On Sunday last 22nd August 2010, visitors flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 4th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com| Email: news@youghalonline.com

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 8,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day, a record number for the event. The glorious sunshine made the inclement weather of the event in 2009 a distant memory!

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Village’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in support of the event. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Co. Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were mesmerised by the archery display and huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ played host to some of the best activities seen at the festival to date. The ‘Mumbo Jumbo Circus Workshop’ was a flurry of excitement and activity as kids of all ages learned how to stilt walk or ride a unicycle. The bouncy castle area was a major attraction as children braved the obstacle course over and over again.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ saw the re-introduction of traditional arts & crafts fun. Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Catherine Desmond said: “Parents were delighted with the concept of ‘back to basics’ fun. Children were able to get involved and create their own Medieval Hats and Shields which they could then wear and bring home as a souvenir. Each year the committee tries to incorporate a good balance of fun, education and heritage into the festival and I think it’s fair to say that we achieved just that. Not only did we organise a ‘FREE FAMILY EVENT’ but we also reopened the historic quarter of Youghal which has seen a huge facelift over the last few years”, commented Catherine.

This year more quality food and craft stalls only added to the electric atmosphere of the gardens in ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’.  Traders recreated the colourful atmosphere of a noisy Medieval Marketplace and visitors were given the chance to purchase unique gifts and top quality food produce ranging from homemade ice – cream to wood-fired pizza.

The ‘bandstand area’ featured lively performances from local band ‘Rannach’ followed by local favourites ‘Redmond & John’ culminating with the Youghal Pipe Band.  Community Radio Youghal was of course on hand throughout the entire day to report on proceedings throughout the afternoon.

Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage said: “The event was a tremendous success and the support we’ve seen from the business community in the town deserves a huge acknowledgement. We received some fantastic spot prizes for our raffle and I would like to give them a big thank you on behalf of the committee. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our many hard working volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event. Festivals like these rely heavily on volunteers and it’s great to see such community spirit”.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.
Click on image to enlarge. All photographs www.youghalonline.com. For high resolution image copy of any of the photos seen here please email to news@youghalonline.com with Attention to picturedesk

Key to photographs
91 Youghal Town Cryer Cliff Winser with Noel Curtin and sons Jack and Robbie
105 William and Morgan Joyce with ‘Captain Jack’ Kieran Groeger
107 Paula, TJ and Amy Rusk, Teresa and Sean Slattery with Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley
110 Ann marie Roe, Patrice Desmond and Stacey O’Leary
112 Carmel Murphy from Limerick
113 Derek Kenefick fundraising for the Haven for Haiti building programme
119 Susan and Shane Morgan with facepainter Clara Foley
120 Tina Molloy with her children enjoying the free festival
122 Rebecca Hanna and Coran McCarthy with doggy Kerry at the Medieval Festival
138 Tilly McCarthy and Patrick Walsh
140 Sean Donovan and Ann Power
159 Michelle Hennessy, Sheila Whyte and Sandra McLellan and child
184 James and Alavoine from Cork
187 Seth Lewis and Viki Nagy
190 Mervyn Scott and Noel Cronin from Youghal local radio CRYIssued by:

Youghal Heritage Committee

Tel: 024-81814

E: youghalheritage@mail.com or tourism@youghal.ie

Excitement is mounting as the countdown to the country’s largest FREE Medieval Festival begins!

The event takes place this year at St. Mary’s College Gardens, Youghal, on Sunday 22nd August 2010 from 12 – 6 PM.  Events are planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

Catherine Desmond of the organising committee explained the reasoning behind the festival: “This festival, which is now in its fourth year, is about bringing heritage to life. We always strive to make it enjoyable for all the family and this year’s programme of events is guaranteed to do just that. We have more Medieval Re enactments than ever before and the ‘Kids Kingdom’ is sure to be a big hit with children. We have a new edition to our entertainment this year in the form of a falconry display which we are confident will captivate our entire audience.”

This year sees the event back in its rightful place at St. Mary’s Historic Gardens, Youghal which will be transformed into a spectacular ‘Medieval Village’. Youghal’s Municipal Heritage Committee, the organisers behind the event, are expecting in excess of 5000 visitors to visit the holiday town providing a much appreciated boost to the local economy.

The town, which has been recently designated as a ‘Family Friendly Destination’ by Failte Ireland, is making a name for itself as a holiday location dedicated to cater for the needs of the family.

“It’s free events such as these that attract visitors to Youghal and subsequently provide an economic spin-off to our town”.  said Aileen Ahern of the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group.

Celebrations kick off at 12PM in the ‘Medieval Quarter’ with Medieval Re – Enactments by the wonderful UCC Medieval Society, Medieval Cookery Displays as well as fully choreographed combative scenes which will demand full audience interaction!

The fearsome ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Wexford will mesmerise its audience as it offers a unique and exciting blend of education, history and theatre.

Speaking on behalf of the Freelance Knights, Paul Wickham said “Our combat displays are as authentic as possible as they are from genuine Medieval Martial Arts. We also have a large display of armour and weapons including examples of replicas showing weaponry from the bronze age through to the last legally worn sword. The Georgian Small Sword”.

The Knights have also been involved in an impressive array of TV and Film appearances both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as fight choreographers.

The ‘Kids Kingdom ‘is always a guaranteed favourite and this year the line up won’t disappoint with the highlight being the ‘Mumbo Jumbo Circus Workshop’. Kids of all ages can learn how to stilt walk or ride a unicycle! With one of the largest bouncy castles in all of cork on the day, face painters, balloon making, shield smiles on faces will be guaranteed!

Visitors are invited to come along and indulge in the finest of local produce at ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’. Hosted by a variety of local traders, as well as from across Cork City & County, visitors are guaranteed there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

As if all that wasn’t enough, the open air stage will play host to some of the best local bands around providing music and entertainment throughout the entire day.

Youghal’s Medieval Festival takes place in St. Mary’s College Gardens, Youghal on Sunday August 22nd 2010 from 12PM – 6PM

If you wish to take a stand at the food & craft fair or get further details on the event contact:

Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee on: 024 – 81800, or email, youghalheritage@mail.com

Issued by:

Youghal Heritage Committee

7-10 Enterprise Youghal,

Emmet Place,

Youghal

Tel: 024-81814

E: youghalheritage@mail.com

All photos taken from previous Medieval Festivals held in Youghal. Photos: www.youghalonline.com/archive