THE FIRST PHASE of a mobility-disabled access boardwalk running from Youghal Front Strand to Claycastle, (395 metres) delivered in partnership with Youghal Town Council and Failte Ireland was officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Tourism & Sport on Tuesday 24th July 2012.  The boardwalk consists of hardwood timber deck supported on piled foundations, not requiring a railing, and once complete will span 1926 metres, eventually forming part of the National Coastal Walking Route.  The Minister also took the opportunity to officially ‘turn on’ the new 75kw wind turbine at Youghal Aura Leisure Centre.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ring paid tribute to the vision of Youghal Town Council and its determination to undertake and complete such projects. “When I was here this time last year, I was hugely impressed with not only Youghal’s tourism offering, but the will and determination of the Council and the local community to see this town grow and succeed.  It is wonderful to see plans that were presented to me followed through and executed in full.  With over 180,000 people working  nationally in tourism, this sector is hugely significant in terms of growth in the economy and Youghal is certainly setting about playing its part in getting this country working again”, said the Minister.  The second phase of the development would see the completion of the link between Claycastle and Redbarn to the Quality Hotel and Self Catering Apartments.  The Minister agreed to review the submission to Failte Ireland, agreeing that the project would be of huge benefit to the local economy if completed in full.

Mayor of Youghal, Cllr Michelle Hennessy suggested it shouldn’t be underestimated just what the boardwalk had done for the people of Youghal.  “Not only has it become a major tourist attraction, but it has become a major social gathering for the people of the area, and has brought a new life and vibrancy to this area of the town.  The quality of the boardwalk is evident; – it consists of 395 metres of hardwood timber deck and again is wheelchair accessible.  The Mayor emphasised how important the delivery of Phase Two of the project, saying: “This will have a huge economic impact on the town once complete. The delivery of this Boardwalk shows the commitment of Youghal Town Council to improving the tourism infrastructure of the Town, in partnership with Failte Ireland and is a further step forward in maximising the potential of our natural tourism assets for the economic benefit of business in Youghal” said the Mayor.

In advance of the official opening of the Eco-Boardwalk, the Minister also commended Youghal Town Council in their efforts in securing a €400,000 grant under the Improved Energy and Enhanced Disabled Grant Scheme for Youghal Aura Leisure Centre.  The upgrade works have enabled huge energy savings – including up to a 40% saving in electricity to the Centre from the installation of a 75kw wind turbine.  Currently employing 39 staff, the grant has also facilitated an extension to the existing facility for the disabled, with the addition of a new changing area, a major upgrade of the turnstile system and automatic doors to changing areas.  All of the works completed at the centre serve to enhance the centre’s reputation as both a community resource and first class tourism facility.  Referring to Youghal’s Aura Leisure Centre, the Minister commented:

“This is a hugely substantial amount of money to be granted in this current economic climate and it can only have a positive effect on employment in the town, helping to sustain jobs and hopefully create new ones too.” Said the Minister.

THE FIRST PHASE of a mobility-disabled access boardwalk running from Youghal Front Strand to Claycastle, (395M) delivered in partnership with Youghal Town Council and Failte Ireland was officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Tourism & Sport on Tuesday 24th July 2012.  The boardwalk consists of hardwood timber deck supported on piled foundations, not requiring a railing, and once complete will span 1926 metres, eventually forming part of the National Coastal Walking Route.  The Minister also took the opportunity to officially ‘turn on’ the new 75kw wind turbine at Youghal Aura Leisure Centre.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ring paid tribute to the vision of Youghal Town Council and its determination to undertake and complete such projects. “When I was here this time last year, I was hugely impressed with not only Youghal’s tourism offering, but the will and determination of the Council and the local community to see this town grow and succeed.  It is wonderful to see plans that were presented to me followed through and executed in full.  With over 180,000 people working  nationally in tourism, this sector is hugely significant in terms of growth in the economy and Youghal is certainly setting about playing its part in getting this country working again”, said the Minister.  The second phase of the development would see the completion of the link between Claycastle and Redbarn to the Quality Hotel and Self Catering Apartments.  The Minister agreed to review the submission to Failte Ireland, agreeing that the project would be of huge benefit to the local economy if completed in full.

Mayor of Youghal, Cllr Michelle Hennessy suggested it shouldn’t be underestimated just what the boardwalk had done for the people of Youghal.  “Not only has it become a major tourist attraction, but it has become a major social gathering for the people of the area, and has brought a new life and vibrancy to this area of the town.  The quality of the boardwalk is evident; – it consists of 395 metres of hardwood timber deck and again is wheelchair accessible.  The Mayor emphasised how important the delivery of Phase Two of the project, saying: “This will have a huge economic impact on the town once complete. The delivery of this Boardwalk shows the commitment of Youghal Town Council to improving the tourism infrastructure of the Town, in partnership with Failte Ireland and is a further step forward in maximising the potential of our natural tourism assets for the economic benefit of business in Youghal” said the Mayor.

In advance of the official opening of the Eco-Boardwalk, the Minister also commended Youghal Town Council in their efforts in securing a €400,000 grant under the Improved Energy and Enhanced Disabled Grant Scheme for Youghal Aura Leisure Centre.  The upgrade works have enabled huge energy savings – including up to a 40% saving in electricity to the Centre from the installation of a 75kw wind turbine.  Currently employing 39 staff, the grant has also facilitated an extension to the existing facility for the disabled, with the addition of a new changing area, a major upgrade of the turnstile system and automatic doors to changing areas.  All of the works completed at the centre serve to enhance the centre’s reputation as both a community resource and first class tourism facility.  Referring to Youghal’s Aura Leisure Centre, the Minister commented:

“This is a hugely substantial amount of money to be granted in this current economic climate and it can only have a positive effect on employment in the town, helping to sustain jobs and hopefully create new ones too.” Said the Minister.

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The Bus Stops Here! – US VISITORS TO YOUGHAL are set to dramatically increase in 2012 and 2013 following negotiations undertaken by Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development, The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group (YSEDG) with CIE Tours International.

A guided tour of Youghal’s Heritage Trail is set to form part of the company’s group tour itineraries in 2012 and a selection of tour series in 2013, using the Kerry to Waterford routes and vice versa. CIE Tours International is the largest tour operator in the US driving vacation business to Ireland.  Last year they handled 35,000 visitors to the island of Ireland.

In mid October, Senior Vice President of CIE Tours International, Dennis Savage, who is based in Morristown New Jersey paid a visit to Youghal on a US staff education trip and expressed a major interest in including ‘Youghal’s Heritage Trail’ on a number of routes to the region.   This was the culmination of a number of years of work undertaken by Youghal Chamber at various coach and tourism workshops selling Youghal’s tourism product offering.  Speaking about his visit and the prospect of including Youghal on their itineraries, Mr. Savage commented: “Youghal is a very photogenic town and adding a walking tour would ensure our coach tours routing from Kerry to Waterford would be compelled to slow-down, with a diversion from the local motorway and learn firsthand the local history.  I believe that walking tours enhance the coach tour experience and are an important ingredient in our continued market share growth.  I have noticed that too often historic towns are being bypassed by coach crews and in doing so an integral part of the real Ireland experience is being lost. For the Killarney/Cork/Waterford route, Youghal is the perfect mid morning or afternoon comfort or photo-stop.” Said Mr. Savage.

Following on from Mr. Savage’s familiarisation trip,  a delegation from Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development (Eileen Quill) and The Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group (Aileen Murray) met with senior representatives from CIE Tours in Dublin to discuss the details of various package options.

Aileen Murray (YSEDG) pointed to the fact that Youghal was finally starting to be recognised for its efforts and investment in Heritage by some of the main tour operators.  “The fact that the major decision makers of CIE Tours are now including Youghal on their routes is testament to the years of investment through Youghal’s Heritage-Led Regeneration Strategy by Youghal Town Council – in the Town Walls, St.Mary’s Collegiate Church and heritage signage for example; together with the marketing efforts of The Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development in attracting coach tour business over the years.   Once CIE Tours as the market leaders come on board, it is only a matter of time before other operators begin to take notice of Youghal too.” said Aileen.

Commenting on the opportunity, President of Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development, Mary O’ Donnell said: “This is a great opportunity for Youghal and I am delighted with the positive outcome to last Thursdays meeting with Conor Wall and Senior representatives of CIE bus tours in Dublin.  We will work hard on completing the requirements requested to become a CIE Tour destination.

Mary went on to thank Sal Tivy-Vice President for researching contacts for the meeting with CIE Tours and also Eileen Quill – Chamber Director and Aileen Murray- YSEDG for attending the Dublin meeting and presenting our wonderful town and all it has to offer as a very attractive stop over and tourist destination.

“I welcome all prospects for potential tourism generation for our town and locality”, said Mary. “We are delighted to secure CIE tour excursions to Youghal for 2012 and being placed on a full programme for CIE tours for the 2013 season.  This will increase business and employment and bring a very welcome boost to our local economy.”

CIE Escorted Tours operate from March each year on a weekly basis through to November.  The Company is also considering various packages which the Chamber of Tourism & Development has compiled, including a number of tour and lunch options.

Issued by: Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development &

Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group (YSEDG)

Contact:

Ø  Mary O’Donnell: (Pres. Youghal Chamber): T: 024-20200 E: mary@clearviewproperties.ie

Ø  Aileen Murray (YSEDG): T: 024-81814  E: tourism@youghal.ie

Aileen Murray,

Manager, Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group,

7-10 Enterprise Youghal,

Emmet Place,

Youghal,

Co. Cork.

Tel: 00 353 24 81814

E: tourism@youghal.ie

W: www.youghal.ie

F:www.facebook.com/youghal.ie

THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED TO WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUGHAL

Tour Buses: Jim Flanagan noted that coaches previously stopping for half an hour were are now staying for up to three hours following the persistent efforts of Norman McDonald and Cliff Windsor (in costume) to greet tour parties and to negotiate with drivers and tour operators.

Norman McDonald said he had secured a visiting convoy of nine buses, bearing 500 passengers, from a cruise liner docking at Cobh on both Thursday August 18th and Tuesday September 6th. He requested (and has since received) volunteers to assist with greeting the visitors and advised that a good impression would almost certainly usher Youghal onto future liner excursions. Plans would be fashioned to make the new visitors’ visit informative and memorable.

The Youghal Concerned Citizens (YCC) group advanced several schemes during its August meeting in the Red Store. Amongst the issues discussed were: Up to 9 Coach tours from Cruise Liner in Cobh visiting Youghal on the 18th August. YCC organising volunteers to meet and greet, signage, music and some dancers! Look out for us with special high-vis jackets on!!

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley of Youghal Heritage Committee, the organisers of the last weeks Youghal Medieval Festival 2011 paid particular tribute to members of the Youghal Concerned Citizens who gave up their time on the day for the event.

- Signs for the Youghal Gold Label Seafood Pie erected -
- Window stickers available for restaurants serving it -

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