THE NOOK BAR IN YOUGHAL joined forces with the ‘Trad for Trocaire’ campaign where musicians play tunes for charity. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

‘Trad for Trocaire’ kicked off at The Nook on Friday, September 24 and ran until Sunday 26th. It is a weekend celebration of traditional Irish music, run by Trocaire and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with musicians, venues and trad music fans. The Nook patrons and musicians ‘raised the roof’ by organising and supporting the local traditional music session.
As part of the initiative, THE NOOK BAR had an early ‘Trad for Trocaire’ session on Wednesday 23rd, which is a  regular and popular weekly trad session in the bar.

Mick Mangan & Rannach, Bobby Lee & Friends and The Butterfly Band were just some of the trad musicians who took part.

Money raised through the campaign will support the overseas aid organisation’s worldwide work to help poor and vulnerable communities overcome poverty.

Michael Treacy, proprietor of the popular Nook Bar on North Main St. said “The ‘Trad for Trocaire’ campaign was a great success  thanked everyone involved in supporting this worthy cause, especially all the musicians who played over the ‘Trad for Trocaire’ weekend.

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On Sunday last 22nd August 2010, visitors flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 4th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com| Email: news@youghalonline.com

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 8,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day, a record number for the event. The glorious sunshine made the inclement weather of the event in 2009 a distant memory!

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Village’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in support of the event. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Co. Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were mesmerised by the archery display and huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ played host to some of the best activities seen at the festival to date. The ‘Mumbo Jumbo Circus Workshop’ was a flurry of excitement and activity as kids of all ages learned how to stilt walk or ride a unicycle. The bouncy castle area was a major attraction as children braved the obstacle course over and over again.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ saw the re-introduction of traditional arts & crafts fun. 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 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. Not only did we organise a ‘FREE FAMILY EVENT’ but we also reopened the historic quarter of Youghal which has seen a huge facelift over the last few years”, commented Catherine.

This year more 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 ranging from homemade ice – cream to wood-fired pizza.

The ‘bandstand area’ featured lively performances from local band ‘Rannach’ followed by local favourites ‘Redmond & John’ culminating with the Youghal Pipe Band.  Community Radio Youghal was of course on hand throughout the entire day to report on proceedings throughout the afternoon.

Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage said: “The event was a tremendous success and the support we’ve seen from the business community in the town deserves a huge acknowledgement. We received some fantastic spot prizes for our raffle and I would like to give them a big thank you on behalf of the committee. I would also 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”.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.
Click on image to enlarge. All photographs www.youghalonline.com. For high resolution image copy of any of the photos seen here please email to news@youghalonline.com with Attention to picturedesk

Key to photographs
91 Youghal Town Cryer Cliff Winser with Noel Curtin and sons Jack and Robbie
105 William and Morgan Joyce with ‘Captain Jack’ Kieran Groeger
107 Paula, TJ and Amy Rusk, Teresa and Sean Slattery with Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley
110 Ann marie Roe, Patrice Desmond and Stacey O’Leary
112 Carmel Murphy from Limerick
113 Derek Kenefick fundraising for the Haven for Haiti building programme
119 Susan and Shane Morgan with facepainter Clara Foley
120 Tina Molloy with her children enjoying the free festival
122 Rebecca Hanna and Coran McCarthy with doggy Kerry at the Medieval Festival
138 Tilly McCarthy and Patrick Walsh
140 Sean Donovan and Ann Power
159 Michelle Hennessy, Sheila Whyte and Sandra McLellan and child
184 James and Alavoine from Cork
187 Seth Lewis and Viki Nagy
190 Mervyn Scott and Noel Cronin from Youghal local radio CRYIssued by:

Youghal Heritage Committee

Tel: 024-81814

E: youghalheritage@mail.com or tourism@youghal.ie

The “Tag to Youghal” Festival kicked off on last Friday evening with an open air concert with Rannach live on stage in the market square and afterwards people explored the lively bars in Youghal along the festival’s “Pubfest” music & pub trail. Pic www.youghalonline.com

On Sunday last, a free live open air concert took place in the centre of town with local band deBurca for all to enjoy.Youghal RFC in partnership with Youghal Chamber of Tourism and the Youghal Vintners Association were delighted with the success of this inaugural family fun and trouble free event.

Youghal RFC in partnership with Youghal chamber of Tourism and the Youghal Vintners Association are set to host the “Tag to Youghal” Festival from 13th to 15th August 2010.
Photo: John Hennessy Photography Email: news@youghalonline.com

The festival kicks off on Friday evening with an open air concert with Rannach live on stage in the market square and afterwards, you can explore the lively bars in Youghal along the festival’s “Pubfest” music & pub trail.

Saturday 14th join in and enjoy the tag rugby Blitz, which takes places from 12noon – 6pm, with pitch side music, food, fun competitions and entertainment followed by prize giving.  With €1000 worth of prize money to be won, this is sure to attract a competitive entry from all over Munster which will provide an afternoon of first class sporting entertainment.

For those who need a break from the pubs and the rugby fest, enjoy a stroll around the Food & Craft Market in Barry’s Lane, Market Square on Saturday from 11am to 4pm, where you can sample some of the local culinary delights. A busking exposition will be held along the Main Street, this will be sure to create a wonderful buzz and add to the excitement of the festival atmosphere for the weekend.  For the younger visitors there will be face painting and a crab catching competition, so come along and try your luck.

Following the day long activities there will be a free live open air concert with deBurca live on stage from 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the centre of town for all to enjoy. Later, you can enjoy the craic in the bars in Youghal along the festival’s “Pubfest” music & pub trail

Sunday 15th take a trip to Summerfield bar from 1pm to 6pm to see a display of vintage machinery on show. From 6pm – 8pm you can enjoy live open air music with Planet Claire on stage in the town centre. After the concert follow the “Pubfest” Music and pub trail for some great entertainment.

Be part of the Craic and come to Youghal for a great weekend of rugby and entertainment