier.   Conditions were not suitable to demonstrate a lift of a person from the Ballycotton lifeboat which was going through manoeuvres in Ballycotton Bay.

At 5pm the visitors moved from the pier to the village to continue the fundraising activities with a wet t-shirt competition in the Blackbird.  The event rounded up a weekend of fundraising events for the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat, which included a football competition on Thursday evening, a table quiz in the Schooner Bar on Friday and a family treasure hunt and Pitch “n” Putt competition on bank holiday Saturday.  The organisers and volunteer crew appreciated the support they received during the long weekend of fundraising events from both sponsors and supporters.#

ROCK THE BOAT ON THE STREETS OF BALLYCOTTON BELOW

Photographs below from various events on bank holiday Sunday to raise funds for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.

Ballycotton Lifeboat Station
Ballycotton is a small fishing village 18 miles east of Cork City in the Republic of Ireland. Its flank stations are Youghal to the East (10 miles) and Crosshaven in Cork harbour to the West (14 miles). Both these stations operate Atlantic 75 class lifeboats. Ballycotton is one of the oldest stations in Ireland, being opened in 1858. Browse the history page for more information.

Today, the station (51′ 49.626N   008′ 00.345W ) operates one of the most modern lifeboats in the RNLI’s fleet, The 14m Trent class all weather lifeboat. This Lifeboat has a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 miles and carries a crew of six. The lifeboat volunteers who crew the boat and manage the station are proud of their station and record.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I) exists to save lives at sea and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Registered Charity No CHY2678

Emily Humphries, representing The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co. Waterford,  was crowned ‘Queen of the Sea 2012’ in front of an audience of thousands as Youghal celebrated one its most successful festivals in years at the 3rd Annual Festival Event.  The festival ran in the East Cork seaside town from 6th – 8th July 2012.

One of six children, Emily recently completed her Leaving Certificate and hopes to continue her studies in Trinity College in Spanish and Business.  With over 30 entrants to the ‘Queens’ competition, the entire weekend was geared towards bringing colour, fun and entertainment to families of all ages to Youghal.

On Friday evening, despite the downpours, the festival literally ‘kicked off’ at pace with the ‘Youghal Criterium Cycling Race’ – organised by Youghal Cycling Club over a specially dedicated circuit in the town.  Earlier in the day, a contingency plan to set up a marquee in Nealon’s Quay Car Park ensured that the vast majority of the large crowds were protected from the elements.  The ‘Queens’ were duly introduced to the public by newly elected Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Barbara Murray.

As the sun appeared on Saturday, so too did the thousands of visitors to Market Square to revel in the ‘Youghal Food Festival’.

Speaking after the weekend highs, Event organiser, Pádraig Sheehan reflected on the festival.  “It was incredible, what made it for us as organisers were the amount of families who were out with their extended families including grandparents and relatives.  There was a fantastic atmosphere in town and a great buzz all weekend long, he said.  “I spoke to a lot of traders and retailers in the town and they were very positive in terms of the amount of visitors and the amount of people who came to town and stayed for not only for the weekend, but are planning to stay now the entire week.  We are delighted to see that every business in Youghal benefited to such a degree.  It seemed that every chipper, restaurant, fast food place, pub and shop was packed with visitors from near and far.  It’s only onwards and upwards now for Youghal! said a hugely enthusiastic Pádraig.

Initial results of research surveys undertaken by newly qualified ‘Failte Ireland’ certified tour guides in the area, indicated a large number of families travelled from the midland areas of the country to attend the festival.    Speaking about the economic impact of the festival, Acting President of Youghal Chamber & Development, Marie Barry spoke about the importance of ‘The Queen of the Sea Festival’ to the local economy.  “Festivals have proven to be a key factor in a tourist’s decision to choose one destination over another and are hugely significant in attracting first time as well as repeat visitors. This is vital to the resurgence of Youghal as a first class tourist town.  We need to continue to offer tourists additional reasons to visit Youghal over and above other destinations. Said Marie.

One enthusiastic festival attendee from Co. Offaly, Catherine O Malley, was overwhelmed with the events in Youghal, which kept her family enthralled over the course of the weekend.  We had made the decision to take our family holiday in Youghal this year after doing some research on the area.  It sounded like the ideal location, so much to do, no matter what the weather.  The timing was all that really was left to be decided, but when we heard about the ‘Queen of the Sea’ Festival taking place this weekend, we knew we had to be here.  It was magnificent.  The kids are already talking about their holiday in Youghal next year, said Catherine.

On Sunday the sun once again made a welcome appearance.  Labelled as ‘fun day’, this day was all about the kids.  Following their exploits in the crab-catching and sandcastle competition the day before, they were treated to a full free family fun day with bouncy castles, rock climbing, a fun dog show, along with family fun races.  The highlight proved to be the ‘wife carrying race’ on the mall beach which generated great fun and laughter to round off a spectacular weekend.

MORE PHOTOS HERE SHORTLY……..

The fun, colour and spectacle of Youghal Queen Of The Sea Festival photos captured by John Hennessy.If you require high quality prints of the Youghal Queen Of The Sea 2012 photos below please contact the photographer John Hennessy. Prints are available from the photographer John Hennessy www.jhennessy.net contact this email:  john@jhennessy.net

Click on image to enlarge

Celebrity Chef Rachel Allen Kicks off Family Friendly Season

One of Ireland’s favourite celebrity chefs, Rachel Allen, herself a Mum of three, has officially launched Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Cool for Kids Fun for Family’ guide for Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford at Perks Entertainment Centre, Youghal.  The event was attended by a number of tourism operators from the designated family friendly zones that have joined the Fáilte Ireland project in order to make the area famous for family holidays.

A collaborative project between Fáilte Ireland and local tourism providers, this guide is part of of a wider initiative designed to put these designated areas and the wider South West region at the very top of the agenda of the family holiday market. It is hoped that the development of this new family friendly guide will develop Youghal as a key holiday destination for family holidays in the South West of Ireland and ensure visitors to the area of a memorable family experience.

Celebrity Chef, Rachel Allen commented:

“I am delighted to be part of this Fáilte Ireland initiative as Family holidays are a great occasion for each member of the family to relax.  Our modern hectic family lives are full of tensions and stresses. Going on holiday doesn’t have to be far, it doesn’t have to be long, just a time that can be called a “family holiday”.

All of the holiday providers listed in the guide, from accommodation to attractions, to activity operators, have agreed to participate in the Fáilte Ireland ‘Family Friendly Charter’.  By doing this, they have committed to providing a particularly warm welcome and friendly service to families with children, and to do all they can to make their time in the area as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

Welcoming this new Family Friendly Brochure, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations for the Southwest, Fiona Buckley, commented:

“This initiative presents a great opportunity to develop the resort, increase visitor numbers and grow revenue for all.  The guiding principle behind the family fun initiative is that all participating tourism operators and their employees make it a priority to deliver a family friendly service, and understand the importance of a positive attitude and an imaginative approach to exceeding expectations of families on holidays.”

For further information contact:

Catherine Whelan, Fáilte Ireland

Tel: 01 8847181 / 087 6449572

Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.

The tourism and hospitality industry employs over 180,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.

Family Friendly Charter

There is no cost implication with signing up for this initiative. To become a partner on the programme you must sign up to the ‘Family Friendly Charter’ which outlines the basic requirements to be considered a family friendly establishment.  As a signatory of the Charter, you will receive the following:

A Family Friendly Window Sticker, which must be prominently displayed at the entrance to your premises.
A Family Friendly Customer Charter, which must be prominently displayed in your premises.
Inclusion in Fáilte Ireland’s communications campaign for the Family Friendly initiative (including Printed material, Direct Mail pieces, Web, Publicity etc)
Inclusion in Fáilte Ireland’s training and development programmes for Family Fun in Youghal

There will be a quality control mechanism put in place where all programme participants will be visited to ensure the consistency of their family friendly offering and that all elements of the charters are being adhered to.

Click on thumbnail to see more pics of the ‘Cool for Kids Fun for Family’ brochure launch

Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Cool for Kids Fun for Family’ Guide launched in Youghal

One of Ireland’s favourite celebrity chefs, Rachel Allen, herself a Mum of three, has officially launched Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Cool for Kids Fun for Family’ guide for Youghal.  The event was attended by a number of tourism operators from the designated family friendly zones that have joined the Fáilte Ireland project in order to make the area famous for family holidays.

A collaborative project between Fáilte Ireland and local tourism providers, this guide is part of of a wider initiative designed to put these designated areas and the wider South West region at the very top of the agenda of the family holiday market. It is hoped that the development of this new family friendly guide will develop Youghal as a key holiday destination for family holidays in the South West of Ireland and ensure visitors to the area of a memorable family experience.

Celebrity Chef, Rachel Allen commented:
“I am delighted to be part of this Fáilte Ireland initiative as Family holidays are a great occasion for each member of the family to relax.  Our modern hectic family lives are full of tensions and stresses. Going on holiday doesn’t have to be far, it doesn’t have to be long, just a time that can be called a “family holiday”.
All of the holiday providers listed in the guide, from accommodation to attractions, to activity operators, have agreed to participate in the Fáilte Ireland ‘Family Friendly Charter’.  By doing this, they have committed to providing a particularly warm welcome and friendly service to families with children, and to do all they can to make their time in the area as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

Welcoming this new Family Friendly Brochure, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations for the Southwest, Fiona Buckley, commented:

“This initiative presents a great opportunity to develop the resort, increase visitor numbers and grow revenue for all.  The guiding principle behind the family fun initiative is that all participating tourism operators and their employees make it a priority to deliver a family friendly service, and understand the importance of a positive attitude and an imaginative approach to exceeding expectations of families on holidays.”

 

Fáilte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.

The tourism and hospitality industry employs over 180,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.

Family Friendly Charter
There is no cost implication with signing up for this initiative. To become a partner on the programme you must sign up to the ‘Family Friendly Charter’ which outlines the basic requirements to be considered a family friendly establishment.  As a signatory of the Charter, you will receive the following:
A Family Friendly Window Sticker, which must be prominently displayed at the entrance to your premises.
A Family Friendly Customer Charter, which must be prominently displayed in your premises.
Inclusion in Fáilte Ireland’s communications campaign for the Family Friendly initiative (including Printed material, Direct Mail pieces, Web, Publicity etc)
Inclusion in Fáilte Ireland’s training and development programmes for Family Fun in Youghal

There will be a quality control mechanism put in place where all programme participants will be visited to ensure the consistency of their family friendly offering and that all elements of the charters are being adhered to.

Bonfire Night is an annual celebration held on the 23rd June (St. John’s Eve). The celebrations take place in towns and villages across the country and centered around the summer solstice.
Report/Photo: Michael Hussey Email: news@youghalonline.com

The custom dates back to pagan times. Bonfire Night was always celebrated in Youghal with bonfires in different parts of the town but these customs and traditions are largely ignored nowadays. The embers of this long tradition have become a burning or more accurately a non-burning issue. The photograph shows everybody enjoying the annual spectacle of the bonfire in the plot Sarsfield Terrace back in 1983.

St John’s Eve (or Oiche Fheile Eoin (Bonfire Night) is celebrated in many parts of rural Ireland with the lighting of bonfires. This ancient custom has its roots in pre-Christian Irish society when the Celts honored the Goddess Áine, the Celtic equivalent of Venus and Aphrodite. She was the Goddess Queen of Munster and Christianised rituals in her honour (as Naomh Áine) took place until the nineteenth century on Knockainy, (Cnoc Áine – the Hill of Áine) in County Limerick.

During the festival, people would say prayers, asking for God’s blessing upon their crops. They would also take ashes from the fire, and spread them over their land as a blessing for protection for their crops. It was also common to have music, singing, dancing, and games during the festival. The fire was used for destroying small objects of piety (rosary beads, statues, etc.) without disrespecting God. It was also common for people to jump through the flames of the bonfire for good luck.

In Thomas Flanagan’s The Year of the French, the ancient festival of St John’s Eve takes place. The book is set during the Irish rebellion of 1798. Here is an excerpt from The Year of the French:

Soon it would be Saint John’s Eve. Wood for the bonfire had already been piled high upon Steeple HIll, and when the night came there would be bonfires on every hill from there to Downpatrick Head. There would be dancing and games in the open air, and young men would try their bravery leaping through the flames. There would even be young girls leaping through, for it was helpful in the search of a husband to leap through a Saint John’s Eve fire, the fires of midsummer. The sun was at its highest then, and the fires spoke to it, calling it down upon the crops. It was the turning point of the year, and the air was vibrant with spirits. –The Year of the French

Some regions of Ireland follow a custom seemingly inspired by the activity from which this saint takes his title, Baptist (more accurately, Baptizer). They head to the ocean and immerse themselves in its waters. In this, they imitate the original form of baptism practiced by St John, as well as by the early Christians.