TEAM YOUGHAL are counting down the days before the start of the Race Around Ireland and announcing the Walter Raleigh Hotel in Youghal as Time Station No.16 for the third time in a row were. The race starts on Sunday 9th September 2012 in Trim.

The local cycling group have contested the previous three editions of the Race Around Ireland and Race Across America 2011, arguably the toughest endurance race in the world. In 2011, Team Youghal became the first Irish 8 Person Team to complete the Race Across America in seven days and 14 hours – a massive distance of 3,000 miles!

Team leader Ger Flanagan and Christy McCarthy, cyclist, have been involved with Team Youghal since its inception in 2009. Conor Coleman and Thomas Curran joined the team in 2012 and are looking forward to the challenge, having previously taken part in the Nice Ironman triathlon and the Bolton Ironman triathlon.

 

On Friday the 25th of May at 10am, Community Radio Youghal embarked on their second annual Radio Marathon, as they attempt to broadcast 50 hours of continuous live Radio. The Radiothon – as it is called – kicked off on Friday morning from North Main Street Youghal. The CRY team will broadcast from North Main Street and The CRY studios in Catherine Street for the duration of the 50 hours, finishing up on Sunday 27th at 12 midday.

The event is a joint fundraiser in aid of St Vincent de Paul and CRY104fm and all proceeds will be split evenly between the two organisations.

John Power, PRO with the local Youghal branch of the SVP said this will be a major boost in the ongoing  operation of the society. The demand has never been so high at this time and thanks to CRY 104fm for their great help.

Saint Vincent De Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of 9,500 volunteers throughout the country are supported by professional staff, working for social justice and the creation of a more just, caring nation. This unique network of social concern also gives practical support to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion, by providing a wide range of services to people in need.

In the Cork Region SVP is the biggest charitable organisation, helping those in need in Cork and has been present in the region since 1846. Throughout the City and County 94 local Conference units and over 800 members, composed of volunteers based in local parishes, work on various projects including–

•         home visitation, providing financial and practical help,
•         assisting with educational support, helping students,
•         caring for the homeless in Cork, through two hostels.
•         hospital and prison visitation.

Wherever there is need, the Society attempts to help. Through the generosity of the public, the SVP raises funding for this work by Church Gate collections, through flag days, from bequests received in Wills and other generous donations. In the past year alone, around €4million has been spent on assistance to those in need in Cork. This has been used to help to provide food, fuel and direct financial support as well as giving help in other ways.

Community Radio Youghal, meanwhile are planning to relocate from their premises in Cumann na Daoine to Nagle House. The new studio complex  will provide a better service to the community. It will include better training facilities for Volunteers and Community groups, including more access to Studio Recording equipment and technical training for volunteers and those students who wish to gain experience in broadcasting and the media.

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 or more in the box and fill out the request form. 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 25th and 26th of May with 50 hours of non-stop broadcasting.

 

 

LEARNING took centre stage on Thursday 29th March in Cumann na Daoine with a morning filled with free workshops, displays and information stands. Organised by the Youghal Adult Learning Network, this special day showcases the variety of learning opportunities available in Youghal.
Youghal Lifelong Learning Festival promotes and celebrates learning of all kinds, whatever your age, interest or ability. The festival’s motto is Investigate, Participate, Celebrate, and the public can do that by watching demonstrations, trying out skills, and seeing others, from the young to the old, show off what they are learning.

The event is part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival and provides a chance to find out more, meet with adult learners, guidance counsellors and have a go at new skills.

Representatives of FÁS, Dept of Social Protection, Adult Guidance Service, Co Cork VEC, Cumann na Daoine, SECAD , Youghal Family Support Group and others will be present to answer your queries about courses available and supports for adult learners.

Workshops include Beauty Therapy, Art, Biology and Guidance.

The opportunities & supports available in Youghal for adults returning to education. Samples on offer included  workshops all morning.
Organisations involved: Employability Services Cork, East Cork Youthreach, Youghal Adult Basic Education Group, Cumman na Daoine, Department of Social Protection, FÁS, RAPID, St Vincent de Paul, East Cork Traveller Advocacy Project, County Cork VEC Adult Education Service, Pobalscoil na Trionide, Youghal Family Support Group, SECAD, Community Radio Youghal.

For further information contact Sharon Ormonde 087 0903250
selupton@eircom.net

 

Let’s hope a new Christmas tradition has started in Youghal with last night’s (Thur 8th Dec 2011) staging of Harmony’s Christmas Special in the Methodist Hall. I left the hall with a spring in my step, a song on my lips and a kindly wish for Christmas.  The whole experience was full of seasonal atmosphere.  This was largely due to the venue, the staging, the choice of programme and the great talent. Report/Pics by YOL.

Before the performance the director Finbar Hannon thanked the many people who helped with the production including, Gordon Good and the Methodist Community, Susan Healy who decorated the hall and the accompanist for the night Tracey Symon.

The first half of the programme was a medley of songs from the musicals mixed with solo vocal performances by Terri  Fitzgerald, Ruth Hayes, Tish Flanagan Pa Murphy, Leah Ahern and Liz Coleman and a solo harp performance by Jane Crowley.

During the interval a presentation was made by the director Finbar Hannon on behalf of Harmony to John Power who accepted the cheque on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.

The second half got under way with the audience swaying and singing along to the Gospel Songs performed by Harmony Choir conducted by Finbar.  The Gospel singing was followed by more numbers from the solo artists and then a duet from cousins Esther and Kitty who sang the well known number “Sisters”!  One of the high lights of the show was the re- enactment of the 1915 singing  of ‘Silent Night in No Man’s Land’ between the trenches.  The solo was performed by Finbar Hannon supported by the male members of the Harmony Choir.  The whole effect was both memorable and moving.

Changing the tempo up a gear the Harmony Choir was joined by children from Blackwater Academy,  Chatterbox and High Spirits for a medley of Festive Favourites.  The atmosphere created got the audience to join in with gusto.  Another moving interlude was created by Jack and Esther performing the duet ‘A Winter’s Tale’.  The entire show was rounded off with two Christmas Carols ‘O Come all ye Faithful’ and a powerful rendition of ‘Silent Night’.

The intimacy and atmosphere of the setting along with the joyful participation of the audience made for a special Christmas event to be remembered and hopefully to be repeated.

‘Harmony’ is pleased to announce that we have secured performance rights for Martin McDonagh’s hilarious play ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ which we will stage in the Community Centre in May 2012.

Click on image to enlarge – Photos by YOL

YOUGHAL GAA Club and St Coleman’s Boxing Club came together for a worthy cause on the 18th of March turning  Club Aras into ‘Ceasar’s Palace’ for a charity boxing night in aid of the Youghal Branch of St Vincent De Paul. - Pics: Michael Hussey www.youghalonlinecom

Yes you read it right, Youghal G.A.A Club was transformed on Friday night last the 18th of March into a boxing stadium as good as you would see anywhere. All the stops were pulled out for this Charity boxing event featuring local talent and our very own players to help raise funds for both Club training fund and the very worthy cause that is St. Vincent de Paul. A professional sound and lighting system were put in place over two Days to enhance the project and make it a night to remember.

The night opened with a Girls fight which saw Ballymacoda’s Karen O’Sullivan narrowly defeat Fermoy’s Kelly Carroll in a fiercely fought three rounder.

Next into the ring was our very own Conor Coleman who took care of the big hitting Rocky Lucas from St. Colemans boxing Club. Conor came out of the traps very quickly and despite taking some heavy punishment held on for the victory.

Bout 3 welcomed two up and coming stars to the ring, with Garry Kavanagh of St.Frances boxing Club and Damien Laffen of St. Colemans going toe to toe. Our next home grown fighter into battle was none other than Barry the bone crusher Ring who lived up to his name pounding his opponent nearly to submission in the first round but experience told in the end and Barry was narrowly defeated.

Following this was one of the main events of the evening with Youghal’s All Ireland Champion Adam Curley taking on and defeating the well fancied Clive O’Mahony of St. Francis. This was a classy fight with both boxers in superb form.

Unfortunately for bout 6 Damien Rings opponent failed to show and by the look in Damiens eye he can count Himself very lucky not to have shown.  Bout 7 saw none other than multi award winning Declan Quinn from Youghal take on Noel Murphy from Macroom. Declan started well but was staying well within himself as he had to travel to Dublin to fight again on the Saturday, and was defeated on a split judgement.

Next into the ring was Patrick the handsome one O’Mahony to take on Wes Healy the experienced fighter from C.I.T. Patrick struggled with the surface and slipped several times during the fight. Pa lost narrowly which left the crowd puzzled as they thought he had taken the points in every round. The main thing though Ladies, is the good looks are intact, as I know a few of you were worried.

Next up was none other than the main Man behing the idea and the organisation of the night Mr. Ken the bruiser Dempsey. Ken fought against another experienced opponent in C.I.T.’s Eoin Murphy. Ken gave himself too much to do after the opening round, and said himself, he gave his opponent too much respect. Unfortunately for Ken their will be no rematch as he turned the enviable age of 35 on the Monday, which rules him out of future contests.

Local legend Barry Walsh next graced the ring against Paddy McCarthy of Brian Dillons. Both these Guys although very young are well experienced with Barry’s footwork superb which kept his chin intact and his opponent always under pressure.

Barry Goggin was next into action and entered the ring like a World Heavyweight Champion saluting the Crowd to huge roars of support. Barry had the unenviable task of taking on well known circuit boxer Mike Fouhy. The punches landing could be felt in the Car Park in the first round, and unfortunately for Mike he received a cut over his left eye and the fight had to be stopped. To tremendous applause and cheers Barry’s Daughter entered the ring to give Dad a big hug.

There was respite after this one for the more than 400 crowd assembled who were being thrilled at every corner, in the form of a brief interval. The break was needed to prepare for the next bouts which were the main events of the night.

The penultimate fight paired World Military Games Silver Medalist Pa O’Shea take on Sligo’s Thomas Rohan. This was another great contest with two classy fighters strutting there stuff to the delight of the Crowd. Pa was narrowly defeated, again on a split decision.

The last bout was the main event on the bill with Youghal’s Brendan Coleman being led to the ring by a juvenile Flag bearer carrying the red and white of Cork. His opponent, none other than Waterford Senior Hurler James Murray was led in with a flag bearer carrying the blue and white of Waterford. James had brought a lot of support with him and the roof was raised by the noise inside throughout the fight.

The lads went at it like Men possessed in the opening round, both landing blows that would have canvassed lesser athletes. The judges could not split them in the first two rounds but James’s experience told in the latter stages of the 3rd as Brendan tired, leaving the Deise Man take victory.

A great heartfelt thanks to all those who helped in the organisation of the event. You know who you are so I don’t need to mention you all.

Special thanks to St. Coleman boxing Club who gave their time to train the lads over a four Month period to get them to the required standard. I would also like to thank all our sponsors especially Cara Ambulance Service and John Long World Wide Cabs.

Without doubt the heroes of the Day were the Men and Ladies who took to the ring. It is without the biggest sacrifice anybody has ever made for the Club. To put yourselves through the type of training and physical pain you have endured over the last 4 Months is well and above the call of duty. I have nothing but admiration for each and every one of you.

Click the images below to see the boxing action at the Youghal GAA club – Pics: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Members of the Youghal Art Group presenting a donation to Ina Murphy for the St Vincent de Paul Society.

This is in lieu of wine at the opening of their recent annual exhibition. Pictured back: Michael O’Loughlin,  Louise O’Loughlin, Marina O’Loughlin,  Risteard MacSuibhne, Gwillym Dewick, John Roche. Front: Brid O’Brien, Kathleen McSweeney,Ina Murphy, Brigid Hughes.

Youghal  Credit Union was part of a presentation to St. Vincent de Paul and the Irish Red Cross with a cheque for (€130,000) received from 94 credit unions nationwide to aid families who find themselves in difficult circumstances as a result of the adverse weather conditions witnessed over the past number of weeks.  Youghal credit union donated €2,500 to this fund.

Commenting on the announcement of the fund Mr. John Colbert , Chairman of Youghal Credit Union Limited said “These are tremendously difficult times for many people in Ireland today.

As credit unions are at the heart of communities, we are witnessing firsthand how the weather conditions experienced in the past week will have real and lasting effects for the families and the communities affected by the flood damage.

In the future, credit unions will continue to contribute to community initiatives to help repair the damage and rebuild communities.  But we all need to strive to help people who find themselves in dire straits this Christmas and that is why we have decided to establish this fund and we are delighted with the response to date.  In addition to these contributions, many credit unions have established their own funds so members may make further contributions and we will continue take theses in the weeks ahead.

We are delighted that St. Vincent de Paul and the Irish Red Cross will provide assistance with distributing the funds to those in need prior to Christmas.  Credit Unions are about investing in people and their communities.

We hope that others will follow our example, and help these families and communities who are suffering at this difficult time”.