The Youghal Family Fun Festival ‘Queen of the Sea’ 2010 winner was announced on Saturday night (17th July 2010) by the popular MC Tommy Collins from Youghal local radio CRY. The event was broadcast live by CRY from the event stage specially set up at the Market Square in the centre of town. The lucky winner was Susie Fitzgibbon, representing Aherne’s Seafood Restaurant.
Report/Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com | Email: news@youghalonline.com

Each contestant was first briefly interviewed by the MC in front of the judging panel and a large crowd of well wishers, supporters and admirers, who enjoyed the glamorous and colourful event despite the inclement weather.
All the girls were dressed in stunning dresses and the judging was almost impossible to pick, however, pick they had to, and this year’s Kerry Rose, Veronica Hunt, crowned local girl Susie Fitzgibbon with the inaugural ‘Queen of the Sea’ tiara. A stunned and delighted Susie was cheered and clapped by the other contestants and their escorts.

Susie was then presented with the ‘Queen of the Sea 2010′ glass trophy as a memento of the occasion, the sash, bouquets of flowers and a cheque of €500, sponsored by Gavin Tivy from The Seahunter Charter boats and Warren Tivy from Claycastle recording studios, Youghal.

Susie, aged 18, is hoping to work in either languages or psychology. Her ambitions for the future include travelling and learning Italian. Her many hobbies include swimming and speech & drama.

The winner and the other contestants and escorts were then transported in a cavalcade of vintage cars to the nearby Mall Arts Centre, where they were greeted by the Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan Foley, and piper, Olan McCarthy from The Youghal Pipe Band.

After the champagne reception, the ladies and escorts danced the night away in the ballroom to the fabulous music of the ‘Roaring Fortie’s Dance band.

The whole event went very smooth thanks to the organisers, volunteers, Garda, and local emergency services. Warren Tivy, from Claycastle Recording Studios, told Youghalonline.com that he was very happy and delighted to be one of the sponsors of this event. He said, “It proved very popular despite the weather, the whole community and businesses were behind the festival and that will help to make it even bigger again next year”. Congratulations to the ‘Raining’ Queen of the Sea.

Click on image to see the Queen of the Sea event. Photo: www.youghalonline.com

The Family Fun Festival kicked off on Friday 16th July 2010 with the opening event, a ‘Mardi-Gras’ Parade through the streets ending at the Market Square in the centre of the town. The colourful parade was led by the Youghal Pipe Band followed by lots of floats representing the different clubs and  local businesses of Youghal and of course the Queen of the Sea ladies.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

MC for the weekend CRY’s popular anchorman,Tommy Collins, who greeted the large crowds, along with the new Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan Foley, Veronica Hunt, the Kerry Rose for 2010, members of the judging panel for the ‘Queen of the Sea’ competition and organising committee.

This festival will feature a non-stop programme of events. The highlight of the entire weekend however will be the crowning of Youghal’s very own ‘Queen of the Sea’, generously sponsored by local businesses; Claycastle Recording Studios and The Seahunter Charter Boat. “I was delighted that so many of the girls have participated in this event” commented Veronica Hunt, Kerry Rose 2010 and also a member of the Judging Panel for the Queen of the Sea. “This is such a fantastic experience for young girls , a chance to be recognised as they are all  talented, beautiful and full of personality and I am sure that their families and friends will be very proud of them” commented Veronica.

Click on image to see the Mardi Gras Parade in Youghal which starts the beginning of the Family Fun Festival. Photo: www.youghalonline.com

This FREE Festival weekend promises to be fun-packed FREE activities and entertainment for all the family, mardis gras parade, DJ’s. Bands, Busking, Food Festivals, Raft Races and Old Style Childrens games – Youghal is definitely the place to be the weekend of July 16th to 18th commented Sal Tivy.

According to Greek Mythology, Amphitrite was a very beautiful and very powerful woman – the wife of King Poseidon and Queen of the Sea.

Report: Denise FitzGerald | Photos: Ed Guiry | Michael Hussey for www.youghalonline.com | Email: news@youghalonline.com.

The Family Fun Festival, which will be held in Youghal on the weekend of July 16th to 18th, will have their very own Amphitrite, who will be chosen as Queen of the Sea from a myriad of other beautiful local girls who make up the contestants for the title.

The Queens were introduced to the people of Youghal in a very sea themed event which took place on Nealon’s Quay. Having each been presented with their sash representing their sponsors, they were a rainbow of colour and style on such a beautiful Youghal evening.  The thirty five contestants represented not only Youghal but also Killeagh, Clashmore, Midleton and Ardmore.   The Queen of the Sea is generously sponsored by local businesses – Claycastle Recording Studios and the Seahunter Charter Boat.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO START SLIDESHOW OF ALL THE CONTESTANTS IN THE INAUGURAL QUEEN OF THE SEA 2010 CONTEST. Photos: Copyright to www.youghalonline.com

The Queens, following much picture taking on the quays by friends, relatives and the media, made their high heeled way precariously down the slip way onto the Seahunter, where further photo shoots were undertaken with much laughter, enjoyment and swaying of boat.

The evening continued in the Mall Arts Centre where the Festival was officially launched by the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, with a large group of interested persons in attendance.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Sal Tivy of Perks Entertainment Centre told how 90% of the Festival will be FREE for everyone, the exception being the Festival Ball and BBQ. Sal continued that all monies raised from the Queen of the Sea competition will be given to the very deserving charity, Childline.

Asked how such a huge undertaking as this Festival came about, the Chairperson said that Youghal had always been a popular family destination, not only for holidays but also for family day trips from every part of the County.

Thus, in April last a group of nine people got together and formed a steering committee with the intention of putting together a “mini festival”.  Not only did the committee numbers swell to thirteen, but the “mini” festival became a major festival, and now incorporates open air, land and sea based events on river, beaches, town and countryside.

It promotes local, community based arts and crafts with musical offerings, a Mardi Gras Parade, storytelling, and the usual very popular open air activities with Fastest Daddy race, Spud and Spoon, Raft Races etc., etc., etc.,

“The Committee”, Mrs Tivy continued, “all work together very well. We meet at least once a week, to discuss and organise events which will bring fun back to our lovely seaside town, and brighten up the summer for our locals and visitors alike.  It is our hope to lift the morale of people in these times of recession, and what better way to do this than to introduce a Festival which is FREE for all and incorporates a programme of fun events for all ages”. “This Festival”, Mrs Tivy concluded, “will be a Champagne Festival on a Lemonade budget”.

Youghal’s “Amphitrite” will be chosen on Saturday morning, July 17th, by a panel of judges, and her name will be announced on Saturday night. However, this does not mean the end of the line for the other remaining contestants, as they will be included in all events over the weekend of festivities, bringing glamour and style to all proceedings.

And so, bring on the bubbly………

All photos copyright to www.youghalonline.com.

It’s Childs Play!  At Youghal Family Fun Festival 16th – 18th July 2010

Youghal’s first ever dedicated Family Festival will take place in the stunning seaside town on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th July 2010.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Inspired by Youghal and its surrounding areas’ official designation by Failte Ireland as a ‘Family Fun’ destination, tourism product providers in the area have organised a weekend of fun-packed FREE activities and entertainment for all the family! Event organisers are hoping to capitalise on the prospect of more families holidaying in Ireland this Summer; with recent independent research carried out for Failte Ireland, indicating that as many as eight out of ten families will take a holiday at home this year.

The opening event; a ‘Mardi-Gras’ Parade on Friday night promises a world of colour and spectacle throughout the town.  Saturday will feature the finest of local produce in the Family Food Festival in Market Square.  The highlight of the entire weekend however will be the crowning of Youghal’s very own ‘Queen of the Sea’, generously sponsored by local businesses; Claycastle Recording Studios and The Seahunter Charter Boat.

This festival will feature a non-stop programme of events including children’s storytelling, sandcastle building and crab-catching competitions.  The sound of music will fill the streets with children’s busking sessions and interactive children’s dance workshops.  Sunday 18th July is Funday.  ‘Greenpark’ in the centre of the town will come alive from 12.00 – 4.00 pm with mayhem sure to ensue in the ‘Fastest Daddy Competition’, ‘The Walter Raleigh Spud & Spoon Race’ and ‘The Teddy Bear Hospital’.

Speaking about the upcoming festival, Chairperson of the organising committee, Sal Tivy of Perks Entertainment centre commented: “We have certainly struck gold we believe here in Youghal again.  We will be hosting one of the biggest Family Fun Festivals imaginable in July from 16th – 18th.  The wonderful thing about this festival however is that there is fun for families aged from one to one hundred!   And most importantly almost all events in the festival are free.  We look forward to welcoming family visitors to our beautiful town where we will guarantee a fun-filled weekend.  We are also thrilled that any proceeds raised from our ‘Queen of the Sea’ Competition will go to the hugely deserving ‘Childline’ Charity.

Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce has already noted an emerging trend in visitors to the area with more families in particular from the midlands – Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Offaly already making their way to Youghal. It is expected this festival will attract in excess of 5,000 extra visitors to the town over the festival weekend period.

Youghal Family Fun Festival is supported and part funded by South & East Cork Area Development (SECAD), and Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce in association with Failte Ireland and Youghal Town Council.  For further details of this festival log onto: www.youghal.ie or call the festival headquarters in Youghal Tourist Office on: 024-20170.

Issued by: Youghal Family Fun Festival.

Contact: Aileen Ahern E: tourism@youghal.ie

Tel:               024-81814

Click on image to see some of the previous fun events in Youghal – Photos www.youghalonline.com