WHILE HERITAGE WEEK was celebrated around the country between 20th – 28th August 2011, Youghal proudly showcased its heritage where several heritage style events were held. A colourful Medieval Market Place erected in the College Gardens as part of the annual  festival brought to life the towns medieval history. Locals and visitors alike donned fancy dress costumes where Knights, Kings and Queens mixed with middle ages men and women in suitable costume. Medieval warriors doing historical re-enactments in battle wielding ferocious looking weapons There was lots of fun for all during National Heritage Week.

Meanwhile down at the waterfront by the Ferryslip the launch took place of the new yawl boat ( modeled on the old style salmon fishing boat by the Buttimer family). The boat named ‘Eochaill’ (Irish for Youghal) proudly sailed on the river Blackwater  showcasing Youghal’s tradition with fishing and maritime history. Another event was the inaugural Mackerel Food Festival organised by the newly formed pro-active Youghlal Concerned Citizens Group which incorporated a fancy dress reunion swim again taking place at the waterfront.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE to watch a snapshot of Youghal’s links to its Maritime Heritage and appreciate the work of  local potter Tony Breslin who crafted this beautiful work displaying the seacoast towns links to the sea. The mural can be seen on the southeastery facing wall at Green Park – 1798 memorial park.   The short videoclip was made by local Kieran McCarthy.

On Sunday last 21st August 2011, visitors once again flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 5th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 6,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day. The Heritage Council of Ireland undertook a series of surveys at the event, with initial results showing that there was a huge surge in people attending from outside the region.  “This year in particular we seem to have attracted visitors making their way from far and wide”, commented Clodagh Mahon who conducted the surveys.  “I interviewed visitors who had made their way from Carlow, Kilkenny and beyond, but also met with families from overseas, the UK in particular, who had actually planned their stay around the event, which in turn delivers a great spin-off for the town.”

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Quarter’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in their droves. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.  This year’s highlight proved to be the ‘have a go’ archery, which in keeping with the spirit of the day, was free.

It was a case of ‘back to basics’ for kids this year with a focus on arts and crafts and traditional games taking centre stage.   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 colour their medieval 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.” said Catherine.

A range of 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.

Local favourites The Youghal Pipe Band took centre stage at 2.00 pm with Community Radio Youghal broadcasting live throughout the day.

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley of Youghal Heritage Committee, the organisers of the event, thanked everyone for their support on the day: “The event was a tremendous success again this year, and I would 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.  The Councillor paid particular tribute to members of the Youghal Concerned Citizens who also gave of their time on the day.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.  Marketing efforts were supported by South & East Cork Area Development.

Click on image to enlarge – Pics: John Hennessy

Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee are a proactive, enthusiastic, voluntary group who have the interests of the town of Youghal at heart.    They work tirelessly to organise events which will not only entertain the people of Youghal, but will also attract people from the East Cork/West Waterford areas to the town, along with as many tourists as possible.   The group are innovative, with lots of exciting ideas about events and festivals, and rather than sit back and talk about them, they get up and do it. Denise FitzGerald Reports  Photo: Bobby White and Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Greenpark, Youghal was the venue for Medieval Day on Sunday, August 30th last, having been postponed from the previous week due to bad weather.   Every possible effort was made by the Heritage Committee to make this a spectacular day, and everything was organised down to a fine art – stall holders were contacted, jousting tournaments arranged, costumes organised, catering planned – in fact, nothing was left to chance except, of course, the weather!   And there was certainly nothing whatsoever the Heritage Group could do about this.
Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week. Celebrations kicked off at 12.00pm in the ‘Medieval Quarter’ with the reknowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ undertaking a full weaponry and fighting display.

The East Cork Journal went along to Greenpark on Sunday, and the first sight of the area was amazing.   The entire Greenpark was dotted with the various tents, stalls, locals and visitors alike dressed in medieval attire, a whole lamp roasting on a spit, music, bouncy castle, wonderful food cooking over camp fires, balloons, ribbons and colour – and the infernal rain dripping down on all.

However, those who did come along to Greenpark (albeit with their umbrellas and rain gear) had the most wonderful time.   Nothing was left out of an event which was top drawer for imagination, skills, entertainment and fun.   The visitors walked around to the various stalls, watched the medieval enactment in the centre of the park, ate candyfloss and burgers, and tried out the ‘wet sponge’ (the extra wetness did not seem to matter). The ‘Kids Kingdom’ this year played host to ‘Mumbo Jumbo’s’ Circus Workshop. The area was a flurry of excitement and activity as kids of all ages  learned how to stilt-walk or ride a unicycle! A key feature of this year’s event was ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair, – with traders recreating a colourful atmosphere of a noisy medieval marketplace.

All in all, a most unusual and enjoyable event which was a credit to the Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee. More photos of the event in this weeks East Cork Journal ( Wed 2nd Sept. 2009) at your local newsagent.
Click on image to see the Medieval Fun Day Event