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

Last Friday (13th August 2010) night at Farrells Summerfield Bar a cheque in the sum of  € 12,650.00 was presented to Amanda Stavrou,Norma Kenneally,& Mary O’Dowd,staff members of Marymount Hospice,in front of a large crowd.
Photo : Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Martin Drake, whose wife Caroline sadly passed away on 29th July  2009 in Marymount Hospice, together with his family decided to hold a road race/walk on 18th July in memory of Caroline and to raise much needed funds for Marymount Hospice.

A small organising committee was formed  consisting of  Martin Drake, Tim Twomey,Ger Flanagan,& Willie Dalton and all worked very hard up to race day to ensure the road race/walk was a huge success.Ger Flanagan of Flanagan Print was very helpful in promoting the race/walk as he very generously printed over a thousand race leaflets which Martin and Tim brought to all the road races leading up to our race .He also printed several large posters and over 200 sponsorship cards.

At the presentation last Friday night Twomey welcomed the Mayor Youghal, Mary Lenihan Foley and the large crowd in attendance and thanked them all for coming. He thanked the main sponsors for their very generous support, in particular Mike Farrell (Summerfield Bar) for the use of his premises on race day  and various other meetings, Jack O’Patsy Pottery, Flanagan Print, Kelkab Ltd.,The Quays Bar,Lidl, & Supermacs. He also thanked all the local shopkeepers and offices who were very generous in giving out spot prizes.

He went on to thank all the people who came out to help on the day in particular Sergeant Mark Ward and all his colleagues at the Garda Station for giving us a traffic free route,Pat McCarthy and his paramedic team, Willie O’ Mahony for his PA system, Tommy Roche, The Coast Guard Crew, the Wild Geese Motor Cycle Club for their help at stewarding the race, and The Ballycotton Running Promotions team for their help on the day.

Although it rained most of the day the Race /Walk was a huge success with 245 runners/walkers taking part. We raised € 2,500.00 approx from this event  with the balance € 10,150.00 coming from Sponsorship Cards.Twomey went on to thank all the people from East Cork, West Waterford that contributed so generously to this great cause.

He then called on Amanda Stavrou (Marymount Hospice)to say a few words.Amanda said she was delighted to accept such a large cheque on behalf of  Marymount Hospice and that the money would be well spent as they were hoping to move into their new Hospital/Hospice at Curraheen next year. The cost of the new facility is € 60M.She thanked everyone that contributed and particularly Martin and his hard working team. Twomey thanked Amanda and called on the Lord Mayor to say a few words.

The Mayor of Youghal, Mary Lenihan Foley said she was delighted to have been invited to say a few words. She said she was amazed to have seen such a great turnout on  race/walk day. The rain did not deter 245 competitors on July 18th,and she complimented the race organisers for doing such a great job and hoped it would be an annual event.

She then said the staff at Marymount Hospice had a very special vocation and said not everyone could do their work.  She said she was delighted that the race organisors had raised such a huge sum for Marymount Hospice and complimented everyone in Youghal and the surrounding areas for their very generous contributions in these recessionary times.She wished the three Staff members and all at Marymount the best of look when they move into their new Hospital/Hospice next year.

Twomey thanked the Mayor for her kind words and hoped everyone would enjoy the rest of the night.