By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
The Kathleen & May leaving Youghal Harbour 100 Years after she first sailed into the old town

The historic wooden schooner Kathleen and May left Youghal for her home in Bideford, on Friday last (Aug 1st) at 6pm. Having been away from home for almost a month, Capt. Douglas Lindsay and his 12-strong crew were looking forward to a brass band and party-type reception on their return.

The ship’s visit, had been brief, having arrived the previous Thursday morning at 5am. Originally scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, the inclement weather had forced her to shelter overnight in Rosslare, en route from Dublin.

Despite torrential rain on its first day in dock, considerable crowds were to be seen admiring and boarding the boat during its short stay. She may be 108 years old, but this lady never fails to catch the eye. On Thursday night, many of the crew were afforded an informal reception at the Youghal Arts Centre (Town Hall to you and I), where Mayor Olly Casey and local councillors thanked them for their visit and expressed the hope that many more would ensue.

Mayor of Youghal Olly Casey and town councillors pictured with the crew and friends of The Kathleen and May at the reception with the magnificent three masted schooner berthed in the background

Mayor Casey, in his address recalled his days of youthful employment (1958) at Youghal gasworks when the Kathleen and May “would dock with 300 tons of coal, each knob of which would be shovelled into buckets and brought by Mossie Keohane’s or the Daly’s, horse and cart to the gasworks”. She’d then proceed under the old bridge and collect pit props for the return journey to Wales”, he said. The Mayor revealed he had written an, as yet unpublished, book on the gasworks, which carries a picture of the Kathleen and May and a poem of Read more