Organisers and participants in last year’s Thundercat European Beach Challenge Championship have voted Youghal ‘Best Venue 2008′. The award effectively says Youghal was the most revered location globally by the Thundercat community, as it is structurally known By Christy Parker Read more

Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Congratulations to Danny Foley from Ballyphehane, Cork City, who won the €1.000 1st prize in the Irwin’s Thundercat photo competition. Irwin’s held the photo competition during the Youghal leg of the recent Thundercat European Beach Challenge. The action photo had to be taken at the Youghal Thundercat event.

Danny works as a manufacturing engineer for M/A-Com based in Little Island but spent all of his summers growing up in Youghal and has a lot of friends from the town. Danny, who is a member of The Cork Camera Group told YoughalOnline that he was “delighted to win the fantastic prize and it was his first time entering a photo competition like this one.” He said, ” that he was a keen amateur photographer and Read more

By Jenny Regan | Photo: Ed Guiry and Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The magnificent fireworks display seen from The Pier Head Youghal

One of the most highly anticipated events to ever come to Youghal, the Thundercat European Beach Challenge hit our beautiful shores on Friday evening. Thousands of visitors from home and abroad arrived for this spectacular power-boating extravaganza and the excitement around the town was palpabale.

Thousands of people turned out to watch the Fireworks

The festivities commenced with a fantastic welcoming reception at the Mall Arts Centre where the guests were greeted by the newly elected Mayor Olly Casey. Visitors, supporters and organisers of the event milled around taking in the celebratory atmosphere and enjoying the scrumptious canapes and finger food generously provided by Le Gourmet. Some of the most prominent figures involved in organising and supporting the Thundercat European Beach challenge were there to see the Read more

Photo: John Hennessy

Jason Ansbro and Noel Cashman from Youghal- Corks only Thundercat Team

Youghal, Co. Cork is set to be the most exciting location in the country this weekend when the Thundercat European Beach Challenge takes place from the 20th to the 22nd. On water, on land and in the air, the thousands that attend are promised world-class entertainment for the entire family. For the first time ever in Read more

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

Thundercats accelerating off the Ferrypoint Youghal

Youghal is awash with anticipation as what is expected to be the town’s finest ever festival draws closer from the horizon. This weekend coming June 20th-22nd, it will hit the shore, hopefully sweeping all before it on a wave of celebration.

Anchoring it all is Thundercat racing. Over 30 of these high-speed, versatile craft will compete in the Thundercat European Beach Challenge at Claycastle. There will be eight races across two days over a standard ‘M’ shaped course (with chicane) of 400 by 300 metres. Up to 30,000 visitors are expected to watch the two-man boats perform at over 60mph adjacent to shore.

The weekend will form part of the 2008 European Thundercat RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Championship, which is run over eight months. Primarily contested on UK and European circuits, this will mark its debut in Irish waters. The Youghal competitors will largely be a mix of French, British and newly competing Irish racers.

The races will be conducted under the guidance of the Irish Sailing Association’s new Motorboat Division. With Thundercat boats costing as little as €12,000, the Association hopes the Youghal venture will initiate a new dimension in watersports in Ireland.

Thundercats are derived from South Africa’s surf rescue boats, which are Read more

It’s Official – Summer’s Here as Blue Flag is raised in Youghal

Beach Guard David Quill, Aileen Ahern, Youghal Tourism Development Officer, David Savage Mayor Of Youghal, Aengus, Seamus and Deirdre Galvin visiting from Glasgow and Cllr. Barbara Murray MCC

Youghal’s Claycastle Beach was once again confirmed as one of the best beaches in the world when it was awarded ‘Blue Flag Status’ by An Taisce on Monday 9th June 2008.

Blue Flag is a prestigious, international award scheme, which acts as a guarantee to tourists that the beach they are visiting is one of the best in the world. It is awarded to coastal destinations which have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.
Speaking at the Flag raising ceremony at Claycastle Beach, Aileen Ahern Tourism Development Officer for Youghal said: “The beach here at Claycastle is a fabulous place to visit and that’s now official. For the first time ever in Ireland Youghal was chosen to Read more