Thursday, November 10, 2011
JIMMY SAVILE “brought a little bit of magic and sparkle to everybody that he met”, mourners at his funeral service were told yesterday. Savile will be buried today following more public ceremonials in Scarborough, the North Yorkshire seaside town he loved and where he had a home. Savile, who presented the first episode of Top Of The Pops, was found dead at his flat in Roundhay, Leeds, just two days before his 85th birthday. He raised millions for charity and ran more than 200 marathons in support of good causes.

Jim’ll Fix It was a long-running British television show, broadcast by the BBC between 1975 and 1994. It was presented by Jimmy Savile.

The show debuted on 31 May 1975, and ran until July 1994, in the Saturday teatime slot. It was devised and hosted by the late Jimmy Savile, who would “fix it” for the wishes of several viewers (usually children) to come true each week.

The standard format was that the viewer’s letter, which described their wish, would be shown on the screen and read out aloud by the letter’s writer, although initially Savile himself read the letters. This would be followed with a quick chat between Jimmy and the letter writer, where they would discuss the wish.

The wish would then be enacted (either live in the studio or shown in a pre-recorded format, which usually consisted of a segment recorded on film), and finally the viewer would be presented with a medal which had the words “Jim fixed it for me” engraved on it.

Occasionally, other people featured in the ‘Fix It’ (actors from well known series, for example), might also give the viewer an extra gift somehow relating to the Fix. Savile himself played no part in the filming or recording of the ‘fix-its’, unless specifically requested as part of the letter writer’s wish.

Back in 1984 the late Michael McCarthy from the Youghal Pipe Band wrote to the Jim’ll Fix It programme asking if Jim’ll Fix It so that the pipe band could be on the tv as a request from his father, Duis McCarthy. Jim indeed fixed it for the Youghal Pipe Band and the BBC team duly arrived in town to film the pipers in different location around Youghal and nearby Ardmore. Youghal priest Fr. Tom Paul Geary and Michael McCarthy went to the BBC studios where they received the famous Jim’ll Fix It medal on St. Patrick’s Day 1984.

“Now Then” - Click on the video below to see the Jim’ll Fix It show and bring back memories of Youghal back in 1984

Youghal 1978ish!!-The building/opening/blessing of the pier head(jetty) and other stuff!!

Video: 22rochey

On Sunday last 21st August 2011, visitors once again flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 5th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 6,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day. The Heritage Council of Ireland undertook a series of surveys at the event, with initial results showing that there was a huge surge in people attending from outside the region.  “This year in particular we seem to have attracted visitors making their way from far and wide”, commented Clodagh Mahon who conducted the surveys.  “I interviewed visitors who had made their way from Carlow, Kilkenny and beyond, but also met with families from overseas, the UK in particular, who had actually planned their stay around the event, which in turn delivers a great spin-off for the town.”

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Quarter’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in their droves. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.  This year’s highlight proved to be the ‘have a go’ archery, which in keeping with the spirit of the day, was free.

It was a case of ‘back to basics’ for kids this year with a focus on arts and crafts and traditional games taking centre stage.   Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Catherine Desmond said: “Parents were delighted with the concept of ‘back to basics’ fun. Children were able to get involved and create their own medieval hats and colour their medieval shields which they could then wear and bring home as a souvenir. Each year the committee tries to incorporate a good balance of fun, education and heritage into the festival and I think it’s fair to say that we achieved just that.” said Catherine.

A range of quality food and craft stalls only added to the electric atmosphere of the gardens in ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’.  Traders recreated the colourful atmosphere of a noisy Medieval Marketplace and visitors were given the chance to purchase unique gifts and top quality food produce.

Local favourites The Youghal Pipe Band took centre stage at 2.00 pm with Community Radio Youghal broadcasting live throughout the day.

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley of Youghal Heritage Committee, the organisers of the event, thanked everyone for their support on the day: “The event was a tremendous success again this year, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank our many hard working volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event. Festivals like these rely heavily on volunteers and it’s great to see such community spirit.  The Councillor paid particular tribute to members of the Youghal Concerned Citizens who also gave of their time on the day.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.  Marketing efforts were supported by South & East Cork Area Development.

Click on image to enlarge – Pics: John Hennessy

THE YOUGHAL PIPE BAND gave a magnificent performance last Wednesday night (August 10th 2011) when they represented their town and country performing at Interceltic Festival of Lorient, Brittany, France. The band left for France on the 4th August 2011 for a 10 day trip putting Youghal and Ireland on the international stage.
Click on the video below to see the Youghal Pipe Band at the Interceltic Festival of Lorient, France.

This was the Youghal Pipe Band’s third trip to the festival over the past decade and as always Bertie’s Bar has kindly sponsored the jerseys for the bands trip.Youghal Pipe Band would like to thank the people of Youghal for their support and to the Dempsey family at Bertie’s Bar for their kind sponsorship of tour jerseys for the 41st Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, France.

Youghal Pipe Band would like to thank Berties Bar, Youghal for their kind sponsorship of  tour jerseys for the 41st Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, France. The band leave for France on the 4th August 2011 for a 10 day trip and will represent Youghal, Ireland on the international stage.

This will be Youghal Pipe Band’s third trip to the festival over the past decade and as always Berties Bar has kindly sponsored the jerseys for the bands trip.

Visit: www.YoughalPipeBand.com

Festival Page: 41st Festival Interceltique de Lorient

THE FRIENDS OF ST. RAPHAEL’S OPEN DAY took place yesterday (Sun. 10th July 2011). The popular event was packed with people, all in great mood, buying, chatting, eating, dancing on the grass and generally having a great time. The colourful plants were almost all sold, the book stall was doing great business, the burger vans were surrounded, the candy floss was swaying in the warm breeze and the mugs of coffee were being downed at a very fast rate. The book stall, spin the wheel and the face painting proved to be particularly busy. Report/Photo: YOL

The Friends of St Raphael’s Fundraising Committee comprises John Roche, Chairman, Frances O’Neill Ahern, Secretary/Treasurer and a very active committee who commenced making their arrangements and organisation back in February, working very hard  to make sure that everything is just right for the day.   The weather was beautiful, the live music was played brilliantly, Youghal Pipe Band did a wonderful set,neighbours met for chats and the residents of the hospital had a fantastic time.

An event such as this needs help from many people and huge thanks to the people of the town and surrounding areas who not only come along on the day to support, but also those who donate items, books, gifts etc.,  Also, for the wonderful home cooked pastries, cakes, scones, biscuits brought along which were very quickly snapped up.

Many of the staff gave up their Sunday to help out on the day and the Committee are very grateful to them.  Of course, one cannot forget the marvellous coverage supplied by CRY, and Barty Murphy who organised all the live stage entertainment for the day.

The Open Day was a huge success with so much activity going on thanks to the huge crowds who came along to support our own St Raphael’s.

Click on image to enlarge

 

Youghal’s streets turned green for St. Patrick’s Day 2011

The sun shone brightly on the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Youghal which was, again, organised by the Youghal Pipe Band, under the supervision of piper Michael McCarthy. The colourful parade began at 3.00pm at the north end of the town at Dolphin Square, where all the different floats, clubs, societies and business displays assembled. Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/David Farrell/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

Thousands of people crammed the streets to see the colourful dancers, marching bands, theatre troupes and local groups proudly showcasing the cultural diversity of the town, which was the highlight of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebration.

The Youghal town councillors, including newly-elected TD, Sandra McLellan, and Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan-Foley, cheered the parade as it passed the town hall with adults and children alike waving tri-colours, shamrocks, leprechaun hats and fancy dress costumes in forty shades of green.

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy who organised the event said, “We were very pleased with the support for this year’s event. The weather was fantastic and everybody was in great form. The floats, displays and input from clubs and organisations was particularly good this year and made it very difficult for the judging committee to pick the best floats. I would like to thank all sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event such a resounding success. It was great to see the event broadcasted live again this year by YoughalOnline.com and local broadcaster Shane Supple and cameramen Kieran McCarthy and David Farrell deserve great credit.”

Well done to the Youghal Pipe Band in organising a very successful St. Patrick’s Day parade and we look forward to next year’s event. Beidh an craic nócha!

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy made a special presentation to Ken Brooke from Brookes Super Valu in recognition of his sponsorship of the event each year.

Best Float

The prize for best float went to Perks Entertainment Centre with Youghal Credit Union receiving second place prize.

Best Banner

Tweenies won the prize this year for the Best Banner with second place going to Youghal Disability Group.

Best Culture Group

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eochaille won the Best Culture Group in this year’s parade.

Best Juvenile Group

Youghal Cubs claimed the title of Best Juvenile Group while Chatterbox came second place.

Best Marching Group

Youghal Pipe Band won the award for best Marching Group.

Best Club Display

Youghal Vintage

Best Business Display

Greenbarn

Best Colourful Display

Condon’s Florists

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IN YOUGHAL 2011 – Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

Satire on parade for St. Raphael’s Centre early St. Patrick’s Day parade.

ST. RAPHAEL’S CENTRE, YOUGHAL, adopted a satirical stance when it held its second annual St. Patrick’s Day two days early, yesterday. (Tuesday March 15th 2011). The parade took ‘Empty Pockets’ as a theme and over 40 clients, staff, friends and locals paraded through the grounds carrying token symbols of the country’s dire journey towards the financial rocks.
Report – By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Aided by the centre’s arts department, the imaginative creations included a large brown envelope, a giant empty pocket, a miniature ghost estate and emigrant-carrying aeroplanes. €540bn notes were also dispersed, though not, diplomatically, in the brown envelope. “We decided to hold the parade early as it can be difficult for residents to access the main parade on a bank holiday,” explained art therapist John McHarg.

Local piper Christy McCarthy from the Youghal Pipe Band led the procession. St. Patrick himself officiated and in the true spirit of Christianity, declined to comment on the unholy mess various vipers had made of the country he converted.
Click on image to start slide show of the St. Patrick’s Day parade

On Sunday last 22nd August 2010, visitors flocked in their thousands to the stunning surroundings of St. Mary’s College Gardens in Youghal for the 4th Annual Youghal Medieval Festival. Events were planned to coincide with The Irish Walled Towns Network celebrations of National Heritage Week.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com| Email: news@youghalonline.com

Official figures on the day saw in excess of 8,000 people visit the free annual event over the course of the day, a record number for the event. The glorious sunshine made the inclement weather of the event in 2009 a distant memory!

Celebrations kicked off at 12.00 pm where the ‘Medieval Village’ played host to an abundance of performers, guests and festival goers all of whom came out in support of the event. The renowned ‘Freelance Knights of Redemption’ from Co. Cavan undertook a full fighting and weaponry display while elsewhere in the Medieval encampment visitors were mesmerised by the archery display and huddled around the roasting ‘lamb on the spit’ to observe the wonderful styles of medieval cookery.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ played host to some of the best activities seen at the festival to date. The ‘Mumbo Jumbo Circus Workshop’ was a flurry of excitement and activity as kids of all ages learned how to stilt walk or ride a unicycle. The bouncy castle area was a major attraction as children braved the obstacle course over and over again.

This year the ‘Kids Kingdom’ saw the re-introduction of traditional arts & crafts fun. Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Catherine Desmond said: “Parents were delighted with the concept of ‘back to basics’ fun. Children were able to get involved and create their own Medieval Hats and Shields which they could then wear and bring home as a souvenir. Each year the committee tries to incorporate a good balance of fun, education and heritage into the festival and I think it’s fair to say that we achieved just that. Not only did we organise a ‘FREE FAMILY EVENT’ but we also reopened the historic quarter of Youghal which has seen a huge facelift over the last few years”, commented Catherine.

This year more quality food and craft stalls only added to the electric atmosphere of the gardens in ‘Maid Marion’s Food & Craft Fair’.  Traders recreated the colourful atmosphere of a noisy Medieval Marketplace and visitors were given the chance to purchase unique gifts and top quality food produce ranging from homemade ice – cream to wood-fired pizza.

The ‘bandstand area’ featured lively performances from local band ‘Rannach’ followed by local favourites ‘Redmond & John’ culminating with the Youghal Pipe Band.  Community Radio Youghal was of course on hand throughout the entire day to report on proceedings throughout the afternoon.

Clodagh Mahon of Youghal Heritage said: “The event was a tremendous success and the support we’ve seen from the business community in the town deserves a huge acknowledgement. We received some fantastic spot prizes for our raffle and I would like to give them a big thank you on behalf of the committee. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our many hard working volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event. Festivals like these rely heavily on volunteers and it’s great to see such community spirit”.

Youghal Medieval Festival was organised by The Youghal Municipal Heritage Committee and was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland and Youghal Town Council.
Click on image to enlarge. All photographs www.youghalonline.com. For high resolution image copy of any of the photos seen here please email to news@youghalonline.com with Attention to picturedesk

Key to photographs
91 Youghal Town Cryer Cliff Winser with Noel Curtin and sons Jack and Robbie
105 William and Morgan Joyce with ‘Captain Jack’ Kieran Groeger
107 Paula, TJ and Amy Rusk, Teresa and Sean Slattery with Mayor of Youghal Mary Linehan Foley
110 Ann marie Roe, Patrice Desmond and Stacey O’Leary
112 Carmel Murphy from Limerick
113 Derek Kenefick fundraising for the Haven for Haiti building programme
119 Susan and Shane Morgan with facepainter Clara Foley
120 Tina Molloy with her children enjoying the free festival
122 Rebecca Hanna and Coran McCarthy with doggy Kerry at the Medieval Festival
138 Tilly McCarthy and Patrick Walsh
140 Sean Donovan and Ann Power
159 Michelle Hennessy, Sheila Whyte and Sandra McLellan and child
184 James and Alavoine from Cork
187 Seth Lewis and Viki Nagy
190 Mervyn Scott and Noel Cronin from Youghal local radio CRYIssued by:

Youghal Heritage Committee

Tel: 024-81814

E: youghalheritage@mail.com or tourism@youghal.ie

The late Michael (Mick) McCarthy speaks a brief history of the Youghal Pipe Band, one of the longest existing pipebands in Ireland founded in 1914 by Danny (Duis) McCarthy.

This interview was recorded in 1996 and features past members Moss Walsh & John O Brien and current members Leanne Murphy & Pearl McCarthy being interviewed by Read more