SANTA visits boys and girls around the world in many different ways, but on Saturday 3rd December at 2.00pm this year in Youghal, Co. Cork, Father Christmas is set to arrive on water with the help of local sailing school; Aquatrek to the Quay-side.  Events are set to kick-start the seaside town’s annual Christmas festive season celebrations. Organised by Youghal Town Council’s Heritage Committee, a ‘free’ Santa visit for all the children in Youghal will follow from 2.15 – 4.30 pm in the Mall Arts Centre.

Santa’s horse, and his ‘one horse open sleigh’ will collect Santa following his arrival from Youghal Bay to Nealon’s Quay.  Accompanying Santa will be the lucky winner of the Youghal Primary School’s colouring competition to The Mall Arts Centre where an afternoon of free fun will ensue.  Kids of all ages will enjoy the festivities from with a ‘free Santa visit’, face-painting, and Barty’s disco will only add to the festive atmosphere!

At 4.30 pm Santa will lead Youghal’s very own Pipe Band on their march to Market Square for the official turning on of Youghal’s Christmas Lights which has been organised by Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development.

‘Queen Of The Sea’  Set To Be Youghal’s Best Festival Yet. – By Christy Parker

YOUGHAL’S 2011 QUEEN OF THE SEA FESTIVAL was officially launched in the town hall reception area recently. Details unveiled at the launch revealed a highly impressive effort to bring to the town a festival in the total meaning of the term, with a multitude of diverse attractions in waiting. The weather…the blessed weather is all that’s needed. .

Organisers, business people, politicians and –mercifully- the more eye-catching presence of 35 young female representatives of various local businesses, attired summer fare, gathered for the launch. The occasion was smiled upon by blue skies, enriched by a solo harpist and complimented by wonderful food. The omens are good!

Following some time for social interaction, the 50 plus attendance turned their attention to the podium, from where Queen of the Sea Chairwoman Sally Tivy-Perks and  Youghal Mayor Eoin Coyne delivered words of faith, hope and encouragement, as did Sinn Fein TD Sandra McLellan and Eileen Harney, liaison officer with the RNLI, one of two organisations –along with Childline- being supported by the festival.

Mayor Coyne, in his first official engagement since his elevation to the chain, expressed himself said the festival, which enjoyed great success in its inaugural year of 2010, was already “fast becoming the pinnacle of the summer festival season” in Youghal. The mayor gave credit to “the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Youghal Town Council, the YSEDG and the organising committee” for bringing the festival to fruition. He wished the queens the very best of luck and wished “locals and tourists alike,” much enjoyment over the festive weekend. Enthusiastic applause followed the conclusion of his maiden mayoral speech.

Fundraising

The chairwoman then thanked further sponsors, including 96FM and SECAD before handing the microphone to Ms Harney. The officer explained that the lifeboat service’s survival is immensely reliant on the support of local communities. “We receive a tiny amount of government funding,” she revealed before explaining that the RNLI needs €3m annually to stay afloat, so to speak, almost all of which comes from voluntary contributions. She said had “the best job in the world” working for an organisation of whom 97% of its members (1,600), “are fundraisers.” In considering itself effectively “a family organisation,” she said the RNLI would ensure that those attending the family festival would be afforded a warm welcome, including harbour tours.

Three festivals in one

The Queen of the Sea Contest bears much resemblance to that of the world-famous Rose of Tralee in that it is a contest for young ladies, from whom the winner is chosen according to her hopes, dreams & ambitions and her attitude toward social responsibility.

Sally Tivy-Perks then gave a summary of the programme of events –expanded from last year- that the festival intends to deliver. Effectively, she said it was three festivals in one, comprising the Queen of the Sea Contest, a Youghal Food Festival and a ‘Myrtle Groove’ Music Festival.

Music…

The festivities commence with the Myrtle Groove gig on Nealon’s Quay at 3 pm on Friday July 15th, wherein various live bands will entertain throughout the day. The ‘groove’ will persist throughout the weekend in what marks a serious upgrade in Youghal’s provision of musical entertainment. Along with local artistes, Cork’s 96FM Gig Rig will play live from the Market Square, KILA will perform on Nealon’s and there will be music and dance of a traditional genre also. A ‘Mardi Gras’ Parade featuring the queens will traverse the town at 7 pm that night.

Food…

The Youghal Food Festival will be officially opened by the Celebrity TV Chef, Rachel Allen. There will be a farmers’ market, cooking demonstrations, teaching and tasting events. Throughout the three days, there will be breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks available all made from local produce with lots of choice. Festival menus will be available in local restaurants in the evenings.

Come and watch TV celebrity chef Rachel Allen cut the ribbon for the official opening the food festival and wander through the many food and craft stalls where you can treat yourself to a taste of the finest local produce to be found in the area, Visit Corks 96FM GIG RIG playing live from Market Square, or let the kids join in the fun, and enter the crab catching or the sand castle building competition, join the circus workshop, enter your dog in the Dog Show or join one of the other many fun activities planned for you during the festival.

Girls….

Enjoy the crowning of the Queen of the Sea followed by acclaimed band KILA live on stage, and enjoy lots of free music all through the weekend on the Myrtle groove Gig Rig. Saturday’s fare includes the Food Festival, which will be launched –if not lunched!- by TC chef Rachel Allen. A multitude of other attractions, including water races and busking, will run throughout the day. The 2011 Queen of the Sea will be crowned at 6.30 on Saturday night, followed by a Queens Banquet at the Mall Arts centre.

…And fun

Sunday’s many attractions include family races in the Green Park (Spud and spoon, fastest daddy, hairy legs, wheel barrow, three legged, wife-carrying, etc), alongside a dog show and various other entertainments such as wife-ccbucking bronco, obstacle course, face painting, circus workshop and so on and on….

Full details/programme being circulated and available from Youghal Tourist Office; tele: 024-20170 Green Park. Also, visit  www.youghal.ie

At his first official function since his election, Eoin Coyne – Mayor of Youghal launched the 2011 Youghal Queen of the Sea Festival at the Mall Arts Centre, Youghal on Thursday 23rd June 2011. The festival will take place in Ireland’s finest coastal resort on the weekend of July 15th – 17th 2011.

Eoin said “I am delighted to be asked to officially launch the 2011 Queen of the Sea competition in its second year. It is fast becoming the pinnacle of the Summer festival season here in Youghal. Great credit is due to the Youghal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Youghal Town Council, the YSEDG and the organising committee for all the work that has gone on in the background in getting this off the ground. It is a chance for Youghal to showcase itself as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the country. I would like to wish all the Queens the very best of luck in the Queen of the Sea competition as they showcase the many talents that the young people of our Town have to offer. Above all else, I hope that everyone, locals and tourists alike, thoroughly enjoy themselves over the Family Fun Festival”.

A wide range of events has been planned, with all participating events free of charge. The Festival will have three main themes or elements – the Queen of the Sea Contest, Youghal Food Festival and the Myrtle Groove Music Festival.

Stephen Ryan of Fota Widlife Park stated “As Chairman of the Failte Ireland Family Fun Hub in East Cork and West Waterford I am delighted that the Queen of The Sea Festival is on this July as it is one of the biggest events on the calendar for the hub and this year is going to be bigger and better than ever with a great focus on family entertainment which will bring plenty of visitors to the area.”

The second annual Queen of the Sea Contest is a traditional competition which has a very similar theme to that of the world-famous Rose of Tralee Competition. It is a contest for young ladies and the winner is chosen according to her hopes, dreams & ambitions and also her attitude toward social responsibility. Contestants are judged by personality not appearance. Each contestant is sponsored by a local business. It was an extremely popular event last year. Local businesswoman, Eileen Quill commented that “The Youghal Queen of the Sea Festival gives a tremendous boost to the local economy in particular the hospitality and food service enterprises, and is a great tourism amenity”.

The Youghal Food Festival will be officially opened by the Celebrity TV Chef, Rachel Allen. There will be a Farmers’ Market; Chefs will hold cooking demonstrations, teaching sessions and tasting events. Throughout the three days, there will be breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks available all made from local produce with lots of choice. Festival menus will be available in local restaurants in the evenings. There will be lots of variety, and high quality foods on offer – from vegetarian to BBQ. The chefs will give tips on healthy eating, alongside sharing their personal favourites. A ‘Granny’s Favourite Recipe’ competition will take place.

Chairperson of the Festival Committee, Sal Tivy enthused “The Queen of the Sea Festival is unique this year in the sense that we have three festivals rolled into one – a First for Munster!”

Throughout the three days, there will be a full music programme in the form of Myrtle Groove. Live music is very much a part of the town’s culture and heritage. The people of Youghal are known for their love of music, and they celebrate it with craic agus ceol – music and good times. For three days, the sounds of free performances will be heard throughout Youghal. There will be opportunities giving the younger, local artists their chance to perform. Visit Cork’s 96FM Gig Rig playing live from Market Square. And this year, critically acclaimed band KILA will perform live on the Main Stage at Youghal’s Quay area. Alongside these live performances, there will also be music and dance workshops. And of course, the Ceilis, feiles and fleadhs which have been celebrated in Youghal for centuries, with song, dance and storytelling in the old Irish traditions. Music and entertainment will be provided by a multitude of local talented musicians.

QUEEN OF THE SEA FESTIVAL, YOUGHAL JULY 15TH – 17TH

FREE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT – COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN !!!!!!!

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF YOUGHAL are seriously concerned by the announcement yesterday that Tytex (Ireland) Ltd are to close their manufacturing facility in the town after more than 25 years. This coupled with the recent closures of Artesyn Technologies, Kodak, Avery Dennison, Couristan Carpets, Seafield Fabrics has created a huge void in our proud Town.

The effect of the loss of 75 jobs on the Town will be catastrophic and every effort will be made by us to highlight our plight at National and European Level. Our thoughts are with the families of the men and women who now face an uncertain future.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Michael Sheehan and his staff for the tireless efforts they made in the past months trying to save the Youghal Operation.