Minister of State at the Department of Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring, TD made the most of his official trip to Youghal on Tuesday 26th July with a well earned ‘paddle’ in Claycastle Beach, one of the resort towns three blue flag beaches.  The trip formed part of a visit to some of East Cork’s major tourism sites and attractions.

Hosted by Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development and The Youghal Socio-Economic Group (YSEDG), the Minister spent almost 3 hours in the town having been introduced to its natural and built heritage by local East Cork Deputy, David Stanton along with Cork County and Town Cllr Barbara Murray.

Following the beach trip, the delegation (which included Head of Failte Ireland in the region, Fiona Buckley) took in a tour of Youghal’s historic quarter including the 13th century Town Walls, St. Mary’s Collegiate Church and College Gardens.

A formal meeting conducted in Youghal’s Enterprise Centre followed, with the delegation raising a number of pressing issues pertinent to the Minister’s portfolio.  These included funding of ‘fit-out’ costs of the iconic Clockgate building.  Town Clerk Liam Ryan explained to the Minister that the Town Council had undertaken a feasibility study, conservation plan and produced a business plan on the building.  Funding for the exterior and conservation works was anticipated to be sourced from South & East Cork Area Development.  The Town Clerk went on to explain that funding would now also be required to complete phase two of Youghal’s eco-boardwalk running from Claycastle to Redbarn, with phase one due for completion by December 2011.

The topic which drew most interest and discussion however, was the request by the group for a ‘Youghal-specific’ marketing fund to allow The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group to roll-out a number of its key marketing initiatives.  The delegation emphasised that despite the town’s best efforts to develop and invest in its tourism product; its signage, streetscapes and exploit every positive development in the town, a negative public perception still existed about the town.  Other issues to be raised with the Minister included the provision of beach facilities, the development of the Greyhound Track and the urgent repair of the roof in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church.  The Minister committed to assist Youghal through any means available to him, citing his home town of Westport as being in a similar position to Youghal a number of years ago.

“Tourism is the number one priority for this Government and I am determined that rural tourist destinations will be promoted and developed as part of my brief” said the Minister.  The Minister went on to pay particular praise to the Town Council for its leadership and foresight in it’s investment in heritage tourism amenities.

“I don’t think I have ever met a group of people with such commitment, determination and passion about their town as I have here in Youghal; I am completely blown away by the town’s stunning beauty and it’s attractiveness to the visitor, both domestically and internationally”, said the Minister.

The visit concluded with a presentation by the Town Council Mayor, Eoin Coyne, to the Minister to officially mark his visit to Youghal.

MINISTER OF STATE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & SPORT, MICHAEL RING, TD made the most of his official trip to Youghal on Tuesday 26th July with a well earned ‘paddle’ in Claycastle Beach, one of the resort towns three blue flag beaches.  The trip formed part of a visit to some of East Cork’s major tourism sites and attractions.

Hosted by Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development and The Youghal Socio-Economic Group (YSEDG), the Minister spent almost 3 hours in the town having been introduced to its natural and built heritage by local East Cork Deputy, David Stanton along with Cork County and Town Cllr Barbara Murray.

Following the beach trip, the delegation (which included Head of Failte Ireland in the region, Fiona Buckley) took in a tour of Youghal’s historic quarter including the 13th century Town Walls, St. Mary’s Collegiate Church and College Gardens.

A formal meeting conducted in Youghal’s Enterprise Centre followed, with the delegation raising a number of pressing issues pertinent to the Minister’s portfolio.  These included funding of ‘fit-out’ costs of the iconic Clockgate building.  Town Clerk Liam Ryan explained to the Minister that the Town Council had undertaken a feasibility study, conservation plan and produced a business plan on the building.  Funding for the exterior and conservation works was anticipated to be sourced from South & East Cork Area Development.  The Town Clerk went on to explain that funding would now also be required to complete phase two of Youghal’s eco-boardwalk running from Claycastle to Redbarn, with phase one due for completion by December 2011.

The topic which drew most interest and discussion however, was the request by the group for a ‘Youghal-specific’ marketing fund to allow The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group to roll-out a number of its key marketing initiatives.  The delegation emphasised that despite the town’s best efforts to develop and invest in its tourism product; its signage, streetscapes and exploit every positive development in the town, a negative public perception still existed about the town.  Other issues to be raised with the Minister included the provision of beach facilities, the development of the Greyhound Track and the urgent repair of the roof in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church.  The Minister committed to assist Youghal through any means available to him, citing his home town of Westport as being in a similar position to Youghal a number of years ago.

“Tourism is the number one priority for this Government and I am determined that rural tourist destinations will be promoted and developed as part of my brief” said the Minister.  The Minister went on to pay particular praise to the Town Council for its leadership and foresight in it’s investment in heritage tourism amenities.

“I don’t think I have ever met a group of people with such commitment, determination and passion about their town as I have here in Youghal; I am completely blown away by the town’s stunning beauty and it’s attractiveness to the visitor, both domestically and internationally”, said the Minister.

The visit concluded with a presentation by the Town Council Mayor, Eoin Coyne, to the Minister to officially mark his visit to Youghal.

Issued by: The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group

Contact: Aileen Murray, E: tourism@youghal.ie