CONFIDENCE PERSISTS AS WALTER RALEIGH HOTEL RE-LAUNCHED
By Christy Parker

Over 60 guests spanning Youghal’s business, politics, sport, art and culture sectors attended the official re-launch of the Walter Raleigh hotel. Local man-made-GAA President Christy Cooney spearheaded the occasion, formally declaring the premises open for business on a night in which optimism and belief refused to be submissive to the town and country’s grim economic circumstances.

The hotel has been functioning under the management of Cork city-based Atlantic Hospitality Services (AHS) since going into liquidation last September. Meantime AHS has invested over €30,000 in a non-structural renovation programme on the 109 year-old premises, its sixth acquisition in Ireland and its 14th internationall. Mr Cooney identified described the refurbishment as “part of a new beginning” for the town, while invoking the need for locals and the town’s diaspora alike to avail of the hotel’s services in the challenging years ahead. Mayor Eoin Coyne echoed these sentiments and in conveying his and the town council’s best wishes, said the town council would support the enterprises in whatever way it could.

Colours

Much of new management’s money has been spent on the ground floor. “We’ve completely redecorated the multi-purpose function room and the reception area,” says AHS Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, Joanna Hannick, in deference to the strong emphasis on cream and beige colouring throughout. The scheme is complimented by appropriate mood lighting and a new burgundy carpet in the function room, where bright, beige and pink patterned curtains further appease the eye. “It’s classic, elegant and brings a totally new feel to the hotel,” smiles Joanna.

Much of the kitchen’s equipment has been replaced while the re-launch also showcased a modern approach to wedding style, as white chair covers bedecked with blue (interchangeable) sashes posed beside tables bearing candelabras and napkin folds in fleur-de-lis style.

Upstairs, the 41 spacious bedrooms, many offering scenic vista of the Blackwater, have been thoroughly and professionally cleaned, with further adjustments made to decor.

The re-launch brings impetus to the town’s on-going efforts to establish a core identity as a family-friendly resort rich in leisure, art and heritage attractions. In terms of local employment, the hotel provides work for approximately 30 full & part-time staff with, as one would expect, increased numbers anticipated over peak periods.

Menu

The new management team is led by Alan Deady from Ballymacoda, while new head chef James Hallinan hails from Ladysbridge. James, arriving from the renowned Pepperstack bistro, Aghada, brings an extensive range of delights to the table, including Sir Walter Steak -6oz prime Irish Sirloin cooked on a warm Ciabatta with Red Onion Marmalade and Hand Cut Fries (€12) Ardsallagh Goats Cheese filled with Roasted Red Pepper (€7.50) and Steaming Mussels, served with Coconut & Chilli Sauce, finished with Fresh Herbs (€7.50). Various pates and desserts of the homemade genre can be heaped on top of that indulgence, according to the menu.

Over the coming weeks and months, the hotel will increase its efforts to draw custom from local organisations in a bid to maximise the use and potential of the refurbished function room facility particularly. If the admiring glances thrown at the refreshed setting on the re-launch night are reliable indicators, brisk business should ensue. Interestingly, the compliments were two-way with Waterford-based Ms Hannick “very impressed by the beautiful landscape of Youghal and the natural friendliness of the people.”

In business terms the marketing manager observes, “It’s very basic to get hospitality right; a warm welcome, friendly service, good food, clean atmosphere and a comfortable bed. The Walter Raleigh guarantees this and more.” Sounds like reason enough to stay the weekend.

Inquiries, etc: Walter Raleigh hotel: (024) 92011; Joanna Hannick

email:  j.hannick@atlantichospitality.ie

Click on image to enlarge: Photos: Will McGoldrick

The Y Factor 2012 auditions are coming up , if you can put the poster and entry form online Id appreciate it thanks.

12 acts for one night only at The Walter Raleigh Hotel Youghal.The Y Factor talent show held for the last few years is a fun and exciting platform for young performers to let their voices resound and their gifts shine through.The whole show is modeled on the ever so popular X Factor only without all the drama.

Last year seen an audience of 300 or more come to encourage and support the Youth from the community and around.
A DVD of the show along with a cd was released and is testament to the exceptional talent abounding within the youth and the success of this project

Sacred Roots Productions is a non profit voluntary run project ‘Where music speaks louder than words’.

Entry forms can be got at Tom Scotts , The Hot Spot Youth Center South Abbey Youghal  & Youghal Library
Forms are to be returned to Tom Scotts or The Hot Spot before the 13th of December

Tickets for the show in The Walter Raleigh will be on sale at Scotts 137 North Main Street Youghal

Youghal Scout Group
Bingo
7.30pm Wednesday
7th December 2011
at The Walter Raleigh Hotel
Great Prizes to be Won!
All welcome!

CORK-BASED ATLANTIC HOSPITALITY SERVICES (A.H.S) has officially announced its appointment as the new management company to for Youghal’s Walter Raleigh hotel. The 109 year-old hotel went into voluntary liquidation on September 16th under   former owners Beechwood Ltd. About of 30 full-time and part-time jobs were lost.

Interviews are planned this week to recruit staff, with a view to reopen the hotel as soon as possible, according to AHS Regional Manager Stephen O’Connor.

Receivers BDO moved quickly to appoint A.H.S, which currently has 14 hotels under asset management throughout Europe and America.  Its Irish Portfolio includes the four-star Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, Offaly’s Kinnitty Castle Hotel and Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort in Tipperary.

Mr. O’Connor says, “The Walter Raleigh Hotel has been a landmark for years in Youghal and plans are well underway to re-open the property in the very near future. We foresee an exciting future for this special building.”

Mr O’Connor adds that “open interviews will be held on Thursday 29th September & Tuesday 4th October to recruit for all areas of the hotel, but particularly for accommodation, reception, bar and kitchen sectors. We would ask people to bring their CVs to the hotel from 11am-3pm on those days.”

TO RAISED GLASSES, the cry “To Walter” resounded through Youghal at 17.59 yesterday as news spread like spilt porter that the town’s landmark Walter Raleigh Hotel was to reopen its doors.

The cry heralded the imminent arrival of Atlantic Hospitality Services (AHS), the Cork-based hotel asset management company that provides asset management services to owners, banks and receivers and who will oversee the running of the hotel in its next era. The hotel closed on Friday September 16th, with the loss of 30 full and part-time jobs. Its future has since been in doubt.

Yesterday though, web activists were sharing, feeding, widgeting, blogging, or just plain old fashioned copy and pasting the news that it would soon again entertain patrons. Texts were flying, phone calls were hoppin’ also “To Walter”

Past 17.59 the internet buzzed and Twitter tingled as people beseeched people to ‘follow us on’… “To Walter!”. Facebook echoed similarly as the sentiment went viral. By 18:00 hours, Youghal local radio CRY 104 FM rang out the headline:  “To Walter!” as the newsreader failed to contain his longing!

It is hoped to celebrate “Walter’s Day” as an annual event in the town in honour of the remarkable legacy of the English aristocrat Sir Walter Raleigh, the creator of hotels, colonies and Yawlies. A writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, smoker, spud planter and explorer will make a welcome return on September 22nd 2012. To Walter! – and not a McGuinness in sight! Oops!!
Enjoy this post irresponsibly.

Photographs: Michael Hussey | Actors from the Roanoke Island Theatre

YOUGHAL TOWN COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE DATED 20TH SEPTEMBER 2011.

In relation to adverse statements issued by various individuals relating to the closure of the Walter Raleigh Hotel, I am now issuing this statement on behalf of Youghal Town Council. Contrary to recent reports Youghal Town Council was not the creditor which allegedly forced the closure of the Walter Raleigh Hotel. The Reports also states the Walter Raleigh owed considerable “rent” to Youghal Town Council, Youghal Town Council have never “owned” the Walter Raleigh Hotel and were not renting the facility to Beechford Ltd., (operating Company). It is indeed very regrettable that the Walter Raleigh Hotel has closed and that this has resulted in job losses in the area, at a time when severe economic pain is being felt by all. All businesses are experiencing difficult trading conditions currently, people have very little disposable income to hand and the retail sector is severely hit as a consequence. Dance Licenses are issued by District Courts not by Town Councils and the operators who apply to the Court for same must have up to date Tax Clearance Certificates. The application by Beechford Ltd for a Dance Licence was not heard at Youghal District Court on Friday 16th September 2011.

Youghal Town Council charge commercial rates on all businesses within Youghal as all Local Authorities do Countrywide. In fact the rate charged by Youghal Town Council is one of the lowest in County Cork and considerably less that the Cork County Council charge. Beechford Ltd., T/A Walter Raleigh Hotel had trading difficulties and were having difficulties paying rates to Youghal Town Council. Youghal Town Council were in regular contact with the Management of the Hotel with a view to putting an easy payment plan in place to help to keep the Hotel trading and the staff employed. Regrettably the Management did not seem to have the appetite to engage in this dialogue, which would have put the Hotel in a better trading position….. one can only ask why not?

In an effort to help the Hotel over the summer period Youghal Town Council provided the 1798 Memorial Park free of charge to the Hotel to hold five weekend events to help generate much needed revenue. It now appears that the Hotel was actually being wound down with a view to closing in September. It goes without saying that Youghal Town Council will work positively with the appointed liquidator to ensure that a new operator is found for the Hotel, which is crucial to the economic infrastructure of the town. A creditors meeting is to be held at the Vienna Woods Hotel on September 27th when the full financial problems of the Hotel will be known and equally the truth in relation to which creditor forced the company into voluntary liquidation.

In the meantime it should be noted that Youghal Town Council are actively engaged in numerous easy pay rate payment plans with numerous businesses, which are actively trading and healthily going forward, directly because of that positive interaction. Youghal Town Council is eager to work with any business experiencing difficulties in an effort to keep that business financially viable and its employees employed.

Issued by Liam Ryan, Town Clerk on 20th September 2011.

Differences Emerge As Walter Raleigh Closes After 109 Years Of Service.
By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL’S WALTER RALEIGH HOTEL has closed its doors after over a century of operation. The ‘Walter’ which opened in 1902, has entered voluntary liquidation, with the loss of 30 full and part-time jobs. The hotel was not represented at Youghal District Court in court on Thursday September 15th for an application to renew its dance licence. Owners Beechwood Ltd. opted to close the business the following morning.

Hotel manager Michael Davitt has claimed that Town Council had objected to the licence –or were intending to do so- in lieu of rates arrears. This has been dismissed by Youghal Town Clerk Liam Ryan as “totally untrue.” Mr Davitt’s claim that the town council were overtly insistent and uncompromising on the rates issue has also been rejected by Mr. Ryan. The manager confirms that the hotel had financial difficulties but insists that the issue of rates arrears coupled with the alleged dance licence objection “was the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Payment plan

Responding fully to Mr. Davitt’s assertions, the town clerk says the hotel’s closure “is very regrettable at a time when severe economic pain is being felt by all.” He proceeds that the local authority “was in regular contact with the hotel management with a view to putting an easy payment plan in place regarding rates arrears. Regrettably,” he notes, “the management did not seem to have the appetite to engage in this dialogue, which would have put the hotel in a better trading position. One has to ask, ‘why not?’” he adds.

The official proceeds that last summer the council provided the hotel with free use of the nearby 1798 Memorial Park to help generate revenue but notes that “it now appears that the hotel was actually being wound down with a view to closing in September.” He says the council “will work positively with the appointed liquidator to ensure that a new operator is found for the hotel, which is crucial to the economic infrastructure of the town.”

Creditors

A creditors meeting is scheduled for the Vienna Woods Hotel on September 27th “when the hotel’s full financial problems will be known “and equally the truth in relation to which creditor forced the company into voluntary liquidation,” Mr Ryan observes. The main creditor is understood to be a large financial institution. Meanwhile, Mr Davitt says that traders and those who had paid deposits on intended functions “would be fully reimbursed.”

Mr. Ryan stresses that the council is “actively engaged in numerous easy pay rate payment plans with numerous businesses, which are actively trading and healthily going forward directly because of that approach. The council is eager to work with any business experiencing difficulties in an effort to keep that business financially viable and its employees employed,”  he finishes.

LAST WEEKEND saw the National Inter-County Championships take place at the Portmarnock pitch and putt course in Dublin. On Saturday the Ladies teams took to the course with Dublin winning the title by just six shots from Kildare. On Sunday it was time for the Gents to represent their respective counties in strong winds and difficult weather conditions. On the Cork team were two Youghal players from the six in total, Paudie O’ Sullivan and Club Secretary Anthony O’ Loughlin who is also National Strokeplay Champion of 2011 and who was captain of the county team last weekend in Dublin. Included on the Cork team were Ireland’s number one and two ranked players respectively John Walsh and Ray Murphy. Paudie and Anthony represented their county with pride and didn’t disappoint in front of large crowds who were in attendance.

The two Claycastle players were paired together in the foursomes and sent Cork on their way and gave them the advantage shooting an impressive 45(9 under par). It was then down to the singles where once again the Cork lads never gave up and performed fantastically. Paudie carded a 51 while Anthony posted the score of the day 46(8 under par) and doing so sent Cork on to win the National Inter-County Championships 2011 with a total score of 391(41 under par) thirteen shots clear of second placed Meath on 404. Wexford finished in third place eight shots further back on 412. The Cork team who have now won nine Inter County titles in succession and are a major force in the sport of pitch and putt and hopefully they can make it 10 title in a row next year.

Congratulations to Captain Anthony O’ Loughlin and Paudie O’ Sullivan on great performances and who were a fantastic addition to the County team. 2011 has been the first year since 1999 that Claycastle has had a player represent the County team. In fact this year has been the first year that there have been two Claycastle players on the 6 man team. It has been a tremendous and historic year for our Club with Anthony O’ Loughlin winning the All-Ireland Championships just over a month ago and to have more success so soon is fantastic. It is a year that will not be forgotten for a very long time. For this achievement to occur in the Club’s 25th year makes it that small bit more special.

Other Claycastle Pitch & Putt News

After the success of the Captain’s prize a few weeks ago, the Club’s next major competition is set to take place. The most prestigious of them all, the Noel O’Driscoll memorial prize will begin on Wednesday 21st of September at 2:30pm and will continue on Friday 23rd at 2:30pm. On Saturday 24th play will also begin at 2:30pm while on Sunday 25th September there will be two sessions, the first at 10:30am and the final session of the tournament will get underway at 2:30pm sharp. We hope to see a large turnout and keep the fantastic attendances high as we have seen over the last few officers prizes.
The final major competition of the year will be the Chairperson’s Prize, sponsored by Martin Keohane our current Chairman, and play will begin on Wednesday 28th of September at 2:30pm. There will be an afternoon session on Friday 30th at 2:30pm and play continues on Saturday 1st October at 2:30. While on Sunday 2nd once again there will be two sessions, the first which will get under way at 10:30am and the second at 2:30pm.

On Sunday next the 18th September an adult/juvenile competition will take place where the juvenile players will be teamed up with the adult members. Play will begin at 2:30pm sharp. We hope to see a big turnout.
The Club’s A.G.M. will take place on Wednesday 5th October at the Walter Raleigh hotel at 8pm. All members of the club are more than welcome to attend on the night.
Juvenile competitions will continue throughout the Autumn and Winter months every Saturday morning at 10:30am. All new juvenile members are welcome to partake. For those wishing to avail of free coaching instead of the competition, that will take place at the same time.
We are proud to announce that Claycastle has won the right to host the 2012 National Matchplay Championships here in Youghal. This is a major tournament and we are privileged to host such an event. it will be the largest tournament hosted by Claycastle in the history of the club since 1986. This major championship will take place over the June weekend next year where there will be a total of 96 players taking part, 64 gents and 32 ladies.

James Howes
P.R.O.

The club are bringing the very funny show Santa Ponsa or Bust to the Walter Raleigh hotel on Fri Sept 30th @ 20:30. Visit the site www.santaponsa.ie and see what it’s all about. It’s been given huge reviews in the national newspapers:

“Sure to be a sell out”… Evening Echo

“Brings down the house”… Irish Times

“Go and see it”… Irish Examiner

“You’d want to be in a coma not to enjoy it”… The Star

Ticket’s on sale at Cree’s card shop, Walter Raleigh Hotel & Sammy’s Butchers front strand –Alternatively contact Paudie Sheehan on 087-9450004 or Emmett Perry on 087-2835286 tickets €15 each and a great night is assured. This show was pitched on the RTE show Dragons Den and got the backing of all 5 Dragons. This is a must see show , people will travel from all over so don’t be disappointed and get your tickets early.

Senior’s build up to the new season!

Youghal Utd 1 – 2 Leeside

Youghal Utd 2 – 2 Leeds

Under 16’s

Strand 1 – 4 Youghal United.

Our under 16 team got their season off to a winning start when they travelled to Strand and come away with all three points. Youghal led at half time 1-0 after Strand looked like the better team in the first half. They continued their dominance early in the second half when they got the equaliser. From that point on Youghal’s defence were on top and the lads got the ball on the deck and past it very well controlling the game to the finish. The lads took their chances well with 2 goals each for Danny Walsh & Eric Murphy. Best for Youghal: Sean Farrell & Mathew Farrell

Academy – Calling All Future Soccer Stars.

The 2011/12 Youghal Utd Academy soccer season is upon us with the U10’s (those born in 2002) first training event on Sunday the 4th of September at 4pm. The plan for this season is to hold two training sessions per week at 4pm on Sundays and 5pm on Wednesdays, with the focus on player development through training combined with friendly matches in Sept to Nov and Feb to Mar. This will be followed by participation in the Cork School Boys league in April and May and finish in Jun with the Len Rodgers Memorial Cup Tournament at Clashmore Rambler’s home ground.

The programme for this season concentrates on developing player’s skills and team participation, while ensuring that they enjoy the sport and continue with it for years to come. Following a successfully 2010/11 season the plan is to now build on where we finished in June when a number of the players won the hotly contested Len Rodgers tournament against teams such as Dungarvan Utd, Castlebridge Celtic and Valley Rangers. Following a strong start in the group stage the team progressed through to the semi-final, where they beat East End, and then went on meet Dungarvan A in the final where two great goals scored by Shane Deasy and Cian Coleman Butler secured victory and the Perpetual Shield.

All players and parents are welcome to come along at 4pm on the 4th, including of course those who may not have participated in previous years, to meet the coaches, hear more about the plans for this season and to join in the first training event.

We are also happy to announce that this season Simon Born will join the existing coaching team of Patrick Morrissey and Taras Kennedy, who have completed FAI’s Kick Start Coaching Programmes.

In addition to the U10’s, the U9’s (born 2003) with start training at 12pm on Sunday the 4th, while the U8’s (born 2004) will start at 11am on the 4th. Again all players and parents are welcome to come along to learn more about the Academy and its ambitions for the forthcoming season.

 

Youghal United team that won the Len Rodgers tournament

Front row: Matthew Hogan, Luke Kennedy, Tomas Power, Conor Kenefick

Back row: Adam Danaher, Cullan Morrissey, Kyle Roche, Shane Deasy, Cian Coleman Butler

Club notes!

Match Results!

Notice to all managers – After each game this season could you text or e-mail your result to Anthony Horgan on 086-6013685 or Anthony.horgan@asmpt.com so as we can publish scores or match reports of same. The club will be pushing that we get all results into the paper this season.

Bereavements:

The club wish to extend its deepest sympathy to the Crotty and Daly families. Joe brother of Eugene Crotty & Nelie Mother of Billy Daly who past away in the last week. Our thoughts are with you and your families at this time!

ALL Weather Pitch

Training times have almost been finalised for the coming season on the all weather pitch so if your unsure please contact the number below for clarification.

A new telephone number has been setup and it is 083-3835844 – for all enquiries please call this number to reserve a time slot. The pitch is available for birthday parties, group bookings & club bookings prices from €25 per hour.

Liners Join The Ranks Of Youghal Coach Visits – By Christy Parker  

YOUGHAL’S dalliance with coach tourism embraced a new level this month when five buses ferried passengers to town from the cruise liner Crown Princess. A welcoming party organised by Youghal Concerned Citizens group pushed out the boat, so to speak, to greet the 500 arrivals from Cobh harbour on a sunny afternoon. “We had Irish dancing courtesy of  Blackwater School of Dancing and Luigi’s restaurant in Barry’s Lane provided complimentary snacks,” says YCC representative Norman McDonald. By all accounts the visitors were highly impressed by the welcome as they undertook a two-hour sojourn about town.

The cruise coaches arrived courtesy of Cork-based Cronin’s Travel and marked the culmination of months of hard work and persistent lobbying by Norman, assisted by Cliff Winser and the YCC. “It was essential to make a strong impression as it was something of a trial run by that particular coach company,” says Norman. “But we would hope to provide similar receptions regularly enough next summer as we try to get Youghal established as a destination for liner coaches.”

Before and since the Crown Princess party, other cruises have to a lesser degree, also dispatched their charges to Youghal. “We had two German and one British party last week,” Norman proceeds. “The Germans were particularly delighted to receive summaries of Youghal’s attractions in their language.”

Timed visits

The stopover time for cruise buses operates on a three-tier system. “There are photo-calls, two-hour and four-hour stays,” Norman elaborates. “We’re now getting more photo-calls, with several companies visiting for the first time and some of those are upgrading us to two-hour calls. We are not yet included in the four-hour schedules, which are the biggest ones obviously, because tourists will buy meals, do more shopping, visit more sites and so on with more time to spare. But we are getting there.”

The four-hour calls are also crucial as they can govern the other two schedules. “If a four-hour visit goes awry, then obviously the coach driver may jettison or reduce the passengers’ later visits to elsewhere under the two remaining criteria,” says Norman.

More tea, driver?

These turning wheels of tourism also rotate round the axle of general bus tours, often en route from Rosslare towards Blarney and Kerry. Since the bypass arrived, many have chosen to ignore the town entirely, while those that do follow the town centre sign at the Rhincrew roundabout often merely pause to pee.

Quietly and largely unheralded, Norman and Cliff have spent long hours and days urging drivers and couriers to consider the charms of the locale before departing from the Market Square rapidly. Diplomacy at ground level can mean transporting cups of tea or coffee to weary coach drivers or couriers. “It really is hard work,” Norman sighs. “You can be waiting around for ages and then maybe get instantly dismissed by some drivers. On the other hand, many of them really appreciate our efforts, especially if they have to stay in the bus with elderly passengers for example. We just have to keep trying every day. Then sometimes we get to meet a company director. That’s when we have a chance for real change because they dictate their coaches’ schedules. We chat to them explain our intentions and maybe we will see the efforts of this year reflected in next year’s traffic.”

Town walls…then walk

Norman views Cronin’s, Insight and Cosmos as tour operators now particularly partial to Youghal. “The next plan is to persuade some of them to arrive up at the town walls, which are a huge attraction,” he says. “Then they can walk down to Emmet Place either via the college gardens, or St. Mary’s Church, down Church Street and through the main street back to the coaches at Nealon’s Quay. Cosmos seem interested in this and they could have two or three buses a day here, whereas some companies are just one a month.”

Some revolutions quietly unfold and there is no apparent clamour on the streets to greet the impending new scheme of things. “The vast majority of restaurants are fantastic and most of the businesses are taking note as well,” Norman considers. “But probably there are a few enterprises that don’t yet see the overall picture, which is to promote every aspect of tourism we have. It can call for a change of mind-set, no doubt. Blarney for example, does it all as second nature by now. So does Kinsale. It’s part of their rhythm. The bottom line is that Youghal has as much, if not more, to offer and if we work together as a broad community, we can do it justice to everyone’s benefit. But if we can promote the tourist end of it- the restaurants, hotels, b&b’s etc, it may lift the rest up with it.”

Nealon’s unfortunate Quay

Nealon’s Quay remains central to the project and one wonders if, the location, with its potholes, uneven surface, faded road markings and cramped parking facilities –not to mention minimalist toilet facilities- offers the stuff of which dreams are nurtured. Norman maintains a diplomatic silence but relents that the public toilets are proving to be a considerable hindrance to progress. “They just don’t always work,” he says before agreeing that in any case they are quite limited in what they provide. After many, many hours of greeting tourists, he knows a bit about their requirements and on theirs and Youghal’s behalf he would welcome a decent sized convenience, manned and maintained by a paid worker. “I don’t think it would operate at a loss,” he adds.

Norman and company began their coach tour seduction in early summer, arising from an idea proposed at the newly-formed YCC months after tour companies had decided the season’s schedules. As the season nears closure, the hope is that the impression made in 2011 will impact on their 2012 programmes. “Either way we cannot rest on our laurels. We will have had more time to prepare though and with hopefully more helpers and maybe appropriate dress and a co-ordinated approach, we can build on this year’s work,” concludes Norman.