The winner of the ‘Queen of the Sea’ 2011 is Kate Mulcahy from Youghal. Kate, a former student of Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, is currently studying Psychology and French at Trinity College, Dublin. Report: YOL | Pictures: YOL

Representing the Quay’s Bar, Kate was escorted by her boyfriend, Dónal Breen, and presented with a tiara and sash by last year’s ‘Queen of the Sea’ Susie Fitzgibbon at the crowning ceremony last Saturday night on the ‘Myrtle Grooove’ gig rig stage.

Master of Ceremonies Shane Supple announced the winner in front of a large audience which was also broadcast live on CRY 104fm and on the internet.  Congratulations to Kate and her escort and all the contestants who entered this years event from all of us at YoughalOnline.com.

Youghal, Co. Cork confirmed its status and designation by Failte Ireland as a ‘centre of excellence’ in family fun with its 2nd Family Fun Festival over the weekend (15th – 17th July). A truly action packed festival programme of free family entertainment drew a crowd of in excess of 8,000 visitors to the coastal resort over the course of the weekend.

Events which kicked off in style on Friday evening, with a ‘Mardi Gras’ parade setting the seaside town ablaze with colour.  Highlights of the parade included the contestants in the ‘Queen of the Sea’ competition as they cruised through the town in a range of vintage cars, led out by the nationally renowned ‘Youghal Pipe Band’.  It was all about food food food on Saturday however, with TV celebrity chef Rachel Allen on hand to open the outdoor food emporium.  Over 40 food and craft producers served breakfast, brunch and lunch to the hungry festival goers, with media sponsors 96 FM broadcasting live only adding to the atmosphere!

Sal Tivy, Festival Chairperson commented on the festival weekend saying: “This year’s festival can be summed up as ‘elegance with fun’ in my opinion.  Thousands of people came to Youghal over the course of the weekend and we truly had something for everyone. There was a ‘buzz on the streets’ in Youghal again, something the town badly has been missing.  Hopefully, local traders reaped the economic benefits of the influx of visitors to the town.  We have now established one of the finest festivals in the country, which I have no doubt in the coming years, is set to rival the ‘Rose of Tralee’ said Sal.

Saturday night saw the crowning of Youghal’s very own ‘Queen of the Sea’; 19 year old Kate Mulcahy – who represented The Quay’s Bar, Youghal.  Kate was presented with a cheque for €500, along with a perpetual trophy.  The Queen of the Sea Competition was generously sponsored by Youghal Credit Union.  Sponsor cards taken by which each queen raised badly needed funds for ISPCC’s Childline and the local RNLI.

 

‘Sunday was Funday in Greenpark with the first dog show in Youghal in over 20 years attracting tens of happy hounds to the park.  Shrieks of laughter could be heard all over as couples battled each other and the obstacle course to claim the title in the ‘wife carrying competition’.

A new and exciting addition to this year’s event was the ‘Myrtle Groove’ gig rig, with live performances from quality bands and musicians all weekend long.  The internationally renowned ‘Kila’ took to the stage and received a rapturous welcome from crowds on Saturday evening. At the closing ceremony of the event, Sal Tivy paid tribute to the hard-working committee who worked behind the scenes to make the event possible.  “They were a small, but magnificent hard working team.  I would personally like to express my thanks and say it was these people who made it such a successful event for Youghal.  I would like to say it was my privilege to have worked with them.”  The Festival Committee wishes to thank the townspeople of Youghal and all its sponsors for their support of this event.

Click on image to start slideshow. Pics: YOL

 

Youghal, Co. Cork confirmed its status and designation by Failte Ireland as a ‘centre of excellence’ in family fun with its 2nd Family Fun Festival over the weekend (15th – 17th July). A truly action packed festival programme of free family entertainment drew a crowd of in excess of 8,000 visitors to the coastal resort over the course of the weekend.

Events which kicked off in style on Friday evening, with a ‘Mardi Gras’ parade setting the seaside town ablaze with colour.  Highlights of the parade included the contestants in the ‘Queen of the Sea’ competition as they cruised through the town in a range of vintage cars, led out by the internationally renowned ‘Youghal Pipe Band’.  It was all about food food food on Saturday however, with TV celebrity chef Rachel Allen on hand to open the outdoor food emporium.  Over 40 food and craft producers served breakfast, brunch and lunch to the hungry festival goers, with media sponsors 96 FM broadcasting live only adding to the atmosphere!

Sal Tivy, Festival Chairperson commented on the festival weekend saying: “This year’s festival can be summed up as ‘elegance with fun’ in my opinion.  Thousands of people came to Youghal over the course of the weekend and we truly had something for everyone. There was a ‘buzz on the streets’ in Youghal again, something the town badly has been missing.   Hopefully, local traders reaped the economic benefits of the influx of visitors to the town.  We have now established one of the finest festivals in the country, which I have no doubt in the coming years, is set to rival the ‘Rose of Tralee’ said Sal.

Click on image to see the Youghal Queen of the Sea 2011 Mardi Gras. Pics: YOL

Update:

Apologies for people who could not access the live broadcast… our server went down due to the amount of people accessing the webcast. [Click here to view the recorded playback of todays event] we will have a full quality edited version on YouTube during the week. Thanks for your support and patience.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Youghal will be broadcast LIVE on video from 3pm (GMT) today 17th March 2010. The parade is very colourful so please log on to www.youghalonline.com today and enjoy the sights and sounds of this traditional event. You can send in pictures of the parade to news@youghalonline.com and we will  feature them on our site!

[Click here to view the recorded playback of todays event]

If you have friends and relations abroad why not let them know that they can view this event on www.youghalonline.com website from 3:00pm to 4:00pm (GMT) Our camera crew and reporter Shane Supple and staff will be situated at the North end of town near “The Cyberoom” and the Youghal Post Office so if you are passing say hello and wave to The World! HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY to all our viewers at home and abroad and a big thanks to all our supporters and sponsors who contribute to our website. Have a fun and enjoyable day.