‘Yew Wood Venues’- Youghals Premier Venues – The Mall Arts Centre & St. Mary’s Collegiate Church

‘Yew Wood Venues’ – the new name behind Youghal’s Premier Venues – The Mall Arts & St. Mary’s Collegiate Church contributed in excess of €280,000 to the local economy of Youghal in two years according to surveys undertaken in accordance with Failte Ireland’s Festivals and Cultural Events Research Template.  The venues are run by The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group who currently lease the buildings from Youghal Town Council.
In building upon the success of the venues to date, the two venues are to be re-branded and will now fall under the title of ‘Yew Wood Venues’.  Yew Wood – the english translation of Eochaill – encapulates both unique venues of Youghal.  A new base and booking office will operate from ‘The Coach House’ of ‘Enterprise Youghal’ in Emmet Place.

The expansion plan of ‘Yew Wood Venues’ focuses on Youghal’s commercial and contemporary arts potential. Joyce Hosford, Events Manager of Yew Wood Venues commented “We are encouraging local artists to exhibit their works in the Mall Arts Centre and we are focusing on attracting and developing local and emerging talent. We are seeking to utilise the Mall Arts Centre to its full potential as well as seeking to explore contemporary arts events. In order to do so, we envisage a ‘bottom up’ approach to our developmental plan – that is, there is a hugely strong community arts base in Youghal and we aim to support and nurture such talent.  The vision is to ensure Youghal is a recognised centre of Arts excellence, built upon the strengths of the community”.

To date, the venues have delivered a range of productions across the arts spectrum, from visual to music, dance to drama.  This has made huge impact on the local economy – events which have been running in the Yew Wood Venues have contributed €280,000 over 2 years to the local economy.

Reffering to the economic spin-off to the local community, Manager of The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, Aileen Murray said: “The future plans of Yew Wood Venues also focuses on developing the local economy and boosting local businesses through ‘spin off’ revenue generated from events taking place. These venues share a common goal with many businesses and organisations within the Youghal community – to help increase the number of people visiting and investing in Youghal.  Failte Ireland identified that the average visitor attending an event in Youghal will spend on average between €30 and €55”, said Aileen.

The continued development of attendances at the venues will be crucial to the venues ongoing success. In order to achieve this, there will be several initiatives undertaken through marketing, education and outreach functions. For example, the well supported Sacred Roots events, which took place in St Marys Collegiate Church will recommence shortly. These events helped to promote the arts to the youths of Youghal as well as generating much support and recognition from the community and a far. Other such developmental programmes will encourage local artists to take residence in the Mall Arts Centre and exhibit their art on a monthly basis. Yew Wood Venues will also continue to support St. Raphaels and their future projects.

In aiming to develop new captive audiences within the community, Yew Wood Venues will commence a monthly film club hugely significant considering Youghal’s strong history of interest in film. This will be a low cost means of art and cultural activity and a means for those who wish to develop their interest in cinematic art.

David McSavage, the comedian of the infamous RTE production ‘Savage Eye’, will take to the stage of the Mall Arts Centre on Saturday 25th February at 8pm. Tickets are now available. 2012 will also see hilarity from the legendary Brendan Grace, a Shakesperean play, a Moby Dick production, the family favourite Lambert Puppet Theatre and the welcomed return of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne to name a few.  Plans are also underway to host a number of large-scale contemporary cultural and arts events which at time of press are still under negotiation.

“It is imperative in such a close community with numerous venues, we target to our specific audience and market the event accordingly” states Joyce Hosford. “We are hugely enthusiastic about the year ahead. It is great to have a permanent base, an office where people can come and meet me, discuss future plans, propose ideas, highlight queries or book tickets” she added.

In the current climate, it is imperative that local resources are utlised to their maximum potential. Yew Wood Venues is starting 2012 with much enthuasism and positivity for the year ahead. With this rebranding, also brings a very strong and forward thinking developmental plan for the Mall Arts Centre and St Marys Collegiate Church to accompany this new title.

Yew Wood Venues office is in the Coach House of the Entreprise Centre, Emmet Place – just next to St. Marys Collegiate Church. The office will be open 5 days a week and contact number is 083-3606507 or 024-81823. Official office hours will be added shortly to the website www.themallartscentre.com

A HAND-MADE replica of the trusted lighthouse that has stood guard over an Irish seaside town for centuries now sits in a Terrace front yard.

Jim Allen, who is lovingly re-creating a waist-high version of his County Cork home town of Youghal (from memory), has just completed the final touches on his latest creation.

It’s a white, 14-foot lighthouse tower complete with a revolving beam of light – a 40-watt light bulb that actually works.

“That’s solid stucco,” he says proudly, placing his hand against the firm tower wall.

A painter and plasterer by trade, he may have found his life’s true calling in his retirement – as the creator and self-styled Mayor of Tiny Town.

For the past year or so, he’s been making picture perfect replicas of Youghal’s landmark buildings, one by one, and setting them up in his front yard.

Each is a work of art. They’re solidly constructed, too.

The best part is, admirers are welcome to take a closer look. Jim, who can be found at work outside in his garage most days, will gladly give visitors a tour.

The attention to detail is impressive. A little pile of fire wood is neatly stacked behind one home. Itty-bitty shoes peek out from behind real glass windows at the cobbler’s.

“I used to bring in my football boots,” recalls Jim, whose clothes are spotted with white paint and plaster flecks and has sky blue eyes that match the collar of his work shirt. “The owner would give me his life story and all I wanted was new studs on my boots.”

He starts each replica with a sturdy wooden frame, building the walls from plaster and nailing wooden shingles to the roofs to keep the rain out. Some buildings are inlaid with real stones, adding to the illusion.

The small yard at 5134 Agar Ave. is a genuine tourist attraction.

Admirers come in all sizes (although some question the inclusion of the town’s pub and betting office).

One woman brought Jim a porcelain tile bearing an Irish blessing. It’s now inlaid underneath the roof line of one of the little Council Houses he’s built.

Naturally, Terrace, B.C.’s version of Youghal (pronounced Yawl) is a hit with the neighbourhood kids.

“The kids that come around here, it’s unbelievable, they’re in their glory.”

If Barbie got married, shed insist on having her wedding at St. Mary’s Church, a gothic wonder with a tall spire.

Jim’s planning to build a replica of Youghal’s Anglican Church. Inexplicably, it’s also called St. Mary’s.

Many of the finest homes in Youghal, like that of former mayor Sir Walter Raleigh (who is said to have introduced tobacco to Europe), were at one time owned and inhabited by the British.

Ireland, which is a booming high-tech centre these days, has had a tumultuous past, having endured invasions by the Danes in the 9th century, followed by the Normans in the 12th.

During the Irish potato famine in the mid-1800s, millions fled the Emerald Isle in ships bound for the New World. Many sailed past the busy port of Youghal.

“This light,” he says, referring to the lighthouse, “was probably the last they ever saw of Ireland.”

A lighthouse has kept watch over Youghal since the 12th Century, when the Normans built a 30-foot-high tower in the same location as the present one, town historian Mike Hacket writes.

Its warning lights fires lit in the window during wet weather and on the roof when it was dry were removed in the mid-1500s.

That’s because pirates used to light fires on rocky shores hoping to lure ships to disaster. For 300 years the tower was dark.

The Allens welcomed more than 1,000 visitors this summer. Many signed an autograph book Jim keeps behind Plexiglas in a stand by the front gate.

He plans to put out a collection box for the Canadian Cancer Society next summer.

His next project is Youghal’s distinctive clock tower, an elaborate brick structure with rows of windows and a wide arch.

That, and the lighthouse, will be displayed in the back yard, stresses Jim, who ran into a bit of trouble two summers ago when someone complained to city hall about the height of his miniatures.

Were they lawn ornaments or structures under the zoning bylaw?

Structures would have to be moved. But, after several agonizing weeks, he was simply told to build a fence along his driveway, screening the view from next door.

Jim Allen’s tiny town could have ended up in a yard in Australia instead.

He and his wife, Josephine, an Irish girl from a nearby town he married at 21 in England, decided they would emigrate.

They wrote to the Canadian and Australian consulates, vowing to honour whichever reply came first.

It was Canada. The Allens have lived in Terrace for 48 years, raising six children.

You have to wonder, looking at the miniature town in their front yard, do they miss Ireland?

“No,” Jim and Josephine chime in unison. “We’re Canadians right down to the core.”

The couple has gone back to Ireland just four times in the past half a century.

They enjoy visiting family, but before long they’re anxious to return.

“Especially Terrace,” smiles Jim. “It’s Gods country, here. When the sun shines on the snowy mountains, it looks just like pink ice cream”

The mayor of Tiny Town
Originally posted on June 15, 2007 – Courtesy of: http://deasil.wordpress.com/2007/06/15/the-mayor-of-tiny-town/

 

The article below appeared on the www.terracedaily.ca on 22nd May 2007

QUEEN MARY LAUNCHED AT TINY TOWN
By Merv Ritchie

Those that have followed these pages will be well aware of the build up to the launch of the Queen Mary at Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, Terrace. This past weekend was a spectacular display of Irish hospitality.

Complete with pipers hailing in the grand display, hundreds gathered to witness this event. Jim and Josephine Allen were witnessed kicking up their heels and dancing to the entertainment provided by musicians who came from all around to play for the Allens.

The occasion was especially significant for Betty Bell who was in Great Britain to watch the original launch of the real Queen Mary from her Grandmothers home across from Clyde Bank when she was 8 years old. In 1955 she travelled on the Queen Mary from South Hampton to New York.

“There was a clock tower in Clyde Bank too”, claimed Betty, “Grandma used to get us to run down to see what time it was.”

Jim took the time to thank all those who gathered and paid a special tribute to his daughter, Bernadette, who he stated came and worked from dawn until dusk every day for the previous week, gardening around all the features of his creation making the opening that much more beautiful.

Tiny Town, as it is locally referred to, can be viewed all year at 5134 Agar Avenue in Terrace.

REPORTING · 22nd May 2007

The Phantom is making his way to St Mary’s Collegiate Church very soon!

The Phantom of the Opera – Organ Improvisation by Eric Sweeney

ST MARY’S COLLEGIATE CHURCH has been home to a wide variety of events down through the ages – however it will be the first occasion that this serene setting will screen a movie.

Renowned Irish composer and organist Eric Sweeney will perform a live organ improvisation to the film The Phantom of the Opera. This adored film will be shown in its original silent version on a large screen in the imposing archway of St Marys Collegiate Church, with the astounding organ recital to accompany.

The chosen venue of St Mary’s Church is of the utmost antiquity, being one of the oldest Christain sites in Ireland. The apt and eerie surroundings of the Church along with the remarkable acoustics will acutely intensify and augment this event. Unquestionably, the venue itself, coupled with the supreme talent of Eric Sweeney, makes this event particularily momentous.

Eric Sweeney is the organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford. He was Choral Director at RTE for a number of years as well as the Head of Music at Waterford Institute of Technology. He has become well known for his sold out performances of organ improvisations to a wide variety of silent movies.

The event takes place on Friday 11th November 2011 in St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal at 8pm. Tickets are 12.50 euro for adults and 10 euro for concessions. Tickets can be purchased at the Youghal Tourist Office. Reserve tickets by contacting Joyce on 083-3606507 or themallartscentre@gmail.com. Events in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, part of The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group. Prior booking advised – to avoid disappointment!

The Church is a wonderful and mystical setting – whilst we will attempt to make it as comfortable as possible – warm clothing is very much advised!

ERIC SWEENEY

A Dubliner by birth, Eric Sweeney has lived in Waterford since 1981 where he was Head of Music at Waterford Institute of Technology until 2010 . Previously he lectured in music at the Dublin College of Music (now Dublin Institute of Technology) and at Trinity College. He was Choral Director at RTE from 1978-1981. A frequent visitor to North America he has been composer-in-residence at the Newport Festival Rhode Island, Memorial University, Newfoundland, the University of Illinois, Indiana State University and the University of Portland, Oregon among others.

Organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral Waterford, he began organ lessons while still a choirboy at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin studying with the cathedral organist W.S. Greig. He later studied with Flor Peeters in Belgium and, with the aid of an Italian Government scholarship, with Fernando Germani in Rome. He has given recitals throughout Ireland both North and South as well as in England, Sweden, Italy, France and America and his programmes reflect a special interest in contemporary music.

He has become well known also for his organ improvisations to silent movies which include Phantom of the Opera, Dracula and Nosferatu. He collaborated with the rock group 3epkano for an improvisation to the 1930?s classic film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari at the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August.

For more information:

Please contact Joyce Hosford

themallartscentre@gmail.com

083-3606507

The Mall Arts Centre/St. Mary’s Collegiate Church
Part of Youghal Socio Economic Development Group
7-10 Emmet Place, Youghal, Co. Cork
Tel: 083 360 6507

For more information on Eric Sweeney, please see www.ericsweeney.com

YOUGHAL’S MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE has received €60,000 from the Heritage Council of Ireland towards further restoration work on the Town Walls. The figure represents 90% of the total budget allocated nationally for 2011. The information was contained in a Municipal Heritage Policy report by Cllr Liam Burke to Youghal Town Council’s September meeting.  He said the money will be used on projects to remove vegetation from the walls as well as cleaning, repointing, strengthening and other repair work on the section of walls between the Jail Steps and Sarsfield’s Terrace. A contractor has been selected and the work “should commence immediately and be completed by the end of the year,” he added.

Other items contained in the report included:

Youghal Town Council’s Public Realm Plan: The latest phase has been completed, at Emmet Place. Together with finished works at Church Street the project is deemed to “represent a considerable enhancement to the most important heritage area of the town.”

Graveyard Wall: A collapsed area between St. Mary’s Collegiate Church and St. Mary’s College Gardens has been repaired and new railings have been installed, “resulting in considerable visual improvement.”

Clock Gate:

Following the KPMG Feasibility Study and Conservation Report, this year has seen the completion of a subsequent Business Plan. The building has been leased to the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group which is now in a position to seek SECAD funding for necessary works. “The restoration of the Clock Gate and its re-opening to the public is considered an immensely important policy objective of Youghal Town Council,” says the report, “and a successful funding application would bring it closer to reality in the not too distant future.”

Medieval Day:

The 2011 Medieval Day, in reasonably good weather, was deemed exceptionally successful and attracted an estimated 6,000 visitors throughout the day. This would “probably represent the highest attendance” for any such event by participating towns in Ireland. Local traders sponsored raffle prizes, for which their generosity and support are very much appreciated.  The committee members are thanked, including Mayor Eoin Coyne and Cllrs Mary Linehan-Foley and Barbara Murray. Gratitude is also extended to all others who assisted in organising the event, participant stall holders, others who helped on the day (including the Youghal Concerned Citizens group) and the media for their interest and promotion.

YOUGHAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2011
By Christy Parker

Present were Assistant Town Clerk Helen Mulcahy, Town Manager Patricia Power, Town Engineer Paul Murray, Town Foreman Ger Lupton, Mayor Cllr Eoin Coyne (FF), Cllrs Barbara Murray (FG), Michael Beecher (FG), Michelle Hennessy (SF), Eoin Flanagan (SF), Liam Burke (Green Party), Sammy Revins (FF) and Mary Linehan-Foley (FF)

Resignation of Tommy O’Connell

The meeting opened with a letter of resignation from Tommy O’Connell, which was read to the chamber by assistant the town clerk. Mr. O’Connell had returned to the council last February, after an absence of two decades, when he was co-opted by the Labour party to replace his party colleague Donie Daly. Never hesitant in expressing his feelings, the veteran politician’s presence in the chamber had invigorated proceedings on several occasions. Equally so, he had brought an insight born of experience and astute thinking to several issues. Unfortunately ill health had rendered his tenure short-term.

In his letter, Mr. O’Connell thanked the councillors for their courtesy and support throughout his term and their kind wishes towards him since his illness. He said it had been “an absolute honour and privilege to have had the opportunity to work for the people of Youghal again” and he had “enjoyed getting to know and work with the council members.” The letter thanked especially town clerk Liam Ryan, who had shown him “the utmost courtesy and respect” and who had “given generously of his time and advice” in assisting him.

Mr O’Connell’s letter proceeded, “I have always prided myself I taking very seriously the role of councillor and I hope that whoever succeeds me will also see it as great opportunity to have a part in making and keeping Youghal a great place.” In wishing the members “the very best in the future,” he reassured them: “Don’t worry, I won’t be back in another twenty years!”

The assistant town clerk, the town manager and the councillors in turn paid sincere tribute to Mr. O’Connell and wished him the very best in his retirement. Media representatives don’t get to speak at council meetings but similar sentiments would have echoed from that quarter. An interesting and humorous voice is now absent from proceedings.

Congratulations:

Cllr Linehan-Foley congratulated Team Youghal for “putting Youghal on the map” through their Race Around Ireland fundraising cycle and following on their previous Race Across America achievement. Cllr Murray paid tribute to Cork County Council’s engineering department on west Cork’s Mizen Head footbridge, which she called “an absolute wonder of engineering” and a potential award winner. Cllr Beecher congratulated Comhaltas Eochaille on their highly successful summer season and its overall work with young people. Mayor Coyne concurred and also praised rugby players Lee  McCarthy and Cillian Ansbro on representing Munster at under-18 level.  Youghal Concerned Citizens were lauded by Cllr Hennessy for their excellent contributions to the town during the summer. Cllr Flanagan congratulated the Youghal Pipe Band on their recent concert performances in the Collegiate Church. “A vote of congratulations in reverse,” explained Cllr Burke as he passed praised to Youghal Town Council on behalf of the Board of Management of Pobalscoil na Tríonoide for the Tidy Towns bronze medal award. The mayor returned with a tribute to Cllr Burke on his “belated Leaving Cert Honours” acquirement. Cllr Revins congratulated Youghal and Cork County local authorities and associated Fás workers on the Tidy Towns performances. He also congratulated Youghal Heritage committee for its Heritage Day celebration.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Cllr Revins wanted 25 kph speed limits installed and advertised an all estates amidst rising safety concern. He asked if property owners in the Strand –including banks-could be imposed upon to keep their premises and back gardens clean, referring specifically to a property “across from Clancy’s.” Cllr Burke raised the issue of pot holes at Nealon’s Quay. Cllr Linehan-Foley was concerned about the pavement slabs near the snooker hall area, due to which she said she had recently suffered “a nasty fall.” She feared for the elderly in the circumstances. Furthermore, tree stumps that remained from some tree felling (due to vandalism) in the same area were also a risk to pedestrians, especially at night, she added. The Nealon’s Quay potholes also concerned her.

A major pothole at Cherry Vale worried Cllr Beecher, as did a gully in Hill View, which he said needed urgent replacing. Cllr Hennessy asked when Springfield Court would be taken in council control. The acting town clerk said it would occur soon, the developer having departed and the council yet to complete a short snag list. Cllr Flanagan sought an update on the speed bumps and was told to refer to the town clerk.

Derelict sites

The mayor bemoaned the number of derelict building in Youghal, especially in the northern sphere and asked if the property owners could be approached. The town manager relied that every effort was being made to address the problem but that the Derelict Sites Act was a particularly difficult and complex piece of legislation. It required a structured approach involving detailed reports pertaining to different sub-sections it from the town engineer and town architect to name but two. “We have made significant progress in some cases,” she added and offered to implement further action wherever required. Cllr Murray, by way of lessening the undesirable effect a little, said that boardings could meantime be made less ugly by incorporating artwork on them. “Perhaps it could be done through a school or youth project,” she suggested.

Cllr Beecher asked if NAMA now owned the former Murray Kitchens on Mill Road and was told yes. He then wondered if NAMA should be asked to clear it up. Ms Power said in cases where there is still an asset on a site, it is easier get a liquidator to act on improving a derelict site but where the site itself is the only asset it was difficult. “We are basically in completely unchartered waters,” she elaborated. “The Minister for Finance is effectively the de facto owner when a company has become insolvent,” she added. The manager agreed with Cllr Murray’s perception that “a community approach can sometimes be more effective than a statutory approach,” especially when an owner is bankrupt.” Meanwhile she advocated moving early on a property before it became seriously depreciated and sought updates with a view to compiling a quarterly list.

Cllr Beecher then urged that action be taken on a derelict property in Friar Street that, he was then informed, was now owned by a bank. “There is a vermin problem there,” he advised (presumably referring to the derelict site). Cllr Revins believed the said building was “in danger of collapsing,” while Cllr Linehan- Foley described it as “pigeon heaven.” She said the situation was unfair on the nearby residents.

Main Street and library

Cllr Murray asked when the main street resurfacing would be starting. The town engineer said it would be starting on September 26th. Cllr Murray inquired as to ponding at Ballyvergan being resolved and asked whether the bond from the developer whose work preceded the ponding remained available. The engineer said he was pursuing it. Cllr Murray then asked when the former Collins’s bakery was to be painted and was told the work was imminent, with a contractor appointed. Cllr Linehan-Foley interjected that it was a shame it was idle, while the county council were paying rent for a property elsewhere. She asked for a relevant report for October’s meeting. Cllr Murray questioned whether the site –with its archaeological complications- was now a suitable site for a library anyway. Cllr Linehan-Foley asked why, if it was suitable before, it was no longer so. “We’ll be saying the same thing next year and the year after,” she lamented.

Cllr Revins said residents near St. Coran’s Well wanted a nearby site cleaned up and also asked that accumulating sand be removed from a bend at Claycastle. Cllr Linehan-Foley wants grids on the pavement near the Bank of Ireland repaired or replaced. The engineer said they would be replaced.

Cork County Council Items:

Cllr Beecher wanted the “Third World” old Cork road entrance to Youghal –at the bypass- properly maintained. “Ok, depending on funding,” replied the engineer. The councillor also wondered if a sign on an island near the Mill Road roundabout would be “lit up” as its design intended. He asked too that a sign be installed at Kilcoran Road as an ambulance lost direction there recently. He was told that the signage was imminent. Cllr Burke asked the engineer to look at a remaining section of an old toilet at the top of the Lighthouse Hill that was in danger of collapsing from its cliff face. He then listed “usual list of broken footpaths,” i.e. Tallow Street, South Main Street and the junction of Strand Street/South Abbey.

Diving rocks and weather:

The mayor sought an update on the diving rocks repairs. Mr. Murray said the works required step repairs and metal work at the location at a cost of €21,000. He would consult with town clerk on funding. Cllr Murray asked if an offer to conduct the work free of charge had been received. Ms Power said there had been an approach but it was not apt for “work of such a substantial nature.” She said there had been an insurance use also.

Mayor Coyne inquired if there was a contingency plan to ensure water supplies in severe winter weather. The town manager said each local authority had such a plan but that much of Youghal’s water problems last winter arose from frozen stopcocks. She advised people to check their appliances and also the lagging on unprotected pipes. The cork county council website had advice on the issue, she reminded. In response to an inquiry from Cllr Murray on salt reserves, the manager said there were supplies stored in Killeagh and Youghal, spreaders would be available, grit would also be stored, a list of depots and priority routes was being prepared and negotiations were on-going with various groups towards implementation. Cllr Murray advised it borne on mind that Cork Hill, Pobalscoil, etc., be given priority status.

Mayor’s Business:

The mayor said he had been in contact with ‘anti-toxic sludge’ group BEAG who, he said, wished to meet the councillors at October’s meeting. Ms. Mulchay said it would be “difficult” to do so while the planning process was still unfolding. Cllr Linehan-Foley asked her to “explain to the media and the public the facts” regarding Eras Eco’s application to process toxic waste. She recounted that Cork County Council had granted planning permission, which was being appealed to Bord Pleanala. Meanwhile this appeal was frozen while the Bord investigated whether the application had been made under the appropriate planning legislation.

That Eras Eco application

Cllr Hennessy –well all the councillors really- pleaded that it be explained why the town council could not hold sway on the controversial planning application. “We cannot comment or interfere with any ‘live planning application,’ confirmed the assistant town clerk simply. “We can’t touch them, or we’re finished!”, reiterated Cllr Linehan Foley. “And that needs to get out there to the public. It’s totally a Cork County Council issue.”

The mayor thanked various groups for the programme summer activities of which space prevent us repeating.

Projects Update: Mall Lane Streetscape Works & Town Walls: Ms. Mulcahy said the contracts had been awarded and work would commence within a fortnight.  The engineer said he would consider a recommendation from Cllr Revins that the Mall Lane project be conducted in tandem with the main street resurfacing project. The Eco Boardwalk: Construction costs exceeded funding and the engineers are attempting to resolve the issue based on material and construction.

Report by Cllr. Burke on Heritage MPC:

Report by Chairperson on Claycastle Leisure Company. Cllr Linehan–Foley said a lease had been signed with award-winning Aura to manage the centre until 2016. €400,000 government funding had been acquired to upgrade the centre, which will focus on reducing running costs, ‘green’ energy initiatives and disability-related services. Works will start very soon.

Youghal Socio Economic Development Group Report: Cllr Murray described how the YSEDG and YoughalkChamber of Commerce and Tourism had invited and subsequently chaperoned the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring around Youghal. The minister He had stressed the importance of having “shovel ready” projects which the town clerk had already prepared. “Consequently we got funding of €400,000 for the leisure centre plus another €12,500 for other projects,” she reported. “We lobbied him for ‘site specific’ marketing funding,” she added.

Cllr Murray recalled that Joyce Hosford was the successful applicant from 16 to manage the Mall Arts centre and had worked with Peter Kelly of Franc on the recent marriage to be aired on television in January. The group had met with the Head of Finance in Cork County Council to seek funding for the next three years. At present the YSEDG was chiefly concentrating on the Clock Gate funding project. It was wary of funding caps and would be working with other organisations on a strategic approach to this problem. She concluded with praise Youghal Enterprise Centre staff and congratulations on their recent €25,000 lottery win,

ART AND CULTURE VENUES open their doors in Youghal on Friday night, Sept. 23th 2011. Drama, behind-the-scenes tours, and music performances are all part of the fare on offer. The night is one of the highlights of Youghal’s cultural calendar and will give people the opportunity to explore venues and facilities at night and for free!

ART AND CULTURE VENUES open their doors in Youghal on Friday night, Sept. 23th 2011. Drama, behind-the-scenes tours, and music performances are all part of the fare on offer. The night is one of the highlights of Youghal’s cultural calendar and will give people the opportunity to explore venues and facilities at night and for free!

WHILE HERITAGE WEEK was celebrated around the country between 20th – 28th August 2011, Youghal proudly showcased its heritage where several heritage style events were held. A colourful Medieval Market Place erected in the College Gardens as part of the annual  festival brought to life the towns medieval history. Locals and visitors alike donned fancy dress costumes where Knights, Kings and Queens mixed with middle ages men and women in suitable costume. Medieval warriors doing historical re-enactments in battle wielding ferocious looking weapons There was lots of fun for all during National Heritage Week.

Meanwhile down at the waterfront by the Ferryslip the launch took place of the new yawl boat ( modeled on the old style salmon fishing boat by the Buttimer family). The boat named ‘Eochaill’ (Irish for Youghal) proudly sailed on the river Blackwater  showcasing Youghal’s tradition with fishing and maritime history. Another event was the inaugural Mackerel Food Festival organised by the newly formed pro-active Youghlal Concerned Citizens Group which incorporated a fancy dress reunion swim again taking place at the waterfront.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE to watch a snapshot of Youghal’s links to its Maritime Heritage and appreciate the work of  local potter Tony Breslin who crafted this beautiful work displaying the seacoast towns links to the sea. The mural can be seen on the southeastery facing wall at Green Park – 1798 memorial park.   The short videoclip was made by local Kieran McCarthy.

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring today (26th August 2011) announced a grant of €400,000  from a fund of €4.4 million to Youghal Town Council for Youghal Leisure Centre.  The grant will seek to improve access for people with disabilities, as well as a Green Swimming Pool initiative to make the pool more energy efficient.  The award was the joint highest award of 19 similar applications from local authorities around the country. 

Attracting over 158,000 visitors per annum, Youghal Leisure Centre was designed in 2004 and opened in 2005. In welcoming the grant allocation, Town Clerk Liam Ryan expressed his delight at the announcement.

“€400,000 is clearly a hugely substantial amount of money to be granted in this current economic climate and it will have a positive effect on employment in the town, helping to sustain jobs and hopefully create new ones too.”  The grant will be used to implement methods aimed at reducing the running costs of the centre and remove barriers to people with disabilities living in Youghal and the surrounding area.   “We were confident that the application met all the relevant criteria which were set out, and once again Youghal Town Council has managed to secure maximum funding for its key projects”, added Mr. Ryan.

In announcing the grants Minister Ring said: “The grants will help pools to become more efficient, and reduce their carbon footprint.  Large heating bills are the single biggest cost in running a swimming pool.  So by making them more efficient, we are also reducing the burden on taxpayers by cutting back on energy and water requirements.”

Only two weeks ago, Claycastle Leisure Company – Youghal Town Council’s Management Company behind the facility signed another four year, eleven month Management contract with Aura Sport & Leisure Management Ltd. (part of the Aura Holohan Group) for the facility. (Click here for more on that story) The premises has been maintained in an excellent condition but compared to similar swimming pools of similar size and usage, energy costs are particularly high; partly due to the high seasonality of demand.  Further sharp increases in energy costs have been widely signalled by energy providers, but the opportunity has now been created to implement initiatives aimed at saving costs by the awarding of this grant.

In 2010 Youghal Leisure Centre took top honours as the ‘Best Recreational Facility’ at the Zurich LAMA Awards (Local Authority Members Association Awards) which recognises the very best of Ireland’s talent in local projects of Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure.
(Click here for more on that story)

Click on links below for up-to-date info from Youghal Town Council

W: www.youghal.ie

Youghal.ie aims to promote Youghal & its environs in the areas of tourism & business. There is also a ‘Whats On Youghal’ section that is populated weekly.

F:www.facebook.com/youghal.ie

www.facebook.com/Youghal.ie is a facebook page, linked to the Youghal.ie website, managed by Youghal Socio Economic Development Group (YSEDG)

E: tourism@youghal.ie

Tel: 024-92926 E: liam.ryan@corkcoco.ie

Further information; Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport Press Office: Tel: 01-6041076 or 01-6041090

VISITORS once again flocked in their thousands On Sunday (21st August 2011) to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 5th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 6,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day. The Heritage Council of Ireland undertook a series of surveys at the event, with initial results showing that there was a huge surge in people attending from outside the region.

These photos were sent into Youghalonline by photographer Gerry O’Mahony from Ardmore (originally from the Kinsalebeg area). For further info and to see more of Gerry’s images click his Facebook Page here.

Further info: www.ardmorenotes.com

Click on image to enlarge