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HISTORY HAS NEVER BEEN SO MUCH FUN!
THE 5TH ANNUAL YOUGHAL MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL to be held at St. Mary’s Medieval College Gardens, is expected to draw its biggest-ever attendance this year on Sunday 21st August. Last year over 7,000 visitors flocked through the gates at the one-day Festival, already the largest free event of its kind in Ireland. The event marks ‘The Irish Walled Town’s Network’ annual day of celebrations, and officially kicks off National Heritage Week.
IN THE STOCKS - Mayor of Youghal Eoin Coyne with festival committee members, Barbara Murray, Clodagh Mahon, Aileen Murray, Mary Linehan Foley, Mary Murphy and Catherine Desmond, at the launch of Youghal's Medieval Festival 2011. - Pic: John Hennessy
Bringing history to life and allowing people to experience it first hand is the secret of the event Festival Organiser, Catherine Desmond believes. “The gardens are looking spectacular at the moment and the 13th century town walls provide just a magical backdrop for this celebration of Youghal’s medieval heritage. We are thrilled to once again be in a position to host this event; now in its fifth year and provide free family entertainment. This year we really do have something for everyone to enjoy.” said Catherine.
Throughout the day, the magnificent 13th Century Town Walls will resound with battle cries. Returning for their third year at the event, are ‘The Freelance Knights of Redemption’, whose combat displays are world renowned, as they are derived from genuine medieval martial arts. The group will also have a large display of weapons and armour including examples of replicas showing weaponry from the Bronze Age through to the last legally worn sword; The Georgian Small Sword.
Last year's 4th Medieval Festival recorded huge numbers of people. - Pic: YOL
If you have ever wondered how hogs roasted on open fires might taste, here’s a chance to discover as Cork based group ‘TUATH DE BARRA’ carry out a medieval themed cookery display of the ‘lamb on the spit’. Archery displays throughout the day are sure to capture the attention of audiences as the famous ‘bow and arrow’ shows one of the many defence systems used in medieval times. Learn how to make your own Celtic coins and find out about the shift from bartering goods to payment by coins, all at the Medieval Quarter.
‘Beatz’ Ireland’s latest percussion craze
New for kids this year is ‘Beatz’; Ireland’s latest percussion craze, which is high energy, mega-fun drumming workshops. Its’ fun all the way with face-painting, balloon making with Victor, and a maze of giant games such as ‘snakes and ladders’, and ‘connect four’ to take part in. If all that wasn’t enough, kids can unleash their creative talents by taking part in our interactive arts & crafts workshop where they can make their very own medieval themed hats, castles and shields.
‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’ will once again feature a range of top quality food and crafts from throughout locality and the county.
Youghal’s Medieval Festival is organised by Youghal Town Council’s Heritage Municipal Committee and takes place in St. Mary’s College Gardens, Youghal on Sunday August 21st 2011 from 12PM – 6PM. For further details on the event contact Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee on: 024 – 81814, email, youghalheritage@mail.com, visit www.youghal.ie or www.facebook.com/youghal.ie
Issued by: Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group
Further information contact: Aileen Murray, T: 024-81814 E: tourism@youghal.ie
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.
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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.
Queen Elizabeth 1 and Sir Walter Raleigh pop into JD's Bar but Walt cannot believe he can't smoke a cigarette even though he brought tobacco to Youghal a couple of years ago - Health and Safety!
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.
Medieval drummer on Youghal's main street
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!
Medieval Youghal
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
Queen Elizabeth 1 and Sir Walter Raleigh wonder what this strange machine is doing on the streets of Youghal
All photos taken from previous Medieval Festivals held in Youghal. Photos: www.youghalonline.com/archive
Excitement is beginning to mount as the countdown begins to the country’s largest Free Medieval Festival in Greenpark, Youghal on Sunday 23rd August 2009. Events are planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.
Kirby Betts from Australia with her head in the stocks gets a drenching from medieval ladies Stacey O'Leary, Orla McCarthy, Monica Kirwan and Alysha Hoare watched by David Kirwan and Mark Whyte.
‘This event is all about bringing Heritage to Life. Once again this is a free event, and we have worked at producing what we believe will be the biggest and best festival to date, said Catherine Desmond of the organising committee. “The Medieval Quarter” will feature archery displays, medieval re-enactments, medieval cookery displays, and we Read more
