Ever wonder how far it is from Cork to Swansea?  Staff at the 4 star Garryvoe Hotel, on the shore of Ballycotton Bay in East Cork, decided to run a fundraising event that would cover the distance to raise funds for their local RNLI lifeboat station across the bay in Ballycotton.

Proposals were put forward and the idea of Swimming to Swansea was born.  It is approx. 314 kms from Cork to Swansea and the organisers wondered if they could cover the distance in 24 hours.  Those taking part quickly realised that if this mammoth task was to succeed they would need some help.  Posters were put up in the hotel leisure centre looking for volunteers.  Leisure centre members interested in taking part were encouraged to take sponsorship cards.

On Saturday, 23 July 2011, at 8am, a team of 25 swimmers started a relay swim in the Garryvoe hotel leisure centre swimming pool.  Their aim was to swim 80 kms in 12 hours.  When the swimmers were finished their part of the swim they were presented with a bag with fruit and bottled water, sponsored by the Village Greengrocer in Castlemartyr.

The second part of the fundraising event was to row the balance of the distance, i.e. 234 kms. Approaches were made to the Fastnet Line, who kindly agreed to sponsor the return trip for the fundraising team and provided a cabin to rest in between rowing.  At 6pm on the 23rd a team of 9 rowers took a bus from the Garryvoe Hotel to Ringaskiddy to catch the Fastnet Line ferry to Swansea.  They brought three rowing machines with them. Two came from the Garryvoe Hotel leisure centre and a third was provided by T&T Fitness.

The 9 rowers formed three teams of 3 and commenced rowing on deck in relays.  They rowed from Cork to Swansea.  While one team was rowing the others rested in the cabin provided by the Fastnet Line.  To ensure the fundraisers got the best support possible, and raised as much money for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat as they could, regular announcements were made throughout the ship encouraging travellers to visit the rowers and offer their support.  RNLI lifeboat collection buckets were placed close to the rowing machines and passengers dropped money into them to help with the sponsorship effort.

The weary but delighted team of swimmers and rowers completed their 314 kms task.  In January 2012, when all funds were counted, Stephen Belton, General Manager, and staff at Garryvoe Hotel presented a cheque for €3,500 to members of the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat fundraising committee.  Mr. Belton related that the staff at Garryvoe Hotel were delighted to support this local charity.  Committee Chairman, Fiona Flynn, said the funds raised by the Garryvoe Hotel and Leisure Centre staff and members would go towards on-going training of lifeboat crew.  Ms Flynn thanked them for their efforts and explained how much it is appreciated by all involved at Ballycotton RNL lifeboat station.

We queued up at Garryvoe in East Cork on Christmas morning to park our car.  I wondered had I hibernated for six months and awoken in a different season.  When it was our turn to go we had to park the car three quarters way down the promenade and walk back to the hub of the activity.  This was not a normal day; the swimmers were all going to swim for charity.

We got out of the car wrapped in our winter woollies and fleece lined jackets.  A strong wind was blowing, bringing with it the rain and the cold.  We were greeted by people wrapped in towels.  Many had Santa hats on and towels wrapped around them.  I felt the odd one out with my jacket keeping me warm and dry.

There was no hanging around.  They were on a mission and that was to do what they were paid to do, get wet.  The Irish lifeboat service was one of several charities represented at Garryvoe this Christmas morning.  The banter was good humoured but their reason for being there was serious.

In 2010, when many were sitting down to their Christmas dinner the crew of the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat launched to assist three persons who had become stranded on the island off Ballycotton pier by the incoming tide.  Ralph Gunn is one of many who happily give up an hour on Christmas Day for this well needed charity.  Who knows when you or a friend or even a member of your family will need to call on this service?  The Irish lifeboat service depends on donations and fundraising events to operate this free service.  Ballycotton in East Cork is one of over forty RNLI lifeboat stations throughout Ireland who are on standby 24 / 7 and they are very thankful for all the support they have received in 2011.

They swam in the snow in 2010 on Christmas morning for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.  Would you look forward to your Christmas Day swim this year?  Ralph Gunn’s hardy men and women are.

They are gearing up to take their annual Christmas morning swim at Garryvoe Beach in East Cork at 12 noon in aid of Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.  The swimmers are currently looking for sponsorship for their efforts but are always interested in swelling their numbers.  If there is anyone interested in fundraising by taking a dip at Garryvoe Beach for Ballycotton lifeboat they could contact 087 4151475.

The swim at Garryvoe has become a Christmas Day tradition for many in East Cork.  If they are not going into the water many travel to the beach to support the swimmers and wish all a Happy Christmas.

Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station are thankful for the support given to them throughout the year.  Weather permitting, crew members will be seen in their lifeboat boarding boat at Garryvoe in support of those taking a dip for them this Christmas morning.

Many supporters of Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat look forward to their annual fundraising event at Ballymaloe House early in the New Year.  Around this time of year their thoughts go to booking their tickets and supporting this worthy cause.

Phil Coulter has been a great supporter of the RNLI lifeboat service in Ireland for many years.  What many people don’t know is that he was in Ballycotton when, going down the hill to the pier, past the lifeboat house and onto the steps leading up to the storm wall that runs along the length of the pier, the final verse of Home from the Sea came to him.

The Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat fundraising committee are organising their annual event in the impressive Grain Store at Ballymaloe House on Wednesday, 8 February 2012, and Phil Coulter has kindly agreed to act as host.  Tickets are €65 and are available from the organising committee.  Enquiries can be made by ringing 087 4151475 or via email to ballycottonrnli14@eircom.net.  These tickets  would make a wonderful Christmas present, with something to look forward to in the New Year and supporting the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat at the same time.

The organisers are thrilled that Phil Coulter will be hosting the event and are thankful for the continued support of management and staff at Ballymaloe House.  They hope the event will be well supported and will be a good start to their fundraising efforts in 2012 for the vital RNLI lifeboat service at Ballycotton.

 

Related Video:

Santa Claus is in a bit of a pickle this year.  He didn’t take up the scrappage scheme and now realises his sleigh has seen better days.  It is going to need considerable work done in order to pass its NCT in January.  At this late stage in the year he can’t bring it into the workshop or it won’t be ready for Christmas and he can’t disappoint the children.  He will have to draw up a contingency plan.

As Ireland is surrounded by water there is the possibility that Santa’s sleigh could run into difficulties at sea.  His sleigh can land anywhere but how would he get ashore if he had to ditch it at sea.  He knows the RNLI lifeboats are on call 24 / 7 and has been talking to members of the crew at Ballycotton in East Cork.

Santa usually takes the reindeers for a run a week before Christmas to get them ready for Christmas Eve.  He has arranged to do an exercise with Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat on Saturday, 17 December, at 12 noon.  The lifeboat crew will rescue him and bring him ashore at Ballycotton pier so he knows what to expect in case of such an event occurring.

Santa Claus is inviting children to come down to meet him at noon on Saturday, 17 December on Ballycotton pier.   He would like to hear what they want for Christmas and in return is looking for some ideas on what he should do in case his sleigh breaks down and he needs help.  His time will be short in Ballycotton as his sleigh will only stay afloat for a couple of hours.

The volunteers at Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station have told Santa they will be ready to answer his call (or anyone else’s for that matter) if the need arises.  Santa hopes he will meet plenty of children before he has to return to his sleigh so, children, don’t disappoint him.

THE YOUGHAL RNLI was launched for the second time in a week on Thursday 1st December at 13:47. It went to the aid a 20ft fishing vessel with 3 persons on board that had broken down with engine failure 2 miles south of Black Ball Head. Weather conditions were calm at the time.

The Youghal Lifeboat The Patricia Jennings with its volunteer crew Patsy O’ Mahony, Thomas Cliffe and helmsman John Griffin Jnr arrived on scene and established a tow.  The fishing vessel along with the 3 casualties were towed safely to the Shipping Quay in Youghal where the Lifeboat handed over to the Youghal Coast Guard. Pic: John Hennessy | website: www.jhennessy.net

 

Related Video: Youghal Emergency Services Demonstration 2009

Youghal Emergency services in action in Youghal, An exercise involving the RNLI, Coast Guard, Ambulance Services, Civil Defence and Air Rescue, This exercise was carried out near Claycastle Beach, where there was a command post set up, including a decontamination area.

9:03 PM 30th Nov. 2011
Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat was launched this evening, Wednesday, 30 November, at 2040 hours to an Irish registered fishing vessel taking water approx. 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  The Waterford based Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, was also launched and is en route to the fishing vessel.  Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat is expected to be with the casualty at approx. 2130 hours.  Weather conditions are rough with winds blowing Force 8 in the area.  When on scene attempts will be made to place a salvage pump aboard the fishing vessel to help manage the water intake and the fishing vessel will be taken under tow. More to follow later….

Wed, Nov 30th, 2011 at 11:17 PM - Latest : The alarm was raised this evening, 30 November, by an Irish registered fishing vessel taking in water approx. 20 miles south east of Ballycotton.  Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat and the Waterford based Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 117, were requested to launch to lend assistance.

With winds blowing up to Force 8 in Ballycotton the RNLI lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, with its volunteer crew, slipped her moorings at 2045 hours and headed towards the fishing vessel’s reported position.  The four man crew of the fishing vessel were keeping the water intake under control with buckets and steamed their fishing boat towards the oncoming lifeboat.  Conditions in the area were poor, with high winds, rough seas and squally showers.  At 2140 hours the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene with Rescue 117 arriving shortly thereafter.

The emergency services stood by the fishing vessel while it headed towards Ballycotton harbour under its own power.  Rescue 117 returned to base having updated themselves on the situation and the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat escorted the fishing vessel for the remainder of the journey.  The fishing vessel arrived in Ballycotton at 2300 hours and an RNLI salvage pump was placed aboard to extract the excess water.  The four man crew offered their thanks to the emergency services for the assistance given.

Plan A on Friday evening last was to swim from the Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat slip, out around Ballycotton lighthouse and back to the lifeboat slip.  The August weather had other ideas.  The event organisers arrived in Ballycotton at 3:30pm, reviewed the conditions in Ballycotton Bay and put Plan B into action.  Three buoys were placed in the Bay and the 45 swimmers had to swim around these to complete the 3.5 km swim. Photos: Courtesy of Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat

The swim was organised by the Munster Open Water Swimming Organisation and they travelled from as far as Limerick in the west to Waterford in the east and places in between.  The swimmers ranged in age from 13 to 65 years.  They were started in five different groups, at five minute intervals, the slower starting first and the fastest in the last group.  By doing this the field would have tightened up towards the end of the swim.  Each group was accompanied by kayakers for the entire swim.  The organisers had two ribs in the area also.  The Ballycotton RNLI all weather lifeboat, Austin Lidbury, kept careful watch over the swimmers in the middle of Ballycotton  Bay and their boarding boat, with two lifeboat crewmembers aboard, moved throughout the entire route.
There was a sprint for the finish between two swimmers, who completed the course in 50 minutes.  The camaraderie among the group was infectious and the many onlookers felt involved.  Having swum the 3.5 km course they then waited on the Ballycotton lifeboat slip for the other contestants to finish.

One of the organisers, Carol Cashell, explained that all entrants had to have swum a 3 km open water competition previously to qualify.  She related that the swimmers enjoy the freedom of swimming long distances in the open water.  Carol confirmed 32 did this swim last year, when they successfully swam around Ballycotton lighthouse, 6 have swum the English Channel, 6 have done the Straits of Gibraltar and 2 have swum around Manhattan Island in the US.  When asked about the weather conditions and how they affected the swimmers she explained that they don’t particularly like the sunny days as this blinds them.  They would have been happy enough with the misty evening they were faced with.  However, by the end of the swim the sun shone on this harty group.

This event was a fundraising effort for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat.  Initially an email was sent to 150 swimmers listed on the Sandycove mailing list.  By the morning of the event, Friday 19 August, 45 swimmers, 14 kayakers and 2 ribs had volunteered their time and energy to help raise funds for our lifeboat service.  Carol explained that the swimmers have done swims such as this for other lifeboat stations in Co. Cork, e.g. Courtmacsherry, Kinsale, Crosshaven.  As a charity the RNLI appreciates efforts such as this in support of their lifeboats which offers a free service to those in trouble at sea. When the swim was finished and all swimmers had safely completed the course they left with the promise that they would be back again next year.

Click here to visit the Ballycotton RNLI Lifeboat website

MARKETING, PROMOTION AND COHESION AMONGST PRIME ISSUES AT YOUGHAL CONCERNED CITIZENS MEETING. – By Christy Parker

Dozens of tour buses arriving in Youghal per week on the Rosslare to Cork/Killarney route make reference to Moby Dick as the only point of interest in Youghal, the most recent meeting of the Youghal Concerned Citizens group was told. Mr. Norman MacDonald, who is conducting research on the issue, also revealed that tens of tour operators on the same route bypass the town entirely throughout the summer.

Other issues to be aired at the meeting include a commitment to enter Youghal in a TG4 event for a €40,000 marketing award and a determination to bring cohesion to promotional events amongst the town’s diverse organisations.

The meeting, at the Red Store on Tuesday April 19th attracted a 20 plus attendance. With organisation and procedure becoming more fine-tuned by the meeting, the gathering processed the pre-set agenda with increased efficiency and purpose. Apologies were conveyed on behalf of PRO Noreen Hurley who was unable to attend due to minor personal circumstances.

The order of business ran as follows:

Opening address by Chairman Jimmy Flanagan:

Mr. Flanagan asked committee member Micheal De Buitleir for an update on a proposed parking a questionnaire to be conducted through Pobalscoil na Trionoide transition year. Mr De Buitleir said the school’s preference was to undertake the project in September. The Comhaltas Craobh Eochail chairman also informed that the group had missed the most recent “window opportunity” to contribute to the County Development Plan but that they would be consulted when the next seeking public submissions process arose. Planning and signage issues would feature on such agenda, he added.

Election of Treasurer:

Mr Flanagan said that the group would incur general running costs and responsibility for handling such finances was needed. It was agreed that donations (as against subscriptions) would be sought alongside a €2 contribution per member per meeting. The post of treasurer will be filled temporarily by group secretary Adrian Hyde. It was noted that one well-wisher had contributed €100 at the previous meeting.

Formation of a working group to examine issues relating to seaside development in Youghal and to formulate proposals for same:

Mr Flanagan successfully sought volunteers to investigate what needs attention in this area, whether it involve beach cleaning or more advanced projects. A Mr. Eoin Budds, from the floor, advocated efforts to develop the beach and river facilities as per other resorts, suggesting kayaking and festival-orientated beach activities as examples by which to maximise and market the natural beach resort. He undertook to compile a report for the next meeting.

Formation of a working group to formulate proposals for a central message or hook upon which the town can market itself:

The chairman recalled marketing manager Tim Magee’s impressive address at the previous meeting in which he stressed that while industry was welcome, Youghal’s focus should be on sustainable development of its natural amenities and local enterprises. It was conveyed from the attendance that Mr. Magee, despite his frequent business sojourns abroad, remains very willing to contribute to the group in whatever capacity is viable for him to do so.

Marketing catastrophe

Norman MacDonald diverted the discussion a little when he revealed that up to 35 bus tour companies operate on the Rosslare to Cork/Killarney throughout the summer and beyond. In an example of marketing deficiency, one of these, Seaways, conducts 47 seven-day and 25 ten-day tours through Youghal, amounting to one per week of each through Youghal. However the only point of interest they referred to in Youghal was Moby Dick, explained Mr. MacDonald.  He further revealed that many of the tour companies bypass the town entirely. He is now compiling details of as many companies as possible to quantify the dearth and potential of marketing within this sector.

Notwithstanding the good service it provided, through the pub of the same name, Mr. MacDonald felt strongly that Youghal had a lot more to offer besides the legacy of a dead whale to entice bus passengers to alight and to amble. There were many “treasures,” such as St. Mary’s Church, with walls dating from 600 AD, the River Blackwater and even murderous, marauding Cromwell if need be! He wondered of Comhaltas performers could greet arrivals, or if they might be induced to linger by older volunteers greeting them on arrival with pamphlets depicting Youghal’s many attractions.

The meeting also heard that only one of several cafés in the area showed interest in opening earlier in the morning to tempt such travellers. “We’re not being rude but we’re not being welcoming either,” surmised Mr MacDonald ruefully, adding. “You could show someone Youghal for a whole day and they’d still not see half of it!”

Mr. MacDonald then revealed that plans to acquire a unique model railway attraction from Dublin had been derailed as the owners had apparently opted to send it to a museum in Dun Laoghaire instead. A watchful eye would be maintained lest it became available nonetheless.

TG4

Micheal de Buitleir brought news that TG4 are launching a competitive ‘G-day’ event in which non-Gaeltacht towns will compete against each other to stage the best 24 hour Irish language and heritage festival. The contest carries a first prize of €40,000 towards marketing their area. “Even without winning, the competition gets you a lot of valuable television coverage,” he argued. It was agreed that Youghal would participate.

Cohesion, co-operation, clearing and Gavin

Mr De Buitleir proceeded that Youghal clubs and organisation had traditionally marketed themselves individually, whereas a joint and cohesive strategy would likely serve the town better. He also referred to ‘Painting Your Grey Area,’ a new promotion being run by Dulux in which the company will provide free paint for use on derelict public buildings.

Committee member Lil Danne remarked that several areas surrounding the beach and quays needed sprucing up and cleaning. She suggested that pointers might be garnered from viewing a Dirty Old Towns, a current television series in which gardener Diarmuid Gavin was applying his craft to improving Charleville. “He asked that they fundraise €30,000 towards the project and the entire town rallied behind it,” she observed.

Mr, De Buitleir reported that Comhalts Ceoltori Eireann had cleaned from the water tower to Magner’s Hill a week previous and said the town council were receptive to such voluntary ‘public realm’ initiatives. He urged that other groups consider similar projects. There subsequently emerged some discussion on the prevalence of unsightly sandbags in the town and it was agreed to remove them in a week’s time if they remained visible.

An unexpected revelation arose from Mr Flanagan when he produced a copy of the previous Saturday’s Irish Daily Mirror. It carried a feature on Youghal but, in stark contrast to the earlier Irish Times equivalent, it depicted a town laden with attractions and natural beauty. “It’s absolutely fantastic,” remarked the chairman.

Formation of a working to investigate the feasibility of implementing a strategy across all groups and organisations in regard to co-ordinating activities and events:

It was agreed that individual organisations were doing well in their efforts to promote the town from individual perspectives but that too often efforts clashed with those of other organisations, to the detriment of all parties and of the town.  It was recognised that the absence of representatives from local organisations at Youghal Concerned Citizens meetings did not facilitate improvement in this sphere. The meeting agreed to contact as many organisations and clubs as possible with a view to acquiring their views on the issue. A suggestion was made also that efforts be made to publish a calendar of events in the local media some weeks in advance to help avoid a clash between meetings, events, etc.

Youghal Lace

A spokeswoman representative Youghal Lace revealed that the group is planning to re-convene in the coming weeks. She said much plans for the future included tutoring interested parties in the art of producing the unique lacework. As regards exhibiting past creations, she was not in a position as yet to declare or elaborate on that.

As the meeting neared conclusion, there was consensus to ask the town council in writing for an update on the proposed restoration project for the Clock Gate, which was predicted to commence this month.

The final item concerned the old railway station. Two people in attendance expressed a willingness voluntarily to clean up the site. They were told that the town council has contacted the site owners, Iarnrod Eireann and were awaiting a response on a request to render it less unsavoury looking. Meanwhile the volunteers were advised to contact the company with any proposals.

Reports and progress on all the above issues will be processed at the next meeting of the Youghal Concerned Citizens’ss next meeting on Tuesday May 10th at 7 pm in the Red Store.

An enthusiastic crowd numbering over 40 gathered on a cold and windy Youghal beach on Saturday (13th Feb 2011) to witness what was probably Youghal’s first ever release. Centre of attention was a young lady called Sammy, a grey seal pup who had been rescued by the local coastguard service last November, She had been discovered, apparently abandoned, near Redbarn, Only about four weeks old, she had borne several cuts and bruises and weighed just 12 kgs.

Volunteers Sarah Martin and Kate Hall from Dingle Wildlife and Seal Rescue Sanctuary had then transported Sammy- who had meantime been christened by a local schoolboy- to Kerry. Aside from a few weeks in isolation due to contracting the seal equivalent of chicken pox, Sammy had thrived very well in the Kingdom and a 12-week diet of herring and mackerel saw her returned to Youghal at a fulsome 48 kgs.

It is the sanctuary’s practice to return rescued seals close to where they were discovered.so Sammy arrived by road at Claycastle car park beach, about a mile from where she was found. She was transported by volunteers Sarah, Becky Smith, Roz Buckley and Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary owner Ciaran O’Sullivan.

A minute’s silence was observed for the victims of the Cork airport plane crash tragedy. Then, at 1 pm, Sarah opened the door of Sammy’s crate. The white baby-fur coat that had cloaked her on her previous visit had been replaced by a sleek, silky, brown-polka dotted number as the grey lady poked her snout out. She scanned her expectant audience with her big brown eyes and then, possibly mindful that there were canvassing politicians in town, retreated back inside.

Moments later she re-emerged and, cajoled by towel-fluttering members of Youghal Coastguard, belly flopped cumbersomely 20 metres to the rolling surf, pausing occasionally to flap a fin at some friendly face. One felt reminded of some desperate candidate lumbering towards that last constituency seat on the seventh count –excepte for the doting ‘ooohhs’ and ‘aahhhs.’

Sammy delighted her fans with a ten minute frolic close to shore, returned briefly to the water’s edge and then, fins fully flexed, headed for the horizon. She has been tagged in case of re-discovery but the assumption is that she will eventually surface amongst a colony off the Blasket Islands. In about three years she will be ready to have her own little pups. The crowds drifted from the beach, their faith in happy endings, sealed.

Click the image to see Sammy being set free – Pics: www.youghalonline.com