Youghal Lighthouse Offered To Town Council – By Christy Parker

The transfer of Youghal Lighthouse into the care of Youghal Town Council was the subject of a presentation to December’s town council meeting by Tim Ryan, the Inspector of Local Aids to Navigation for the Commission of Irish Lights (CIL).

Mr Ryan began by explaining how the CIL, which dates back to 1665, remains tasked with responsibility for Irish lighthouses, north and south of the border, under the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act. The commission oversees general (outer harbour more or less) navigation across 80 lighthouses, 145 buoys, 488 beacons and several electronic aid mechanisms such as marine DGPS’s, along with 4,200 local (inner harbour) navigation aids, including sea farming.

Technological advances have now surpassed the need for many navigational aids, inclusive of lighthouses and every five years the CIL reviews its remit. Elaborating, Mr. Ryan explained that “there are two buoys south of Youghal to warn general shipping of the dangers from the Barr Rocks and the Blackball Ledge. The lighthouse in turn guides local shipping to the north or west of the dangers. Effectively, if need be, the lighthouse could be replaced by three more buoys.”

Under this criteria, a CIL review in 2010 deemed Youghal lighthouse an aid to local navigation only. Government funding, strictly audited, now only supports assistance to general navigation aids, so the commission wants to hand over the Youghal Lighthouse to the local authority. Similar arrangements continue to occur throughout the country, whereby the CIL will provide advice and assistance but will not advance monetary support.

On departing, the CIL would bequeath a large quantity of the 1,000 watt bulbs (two a year) required to flash warnings, but the remaining cost of maintaining the acquirement was estimated at about €5,000 a year. Cllr O’Connell, to general agreement, suggested that the structure could generate income towards this through tourism initiatives, as has occurred in, to similar circumstances elsewhere. She also wondered -half joking but fully serious- if the house could be handed over at a “knocked-down” price but the CIL representative pleaded that his organisation was as funds deficient as everyone else these days.

No house

Cllr Linehan-Foley reflected the widely-held sentiment that Youghal Lighthouse, in common with the Clock Gate and Town Walls is iconic to Youghal and has to be maintained. So far so good, but the discussion hit the rocks somewhat when Mr Ryan explained that the CIL is only parting with the lighthouse and its adjoining out houses. It will retain ownership of the nearby dwelling and garden that also occupy the compound. The reason for this is quite simply that this section –currently leased as a holiday home- has a market value, which the CIL is in the process of defining.

The CIL envisaged erecting a 2m high dividing fence between both aspects, while creating a separate entrance for the garden. Rejecting this notion, Cllr Liam Burke argued that, “It has been a complete site since Norman times. In fact the Norman’s brought over nuns from the Order of St. Ann in France to run the lighthouse. A dividing fence would tarnish its historical integrity and reduce its heritage value,” he argued as he asked that CIL consider providing the house as well.

Mr Ryan was not of a mind to give away houses however. He suggested two alternatives. “You could either buy it or, perhaps, lease it,” he urged. When light is thrown on the market value of the house and garden, he will inform the council.

 

Related Story: Click here to read ‘Ireland To Pay For Its Own Lighthouses’

 

Get Ready for the Brand new Panel Discussion show coming soon to  CRY104fm

WHAT’S IN A NAME? – Knockanore’s Marita Kelly,Youghal’s former first lady Mary Linehan Foley and Linda Carroll who’s now resident in Carrigtwohill  form the 3 panel team on this new afternoon show on Community Radio Youghal where the ladies will review the weeks happenings in the world of Politics and Current Affairs both locally and Nationally before looking at all the latest Entertainment and Fashion news with all the latest Celibrity gossip and Reality TV news .

What the ladies are missing is a name for their brand new show and they want to hear from you with any suggestions you may have for a name for this “Midday ”  style panel  discussion show .

If you have any ideas please text Community Radio Youghal  on 024 92288 , Text us on 087 2544745 , Leave a message on our Facebook page  or e-mail us on programmes@youghalradio.com

Summer arrives in December to re-enchant as new art gallery opens. – By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL has acquired a new art centre with the opening of Frida Gallery at 38 South Main Street last Wednesday (November 30th). Youghal Mayor Eoin Coyne cut the tape on the new business, which is owned by Offaly-born Lora Murphy, now in her fourth year of residency in the town.

The three-storey building, owned by Lora, formerly housed a tattoo parlour on its first two floors with a painting studio in the upper reaches. The two lower floors will now accommodate exhibition spaces, where artists from throughout Ireland are expected to display their work. “I hope in the long term to provide a focal point where young and emerging artists can be encouraged and can display their work,” says Lora.

A graduate from UCC, free-spiriting Lora arrived in Youghal having resided for over 20 years in Montana and Alaska. She was poised to settle in Abbeyside, Dungarvan –indeed had paid a deposit on a house- when a day trip to Youghal turned her head. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful the town was and immediately opted to live here instead!,” she recalls. She purchased a home in the strand the work base in South Main Street.

Inspiring

Frida Gallery is named in honour of Frida Kahlo, an iconic early to mid-19th century Mexican artist renowned particularly for her surrealist self-portraits, depicting “pain and passion”, through intense, vibrant colours. Her work is highly celebrated in Mexico as emblematic of national and indigenous tradition, and by feminists for its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. “She was and remains a hugely inspiring figure,” says the inspiring Lora, simply.

Last week two new exhibitions were launched at ‘the Frida.’ On Floor 2, Re-enchantment currently features abstract paintings by Greystones painter Barbara O’Meara. The inaugural ground floor exhibition carries the wishful title of Summer in December’ a theme carried by over 20 established artists, local and national, in ‘Plein Air’ mode as the easel world terms it -that is to say, the paintings are outdoor creations. They traverse oils to acrylic to watercolours and all points in between, with representations varying from Killarney’s luscious landscapes to a Kerry rave scene by way of a County Cork rail station!

Orphanage support

The gallery will donate 25% of its income to an orphanage project in Uganda called Toro Babies Home. Championed by Lora’s partner Lars Moeslund and run by Norwegian volunteers, the orphanage houses over 50 children, whose parents have died or are dying of AIDS.  “It provides a ‘substitute  mother and family’ and enables them to have some normality through attending school etc,” says Lars. “The plan is to make the orphanage as self-sufficient with its own food production over the coming years.” The gallery will continue to support the orphanage project into the future.

Summer in December and Re-enchantment run until Christmas Eve from noon to 6 pm. Enquiries: 085-8866424; e-mail: mornag@usa.net; fb: look up Gallery Frida

Please click on image to see more photos of the opening night of Gallery Frida – Pics by YOL

Labour TD Sean Sherlock attends special meeting of Youghal Town Council. – By Christy Parker

CORK EAST LABOUR TD SEAN SHERLOCK discussed a range of local issues during a specially convened meeting with Youghal Town Council on Monday October 24th. Deputy Sherlock is Minister of State, Department of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and Department of Education & Skills with responsibility for Research & Innovation.

Due to various circumstances, just four councillors attended the 10 am assembly, they being Cllrs Mary Linehan-Foley, Eoin Flanagan, Liam Burke and Tara O’Connell. Town Clerk Liam Ryan and assistant town clerk Helen Mulcahy, were also present.

Cllr O’Connell:

The occasion marked the first attendance and formal co-option of Tara O’Connell, who was succeeding her late father Tommy in the chamber. All present in turn offered words of welcome and encouragement to the new member. For her part the councillor thanked the council executive and staff for its support during the occasion of her father’s passing. She also expressed gratitude to the council for providing a guard of honour at her late father’s funeral. She looked forward greatly to doing her best in the chamber “for the town, for my family and for my dad.”

Deputy Sherlock:

Deputy Sherlock then explained that he was liaising with all town councils in his constituency, while reassuring that he would do all within his capability to advance Youghal’s interests. He drew comparisons with his native Mallow in terms of both areas being RAPID towns “lacking in inward investment.” He added that he would be meeting IDA Chief Executive Barry O’Leary later that week to discuss the issue of investment in such towns, particularly given Mr. O’Leary’s recent statement that investment was primarily focused in the larger urban areas. “We need to know why this is,” he observed.

Broadband and IDA:

The deputy stressed the importance of infrastructure, including broadband, being upgraded to meet and attract investment. Asked by Mayor Eoin Coyne if there was a national strategy towards such broadband infrastructure, Deputy Sherlock said there was a proposal through Cork Chamber of Commerce to develop a transatlantic cable link through a consortium. It was being proposed that the State would meet part of the cost. The venture would have widespread communications and economic benefits, he noted, to the entire southern region.

In terms of industrial initiatives, the deputy felt that small units – employing 10-20 maximum- was now the realistic aspiration. He believed that towns like Youghal were best suited to acquiring such models as start-up companies aka the Rubicon Centre in CIT.

Town Clerk Liam Ryan said the IDA’s apparent policy of focusing on larger urban areas was “very concerning” regarding school leavers and college graduates who could not see a future in Youghal beyond the struggling retail sector. He inquired whether there was any advance from the IDA on the Amgen site and was told that “it seems to be off the agenda.”

Tourism -and waste water treatment:

Deputy Sherlock said he envisaged tourism as a lynchpin in Youghal’s development and viewed it as being open to practical, day to day assistance from central government under local strategy initiatives as against being part of the national economic strategy. Mr. Ryan said Youghal had benefited somewhat under the economic strategy but that RAPID statistics showed persistent underlying problems regarding education, unemployment, etc.

The town clerk argued that the provision of a secondary treatment and waste water plant as crucial to Youghal’s tourism development, especially given its reliance on blue flag status. He said the present situation offered no guarantee that the three flags in residence will remain. The deputy promised to investigate the status of the project within the Department of the Environment.

Education:

Deputy Sherlock said education was fundamental to improving job prospects and asked whither Youghal’s status on night classes, courses etc.  Mr Ryan said the uptake on such classes in Youghal was unfortunately quite small and presented a challenge. In the course of some discussion, it was agreed that Midleton, with its immense variety and quality of courses, was attracting Youghal people to the detriment of local provision. The visitor agreed to seek out ideas on improving the balance through talks with the VEC and SECAD. Cllr Burke said the town needed a dedicated adult education officer, which the visitor noted.

The town clerk asked if it was possible to increase the number of Fás course deployed in the town from the current total of three, which incorporates about 45 workers. He said most Fás workers were engaged in sports and heritage projects, while an envisaged course in stonemasonry seemed to have been shelved. The deputy asked whether there had been any engagement by Youghal Town Council with Rubicon technological advances centre at CIT on heritage matters. “The Enterprise Centre has,” said Mr. Ryan, adding that, while the centre is doing quite well, remained interested in acquiring spin-off benefits from Rubicon as part of its expansion plans, which also included arts and crafts.

Mr. Ryan further reminded that the town was particularly dependent on the town council’s involvement in job creation and tourism, etc. and that the proposed restructuring or diminishment of local government could seriously jeopardise that. He cited Aura, the Enterprise centre and heritage projects by example. “The county council could not provide the same level of service,” he advised. Cllr Burke echoed the sentiments. “Duly noted,” was the measure of the deputy’s reply.

Deputy Sherlock then said that the Rubicon is working on mp3 wireless technological to augment the Mallow heritage trail. He proposed that he accommodate contact between Youghal Town Council and Rubicon by way of investigating the potential for Youghal in that field.

Academic links:

Mayor Coyne again asked for an update as to any national strategy to enhance rural areas for enterprise investment. Deputy Sherlock again stressed that increasing the level of education attainment in Rapid towns particularly, was the first step necessary. He also suggested that a certain degree of emigration/travel was inherent in the Irish post-graduate practice as an island nation. That aside, he repeated his view that smaller units of 10-20 employees –as against large factories- was the likely blueprint for the future in such towns. “The Small Business Advisory Group is currently trying to make it more attractive for those within the SMEs to employ more people, through easier regulation, etc,” he added. “We want to make Youghal attractive to investors. Higher education attainment and proper facilities and infrastructure can do that. If a town can develop an academic it helps that town a lot, such as Youghal and maybe CIT, for example.”

Supporting that theme, Cllr Linehan Foley recalled that WIT students had made an immense impression a year previous when charged with a project to create investment and development opportunities for Nealon’s Quay. (One wonders where those inventive and inspired ideas now rest.). Deputy Sherlock said he would endeavour to establish some academic links forthwith, bearing in mind also that the town has the extra advantage of strong interaction with west Waterford.

Trains and boats:

Cllr Burke advocated re-opening the Youghal-Midleton-Cork rail link, arguing that various reports had insisted that only then could Youghal reach its full potential. He said Cobh and Midleton operate rail services to Cork and Youghal could do likewise. “CIE has indicated support, providing the State funded it,” he observed. Duly noted.

Mr Ryan wondered if the deputy could investigate whither stands the funding strategy for marinas, while emphasising that Youghal was strategically placed for such a development and was considered thus within the South Cork Maritime Strategy. Deputy Sherlock sought information on applications for foreshore licences that had already been mooted. Mr. Ryan said there seemed to be a lack of funding schemes now available and a developer had not proceeded with applications for previous schemes. He proceeded that it remains a town council priority to provide a marina and that a number of sites had been identified. He needed an update on funding possibilities, he said before outlining the immense economic potential for the local and national economies by the installation of such a facility.

The deputy didn’t see the railway line being re-opened in the near future due to economic circumstances. Regarding the marina he knew there “were certain issues” surrounding the issue of foreshore licences but would now “raise the issue” with the relevant minister.

Cllr Burke also asked whether funding could be accessed to ensure remedial work on the sea wall on Youghal promenade. “It has been pinpointed as a top priority within Cork County Council,” added the town clerk, adding that a funding application had been forwarded to the Dept of Environment. “About a third of it has been completed and the tender stage has been reached or the second third,” he added. Duly noted by Deputy Sherlock, the meeting then concluded.

It would be wonderful to report that the final stages of the six-week adult swimming (intermediate level) lesson had seen a sort of web membrane growing across my toes and perhaps even the odd glittering scale glimmering on my back. Sadly I’m not morphing into an off season mackerel, let alone a majestic salmon, although there have undoubtedly been occasions when I have resembled an octopus thrashing about on the surface.

There have been positive changes though. I dispensed with the cut-off jeans that had sustained my maritime activities since 2003 and invested in a proper pair of grey-white polyester, down-to-the knee trunks. I felt like an extra in Summer Bay and for a crazy second I wondered if the ironing board would support me standing up on the water. I also found myself unconsciously greeting people with “G‘day mate” and asking the cat if she’d like more “tucker.” (“Fair dinkum,” she would meow back.)

The only surfing I have ever done –i.e. on the internet- had advised me that lighter swimming clobber was conducive to staying afloat during swimming lessons. This proved to be true. Nonetheless the real changes are more subtle and have occurred through tuition, effort and –let’s be honest- repeated failure.

Kicking back

Lesson four began with back stroke instruction. I had already mastered floating on my back and kicking to propel myself. Now we were revisiting the end of the previous lesson in learning how to employ the arms as well. This raises the stakes and I again noticed that Marcin (the Polish and polished tutor) has an enviable way of staying calm while watching a man (me) drown alongside him. Advice is his lifeline. “Head back in the water, hips forwards, hands by sides and relax. Relax. Now kick, kick, kick. Don’t bend your knees Chris. Keep kicking near the surface, not too far under the water. Keep one arm at your side and bring the other up. Imagine you are standing. Now the other arm up, make a big arc. And down. Kick, kick, kick. Head back. Look up. Never mind Chris…try again!”

We also undertook some exercises whereby we floated on our back and sort of waved our hands underwater, like little ducklings overcome by the novelty of discovering they had legs. I am proud to say that I took to this like, well, a duck to water. I may be no swan but….!

We also reviewed the freestyle (face down) swimming. Again, the importance of alignment in the Total Immersion technique was stressed -face down in the water, legs up in a straight line head leading the way. Rolling to breathe while maintaining the straight line is the key here and I’m working on it even as I sleep! Marcin helpfully pointed out that my arms were going down into, more than across, thus altering my position and dragging me under. Also, “while breathing on one side, your other arm should be extending fully,” he added as I disappeared from view again and water flooded my brain.

Breast efforts

Lesson five brought us to the breast stroke. Proper swimming, I was by now fully aware, is extremely tiring! Muscles last used as a toddler splashing in the bath are suddenly dragged from a life of long-term unemployment, handed a shovel and told to dig, dig, dig or kick, kick, kick at the case may be. The breast stroke takes this to a new level of exhaustion and disillusionment with God. The lungs become appalled at this new method of inundating them with water and threaten strike action every time the head surfaces. The mouth and nose fight desperately to erect a picket line of resistance, while the rest of the body threatens to down tools in support. The breaststroke is no way to come down from the glorious high of the back-floating duck paddle.

Swallowing the swimming pool aside, the breast stroke very much involves the legs. “Hands out, float, relax, then glide,” began Marcin. “Now, feet outwards, bend knees and push. Get power from the kick. Glide, kick, kick, hands pivotal in front, two kicks, push. Relax. It is pointless to resist. The doors are locked. You cannot escape from here.” Ok, I made up the last three sentences but starting the breast stroke does strange things to a man’s mind. But here’s the weirdest part of all. After ten minutes of perseverance, as my pool companions demonstrated a bit more forcefully than I- it starts to er, sink in.

Practice what you practice

Therein lies the key to success, as it resides in most things in life –practice, practice, practice.  Marcin is an excellent coach but “I can only show you what to do,” he rightly explains. “Then you have to do it yourself. But you do not have a lot of time.” Anyone joining up for swimming instructions would be well advised to realise that putting in some extra work of their own would greatly accelerate their progress. It’s like doing homework. I undertook an extra visit to Aura one night between lessons and it was of great help to work on one’s weakness (or in my case everything!) without needing to focus on another drill before getting to grips with the previous one. It’s a point with which two of my fellow learners, who I strongly suspect sleep in full bath tubs, support.

That said, psychology represents another impediment to progress, which practice can rectify. “You have an instinctive fear and distrust of the water environment,” Marcin identified to me. “Therefore you stiffen up. You must regard it as you do walking on land. Relax, be as one with the water if you can and you will learn faster.” Then there is the reward. When swimming goes well, when it all comes together, there are few more relaxing, fulfilling and health-promoting experiences. For those reasons, while the lessons will end next week, the challenge will continue in this lane with more practice, practice and practice. I get a kick, kick, kick out of it. I may even bring the ironing board.

TOTAL IMMERSION TECHNIQUE

Total Immersion is based on making one feel ‘at one’ with the water and focuses far more on technique and comfort than on speed. There are many instructions on Total Immersion available in booklet, DVD and on the internet. The following is a summary of the method’s main points taken from practitioner Tim Ferriss’s blog www.fourhourweek.com

1) To propel yourself forward with the least effort, focus on shoulder roll and keeping your body horizontal (least resistance), not pulling with your arms or kicking with your legs. This is counter-intuitive but important, as kicking harder is the most universal suggestion for fixing swimming issues.

2) Keep yourself horizontal by keeping your head in line with your spine — you should be looking straight down. Use the same head position as while walking and drive your arm underwater vs. swimming on the surface.

3. Think of swimming freestyle as swimming on alternating sides, not on your stomach.

“Actively streamline” the body throughout the stroke cycle through a focus on rhythmically alternating “streamlined right side” and “streamlined left side” positions and consciously keeping the bodyline longer and sleeker than is typical for human swimmers.

For those who have rock climbed or done bouldering, it’s just like moving your hip closer to a wall to get more extension. To test this: stand chest to a wall and reach as high as you can with your right arm. Then turn your right hip so it’s touching the wall and reach again with your right arm: you’ll gain 3-6?. Lengthen your vessel and you travel further on each stroke. It adds up fast.

4. Penetrate the water with your fingers angled down and fully extend your arm well beneath your head. Extend it lower and further than you think you should. This downward water pressure on the arms will bring your legs up and decrease drag. It will almost feel like you’re swimming downhill.

5. Focus on increasing stroke length (SL) instead of stroke rate (SR). Attempt to glide further on each downstroke and decrease the number of strokes per lap.

6. Forget about workouts and focus on “practice.” You are training your nervous system to perform counter-intuitive movements well, not training your aerobic system. If you feel strained, you’re not using the proper technique. Stop and review rather than persist through the pain and develop bad habits.

7. Stretch your extended arm and turn your body (not just head) to breathe. Some triathletes will even turn almost to their backs and face skyward to avoid short gasps and oxygen debt.

8. Experiment with hand swapping as a drill:

It’s difficult to remember all of the mechanical details while swimming. I short-circuited trying to follow half a dozen rules at once. Focus on keeping your lead arm fully extended until your other arm comes over and penetrates the water around the extended arm’s forearm. This encourages you to swim on your sides, extends your stroke length, and forces you to engage in what is referred to as “front quadrant” swimming.

See also: www. http://swimming.about.com; Aura: www.auraleisure.ie/youghal

Christy parker continues his efforts to improve his swimming technique at Aura’s adult lesson classes.  

Perhaps the oddest thing about re-joining Aura’s adult swimming lessons (Intermediate level) for the second of six night’s lessons was discovering that some of the stuff I had failed, depressingly, to master the week before seemed surprisingly easier on my return. Minutes into the water I found that swimming on my side, (although I can’t think of any reason why I’d ever actually want to do it!) or travelling on my back had become somehow manageable. The lessons imparted by the ever-patient instructor Marcin must have become ingrained in my subconscious and my body apparently rehearsed the moves unbeknownst to me in my dreams. A couple of my fellow learners had a similar impression. This was very encouraging for those of us whose ancestors weren’t dolphins.

Then Marcin got us to swim freestyle (forward) and turn, after every three strokes, to take in breath. Under Total Immersion (TI) technique, breathing doesn’t mean lifting one’s head out of the water, turning it towards the Capel Island and gasping in a lungful as I had long believed and practiced. No, like Trapattoni’s ‘leetle details’ there is a lot more. “Hips, shoulders, head,” intoned the tutor as if preparing us for the catwalk.

Chancing the arm

One of the fundamentals of TI is the ‘streamlining’ of the body, brought about by close alignment of the head with the spine, the toes pointed downwards, the arms -when extended fully- more like sleek paddles than say, appendages for carrying beer packs to the boot of a car. In imitating a human spear, the whole frame more or less turns when the mouth takes in air. Then you immerse the face in water again, take several strokes and repeat the process on the other side. “Try to rest the head on the arm as you turn, like so,” demonstrated Marcin, appearing to imitate a man who had just fallen of a very high building.

It was difficult to do this while continuing to kick water but, with belief and practice, it works and works well. At the end of the night and having again swallowed half a swimming pool, I had half mastered it. Spending another half hour rehearsing the lesson would undoubtedly have been of great benefit –but the sauna proved irresistible instead.

The following week circumstances decided me t to swap Tuesday for Thursday night’s session. In the course of the warm-up exercises – bit of free-styling, floating from a wall kick-back kind of thing, you know yourself – I learned another valuable lesson. Avoid eating a spicy curry dinner an hour before going swimming; the indigestion was horrid.

This was to be a night focused on back strokes and the like and one I’d personally prefer not to remember. In propelling oneself backwards off the wall of the pool it is necessary to grab on with both hands and then position the legs between the arms. This hunched position resembles a bat falling out of bed. It, too, is very inadvisable after a feed of curry. For one moment I thought I wouldn’t need my legs to do the propelling at all!

Taxi!

By now I had somehow reached the stage where I could progress backwards with my arms by my sides while surveying the rafters. I even ‘back pedalled’ to the point where I hit my head off the wall of the pool such had been my glorious momentum. I would very happily settle for this degree of ability for the rest of my life and let the world of float by while I digested a lengthy series of Tika Masala’s.

Marcin had other ideas. We were told how to back stroke, each arm in turn propelling us forward in wonderful rhythm, our heads well back in the water and our breathing in sync with our movements. Instead I took on the demeanour and behaviour of a half-naked drunk man hailing taxis, lost my balance a yard out from the wall, keeled over sideways like an overloaded dinghy and floundered to my feet as my swim cap made a beeline for my neck. This amazing circus act was repeated about a dozen times.

At one stage I made it three yards down the pool before capsizing, only to suffer foot cramp as I tried to re-launch myself. Meanwhile my three fellow-learners appeared to have morphed into fish. At one point Marcin suggested, “Chris you use the float for now,” a direction equivalent to taking a pilot from the cockpit and placing him three seats from the rear of the plane, strapped in tightly. I tried to console myself that this pain and humiliation was all for my own good, as many a psychopath in the teaching profession used to inform us in years gone thankfully by.

Getting there…

Unbelievably, worse was to follow when we were requested to commence manoeuvres by swimming on our backs with arms arched behind our heads. It sounds simple, it looks simple and to me it was simply impossible. I swear, I’d have hoped for the pool to open up and swallow me if it wasn’t already doing so.

But wait, with Marcin by now practically denoting all his efforts and patience to me personally –to keep me from drowning presumably- I began to improve. I suddenly wasn’t sinking sideways in a spectacular splutter. I was getting better and I hoped that the rest of the class could see it from the other end of the pool, where I was intent on reaching someday soon as well. Then the half hour was up and my progress stymied. Yes I should have stayed on to practice…. I will next time -without curry.

SINK OR SWIM –AURA’S NEW ADULT SWIMMING COURSES COMMENCE.

Christy Parker tests the water to improve his swimming technique.

I taught myself to swim more summers ago than I care to remember by lying face down in ‘dead man’s float’ fashion in the Blackwater and eventually practicing propulsion while trying not to swallow salt water. My technique, such as it is, has revolved around one deep breath followed by several more in the course of a journey during which I would try –not always successfully- to inhale more oxygen than water. However I have avoided water deeper than I am tall on the basis that once I use up my energy I sink!

Nonetheless my efforts have evolved to enable me to travel about 30 metres before yielding to exhaustion. This, I have always figured, would be sufficient to get me to the nearest pub in the event of Youghal’s drains backing up in a very heavy storm.  The shock reality though is that my daughter, almost eight and having learned to swim less than two years ago, can beat me in a race over short distances. She’d be on her second orange juice before I’d reach the counter.

It may all be about to change. Or then again it may not. Last week I signed up, at the behest of this magazine and Aura Leisure Centre, to seek to improve all that needs to be improved in my swimming abilities. The pool is 25 metres long but I now know that there is an ocean of improvement needed.  After the first of six weekly 30 minute lessons at ‘Intermediate’ level (those who eat fish at least twice monthly), my arms are sore, my shoulders are in shock and my spirits, well, have  sunk somewhat.

Technique

Last week I joined two other males and four females of differing ages but relatively similar standard at the poolside. Our instructor was Marcin, a fit and healthy man from the land of Poland, with impeccable qualifications to elevated standards. He spoke with calm and confident voice that seemed capable of controlling the tides themselves. Throughout, he would explain and demonstrate what was required of us. In technical terms, we were to deal with Total Immersion technique. It meant spending a lot of time half submerged, developing unaccustomed co-ordination, not panicking and trying hard to keep faith in oneself, although the latter part may have been applicable only to me.

To begin, Marcin handed us floats, of which mine was about the size of a sliced pan and asked that we hold it with one hand and push it forward, changing hands as we progressed. Easy, eh? No it’s not! My float kept sinking because I was not properly balanced in the water and was leaning on it, resulting in my floundering like a mackerel on a Youghal quayside in September, while everyone else seemed to disappear from view like ships calling off a rescue.

Things deteriorated further –well, for me anyway- when Marcin, in the course of ten minutes that were surely two lifetimes, instructed us on how to remain buoyant on our side, one arm extended, the other straight down, tight to the body. We were to practice how to breathe, swim, roll and then do the same on our other side, all the while retaining contact with the float. It basically involved simultaneously replacing several ingrained bad habits with a new technique; pushing off, keeping body straight, looking down, tilting head, breathing, down again, head –shoulder-hips to roll, repeat….but it’s oh so hard to make one’s body float when it has spent several decades thinking it’s supposed to sink! The dictionary doesn’t contain words to describe the mess I made of that. I never drank so much on a night either though I have to say I could develop a taste for chlorine.

Hope still afloat

Not that it was all failure, humiliation and trying to remain composed in disagreeable circumstances for me. In one early exercise, Marcin explained how expelling air enables us to sit on the floor of the pool, an exercise for which I seemed naturally suited. I learnt also that, in reverse to procedure on dry land, one inhales by mouth and exhales through the nose in the swimming world. To me, this was revolutionary information. “Everyone knows that!”, my seven year-old deflated me next day.

Most satisfyingly, I emerged from my struggle adept at floating on my back –while even moving in a direction of my own choosing (backwards)! “Hands straight down, body closed, head straight, toes pointing down, push off from floor,” advised Marcin.

Throughout the lesson I found Marcin to be patient, articulate and approachable. He was willing to address his charges as individuals in an honest fashion when asked for advice. This is very conducive towards overcoming obstacles and acquiring confidence.

Practice is the only route to perfection and it is suggested that students remain on for 20 minutes after lessons to rehearse what has been taught. This allows one to explore one’s liabilities and work on technique at one’s own pace. I’d go further and say it is advisable (or in my case probably essential!) to re-visit the pool for private practice between lessons. Furthermore, there is a vast amount of text and video guidance on Total Immersion on the internet (including You Tube). Where are my goggles?…

Spaces are available in adult swimming classes on an on-going basis, dependent on ability levels etc.  Inquiries: (024) 91614.

THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED TO WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUGHAL

Tour Buses: Jim Flanagan noted that coaches previously stopping for half an hour were are now staying for up to three hours following the persistent efforts of Norman McDonald and Cliff Windsor (in costume) to greet tour parties and to negotiate with drivers and tour operators.

Norman McDonald said he had secured a visiting convoy of nine buses, bearing 500 passengers, from a cruise liner docking at Cobh on both Thursday August 18th and Tuesday September 6th. He requested (and has since received) volunteers to assist with greeting the visitors and advised that a good impression would almost certainly usher Youghal onto future liner excursions. Plans would be fashioned to make the new visitors’ visit informative and memorable.

The Youghal Concerned Citizens (YCC) group advanced several schemes during its August meeting in the Red Store. Amongst the issues discussed were: Up to 9 Coach tours from Cruise Liner in Cobh visiting Youghal on the 18th August. YCC organising volunteers to meet and greet, signage, music and some dancers! Look out for us with special high-vis jackets on!!

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley of Youghal Heritage Committee, the organisers of the last weeks Youghal Medieval Festival 2011 paid particular tribute to members of the Youghal Concerned Citizens who gave up their time on the day for the event.

- Signs for the Youghal Gold Label Seafood Pie erected -
- Window stickers available for restaurants serving it -

Claycastle Leisure Company – The Management Company behind Youghal’s Leisure Centre Facility today (16th August 2011) signed another four year, eleven month Management contract with Aura Sport & Leisure Management Ltd. (part of the Aura Holohan Group) for its state of the art facility.

In August 2003 Youghal Town Council set up Claycastle Leisure Company to oversee the development of a swimming pool and leisure complex for the town. The aim of the project was to provide a first class facility that would serve the local community and provide a quality tourism product for visitors. Today, the leisure centre boasts three pools and a fun slide, plus state of the art leisure and gym facilities. Funding for the project was initially sourced from Youghal Town Council, Cork County Council and the Department of Arts Sports and Tourism.

In welcoming the agreement, Chairperson of Claycastle Leisure Company, Director, Mary Linehan-Foley paid tribute to Aura Sport & Leisure Management: “We are thrilled to have signed another agreement with Aura Sport & Leisure Management for our wonderful facility in Youghal.  We have established a wonderful working relationship with Aura and the centre has become major asset to the town.  Instead of people exiting the town for such facilities, it is now attracting inward visitors” said Mary. This contract entails the hiring of swimming pool and leisure centre staff, general day to day management, marketing and maintenance of the facility.

In 2010 the facility took top honours as the ‘Best Recreational Facility’ at the Zurich LAMA Awards (Local Authority Members Association Awards) which recognises the very best of Ireland’s talent in local projects of Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure.  A key factor in securing the award was the installation of a ‘Biomass Fuelled Heating System’ into the Leisure Centre. This heating system uses wood chip which will is locally sourced and is environmentally friendly.

Aura Sport & Leisure Management Ltd. was formed in 1999 in response to requests from Local Authority clients who asked them to expand their consultancy role into direct facility management under a license agreement. The directors of the company have extensive experience in the leisure industry from facility planning to operating successful viable public leisure centres.

Aura currently operates eight leisure centres around Ireland, with their support office based in Dublin. The company operates the leisure centres on a regional basis North (Letterkenny), West (Carrick-on-Shannon and Tullamore), South (Youghal) and East (Dundalk, Drogheda, Navan and Trim).

Councillors in attendance were Mayor Eoin Coyne (FF), Barbara Murray (FG), Michelle Hennessy (SF), Liam Burke (Greens), Sammy Revins (FF) and Mary Linehan-Foley (FF).

The meeting was preceded by an address to the chamber from Youghal ambulance paramedic Pat McCarthy, outlining details and concerns regarding the proposed replacement of the Youghal ambulance service with a paramedic car.

Meanwhile the chamber sat in diminished numbers, due to the absence three councillors, ill health accounting for the absence of Cllrs Tommy O’Connell (Lab)and Eoin Flanagan(SF) and a delay at Heathrow airport responsible Cllr Michael Beecher (FG)being unable to attend.

Town Clerk’s Report:

Town Clerk Liam Ryan circulated a detailed application for inclusion in an upcoming six-part television series being produced by Amino TV for RTE 1. The show is searching for a town “with ideas” for regeneration and for which entrepreneur Feargal Quinn “is willing provide experts and resources to help its citizens make their town a better place.” The chosen town will be “serve as a microcosm of what is possible throughout the rest of the country as old habits are thrown out and new ideas are fostered and encouraged.” The application, compiled in conjunction with the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, profiles Youghal from various perspectives, including its many natural and man-made attractions, its difficulties in terms of employment, media depiction and business confidence, its untapped tourism potential, various community organisations, training schemes, emerging groups and initiatives, festivals and so on. The application was widely appreciated and the town awaits the result of the selection committee, probably in August or early September.

Congratulations:

Cllr Linehan Foley congratulated Team Youghal on its 3,000 trans-America cycle on behalf of the Emer Casey Foundation, saying, “They did the town proud.” The councillor also lauded St Raphael’s for their wonderful open day that weekend and for their excellent year generally. Cllr Hennessy praised Youghal GAA for its recent Féile, remarking that visitors were amazed at the excellent organisation and selfless efforts of volunteers involved, some of whom took time off work to participate. Mayor Coyne congratulated Bill Cooper on becoming the first Youghal player in ten years to represent Cork at senior hurling level.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Burke asked that the potholes in Nealon’s Quay be filled.  Cllr Hennessy said the graveyard was generally looking well but that paint was needed at the entrance and at the rear of the site. She also wanted the slipway and steps at Harvey’s Docks cleaned and repaired respectively, while some concrete blocks that had fallen at the Gaol Steps junction with Ashe Street needed to be removed. Mayor Coyne asked that benches at the 49 steps, which were being underused, be relocated “possibly to the graveyard.”

Cork County Council Items:

Cllr Linehan Foley said the road near Copperally was “a disaster zone,” with a wall about to collapse, possibly “on some child.” She expressed thanks for the repair of the “40,000 potholes” in the same area. The councillor referred to a tyre-damaging lump adjoining the road and footpath at Dr. Kennedy’s Place. Town engineer Paul Murray said he would have it removed but that it was caused by a contractor who had conducted drainage work and he felt it was really the property owner’s responsibility.  Cllr Linehan-Foley said the owner had facilitated the council when it was draining the adjacent cemetery and felt a bit of concrete to smooth the rough would be inexpensive and appropriate on the council’s behalf. She also recalled a time when contractors had been on site undertaking other work, whence she had been assured by Cork County Council representative Jack McCarthy that the issue would be addressed. Months later, nothing had transpired.

Toxic waste

Cllr Linehan Foley sought clarification on the Eros Eco sludge treatment plant’s efforts to accept hazardous waste. She had –along with her council colleagues- received an e-mail from “a very concerned citizen” in regard to same. Cllr Murray explained that Cork County Council had granted to company permission to accept hazardous/toxic waste (from such locations as Ringaskiddy and Little Island pharmaceutical plants.) She believed there had been only one observation (objection) made to the application and that had come from the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. That same organisation was now appealing the subsequent planning permission to An Bord Pleanála, with the outcome awaited. The town council wanted the public be informed that it had no “hand, act or part to play” in the planning process. (Youghal Town Council, being a relative subsidiary of Cork County Council, would also have been unable to submit an objection to the original planning application.)

Cllr Murray added that when the original tenants on the site, AVR Solutions, received the initial planning permission for the plant, the Chamber spent €9,000 appealing that also. “The Bord went against the report of its own inspectors and dismissed the appeal,” she informed. The town clerk said the licence to run the service would have to be acquired from the EPA. Thus that body would ultimately decide whether the trucks bearing toxic waste would be travelling to Youghal.

Potholes, drains, litter….

Cllr Revins drew attention to two “craters”, at the top of the ESB lane and at the rear end of Brown Street. He too thanked the engineer for the Copperally pothole removals. Cllr Burke was grateful that the drainage pipe at the front strand had been extended –after some seven years of campaigning for it. He repeated his regular requests for remedial action on the footpaths at Tallow Street, South Main Street and the junction of South Abbey and Strand Street.

Cllr Murray said that as the height restrictor at Claycastle car park had once again been damaged, it was time to place an earlier, more noticeable and more effective advance warning sign on the approach to it. The councillor wondered if the mobile CCTV used to combat illegal dumping could also be employed at the Claycastle. Meanwhile, she said birds were “actually going into the bins” and extracting litter” there and she wondered if some sort of wire mesh could be placed on the bins o counteract this. Cllr Murray also asked that a section of road at Ballyvergan be “reinstated” to address flooding arising from some drainage works carried out a year ago by a developer. The engineer said the issue now involved the (ironically-termed) liquidator. However,  a bond remained and he would make inquiries.

Boy rackets….and girl victims

Mayor Coyne said so-called ‘boy racers’ were “terrorising people in the vicinity of Claycastle on a nightly basis, with locals and tourists in the nearby caravan parks being particularly disturbed. Cllr Revins asked that a motion he had tabled some time ago to erect gates or barriers at the entrance to the car park be revisited. However the town clerk –supported by Cllr Linehan Foley- said that closing the area at night amounted merely to moving the problem elsewhere. Cllr Revins proceeded that it was “a traffic problem” and that the council “should be calling on the traffic corp to do their job.” He asked whether the legislation to combat noise pollution from modified cars actually existed or was being utilised. “There’s nothing being done,” he continued. “These guys are terrorising people, while if you drive out the road and pass the speed limit, you get two penalty points. It’s ridiculous.” He said the drivers were on school holidays and their “mammies and daddies” were unaware of their behaviour.  Town Manager Patricia Power suggested the matter be raised at the bi-annually Joint Policing Committee, next September. Cllr Revins countered that the summer would by then be gone, as would the tourists in the caravans, who might well decide to stay away. Besides, he argued the gardai are already well aware of the problem.

Extending the discussion, Cllr Murray said she had met two girls, probably aged about 15, on the beach earlier that morning. One had a swollen lip and both were seeking money to get back to Cork. They said they had been attacked the night previous in the course of trouble for which the gardai had arrived. Cllr Murray allowed the girls to use her phone to contact a friend for assistance. It emerged that about 30 young people had travelled by bus to the beach for a drinking session the evening before. “Something happened and these two girls were wandering the beach at 8 am having been out all night,” she concluded. “Where their parents?” pondered Cllr Linehan Foley.

Planning Applications Received:

Cllr Linehan-Foley asked for details on two planning applications now lodged by Seafield Partnerships for a proposed development on the old Seafield Fabrics building. The applications are in respect of an Aldi store, a seated restaurant and a drive-through area. Additionally planning permission is being sought for a five-unit ‘neighbourhood centre.’ (See elsewhere in this issue for further details.) Welcoming the applications, the town clerk said that “from a retail perspective, the town cannot stand still.” Cllr Revins said the plans promised to revitalise the strand area, where visitors were complaining that acquiring even a cup of coffee was proving difficult! He urged that CIE hand over their strand property (the neglected eyesore that is the old railway station) to the town council to help regenerate the area for tourism. Cllr Linehan-Foley fervently hoped that nothing would stop the proposed development.

Traffic Management Plan Church Street, De Valera Street, Ashe Street and Emmet Place:

It was agreed to invite submissions by placing the Plan for public consultation. In basic terms the four options being presented are as follows:

1: Church Street to have local access, with no through road, Ashe street two-way and De Valera Street one-way from North Main Street to Ashe Street.

2: Traffic calming measures on both DeValera Street and Church Street while though traffic on both routes.

3: Restrict access to Hayman’s Hill from Friar Street by implementing a one-way system from Windmill Hill to Friar Street (translates as no through traffic Hayman’s Hill to Ashe Street).

4: Leave the situation as is.

It is hoped that following public submissions, a consensus will be reached on a plan that can be implemented on a trial basis to resolve this long-running saga.

Taking in charge procedure for Cnoc Aoibhinn, Youghal, Co. Cork including Public Road Motion: “That the road at Cnoc Aoibhinn, Youghal. Co. Cork length 209 linear metres be declared a public road, due consideration having been given to the financial implications of same:” This was adopted unanimously.

Taking in charge of Hillcrest, Cork Hill, Youghal: This too was passed unanimously.

Proposed Heritage Asset Management Plan for St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Emmet Place, Youghal, Co. Cork: Similarly agreed.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Murray seconded by Cllr. Beecher:

‘Youghal Town Council to conduct a harbour audit with a view to maximizing the potential of the harbour for sea faring visitors. The audit should address issues such as visitors’ moorings, landing, launching, dock area usage and ancillary services.’

In the absence of Cllr Beecher, Cllr Murray spoke on the motion. She said most seafarers were using the Almanac berthing system and were having difficulty landing at Youghal. “I think it’s very important that we know what we have, utilise it properly and put some order on the harbour,” she advised. The councillor said she had spoken to harbour users and that most would not have a problem with moving moorings to implement a better outlay. This was particularly relevant in regard to Youghal eventually acquiring a marina, added Cllr Murray. The motion was adopted.

Motion in the name of Cllr. Hennessy and seconded by Cllr. Flanagan:

(a) ‘To call on the Minister for Health not to replace Ambulance vehicles with First Responders cars in the East Cork Area’.

(b) To call on the Minister for Health not to reduce the Southdoc GP out of hours service from 3 to 2 doctors covering the East Cork area’.

Cllr Hennessy said any reduction in the quality of the ambulance service in the east Cork area would “definitely cost lives” and that the ‘golden hour’ survival time must be fully considered, especially in relation to cardiac emergencies. She urged the government to invest in the training of emergency medical technicians to meet “increasingly complex” medical issues.

The councillor also argued that the Southdoc GP service was “absolutely vital” for the delivery of 24/7 primary care. She referred to Health Minister James Reilly’s advocacy of primary care towards the reduction of patient numbers in overcrowded emergency wards. The as yet unconfirmed rumour of a reduced Southdoc service was “in total contradiction to the government’s stated health plan,” she noted, adding that only three cars presently served the area.

Cllr Revins said he recently experienced a two hour delay in a Southdoc response to a call. He urged that the motion be circulated to other town councils and to Cork County Council. The councillor reflected that Youghal Town Council had supported the implementation of Southdoc “but here it is being cut back.”  Cllr Linehan-Foley recalled assurances that there would be no reduction in service quality.

The town clerk said frontline services in relation to the HSE, gardai and local authorities were now being hit. “The cut backs are being made at the wrong end of the equation,” he stated, “and need to be made more strategically within the departments instead of on frontline services,” which is hurting communities. “It’s being incorrectly dealt with and will get worse,” he concluded.

Cllr Murray urged that an analysis of Southdoc’s services in terms of area covered and car usage be sought. The meeting turned full circle as discussion moved towards the propose reduction in ambulance service. Cllr Burke suggested that, as government policy was instigating the frontline cutback, a Dáil Motion “aimed at maintaining ambulance coverage” should be moved through Deputy Sandra McLellan. It was felt that this would also help gauge support from other constituency TDs. This was agreed.