The only town in Ireland to be awarded three Blue Flags for 2011, Youghal was celebrating last night (Thursday 9th June 2011) and hoping that the announcement by Environment Minister Phil Hogan will draw much-needed additional tourism into the area. The east Cork town gained an extra flag for its Front Strand while retaining the standard for both Redbarn and Claycastle – much to the delight of the Town Council.

“We had an inkling of the news last week but we now have three Blue Flag beaches that stretch across all areas of our strand. This is a very rare achievement and we are absolutely thrilled,” Helen Mulcahy, acting Town Clerk, told the Cork News.

“We were very disappointed when we lost the Blue Flag for Front Strand. There was a problem with the water quality but it really was borderline and could be attributed to bad weather at the time. Readings are taken at certain times of the year though, and they don’t always do justice to the quality of the water.

“However, this year we ticked all the boxes. We’ve been working very hard cleaning the beaches and putting various facilities in place like wheelchair ramps and litter bins. We’ve been going around the clock trying to meet all the criteria and thankfully we have managed to do just that. This is a great achievement for the Town Council, the local Tidy Town group and for Cork County Council.”

There are high hopes the news will result in more tourists coming in to visit the town, which has suffered badly from factory closures and job losses over the last number of years. “Youghal has been very badly hit recently, especially by the amount of unemployment we’re seen. One of the few assets the town has left is its beaches and we have to do everything we can to exploit that,” Ms. Mulcahy added.

“Youghal has beautiful strands and it’s a wonderful place to come and visit or spend some time on holiday. If visitors come, it could well generate more employment in the locality and hopefully start something positive. People come from far and wide to use Blue Flag beaches and tend to avoid ones that aren’t designated with the award. So we do expect a good response from the public and for them to come in their droves, especially if the sun starts to shine.”

Cork received 11 Blue Flags in total for criteria such as water quality, information provision and beach management and the national total of 82 is an increase of eight from 2010. The other beaches in Cork are Garryvoe, Garretstown, Garrylucas, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, the Warren, Tragumna and Barleycove.

Source: thecorknews.ie

Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Tourism, Sandra McLellan, has welcomed the awarding of an unprecedented three Blue Flags to Youghal, with the Front Strand beach now joining Claycastle and Redbarn beaches on the prestigious list.

Speaking at the announcement of this year’s winners Deputy McLellan said: “I want to congratulate all of this year’s winners. The result for Youghal, in particular, is an absolutely outstanding achievement. To be awarded three Blue Flags surely confirms Youghal as the finest coastal resort in the country. The awards reflect a dedication to excellence and are a result of a huge effort from the local authority, staff and community. Their commitment to the campaign, including beach clean-ups organised by a range of voluntary groups, has been rewarded with this fantastic news.”

“It is important to remember that the Blue Flag stands for more than just excellent bathing water quality, but also reflects a beach’s compliance with a range of international standards covering areas such litter management, provision of lifeguards, toilet facilities, animal control and more. As such, the three Blue Flags which Youghal can now boast conveys, to potential visitors at home and abroad, that this area is dedicated to providing a first class experience in a first class environment.”

Lower Aghada Pier Development Group
Re: Annual General meeting of Lower Aghada Pier Development Committee

Dear Mariner,

I write to you to confirm that the Annual General Meeting of our group will take place on Wednesday 16th. February 2011 at 8.30pm in Lower Aghada Tennis and Sailing Club, Lower Aghada, Co. Cork.

Our aim is to develop the facilities available at Lower Aghada Pier. Our plans include installing a landing pontoon at the Pier which will also include access for people with disabilities.

At this meeting we will outline our progress to date together with a detailed explanation of our plans for the future development of the pier at Lower Aghada. Over the past number of months we have been working hard to get commitments from the various stakeholders in the pier.

Just this week we met with senior representatives of Cork Co. Council and Port of Cork and have received very encouraging news from both parties with a commitment of support for our proposed plans for the Pier. It is our intention to make a formal presentation on the night of the AGM of our progress to date.

We would encourage you to attend this meeting as our group is there to develop the pier for all of it’s users and the entire Community of Cork Harbour and we welcome any support or comments which you may have in relation to this.

We also have our website up and running at www.saveaghadapier.com so why not log on and see the up to date news on whats happening at Aghada Pier.

Having held a very successful Table Quiz in 2010plans are well underway to hold a Race Night on Friday 25t. March at Rosies Bar in Lower Aghada at 8.30pm. Our committee are currently looking for support by way of sponsorship of the event programme as well as the buying of horses for the night. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Shane Russell.

Chairperson.

The recently formed Youghal Bay Boat Club has been busy over the past few weeks putting together an exciting itinerary which it hopes will ultimately lead to more people getting out on the water. The club played host to the Cove Sailing Club in the fantastic sunshine over the June Bank holiday weekend.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Over the Summer months the Youghal Bay Boat Club plan on having a wide variety of exciting events from angling competitions to cruises in company, powerboat races to fun days, all culminating in our first Maritime Festival at the end of August. A lot of different groups had been doing their own thing on the water here in the South East for the last few years and by bringing it all under one club everyone seems to have been re-energised. We extend an open invitation to all to come along, talk to us, and get involved ….whether you have a boat or not”.

Click on image to enlarge

By Christy Parker | Photos: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Aquatrek’s inaugural Day Skipper (Navigation) theory course received their certificates

Sixteen students from Aquatrek’s inaugural Day Skipper (Navigation) theory course received their certificates at the business’s first Awards Dinner at the Walter Raleigh Hotel last weekend. The sixteen represented the course’s full contingent and ranged from 16 to 70 years.

Wexford’s Justin Slattery, the first Irishman to win the world’s most famous yacht race, the Volvo Ocean Race, in 2005-06, presented the certificates. Revenue from the €30 per head event, plus raffle proceeds for many prizes kindly donated by local businesses, went towards the Lifeboat service and music came courtesy of Martin & Jason.

John Innes who, along with fellow lifeboat crewman John Griffin, established Aquatrek last year, complimented all who undertook the course, which ran twice weekly from Read more