Complete Control Films will screen Town Out Of Time documentary film upstairs at The Red Store, Youghal on Tuesday 7th June 2011 at 8:00pm.

This will be the second public screening of this film and due to high public interest you are advised to come early. Admission is FREE.

---

Comments on Town Out Of Time:

“I was very impressed. It’s an excellent documentary and deserves a wider audience.”
Dr. Gwenda Young. Senior Film Lecturer, UCC

“A searingly honest, well-crafted, well-researched documentary portraying a town struggling to re-establish its identity.”
Colm Keane. RTE Broadcaster.

“…it is taut and focused, sharp and powerful… visually, the film is stunning. The overall effect is of a tragic beauty. This is the kind of filmmaking that we need.”
Dr. Kieran Keohane. Sociologist and author, UCC

“…it’s excellent: raw, powerful…The montage of the closed shop-fronts, in particular, was stunning… a superb piece of work.”
Carl O’ Brien. Chief Reporter, The Irish Times.

---

Town Out Of Time is a film that takes a contemplative look at what happens to a town when all its industry disappears, its economic centre collapses and speculators change the landscape.

This is a story of how a town can effectively die when politicians make the wrong decisions and when politics has no vision.

With interviews from experts and local businesses, the film reflects on how greed and apathy led to the neglect of a town throughout the Irish ‘boom years’.

The Red Store Bar, Youghal
Tuesday June 7th 2011 8:00pm ADM: FREE

A short trailer clip from the documentary. Please press play.

Youghal Town Council anticipates an expenditure of €3,238,819 on services and provisions this year, against an income of €1,567,993. This mars a net expenditure (the difference between the two) of €1,670,826. Additionally, the town council is to pay Cork County Council €685,583 in respect of the County Charge –the bill issued by the county authority in respect of anticipated services rendered on the town council’s behalf, such as water management, street cleaning etc.

A breakdown of the figures reveals the following details of the town council’s financial dealing for the coming year:

Housing and Building: Income €981,400; Expenditure €429,242.

Road transport & Safety: Income €276,162; Expenditure €521,151.

Water Services: Income €4,500; Expenditure €261,216.

Development Management: Income €53,300; Expenditure €268,285.

Environmental Services: Income €37,040; Expenditure €502,168.

Recreation & Amenity: Income €13,210; Expenditure €497,739.

Agri, Educ, Health &Welfare: Income € zero; Expenditure €32,226.

Miscellaneous Service: Income €202,381; Expenditure €726, 792.

* Miscellaneous Services includes such categories as Administration of Rates (Exp €490,670), Operation Markets/Casual Trade (Exp €2,123 to Inc of €5,000), Local Reps & Civic Leadership (Exp €233,463, including €18,000 local authority members annual allowance plus €12,000 additional expenses), Agency & Recoupable Services (Exp €402.00 to Inc of €197,381).

Youghal Town Council’s January’s meeting was preceded by the proposal and subsequent adoption of the 2011 Budget. (See elsewhere in this issue for Manager’s Budget Report.)

Congratulations:

In the sole congratulatory gesture, Cllr Michelle Hennessy paid tribute to Cllr Sandra McLellan on being nominated to stand for Sinn Fein in the Cork East constituency at the upcoming general election.

Town Foreman’s Report:

Town Clerk Liam Ryan preceded submissions by informing the chamber that a contractor was on site that very morning in regard to conducting repairs and resurfacing on several roads; smaller projects would be conducted immediately, while costings were awaited for larger ones. Cllr McLellan noted that council staff were “out and about making notes,” regarding road repairs immediately following the Christmas holidays and said people were grateful.

Cllr Liam Burke thanked the town clerk for getting the road repairs under way “so expeditiously.” The councillor then asked whither the road marking and the proposed ‘Yield’ sing at the Kilcoran Road/Sweetfield Road junction. Town engineer Paul Murray said road signage would be done when the road liner returned to town and that a yield sign would also soon be erected. The councillor observed that Iarnrod Eireann had not started work on the perilously standing signal box at Youghal railway station, before adding that a seat on Windmill Hill needed attention too.

Cllr Barbara Murray said she had witnessed a council worker labouring earnestly and under duress as he strived to create a pathway at Claycastle, using a shovel to clear stones. She asked whether Cork County Council could lend a JCB to assist in these efforts. The town engineer took note.

Bring in the sandbags

Cllr Hennessy said many sandbags that had been supplied prior to recent flood warning, now lay “like litter” around the town. The town clerk said the council had sent out a notice to the Chamber of Commerce and to businesses to keep the bags in storage for future storm warnings. Most had done so but a minority had not complied. The Mayor asked that the media remind property owners of this requirement, while Cllr Sammy Revins advised that the bags were biodegradable and could disintegrate! The town engineer advised that they could, alternatively, be returned to the council yard.

Cork County Council Items:

The town engineer delivered the following report, arising from December’s meeting:

Broken roads at Bawnmore and other areas were presently being repaired. The county council’s Estates Department had been advised on ponding at Ballyvergan, apparently arising from poor re-instatement of the road post-duct laying by a developer. He said the matter had since been “referred to the liquidator.” He said there were no plans presently to upgrade the road surface at Summerdale Lawn but it would be remain under review, whilst dependent on funding.  Public lighting at the new estate behind the old Seafield factory had been referred to the Estates Department. Footpath repairs at Grattan Street and New Catherine Street would commence in the coming days. The outfall pipe at the Front Strand was being checked and cleared almost daily. It was intended to put a short extension on it very soon, to alleviate the need for clearing, while negotiations with senior executives in Cork County Council were being undertaken with a view to a further, longer extension.

Pipes and paths

Cllr Burke was pleased that drainage in the area would be improved in line with the outfall pipe remedies. He was less pleased that the concealed entrance sign at Summerdale Lawn had still not been restored, despite persistent pleading month after month. Similarly, the councillor repeated his quests that “the usual broken footpaths at Tallow Street, South Main Street, junction of South Abbey and Strand Street,” be treated. He noted that repairs were being undertaken at elsewhere and asked why his three years of drawing attention to “the worst footpaths in town” had not brought a single patch.” Cllr McLellan suggested a priority list of broken paths be drawn up and this was agreed.

Cllr Revins asked that “a patch” be administered to a pothole at Summerdale Lawn and Mr. Murray agreed to do so. Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley described as “brutal” a pothole approximate to Clancy’s. Cllr Michael Beecher weighed in with similar sentiments on the Quarry Road. The town clerk said all damaged roads were currently under consideration for repair and he would update the situation in due course.

Cllr Eoin Coyne sought information whether there was a fund available for residents who intended to undertake grass cutting in their estates. Town manager Patricia Power said as she understood it, Estate officers based in County Hall had funding provisions and so would be the appropriate point of contact.

Cllr Murray asked that a ‘Stop’ sign be replaced on a pole adjacent to the former Clancy’s night club. She said three of four gullies near Aura needed clearing as they were causing flooding. She then drew attention to a pothole outside Tadhg Sullivan’s, Summerfield, before criticising the removal of an NRA sign indicating Youghal/Waterford from the bypass exit. She recalled turning off the road in darkness recently and no sign of the sign, so to speak, until further down towards the New Line. “It’s daft and the sign should be returned to its original location,” she declared.

Cllr Beecher said a restored manhole at Raheen Road again needed remedy. He then condemned the present state of the Tallow Road as “savage” and “the worse road in Ireland,” and said it was a serious deterrent to shoppers visiting Youghal from Tallow. He claimed the Cork side was far inferior to the Waterford section. The town engineer said a proposal was in train to resurface the road but he would refer the concerns to district supervisor meantime.

Manager’s Report:

Cllr Burke sought clarification on €14,800 funding for a consultant’s report on sea wall repairs and was told it referred to an area within 10 metres of a previously repaired section at the Front Strand .

Mayor’s Business (and Tidy Towns commendation):

Mayor Linehan-Foley congratulated all involved in helping Youghal to acquire a sixth successive year as an official litter-free town in the IBAL adjudication. [Youghal finished in 32nd place nationally. The adjudicators noted there were no bad sites and with seven out of the ten surveyed achieving top litter grade, i.e. “not just clear of litter but very well presented.” Cork Hill received a special mention, as a much improved area, while “the two residential areas of Summerdale Lawn and Knockaverry were spotless.”]

The mayor asked for an update on an invitation to Michael Twomey, co-producer of A Town Out of Time -the film that documented Youghal’s decline during and since the misleading boom years- to screen the film privately for the council’s perusal. She remarked that some councillors –herself included- were “out of town” during the original screening at the Walter Raleigh hotel last December. The town clerk said he was awaiting a reply from the producer.

Nervous

Many of the 150 or so who attended the original screening criticised the non-attendance of even one council representative. All had been invited. Sensitive perhaps such sentiments and apparently oblivious to the issued invitations, the mayor suggested that “personal invites” to the mayor or any other councillor to attend such events be forwarded to the town hall. “Sometimes there’s mixed vibe out there,” she explained, elaborating that she gets “a bit nervous” about attending events when not invited in her capacity as mayor or councillor, in case the perception was taken that her presence suggested touting for votes. She wondered if her fellow councillors felt likewise but no reciprocal sentiments were expressed.

Cllr Revins sought news of the first of the proposed bi-annual ‘awards night’ set to replace civic receptions for locals deemed to deserve recognition for outstanding achievement. Mayor Linehan-Foley said she and Deputy Mayor Eoin Coyne were working on it and it would occur very shortly.

The mayor asked if there was any update from the Labour party on the continued failure to appoint a replacement for Cllr Donie Daly who resigned last April. She regretted as “undemocratic” the absence of a ninth councillor at the Budget meeting particularly. (Labour member Tommy O’Connell had been co-opted from the local branch prior to attending September’s meeting but the party apparatus had subsequently revoked his position on the grounds of ‘proper procedure’ not having been followed.) The town clerk said it was an internal Labour Party matter, he believed the process of ratifying a successor was underway but he had no official documentation from the party to date. [It has since emerged that the selection committee is set to have sat on Monday January 17th to consider and officially appoint a council member, with Mr. O’Connell believed to have been the only candidate.]

Meanwhile Cllr Michael Beecher helpfully informed that his party -Fine Gael- had “an eligible candidate” who would gladly serve local democracy by assuming the seat “if needed.” He was more or less –well more actually- discouraged from seriously pursuing this agenda! He concurred with the general view that the lengthy failure of the Labour Party to install a councillor was “disrespectful” to the council.

Any Other Business –Landfill Odours:

Cllr Beecher said the smell from Cork County Council’s landfill and recycling centre (known colloquially as ‘the dump’) had been “absolutely atrocious” throughout the Christmas period, as indeed it remains, over most weekends in particular. He was despairing of progress towards a remedy after over three years of raising the issue in the council chamber and persistent, ongoing complaints to the EPA, who were noting his every concern.

Mayor Linehan-Foley questioned whether it could be ascertained beyond doubt that the odour was arising from the landfill or was there a possibility of an alternative source, meaning the adjacent sludge treatment plant.

Cllr Murray went some way towards removing the uncertainty before proceeding to provide unexpected insight into the nature and future evolvement of the cursed stink. Firstly, she had recently visited the sludge plant and while she found the site rottenly odorous in places, she said the stench was of a different nature to that airborne and experienced in the town for so long. Additionally, the sludge plant’s smell is contained within and is difficult to detect beyond the immediate periphery.

In regard to the landfill, she reported that only Cell 9 remained open. It was lined and new gas cells had been installed. She had asked at the previous day’s County Council meeting that the burning off flare be monitored to ensure it was constantly lit, amidst the possibility that this was not always the case.

Legacy

Cllr Murray then referred to the older, ‘legacy’ part of the site, which pre-dates cell lining and gas-burning technology. The councillor said it was quite possible that untreated gases from this area were responsible for the odours. However, said Cllr Beecher, this would not explain why the smell now seemed to predominate at weekends.

Cllr Murray said she was also awaiting information from the county council as to whether the more modern section of the site was being covered on a daily basis and what kind of covering was being used. Furthermore, she added, with the facility expected to close in about a year –subject to the input level of waste- the county council had a mandatory obligation to manage it thereafter for 20 to 25 years. She had asked the County Manager, Martin Riordan whether funding was being set aside for this purpose. He, in turn had requested a full report on the site to be prepared in advance of the issue being raised again at the Southern Committee meeting of Cork County Council on Monday January 17th. She would relate the outcome of that meeting to the town council in due course.

Last books remaining in bookshops now!

Mike Hackett, author and historian, is no stranger to the people of Youghal and East Cork, and his books have brought acclaim from far and wide.

Known for his easy writing, his great knowledge of his book topics, and his love of all things Youghal. Some copies of Mike Hackett’s tenth book ‘Sars’ are still available to buy in most bookshops in Youghal and in Quinn’s Shop Ardmore. This is a limited edition and will not be reprinted. The book is sure to be sold out for Christmas, so purchase now for the few remaining.

All monies raised from the sale of ‘Sars’ will be donated to the Leukaemia Section of Cork University Hospital, which has a special place in Mike’s heart.
So, Mike Hackett’s tenth book is now on sale and by purchasing this great, heartwarming, funny, factual and enjoyable read, you will also be contributing to a most worthy charity.

Pictures of snow in Youghal taken on Sunday November 28th 2010

Click on image to enlarge

Local author and historian Mike Hackett launched his latest book about the town on Fri. night 22nd Oct. 2010 at the GAA Pavilion. This is Mike’s 10th book and by far his favourite work. Mike started his latest book last February and felt that there was some aspects of the town that needed to be covered and Sarsfield Terrace was one of them. Help from residents of the terrace, like Kay Cronin, Maurice Ahern, Ann Tomlin, Fr. Donal Hussey to name but a few, wrote pieces for his book which is a compilation of anecdotes from residents living and former residents of ‘The Terrace’, Cork Hill and Windmill Hill.

Click on video to watch the nostalgic 8 min movie clip of Mike Hackett’s book launch

The book is basically a social history of the area with many photographs of great interest. Mary Ann Smyth was asked to launch the book being the Queen of the terrace. Aine Neville O’Donoghue, Kathleen Quinn and Peter Lee provided the entertainment to the packed house. Proceeds from the book go to the Leukemia section of the Mercy Hospital, Cork
Mike, accompanied by his wife Mary and family, was in great form and at home for the book launch, while his brother Martin was MC for the evening. Canon Tom Browne, Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley, Mary Anne Smyth spoke to the capacity crowds who turned up to thank Mike personally on his his magnificent book on magnificent people.

Book available in most bookshops in town and in Quinn’s Shop Ardmore

Mike Hackett, author and historian, is no stranger to the people of Youghal and East Cork, and his books have brought acclaim from far and wide.   Known for his easy writing, his great knowledge of his book topics, and his love of all things Youghal his popularity was in evidence on Saturday night last, October 23rd, when his tenth book ‘Sars’, was officially launched in the wonderful facility that is the GAA Club Aras.   Between 300 and 400 people packed into the hall, all carrying ‘Sars’ under their arm, and all waiting expectantly for the official launch of the book, which honour was bestowed on the most senior citizen of Sarsfields Terrace, Mrs Mary Ann Smyth. Report: Denise FitzGerald | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com email: news@youghalonline.com

Martin Hackett, brother of Mike’s, introduced the various guests which included Canon Tom Browne, Cllr Mary Lenihan Foley, Mayor of Youghal, and Mary Ann Smyth.   The guests spoke eloquently about Mike and the Sars book, after which Mary Ann approached the podium to perform the launch.   But first, she regaled the audience with various stories and events from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s about the residents of Sarsfields Terrace,  What laughter and fun!   There were stories about nappies being brought in from the rain by neighbours when the owner was out, and the house in a mess!   Mention was made of ‘pinches of sugar’ being borrowed and returned;  a gentleman finishing off the alcohol which had been bought and put aside for the same gentleman’s wake;   racing pigeons belonging to eighteen different families in the Terrace who regularly flew to North of Ireland and back;  heavy top coats being put on beds to keep  them warm in winter time;  and the mammies doing the rounds of the houses at Christmas time where glasses of wine (sherry in those days) were imbibed in each house causing consternation when they were trying to make their way home!    Periwinkle picking was gone into in detail, and of course there were all those stories about the ’The Toppers’, ‘The  Bottomers’ and ‘The Browns in between!’.

Mary Ann went on to say that the most important thing was that when one neighbour was well of, then they all were;  and when one neighbour was finding the going tough, then the rest of the neighbours did too.   “Sharing was the lifeblood of these people in times which were more often hard than good, and none of the neighbours had anything more, or less, than the other.

Mike Hackett, to his eternal credit, took over from Mary Ann and, difficult though it was to follow that act, he thanked everyone for their encouragement, support and input to his latest publication.   He confirmed that there were at least twenty eight writers from Sarsfields Terrace and suurrnds who submitted stories to the book and this, he said, made the compiling of his book so much easier for him.

All monies raised from the sale of ‘Sars’ will be donated to the Leukaemia Section of Cork University Hospital, which has a special place in Mike’s heart.

So, Mike Hackett’s tenth book is now on sale and by purchasing this great, heartwarming, funny, factual and enjoyable read, you will also be contributing to a most worthy charity.

Someone once said that a good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you, and remains a friend.  A good friend!   Just like the Stars of ‘Sars’.

Click here to watch the nostalgia 8 min movie clip made by Michael Hussey for www.youghalonline.com

2010 proved a landmark year for Youghal and its surrounding areas when it was ear-marked by Failte Ireland as a ‘Family Friendly Hub’ – a Failte Ireland family friendly holiday initiative.  The initiative is set to expand over the coming months as the local steering committee and Failte Ireland undertakes a major recruitment drive of new tourism activity providers, approved accommodation providers, along with restaurant and food providers to the programme.

The aim of the project is to develop the region (Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford) as a family holiday resort, increase visitor numbers and grow revenue.  To date over 27 tourism operators in the area are currently reaping the rewards of having signed up to become one of the programme participants.  The initiative has provided a wide range of free training in marketing and customer care for all participants, produced a brochure, developed a web presence, conducted an advertising campaign, supported family friendly product development and funded beach management projects.

Hilary Creedon of Failte Ireland outlined the progress to date on the initiative: “The feedback to date from visitors to the initiative has been extremely positive.  A nominated industry steering group drives the initiative at a local level with the support of Failte Ireland and this is working extremely well.  At this stage of 2010, we’re ready to bring the project to the next stage of development.  Following its first full year of operation, we plan to work closely with operators to build on the quality of the family friendly experience that is delivered in the area”.

This local steering committee is made up of tourism product providers in the Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford region and is chaired by Sal Tivy of Perks Entertainment Centre.  One of the first tasks this voluntary steering committee set about was organizing a free family festival weekend from 16th – 18th July 2010 which attracted in excess of 5,000 visitors to the area over the course of the weekend.   “The festival exceeded all our wildest expectations”, said Sal Tivy, of the steering committee.  “On reflection however, I believe the secret of our success was that all the fun events were free and the simple, old fashioned ideas will always be enjoyed by kids of any era,” commented Sal.

The area was chosen not only because of its +2,500 bed nights, but also key to the decision process was that facilities are already in place for the ideal family holiday – with two blue flag beaches, water activities along with the ability to offer families the facility to holiday in any weather conditions.  Another key factor was because of its geographical location and touring base for families to visit the many attractions and activities in the wider East Cork and West Waterford area.

To become a partner on the programme tourism product providers must sign up to the ‘Family Friendly Charter’ which outlines the basic requirements to be considered a family friendly establishment. There is no cost incurred to prospective members, and members will greatly benefit from attendance at a free day training course for Family Friendly Service Delivery conducted by marketing and customer care professionals.  This is a pre-requisite for at least one nominated member of staff.  Members also benefit from inclusion in Fáilte Ireland’s communications campaign for the Family Friendly initiative (including printed material, direct Mail pieces, web, publicity etc).

A quality control mechanism has been put in place by Failte Ireland where programme participants will be visited to ensure the consistency of their family friendly offering and that all elements of the charters are being adhered to.

If you are a tourism product provider in the Youghal, East Cork or West Waterford region, keen and in a position to deliver a ‘family friendly service’, why not consider getting involved in this innovative and free initiative?  For more information contact the Family Friendly Steering Committee, c/o Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce on: 024-92447 or email: info@youghalchamber.ie

Issued by:
Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group Ltd.
Contact: Aileen Ahern Tel: 024-81814 E:tourism@youghal.ie

A beautiful sunset last evening (Sunday 29th August 2010) over Youghal Bay finally drew a fitting curtain over an exciting day of powerboat racing in the East Cork town. Returning to Cork waters for the first time in many years this year’s ISA National Powerboat Championship is proving to be a huge success with intense competition across all classes and superb excitement for spectators.
Photos: Ger Leahy

With the waters directly off the quays in Youghal roaring to the sound of 14 race engines, the quays were equally buzzing with the chatter of keen spectators enjoying this unique blend of water, noise, bravery and spectacle.

Although only in it’s first year, this was Youghal Bay Boat Club’s second hosting of a round of the National Championships – the first being in Ardmore back in July. In Ardmore it was the P750 (Thundercat) classes that provided the excitement, this time out the entire national powerboat racing fleet came to party.

The weekend of maritime activities had begun the previous day with local marine training centre Aquatrek hosting the Munster Final of the Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Challenge and Youghal Bay Boat Club hosting their Commodore’s Cup and a thrilling aerobatics display by Gerry Humphries (and his wonderfully daft flying cow!) in the skies above Youghal. With two new ribs up for grabs in the national finals of the Rib Challenge, competition was naturally keen. Challenges were spread across land-based skills, questions and tasks – while on the water crews were tasked with a variety of tests. When the dust settled, the teams going through to the national final were announced as:

Seniors:
1st – Aquatrek Training Centre
2nd – Youghal Bay Boat Club
3rd – Tralee Bay Sailing Club

Juniors:
1st – Aquatrek Training Centre
2nd – Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club
3rd – Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club

Sunday morning arrived with a car-park full of very strange machines for the people of Youghal to wonder about – it’s not every day you see a van with what looks like a little jet plane parked on its roof. With crews and boats from the four corners of Ireland filling out the car park the excitement grew from early morning until the first boats hit the water just after noon to begin a long day of hot action. Under blue skies and mostly clear water the afternoon was filled with twelve races in total. Community Radio Youghal were on hand to provide informative commentary and fill the time between races with music and banter. With this being the penultimate round of the national championships the racing was always expected to be intense, and the crews didn’t disappoint. Turn after turn, race after race, the crowds were treated to top-notch racing directly in front of the town’s quays. The big F2′s rocketing past at 100 miles an hour throwing huge plumes of water into the skies, the little P750 (Thundercats) throwing their boats and crews into impossible turns just inches apart from one another, and the T850 monohulls buzzing, skimming and often flying across the water.

For Youghal Bay Boat Club this was the first year in the build towards a major annual Maritime Festival, and it proved to be a satisfying success. For the spectators it was another opportunity to enjoy the wonderful spectacle which the waters of Youghal can provide. For the competitors it was an opportunity to showcase their sport and battle hard for championship points.

At the end of a long and exciting day the honours went to the following:

T850 Class
1st: Oliver Haire (North East Powerboat & Racing Club)
2nd: Megan Anderson (North East Powerboat & Racing Club)
3rd: Philip Haire (North East Powerboat & Racing Club)

Formula 2 Class
1st: Will Chambers (Lisnaskea Boat Club)
2nd: Liam Ralph (East Coast Powerboat Racing Club)
3rd: Oliver Haire (North East Powerboat & Racing Club)

Formula 4 Class
1st: Will Chambers (Lisnaskea Boat Club)
2nd: Phil Boyle (Irish Powerboat Club)

P750 (Thundercats)
1st: Sean Dillon & Gary Hogg (Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club)
2nd: Colin Snow & Conor Mullally (East Coast Powerboat Racing Club)
3rd: Ronan O’Connor & Fionn Little (Youghal Bay Boat Club)

For further information please contact Aidan Foley (Club PRO) on 086 0401368