THE AILBRIN SOCIETY is presenting a talk ” IRISH WALLED TOWNS & YOUGHAL’S CONTRIBUTION” by the archaeologist, Catherine Desmond on Wednesday, January 18th at 8.30 pm at the Red Store, North Main Street, Youghal. Admission: Members free; non-members 5E. New members always welcome.

YOUGHAL’S TOWN WALLS are over 700 years old, having witnessed centuries of history and generations of locals come and go. They are the second longest walls in Ireland after those of Derry.

Click on the video below to watch: Youghal town walls – A Laser Scan Survey of a Medieval Town Wall in Youghal, Co. Cork.

to      news@youghalonline.com
date     Sat, Aug 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM
subject    Video from my last stay in Youghal in June I made a video.

Maybe you can use it for your site.

Kind regards,

Wim Stam
Arnhem
Holland

Click on the video below to watch Dutch Wim Stam’s video view of Youghal

Youghal (English pronunciation: /?j??l/; Irish: Eochaill, meaning “yew woods”) is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout. At the 2002 census the population was 6,597, but the population of its catchment area is about 10,000.

Lying on the coastline of East Cork, the bustling and picturesque town of Youghal is deemed one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. The historic walled seaport town of Youghal has many historic buildings and monuments within its ancient town walls, and has been designated as an Irish Heritage Port by the Irish Tourist Board. Formerly a strong manufacturing town, Youghal continues to experience sustained economic decline and employment in the town itself has seen a marked decrease in 2008. Many of the town’s population commute to work in the Cork or Waterford region.

Name

The name Youghal (pronounced yawl) comes from the Irish Eochaill meaning “yew woods”, which were once plentiful in the area. Older anglicisations of this name include Youghall, Yoghel and Yochil.

Youghal town walls – A Laser Scan Survey of a Medieval Town Wall in Youghal, Co. Cork.

YOUGHAL’S TOWN WALLS are over 700 years old, having witnessed centuries of history and generations of locals come and go. They are the second longest walls in Ireland after those of Derry.

Click on the video below.

Classroom crucifix ban overturned

Friday March 18 2011

A ruling banning religious symbols in classrooms has been overturned by human rights judges.

Victory for the Italian government came in an appeal against an earlier verdict by the same court in which a mother won her case that the display of crucifixes in Italian state schools breached religious freedoms enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights.

 

If upheld on Friday, the decision would have affected religious schools across Europe.

But a “Grand Chamber” of the European Court of Human Rights completely reversed the original result, declaring that the judges could find no evidence that the crucifix placed on classroom walls influenced pupils.

The National Secular Society (NSS) said the final outcome was a severe blow to the rights of parents not to expose their children to promotion of a particular faith.

NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood said: “This is a severe blow to the concept of state neutrality in relation to religion, and to secularism. It flies in the face of Europe’s increasing plurality and diversity and risks damaging the (human rights) court’s previous reputation of treating all citizens equally.”

But the UK Independence Party’s Paul Nuttall welcomed the result, saying: “It was the right judgment but in the wrong court.

“The European Court of Human Rights should never have attacked the rightful autonomy of the Italian state, nor undermined the religious freedom, culture, history and identity of its people.”

The original, unanimous, court decision in 2009 was a victory for Soile Lautsi, a non-Catholic mother who complained that her children, aged 11 and 13, were exposed to crucifixes in classrooms at their school in northern Italy.

But Friday’s 15-2 majority verdict decided that, “while the crucifix is above all a religious symbol, there is no evidence before the court that (its) display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils”.

Press Association

English and History Grinds – Junior and Leaving Cert Level

Michael Twomey  BA Hdip and MA

Qualified teacher with first class honours degree in both English and History and first class honours Master Degree. Will come to student’s home if required. Reasonable Rates

For more information call

087 2118191 or 024 91576

Last books remaining in bookshops now!

Mike Hackett, author and historian, is no stranger to the people of Youghal and East Cork, and his books have brought acclaim from far and wide.

Known for his easy writing, his great knowledge of his book topics, and his love of all things Youghal. Some copies of Mike Hackett’s tenth book ‘Sars’ are still available to buy in most bookshops in Youghal and in Quinn’s Shop Ardmore. This is a limited edition and will not be reprinted. The book is sure to be sold out for Christmas, so purchase now for the few remaining.

All monies raised from the sale of ‘Sars’ will be donated to the Leukaemia Section of Cork University Hospital, which has a special place in Mike’s heart.
So, Mike Hackett’s tenth book is now on sale and by purchasing this great, heartwarming, funny, factual and enjoyable read, you will also be contributing to a most worthy charity.

Local author and historian Mike Hackett launched his latest book about the town on Fri. night 22nd Oct. 2010 at the GAA Pavilion. This is Mike’s 10th book and by far his favourite work. Mike started his latest book last February and felt that there was some aspects of the town that needed to be covered and Sarsfield Terrace was one of them. Help from residents of the terrace, like Kay Cronin, Maurice Ahern, Ann Tomlin, Fr. Donal Hussey to name but a few, wrote pieces for his book which is a compilation of anecdotes from residents living and former residents of ‘The Terrace’, Cork Hill and Windmill Hill.

Click on video to watch the nostalgic 8 min movie clip of Mike Hackett’s book launch

The book is basically a social history of the area with many photographs of great interest. Mary Ann Smyth was asked to launch the book being the Queen of the terrace. Aine Neville O’Donoghue, Kathleen Quinn and Peter Lee provided the entertainment to the packed house. Proceeds from the book go to the Leukemia section of the Mercy Hospital, Cork
Mike, accompanied by his wife Mary and family, was in great form and at home for the book launch, while his brother Martin was MC for the evening. Canon Tom Browne, Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley, Mary Anne Smyth spoke to the capacity crowds who turned up to thank Mike personally on his his magnificent book on magnificent people.

Book available in most bookshops in town and in Quinn’s Shop Ardmore

Mike Hackett, author and historian, is no stranger to the people of Youghal and East Cork, and his books have brought acclaim from far and wide.   Known for his easy writing, his great knowledge of his book topics, and his love of all things Youghal his popularity was in evidence on Saturday night last, October 23rd, when his tenth book ‘Sars’, was officially launched in the wonderful facility that is the GAA Club Aras.   Between 300 and 400 people packed into the hall, all carrying ‘Sars’ under their arm, and all waiting expectantly for the official launch of the book, which honour was bestowed on the most senior citizen of Sarsfields Terrace, Mrs Mary Ann Smyth. Report: Denise FitzGerald | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Martin Hackett, brother of Mike’s, introduced the various guests which included Canon Tom Browne, Cllr Mary Lenihan Foley, Mayor of Youghal, and Mary Ann Smyth.   The guests spoke eloquently about Mike and the Sars book, after which Mary Ann approached the podium to perform the launch.   But first, she regaled the audience with various stories and events from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s about the residents of Sarsfields Terrace,  What laughter and fun!   There were stories about nappies being brought in from the rain by neighbours when the owner was out, and the house in a mess!   Mention was made of ‘pinches of sugar’ being borrowed and returned;  a gentleman finishing off the alcohol which had been bought and put aside for the same gentleman’s wake;   racing pigeons belonging to eighteen different families in the Terrace who regularly flew to North of Ireland and back;  heavy top coats being put on beds to keep  them warm in winter time;  and the mammies doing the rounds of the houses at Christmas time where glasses of wine (sherry in those days) were imbibed in each house causing consternation when they were trying to make their way home!    Periwinkle picking was gone into in detail, and of course there were all those stories about the ’The Toppers’, ‘The  Bottomers’ and ‘The Browns in between!’.

Mary Ann went on to say that the most important thing was that when one neighbour was well of, then they all were;  and when one neighbour was finding the going tough, then the rest of the neighbours did too.   “Sharing was the lifeblood of these people in times which were more often hard than good, and none of the neighbours had anything more, or less, than the other.

Mike Hackett, to his eternal credit, took over from Mary Ann and, difficult though it was to follow that act, he thanked everyone for their encouragement, support and input to his latest publication.   He confirmed that there were at least twenty eight writers from Sarsfields Terrace and suurrnds who submitted stories to the book and this, he said, made the compiling of his book so much easier for him.

All monies raised from the sale of ‘Sars’ will be donated to the Leukaemia Section of Cork University Hospital, which has a special place in Mike’s heart.

So, Mike Hackett’s tenth book is now on sale and by purchasing this great, heartwarming, funny, factual and enjoyable read, you will also be contributing to a most worthy charity.

Someone once said that a good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you, and remains a friend.  A good friend!   Just like the Stars of ‘Sars’.

Click here to watch the nostalgia 8 min movie clip made by Michael Hussey for www.youghalonline.com

The late Michael (Mick) McCarthy speaks a brief history of the Youghal Pipe Band, one of the longest existing pipebands in Ireland founded in 1914 by Danny (Duis) McCarthy.

This interview was recorded in 1996 and features past members Moss Walsh & John O Brien and current members Leanne Murphy & Pearl McCarthy being interviewed by Read more

YOUGHAL IS, perhaps, best known for its five miles of uncluttered beaches.  The beaches, however, even though a huge part of our town, are not the only attraction which the town of Youghal can boast.   The history of the town, which is the second oldest town in Ireland next to Kinsale, is amazing and among the different historical buildings is the Benedictine Priory, Tyntes Castle, and the Alms Houses.  Coupled with these, Youghal is home to the most wonderful docks and old warehouses which bear witness to Youghal’s maritime past.   The Town Walls are situated high about the town and one can visualise what Youghal must have looked like back in the 13th century when places such as Raheen Park, Sarsfield Terrace and all the housing beyond for miles were mere fields.  Just below the walls, St Mary’s Collegiate Church has the most extensive medieval gardens, and right next door is Myrtle Grove which is the former home of Walter Raleigh.  Denise FitzGerald Reports/Photo Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Coupled with this historic panorama, the town of Youghal itself is a modern, interesting and unusual town with colourful shops, pubs and restaurants with old lanes leading from the Main Street in both directions – one side leading to the sea and the river Blackwater,  and the other climbing high from the street, at the top of which are the most wonderful views of the Bay and River.

Approximately seven years ago, a group of dedicated people from the Youghal area, who share a passion for the wealth of our heritage, formed a voluntary committee with a view to showcasing the wonderful gem which is Youghal.   In 2002 a meeting was arranged  with  Dr, Dagmar Ui Riain – Raedel of Dept.of History ,UCC and a decision was taken to hold a week of events culminating in a conference and field trip.   One of the results of the field trip was that it exposed the international importance of nearby Molana Abbey, and this attracted many people and several Oxford University scholars.    The Conference was so successful that it was decided to continue on for the following year at least.   The Group were delighted and honoured that Dagmar joined the Committee and is now Conference Director.

On Thursday night last in the Mall Arts Centre, Youghal Celebrates History launched  their 7th Conference, which will take place from September 25th to September 27th inclusive at the Mall Arts Centre and the theme for 2009 is “The River Blackwater, Historic Houses and Landscapes”.   Attendees will be treated to thought provoking and entertaining lectures by eminent speakers who will share their knowledge and insights into the role of the Blackwater in Irish history, past, present and future.  The conference Dinner will be held on Saturday night, September 26th at the Red Store, North Main Street,  and numbers are limited.  The Conference will culminate with a river trip on the Blackwater to Dromana House.   The Youghal Ceoltas Group will entertain during lunch on the day.

The attendance on Thursday night last was large and enthusiastic, and excitement was high in anticipation of the event.   Dr. Dagmar Ui Riain – Raedel, who was introduced by John Kelly, spoke eloquently on Youghal Celebrates History, and was loud in her praise of the tremendous work of the committee, which is made up of Seamus Lantry, David Kelly, Sheelagh Morehan, Helen Keane, Claire Hynes, Deirdre Kelly, Tom Mc Carthy, Breeda Phillips, Sheila Loughnan, Mary O Callaghan and Helen Keane, all of whom work together with efficiency and enjoyment.   There can be no doubt that, in the seven years of their existence, these people have contributed hugely towards the Bord Fáilte designation of Youghal as a Heritage town, and the Youghal Town Atlas, and congratulations are extended to each one.

Thanks are extended to sponsors over the years for their generosity. We are particularly indebted to Youghal Town Council and the people of Youghal for their continued support and generosity. Special thanks this year to Maróg and Sally O’Brien, and Kay Harte of Farm Gate, Midleton and Cork, who provide the superb food, and to Ken Brookes of SuperValu Youghal for the fine wine.
All are welcome at the Conference, and early booking is advisable.

Web ; youghalcelebrateshistory.com
Email : ytta@eircom.net
Phone : (00353) 087 9666554
or write : Youghal Celebrates History, St Mary’s College, Emmet Place, Youghal Co.Cork

Click on image to see the launch of the 7th annual Youghal Celebrates History at the Mall Arts Centre – Photo Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Photo Captions:

74 Breeda Phillips with her son John and daughter Siobhan at the launch

75 Helen Mackessy, Michael Beecher and Sheila Moreham
77 Sally O’Brien
78 Frankie Mills, Noel Cronin and Sean Noonan
80 Michelle Hennessy and Mayor Sandra McLellan
81 Tom McCarthy, Barbara Murray and Cliff Winser
82 Catherine Kelly and Rhiannon Carey Bates from the Youghal heritage committee
87 Marian O’Halloran and Catherine Desmond
88 89 Rhiannon Carey Bates, Catherine Desmond, Mayor Sandra McLellan and Marian O’Halloran
91 Mervyn Scott with Margaret and Eoin Crowley
93 Dagmar O’Riain and Kay Donnelly
95 Micheal and Helen de Buitleir
98 Seamus Langtry and Sheila Moreham

202
209 John Kelly
210 Dagmar O’Riain
218 Catryn Power and Kay Donnelly
220 Kathleen McSweeney, Helen Mackessy and Stacy Quillivan
223 Tom McCarthy, Emily Villier Stuart, Dagmar O’Riain and John Kelly
234 Tony Gallagher and Helen Keane