The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, accompanied by the British Ambassador Domnick Chilcott, visited the Youghal RNLI station today ( Friday 3rd May 2013). The Duke was welcomed to the Youghal RNLI by Fergus Hopkins, Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager and Tadgh Kellegher, Chairman of Youghal RNLI. The Duke was then given a tour of the station where he chatted with members of the crew, station personnel and the fundraising committee. The Duke who holds the title of President of the RNLI also visited lifeboat stations in Helvick, An Rinn, Tramore and Dunmore East in Co Waterford. This was the second time the Duke of Kent paid a visit to the Youghal. He last visited the station back in 1998.

Click on the video below – Audio courtesy of Community Radio Youghal CRY 104fm

Crew member Denise Goggin spend 24 hours recently in a life raft at sea in Crosshaven to raise funds for the Youghal RNLI.  Denise is pictured below presenting the cheque for €95 to the fundraising committee at the station.

Denise’s dad John Goggin retired last year as senior helmsman from the Youghal lifeboat crew after seventeen and half years of voluntary service.

 

Mr Paul Boissier Chief Executive of the RNLI received a warm welcome from the Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Volunteer Crew and its fundraising committee on Wednesday the 3rd of October. Mr Boissier was accompanied by Owen Medland, RNLI Training Inspector and Emma Gibson, Area Fundraising Manager. Mr Boissier was visiting Youghal as part of his Irish station tour. He was given a tour of the station followed by a light lunch.

The Chief Executive thanked the crew and the fundraisers for their dedicated hard work at the station and said he could see that the station was kept to a very high standard, ensuring that Youghal RNLI would always be ready for those in trouble at sea.

Fergus Hopkins Youghal RNLI Operations Manager said “it was an honour to welcome Mr Boissier to Youghal Lifeboat station and on behalf of the crew, station officials, and fundraising committee thanked him for his kind comments about the crew and the Youghal station”. Liam Keogh Youghal RNLI Crew presented Mr Boissier with a glass plate with the Youghal coat of arms as a memento of his visit to Youghal.

Click on the audio track here to listen to Mr Paul Boissier speech

During the summer the seven RNLI lifeboat stations in Cork were launched a total of 66 times. Baltimore’s lifeboat crews launched their new lifeboat and inshore boat 16 times and the inshore lifeboat at Crosshaven was launched 15 times, while Kinsale crews went out 12 times. Lifeboat crews at Youghal were also launched eight times, Ballycotton five times with Courtmacsherry lifeboat having launched six times and Castletownbere four times.

Baltimore RNLI put their new Tamar class lifeboat to good use alongside their inshore one to help save the lives of two teenagers kayakers who were trapped in a cave when a wave capsized them. In challenging conditions and churning seas, a lifeboat volunteer swam into the cave and brought the pair to safety as part of a multi-agency operation including local Coast Guard crews.
Two teenagers were brought to safety by Crosshaven RNLI when they became cut off by the tide and Kinsale RNLI rescued a man who fell into the water at Castlepark. The lifeboat crew at Courtmacsherry were called out to help the crews of two yachts in separate incidents on the same day. The first was to four people onboard a 46 ft yacht which got into difficulty close to rocks in difficult sea conditions while the second was to a 20 ft sailing boat that got into difficulty off the Old Head.

Youghal RNLI was launched to go to the aid of a 7 m cabin cruiser with three people on board in August which had suffered engine failure with its’ anchor dragging off Mangans Bay while Ballycotton lifeboat volunteers launched to aid a lone fisherman who had got into difficulties onboard his vessel.
The lifeboat crew in Castletownbere responded to two separate tragedies in which two well respected and much loved members of their local community were drowned. Members of Castletownbere RNLI extend their deepest sympathies to the families of those involved.
The Baltimore station was the fifth busiest station in Ireland over the summer months and they will be naming their new €3 million lifeboat this Saturday.
“This has been another busy season for the RNLI despite the unpredictable weather and there have been some stories of incredible bravery and also some stories of incredible loss. In all cases out lifeboat volunteers have shown extreme professionalism and commitment. Each and every callout is different and conditions, locations, duration and activity can vary. In many cases our volunteers are involved in callouts that go on for a number of hours throughout the night and their employers support them in their volunteering, ” said Owen Medland, RNLI Training Divisional Inspector.

http://corkindependent.com/stories/item/11728/2012-39/Cork-RNLI-lifeboats-launched-66-times-this-summer

THE YOUGHAL RNLI were called out on Tuesday 28th of August at 4.15 p.m to the aid of a seven metre cabin cruiser with three persons on board, that had suffered engine failure with their anchor dragging off Mangans Bay.

The Youghal Lifeboat Patricia Jennings, under the helm of Mike Brookes with crew members Eddie Hennessy & Ray Kelly arrived on scene and towed them back to its moorings at the Ferry Point.

When the boat was safely moored they escorted the three casualties who were all safe and well to the Quayside in Youghal.

The weather at the time was blowing a force five southerly wind.

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 43 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland and registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736)

THE YOUGHAL RNLI held their annual open day last Sunday 5th August 2012. The family fun day began with the traditional blessing of the boats by Fr. Patrick Winkle at 12 midday followed by a laying of a wreath for those who have died at sea. The Lifeboat station and the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat were on show for the day and the voluntary lifeboat crew members were also on hand to show the public around and answer any questions. Barty Murphy entertained the crowds with ‘Barty’s Disco Roadshow’.

Noreen Varney PRO of the Youghal RNLI thanked everyone for coming to the open day and thanked Fr Patrick Winkle for blessing the boats which included local fishing boats, sailing boats, pleasure and angling boats and the local Aquatrek sailing dingies.

Noreen said, “On behalf of the RNLI I would like to say thank you to everyone for supporting us. The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK

In 2011 the RNLI Lifeboats in Ireland launched 980 times to a variety of callouts. 905 people were rescued over the course of the year by volunteer lifeboat crews who spent over 9,826 hours on service at sea. So far this year Youghal RNLI have been called out on service 12 times.

All our boats and equipment are expensive and without the help and support of the public and especially the people of Youghal who have always been extremely generous to us through the years we could not operate. Youghal’s Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest stations in Ireland as it dates back to 1839. The first lifeboat was funded by Youghal’s townspeople at a cost of £76 to build and put into service. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I) took over the running of Youghal’s Lifeboat in 1857.

In 2012 the RNLI launched a new lifejackets for lifesavers campaign which will see every lifeboat station in Ireland take delivery of new specially designed lifejackets in September. The lifejackets have been commissioned by the RNLI for search and rescue work. The cost of providing the lifejackets for all 43 stations in Ireland is estimated at €160,000.

Again I thank you for coming and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the day.”

THE YOUGHAL RNLI LIFEBOAT will host their annual open day on SUNDAY 5TH AUGUST 2012 from 11am to 5pm. Fun for all the family with face painting and music with Barty’s Disco Roadshow. Blessings of the boats at 12 midday and laying of a wreath for those who have died at sea. All boat owners invited to come along and have their boats blessed. The Lifeboat station and the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat will be open to the public and our voluntary lifeboat crew members will be on hand to show the public around and answer any questions.

Youghal has been running a lifeboat station since 1839 and is still funded by voluntary contributions. A great day of festivities is promised on the day.  Lifeboat souvenirs will also be available at the event. We look forward to meeting you on the day.

The Youghal Lifeboat launched on Saturday 14th of July at 08.11pm, to aid a 16 foot vessel that had broken down a quarter of a mile south east of Caple Island. The lifeboat Patricia Jennings, under the helm of John Griffin Junior with crew members Mike Brooks and Eddie Hennessy established a tow upon arrival on scene and towed the vessel along with four casualties who were wearing life jackets to Knockadoon Pier. The weather at the time was calm.

Emily Humphries, representing The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co. Waterford,  was crowned ‘Queen of the Sea 2012’ in front of an audience of thousands as Youghal celebrated one its most successful festivals in years at the 3rd Annual Festival Event.  The festival ran in the East Cork seaside town from 6th – 8th July 2012.

One of six children, Emily recently completed her Leaving Certificate and hopes to continue her studies in Trinity College in Spanish and Business.  With over 30 entrants to the ‘Queens’ competition, the entire weekend was geared towards bringing colour, fun and entertainment to families of all ages to Youghal.

On Friday evening, despite the downpours, the festival literally ‘kicked off’ at pace with the ‘Youghal Criterium Cycling Race’ – organised by Youghal Cycling Club over a specially dedicated circuit in the town.  Earlier in the day, a contingency plan to set up a marquee in Nealon’s Quay Car Park ensured that the vast majority of the large crowds were protected from the elements.  The ‘Queens’ were duly introduced to the public by newly elected Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Barbara Murray.

As the sun appeared on Saturday, so too did the thousands of visitors to Market Square to revel in the ‘Youghal Food Festival’.

Speaking after the weekend highs, Event organiser, Pádraig Sheehan reflected on the festival.  “It was incredible, what made it for us as organisers were the amount of families who were out with their extended families including grandparents and relatives.  There was a fantastic atmosphere in town and a great buzz all weekend long, he said.  “I spoke to a lot of traders and retailers in the town and they were very positive in terms of the amount of visitors and the amount of people who came to town and stayed for not only for the weekend, but are planning to stay now the entire week.  We are delighted to see that every business in Youghal benefited to such a degree.  It seemed that every chipper, restaurant, fast food place, pub and shop was packed with visitors from near and far.  It’s only onwards and upwards now for Youghal! said a hugely enthusiastic Pádraig.

Initial results of research surveys undertaken by newly qualified ‘Failte Ireland’ certified tour guides in the area, indicated a large number of families travelled from the midland areas of the country to attend the festival.    Speaking about the economic impact of the festival, Acting President of Youghal Chamber & Development, Marie Barry spoke about the importance of ‘The Queen of the Sea Festival’ to the local economy.  “Festivals have proven to be a key factor in a tourist’s decision to choose one destination over another and are hugely significant in attracting first time as well as repeat visitors. This is vital to the resurgence of Youghal as a first class tourist town.  We need to continue to offer tourists additional reasons to visit Youghal over and above other destinations. Said Marie.

One enthusiastic festival attendee from Co. Offaly, Catherine O Malley, was overwhelmed with the events in Youghal, which kept her family enthralled over the course of the weekend.  We had made the decision to take our family holiday in Youghal this year after doing some research on the area.  It sounded like the ideal location, so much to do, no matter what the weather.  The timing was all that really was left to be decided, but when we heard about the ‘Queen of the Sea’ Festival taking place this weekend, we knew we had to be here.  It was magnificent.  The kids are already talking about their holiday in Youghal next year, said Catherine.

On Sunday the sun once again made a welcome appearance.  Labelled as ‘fun day’, this day was all about the kids.  Following their exploits in the crab-catching and sandcastle competition the day before, they were treated to a full free family fun day with bouncy castles, rock climbing, a fun dog show, along with family fun races.  The highlight proved to be the ‘wife carrying race’ on the mall beach which generated great fun and laughter to round off a spectacular weekend.

MORE PHOTOS HERE SHORTLY……..

The fun, colour and spectacle of Youghal Queen Of The Sea Festival photos captured by John Hennessy.If you require high quality prints of the Youghal Queen Of The Sea 2012 photos below please contact the photographer John Hennessy. Prints are available from the photographer John Hennessy www.jhennessy.net contact this email:  john@jhennessy.net

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