“The River Blackwater- Life and Lodgings” is a brand new 5 part Documentary which will be aired on Community Radio Youghal starting this Sunday the 24th of July 2011 at 1pm and will run until Sunday the 21st of August.

The 5 part series follows the three man crew of Tony Gallagher, Kieran Heffernan and Frank Mills on board the boat  “Maeve” as they leave Youghal Harbour and make their way towards  Cappoquin in Co Waterford stopping off on the way to visit the Historical Houses and famous landmarks that inhabit the  banks of this beautiful unspoilt River which is known as the Irish Rhine. The three man crew also stop on the way to talk to some of the families that have fished this great river and call the banks of the River home. The Documentary is funded by The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) under the Sound and Vision scheme.

 

‘Down Memory Lane’
An exhibition of photographs by Mickey Roche at McGoldrick Art and Photography.

On Thursday June 16th 2011, seventy years to the day that he commenced employment as a film projectionist in the Regal cinema, Youghal’s Mikey Roche held his first photography exhibition. The showcase, at the McGoldrick Art & Photography Gallery, North Main Street (adjacent to Clock Gate),  featured a selection of images that he had taken himself alongside some vintage samples that the 88 year-old acquired during his long and healthy life.

The exhibition was opened by John Kennedy, radio broadcaster with the local radio station CRY 104fm. John heaped huge praise on Mikey Roche’s work. He said Mickey was a marvelous man who’s work was priceless and were works of art in themselves.
Click on image to enlarge

 

On Friday the 27th of May at 10am Community Radio Youghal will embark on a Marathon of sorts as they attempt to broadcast 50 hours of continuous live Radio. The Radiothon kicks off on friday morning from 138 North Main Street Youghal and the CRY team will be broadcasting from the vacant premises and CRY studios for the duration of the 50 hours .

The feat is a joint fundraiser in aid of  The Youghal Cancer Support Group and CRY104fm and all proceeds will be split evenly between the two organisations.

THE YOUGHAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP- is dedicated to opening a drop in centre in Youghal, to offer help and support to all those who are dealing with, or have suffered the trauma of cancer. The Centre will also offer help and support to their friends and family. The group wants to offer this service to everyone in East Cork and West Waterford, providing a range of therapies  and advice. It will cover Clashmore, Ardmore, Dungarvan,Tallow, Cappoquin, Lismore, Youghal, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Midleton,and all townlands in between. In fact it will be open to people from all over that want to avail of the Centre.

Community Radio Youghal (CRY 104fm) meanwhile are planning to relocate from their existing premises in Cumann na Daoine to Nagle House, South Abbey in order to better serve the community. The new premises will provide better training facilities for Volunteers and Community groups. These facilities will allow greater access to Studio equipment and technical training for volunteers and for those who wish to gain experience in broadcasting and the media.

C.R.Y 104fm Station Manger, Declan Gibbons is looking forward to the station hosting the Radiothon. “We hosted an all-night Radiothon last December, to help raise much-needed funds for local boy, Keith Phelan and that was very well supported by station volunteers and by the local community.

This event really will be a marathon though – 50 hours of live radio, all provided by volunteers!

“We’re delighted to partner with the Youghal Cancer Support Group. They are seeking to provide a vital service in Youghal for people from all over our listenership area, so it makes perfect sense to support them. Volunteers from both organisations will be involved throughout the 50 hours and we hope that people will respond generously and get into the spirit of the Radiothon”, he said.

CRY continues to work closely with the students in Pobail Scoil Na Trionoide and it is fitting that Pobail Scoil students will launch this epic Radio Marathon on the friday morning.

There will be on street collections during Friday and Saturday and Collection boxes will also be placed in shops throughout Youghal town beforehand so if you want to play a request for yourself or your friends and family throw a Euro in the box and fill out the request form and all proceeds will go to these two worthy causes.

 

And don’t forget all your favourite CRY presenters will be keeping you entertained throughout Friday and Saturday night the 27th and 28th of May.

Congratulations to “The Pobail Scoil Sports Show Team” who were victorious in the recent Battle of the TY Students on Community Radio Youghal narrowly beating “A Bitta Banter” for the title.

The two groups completed an eight week radio production course with CRY before Christmas which culminated in them competing for a regular spot on CRY104fm by producing their own hour long radio shows which aired on the 22nd of December to a large audience.  The winners were decided by Public vote both by Text and a facebook poll and a CRY judging panel with The sports team emerging victorious.

CRY Community Deveopment officer Darragh Parker was full of praise for both sets of students who both chose the more difficult option of producing mostly talk based programmes, “The rivalry and competition between the groups was fantastic during the 8 week period and  both groups ended hosting very different but equally impressive shows on December 22nd . Both sets of students put the skills they learnt to great use in the making of their programmes recording both studio based and on location interviews and also using vox pops to great effect in producing the shows.” said Darragh before adding “ We at CRY are always on the lookout for young talent and these students certainly fit that description and we are delighted to offer The Sports Team a regular slot on CRY where they will continue to gain very valuable production and broadcasting skills”

Community Radio Youghal (CRY) has been awarded a grant of over €270,000. The money was allocated from the offices of Minister for Social Protection, Eamon O’Cuiv, under the Community Services Programme for the years 2011-13, following representation made by local Fianna Fail TD Michael Ahern. It will be administered retrospectively, per annum, over three years.

The grant reflects ongoing confidence in the station and follows previous allocations of €96,000 in 2008 and €89,000 in 2010, plus €4,000 in capital grant aid for equipment, etc.

Station manager Declan Gibbons says the money will go towards the €100,000 annual wage bill for the station’s four full-time staff, which between them oversee management, administration, funding initiatives and station & community development.

This year the station won a distinction award in the Commissioned Programme category for its documentary series ‘Last of The Yarns’ which chronicled the rise and fall of the textile industry in Youghal. It also won a distinction award for’ Perspectives,’ a weekly inclusiveness programme that gives a platform to minority individuals or groups.

CRY 104FM began life as a pirate station broadcasting from a remote attic near the golf course in 1979 and acquired a broadcasting licence in 19**, allowing it to broadcasts across 10 square kms. Following several address changes, it moved to its town centre location at Cumann na Daoine, near the town centre, in the early 2000’s.

In 2007 the station was revamped and along with four senior staff, employs employs four FAS workers and is supported by “up to 100 voluntary staff” at various times. Audience figures are difficult to gauge under community radio procedures but “in a survey of 350 people, 70% said they tuned in at some stage during the week,” says the manager.

CRY may recruit advertising from within its broadcasting range but Mr Gibbons says he is “pretty certain” that the station may also accept advertising from outside these parameters, while it total advertising cannot surpass 50% of its income.

With increasing voluntary participation, the station hopes to move again in 2011. A spacious premises at Nagle House in South Abbey, adjacent to several youth services, has become available. “We need the space to better accommodate our present staff, to offer training for new people and in turn to give the community a better service,” Mr. Gibbons concludes.

Community Radio Youghal scooped two top awards at the Community Radio Achievement Awards last month. The awards scheme is organised by CRAOL, the umbrella body for Community Radio in Ireland.

CRY 104fm won a distinction award in the Commissioned Programme category for its documentary series ‘Last of The Yarns’ which chronicled the rise and fall of the textile industry in Youghal.  The programme was scripted by Seamus Murphy, directed by Tommy Collins and produced by Noel Cronin. Mervyn Scott narrated the series, which was edited by Justin Maher and made with the assistance and participation of dozens of the people of Youghal and surrounding areas.’Last of The Yarns’ was grant aided by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, under its Sound & Vision programme.

The station also won a distinction award in the Social Benefit category for ‘Persectives’, the weekly inclusiveness programme on CRY 104fm. ‘Perspectives’ was devised by Station Manager, Declan Gibbons and is produced and presented weekly (Wednesdays @ 6.30pm) by Rhona Coughlan. The programme gives a platform to individuals or groups who may consider themselves or be considered by others as members of a minority group. The programme seeks to emphasise inclusiveness, while recognising difference.

Click on image to start slideshow of the last of the textile industry in Youghal. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Samantha Forrest is the 2010 winner of The JaneHolly Talent show. The Talent show which took place over 3 weeks saw 8 contestants take part with four finalists chosen to go through to the live final by both public vote and judges deliberation.

The Judges consisting of musicians Bobby Lee and Carol Keniry, CRY presenters Bill Daly and Stanley Notte and CRY’s  Darragh Parker were astounded by the quality and raw talent that was on offer.
The Four finalists  Leah Aherne. Stephen Murphy, Padraig Walsh and Samantha all sang live on air on Tuesday the 9th of November and although an extremely difficult decision , it was the small girl with the big voice Samantha Forrest who walked away with a cheque for €100 courtesy of Crowley’s Mace and CRY.

Our Maritime Weekend actually kicks off on Saturday (Aug 28) as Aquatrek host the Munster Final of the ‘ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Challenge’ on the quays in Youghal. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

If you’re part of an ISA club or training centre you should get a team together and enter. There are 2 classes – Junior and Senior. More details can be found by clicking here, or by phoning our very own John Innes on 086 859 3482.

And it’s not all about power this weekend (well, mostly it is!). We’re having a Commodore’s Cup Sailing Regatta also on Saturday afternoon. Sailors from Youghal and Inniscarra will compete on the water, and try not to get mowed down by wayward competitors in the Rib Challenge.

Youghal Harbour comes alive this Sunday when the only round of the ISA National Powerboat Championships to be held in Cork this year rolls into town and down the slipway. This will be the penultimate round of this year’s series and with points tight at the top of each class, competitive racing is guaranteed. The organisers of this round – Youghal Bay Boat Club – have been working hard to design courses that will ensure tight exciting racing with the whole event happening right in front of Youghal quays. Padraig Brooks -  Commodore of Youghal Bay Boat Club tells us “This is the first time our new club has held powerboat racing here in Youghal. We hosted a round of the Championships across in Ardmore back in July which proved to be an enormous success with huge crowds and fantastic racing and now we look forward to welcoming the racing fleets and spectators to the waters of Youghal for what’s expected to be a memorable round of the championship. The layout of the quays allows for great viewing and we hope people will come down and enjoy the racing”.

Four classes are expected to race this Sunday – 29th August: The F2 & F4 classes look light waterborne jet fighters and can attain speeds approaching 200 kilometres an hour, the T850 fleet are an exciting monohull class, while the P750 class (better known as Thundercats) will make a welcome return to these waters following a highly successful international race back in 2008. Expect lots of noise, tons of excitement and a great spectacle for a wonderful family afternoon.

This is another exciting event for the recently formed Youghal Bay Boat Club. At the start of the Summer large crowds turned out to enjoy their Open Day which was followed closely by ‘WindQuest’ – an inter-club sailing competition – and then a competitive sea-angling competition in July. Given the natural amenities in the area it’s perhaps little surprise that a club in this East Cork town should have proved so active.

Racing on Sunday begins at 12.30 and continues throughout the afternoon with several races in each class. Music and commentary on the day will be provided by Community Radio Youghal and the centre of the action will be Nealon’s Quay (next to ‘The Quays’ bar).

We’re delighted to be able to confirm some more details about the Maritime Weekend that’s taking place in Youghal this Saturday and Sunday (August 28th & 29th). Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The first ‘biggie’ is an aerobatics display that will be flown by Gerry Humphreys in his Vans RV7 at 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon. This is the first time such a display has been flown in the skies over East Cork so we’re expecting it to be truly memorable. Youghal is a great location for such a display so people are advised to get along quayside to watch the excitement. Further details on this are available here on our website:
http://www.youghalbay.com/component/content/article/35-latest-news/57-aerobatic-display.html

Further details on the National Powerboat Championships – which we’re hosting on the Sunday are also available on the site, specifically on this page:
http://www.youghalbay.com/component/content/article/35-latest-news/59-maritime-weekend.html

We’re a young club (less than a year old) and there’s only so much we can do with our reach. This weekend is a continuation of the events we’ve already delivered this year and a taster of what we hope to bring in the future, so we humbly ask that you assist our endeavors by helping to spread the word.

Aidan Foley
PRO – Youghal Bay Boat Club
Tel: 086 0401 368

Michael Del Punta is the latest singing sensation to come out of Youghal. The talented 19 year old crooner wows the diners with his singing in the popular Capri Bay Italian restaurant in Youghal, where he works as a part time waiter. The diners have discovered that Michael is not only good at serving tables, he displays his fine talents singing his favourite songs by artists such as Sinatra, Crosby, Tony Bennett, etc., much to their delight and surprise.Report/Photo: Michael Hussey & Tony Irwin for YoughalOnline.com

The UCC student found he could not afford to bring his girlfriend to fancy restaurants so he decided to work as a part-time waiter in town. After meeting the proprietor of Capri Bay, Gerald Esposito, he immediately got the job and has been working there part-time for the past seven months. While working, Michael would often break out in song in the kitchen, when Gerald and his father Rocco asked him, with such a magnificent voice, to go out and sing to the customers. This has proved to be so popular that he has been affably called ‘the singing waiter’ by the customers and now Michael sings regularly to the packed restaurant. Now, customers come from far and wide to hear Michael serenade them at the tables as ‘the singing waiter’.

A recent Youtube videoclip of Michael singing in the restaurant, made by YoughalOnline.com, is rapidly climbing in the rankings of the entertainment section and is just one of many to be uploaded by YoughalOnline.com in the near future. Michael was also interviewed by Shane Supple on Youghal’s local radio station, C.R.Y.

His debut self-titled EP, recorded at Claycastle Studios in Youghal, has exceeded all expectations, so much so that he had to order a second pressing, such is the demand for the singing waiter. Michael says his goal one day is to sing at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, sell twenty five million albums and appear on the Late Late Show!

Michael and his family, who have been living in Youghal for the past seven years, originate from Verona, Italy. Since he was a young boy, when his older siblings were listening to the likes of Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Madonna or Kylie, Michael’s first contact with music was through his mother’s record collection consisting of works by Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He has continued this love of that ‘big band’ genre ever since. He has trained his voice with the help of well-known music conductor, Mary Peadar-Daly where she taught him to study his breathing technique so much so that Michael and his mature voice have been likened to Michael Bublé, although his favourite artist of all time and greatest influence is undoubtedly Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

After moving to Youghal from Italy and studying at the old Youghal CBS school (he was the last person to do the Italian Junior Certificate exam in that school), he completed his fifth and sixth year studies in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide and now currently studies Arts at UCC, Cork City.

Michael has proved to be so popular, he is asked to sing regularly by friends at parties and weddings and is growing in confidence all the time. Speaking exclusively to YoughalOnline.com, he said “I am amazed by the reaction of the Youtube video and would like to thank YoughalOnline.com and everyone involved for their support” and confidently added “the way I see it, you should be able to do whatever it takes to make it to the top.”

So on your next trip to Capri Bay Italian restaurant to hear the singing waiter, when ordering your “big-a pizza pie”, you’ll get “Amoré” than you bargained for!

For the latest updates on Michael Del Punta go to his fanpage on Facebook or click here to view his Youtube videos.