Youghal

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Remembering Lives Lost at Sea: A Solemn Gathering at Youghal RNLI

The annual Remembrance Service at Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Station on Sunday, 16th November 2025, was a solemn tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives at sea. Volunteer crew members, led by Liam Keogh with Alan Revins, Eddie Hennessy, and Rhys Thomas, launched the lifeboat from The Mall to lay a wreath in memory of those who died in the line of duty, reminding the community of their bravery and commitment.

Inside the station, volunteers and officials gathered for reflection, with Christy McCarthy's bagpipes adding to the solemn atmosphere at the water’s edge as he played the slow Scottish air "The Bell of Dunblane".

Reverend Andrew Orr led prayers and readings, drawing from the Gospel of Mark to offer hope and comfort, highlighting Jesus calming the storm—a powerful metaphor for the challenges faced at sea.

Prayers were offered for all who work on the sea, including naval personnel, fishermen, RNLI crews, and coastguards, asking for their protection and strength. Environmental stewardship was also a theme, with calls to care for the sea and those who work to keep it clean.

The service remembered those lost in tragic events, including the 2017 Irish Coastguard Rescue 116 crash and the 2023 Ironman incident. A moment of silence honoured their sacrifice and the risks faced by all who serve. The ceremony closed with the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing for the community, reflecting the enduring bond between Youghal and the sea.

Pictures:
1. Under the measured leadership of Liam Keogh, crew members Alan Revins, Eddie Hennessy, and Rhys Thomas launched the lifeboat from The Mall, Youghal, where they laid a wreath in memory of those whose lives have been claimed by the sea.

2. Some of the RNLI officials and volunteers included: Mark Nolan and Sean Slattery (Youghal RNLI Launch Authority), John Hearne (Deputy Launching Authority)

3. Christy McCarthy's bagpipes added to the solemn atmosphere at the water’s edge.

4. Inside the Youghal RNLI station at The Mall, Youghal. The service closed with the Lord’s Prayer and a final blessing for those “who have died at sea in time of war,” and those who continue to serve in the RNLI, Naval Service, coastguard, and air-sea rescue—each one forever part of the living memory of Youghal’s coastal community. In the quiet aftermath, the assembled mourners stood together, bound by reverence, pride, and steadfast hope. ... See MoreSee Less

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MEMORIES OF A BUSY TOWN by Mike Hackett

This piece is especially for folk in the seventy to ninety age group who were reared in Youghal. It should bring back some happy memories of what was a fine large thriving town in the middle of the 20th century. When you think that the South Main Street shop numbers go to 62 - while the North Main Street goes to 165. And we haven't included Friar Street or Tallow Street. Of course not all were shops - you had a few like the three banks - the Red House and Tyntes Castle in the line. Still the number of retail outlets must have been over two hundred.

A kind native of our town recently gave me a large amount of receipts and bill-heads that were given by so many shops - now just a memory. The only one still in business is Willie Neville's drapery at 11 North Main Street - founded in 1945 and now run by his daughters Anne and Pauline. Speaking from a personal viewpoint - Willie Neville's was where my mother had her account for clothes for six children. Then a half-crown a week was paid regardless of what was purchased and over the whole year it balanced out.

Albert Cole was another nice gentleman in his chemist shop. One time when I had a bad abscess in a tooth - he concocted a mixture for me that cured me overnight - and he didn't take any money from me. Good deeds like that are not forgotten - even after seventy years. Bobby Chapple was another great character. An electrician by trade - he also knew about T.V. sets and erected a high mast at the home of his friend Robin Atkins on the hill of Knockaverry that could get the B.B.C. reception from Wales - long before R.T.E. came to us.

Fowke's shop at 72 North Main St. sold vinyl music records - 45s and 78s - before John Kennedy started up at 135 North Main St.. Then Kevin Hennessy opened a shop selling bicycles at 59 South Main St. before he moved up to where Justin Condon Auctioneers had been at number 68 North Main Street. He helped to start the Saint Christopher Cycling Club in town that became very popular with young adults. The likes of Frankie Lynch and Gerry Kelly were keen members - cycling to Ardmore or maybe to Mount Mellerary on Sundays. Kevin's shop then struck lucky when the Gas Works ceased operations and everybody had to buy electric cookers. He also provided T.V. sets when the coverage came to town in 1962. A lot of people could not afford the price of a set and would hire it. Payment was by way of a money-box metre attached to the set

Friday was 'fish day' of course and Jim Condon remembers delivering fish for his Dad around town before going to school. Kay's Stores was run by the Long sisters and sold children's clothing. It was the only shop (in the 1950s) where you could meet Santa on Christmas week. They gave gift parcels for boys and girls and one time when I was brought to meet Santa in his grotto at the back of the shop - I got a girl's parcel by mistake. It was hair clips and ribbons. My mother returned it for a boy's one.

Not forgetting Kitty Troy (later Mrs. Mattie Coakley of the Youghal London Assoc.) who sold us the broken chocolate at Pasley’s for a penny. She was so kind to poor kids that she would often break a perfect bar of chocolate so as not to refuse us.

Paddy Morrissey had the garage selling petrol - located between the Bank of Ireland and Tomey Connery's butcher shop. Paddy - always in good humour - liked to smoke and would have to go away from his own petrol-pump premises and stand outside Tomey's before lighting up.

Joe Treacy of the Nook had a grocery shop out front with a small bar inside. The bar later became famous and bigger while the grocery shop was closed. My mother told me a story of how she was minding Richard Leo as a small child on the day that his father Dick was being buried. We were living in Cork Lane at the time and Richard (at a very young age) managed to escape out of the house. My mother ran and found him down town. She managed to bring him into Joe Treacy's shop just as the funeral of his Dad was approaching up the street. The shop doors were then closed in respect to the passing funeral. Richard was too young to be aware of what was happening and Mrs. Treacy (Joe's mother) then gave him a bar of chocolate.

Going back to the South Main Street - you had Pyne's little shop below the Clock Gate that sold small toys like dinky cars, toy soldiers and jig-saws. Mague-Jeffs was another small shop at number 38 that sold cigarettes like Gold Flake, Sweet Afton and Woodbines. The Woodbines were in a paper packet of five for four pence. Mague would sell a single one to poor people for a penny. And we cross the street to Bridgie Quirke's sweet shop at the corner of Windmill Lane - this was our stop for slab toffee on the way to the cinema matinee on a Wednesday or Sunday to see Old Mother Reilly or the Three Stooges.

Happy innocent days and we have yet to go to Friar Street and Tallow Street in a follow-up piece later. However we have such a supply of material that a lot more attachments will be included then.
My gratitude goes to the donor of the invaluable bill-heads who wants to remain anonymous.
Mike Hackett - November 2025.

Images includes: Cattle and horse trading at the Fair Field (The car park beside Bertie Dempseys Pub); A busy North main street with Merricks to the left and Pasleys on the right; The busy salmon fishing season at the Market dock full with fishing boats. ... See MoreSee Less

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70TH CORK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS CINEMATIC CELEBRATION TO YOUGHAL THIS NOVEMBER

As part of its landmark 70th anniversary, the Cork International Film Festival, Ireland's oldest and largest film festival, brings the magic of cinema to Regal Cinema Youghal this November with a special Super Cine Saturday programme celebrating Cork’s cinematic and literary heritage.

On Saturday, 15th November, audiences in Youghal can enjoy a day of exceptional film programming.

At 2.30pm, the Festival presents IFI Cork on Camera, a rare and beautiful archival collection highlighting Cork’s cultural past. Presented in partnership with the Irish Film Institute, this programme includes newly uncovered footage from the 10th Cork International Film Festival (1965), alongside two short film adaptations of Frank O’Connor’s works; Larry (Shelah Richards, 1935) and Guests of the Nation (Dennis Johnston, 1935). These films are preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive.

At 5:00pm, the day continues with Jafar Panahi’s darkly humorous and gripping new film It Was Just an Accident (Yek Tasadof-e Sadeh, Iran.France/Luxembourg, 2025), in which a small mishap spirals into a chain of life-changing events. The film was awarded the 2025 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Tickets for the Youghal screenings are available now via corkfilmfest.org or the myCIFF app.

The 70th Cork International Film festival runs from Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November 2025, showcasing over 200 films and events across Cork City and County. ... See MoreSee Less

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THE SHANDON BELLE’S 57-YEAR DANCE: FRANCES SHEEHAN PHILLIPS’S TRIUMPH AT THE CORK FILM FESTIVAL. By Michael Hussey

IT TOOK 57 YEARS, a dramatic headline, and a meeting for a dream to finally come true. On a glittering November evening, Frances Phillips (née Sheehan), once the overlooked beauty queen of the 1960s, stepped onto the grand stage of the Everyman in Cork—not as a ghost of a scandal, but as an honoured guest, the true Shandon Belle.

Her story, a remarkable testament to resilience and hope, moved from the quiet, close-knit community of Youghal’s Sarsfield Terrace to the swinging cultural epicentre of 1960s London, and finally culminated in a triumphant dance with the Lord Mayor of Cork on the 70th anniversary of the Cork International Film Festival (CIFF).

A YOUGHAL GIRL IN SWINGING LONDON
Frances’s early life was rooted in the warm, secure neighbourhood of Sarsfield Terrace, a place her parents, Dominic and Nora, who were some of the early residents from 1940. She recalls a childhood of simple joys—playing ‘chainey’ and ‘pickie’ with her main friend, Mary Mulcahy. “I loved it. I thought I was in heaven,” she shared.

The allure of leaving came from seeing the returning expats and British holidaymakers during the first two weeks of August.

“You’d see them all and they were all beautifully dressed,” Frances recalls. Seeing their fashionable clothes and style attracted her to seek opportunity in “The Big Smoke” and soon followed their path. She sailed for Britain, landing in 1960s London—a city alive with miniskirts, flares, and the revolutionary energy of Mary Quant, Twiggy, and The Beatles.

“It took a while before I got into the swing of it,” Frances recounted, but she soon found her footing, got a job working in a bank, and joined the Cork Society in London, a hub for Irish expats. It was here that her life took an unexpected turn.

THE CROWN WITHOUT THE PRIZE
Frances’s natural radiance, striking blonde hair and charm quickly caught the eye of the Cork Society, and she was entered, unprompted, into the Shandon Belle beauty contest. She won.

“I was delighted that I won,” she recalled, noting the incredible camaraderie among the contestants. However, the fairytale quickly soured. On the night of her victory, Frances was crowned with the tiara, presented with a bouquet of flowers and sash (which her mother diligently kept all these years). But the major prizes—the silver statuette of the Shandon Belle, the free flight home to Cork, and the week-long treatment as a queen and guest at the Cork Film Festival—were not forthcoming.

She was told the organisers lacked the funds to fly her home. Instead of the celebrity flight, they asked her to pose at the Aer Lingus platform for a staged photograph, with the expectation she would then have to make her way to Cork on the boat, which was offered to her instead. Devastated by the absence of the promised honours and the humiliating offer, Frances refused.

Three months later the chairman of the Cork Society rang to tell Frances there was a dance happening in the same place in London and would she attend, where the Lord Mayor would present her with the silver statuette. Though her boss warned her, she went, determined to claim her prize. Again, the prize did now show up. While she was standing at the side of the stage, Frances asked him did he know anything of what was going on? The Lord Mayor said, no, that his understanding was that he was there to present Frances with the Silver Statuette.

Frances told the Lord Mayor that she would announce over the microphone that there was no prize.

“He walked me onto the floor and he danced with me and asked me not to do it, and I didn’t,” Frances shared. It was a brief, public moment captured by a journalist: a photograph of Frances dancing with the Lord Mayor, accompanied by the notorious headline: “Beauty queen in ballroom rumpus,” published in the News of the World.

THE DREAM FUFILLED
Decades passed, and the story remained a piece of family lore—until a key figure resolved to right an old wrong.

Fiona Clark, the CEO of the Cork International Film Festival (CIFF), saw the old article and was moved by Frances’s story of hope and subsequent disappointment. Knowing the festival itself had no connection to the 1968 London contest, Clark still felt an urge to honour a Cork woman's denied dream.

On November 6th, 2025, at the 70th CIFF Opening Gala, Frances was invited back and treated “like a queen.” Escorted to the stage in a lovely black dress and her favourite high heels, she was presented with the Honorary Shandon Belle Award by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy, and CEO of the CIFF, Fiona Clark.

As she accepted the award, a massive backdrop on the stage displayed her younger self dancing with the Lord Mayor in 1968, alongside the infamous “ballroom rumpus” headline. The scandal was finally reframed as a story of triumph.

The celebration shared the spotlight with another distinguished guest: Lord David Puttnam, the patron of CIFF, who was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Frances walked the red carpet, flanked by Lord Mayor Dennehy and the actor Gabriel Byrne, who presented Puttnam’s award.

Then, at Fiona Clark’s suggestion, the present Lord Mayor extended his hand and, 57 years after the prize was denied, Frances Phillips had her dance.

“I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever hear about it again. Not to mind appear on the stage... 57 years later,” Frances told the applauding audience. Then, with a perfect sense of timing and humour, she added, “And I’m only 56!”—a joke that brought the house down.

Frances Sheehan Phillips’s journey, from the girl from Sarsfield terrace in Youghal to the celebrated woman dancing under the bright lights of Cork’s Film Festival, stands as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most magical fairytales are simply delayed.

PICTURES:

A Dream Fulfilled, 57 years Later: A look back and a celebration forward for Youghal's own Frances Phillips! These images capture Frances’s extraordinary journey from the 'ballroom rumpus' of 1968 to her triumphant moment.

1. The Triumph: Frances, the Honorary Shandon Belle, receiving a bouquet of flowers on stage at the Everyman Theatre on November 6, 2025, from Lord Mayor Dennehy of Cork and Fiona Clark, CEO of CIFF.

2. The Past: The original 1968 News of the World clipping showing young Frances dancing with the then-Lord Mayor of Cork.

3. The Stars: Frances in a group photo with CIFF dignitaries, including Lord Mayor Dennehy, actor Gabriel Byrne, Lord David Puttnam, and Fiona Clark, CEO of CIFF.

4/5. The Voice: Frances speaking to the appreciative audience on the Everyman stage.

A huge credit to CIFF for rectifying this historic wrong. (Photos courtesy of CIFF) www.facebook.com/CorkInternationalFilmFestival ... See MoreSee Less

Dance Please Miss By Mike Hackett

Across the wide ballroom - the ladies were lined up to be admired from afar - while the band decided what tune to play. What did those females feel as they were being selected to dance by guys they had never seen before. The humiliation of it all and the fear of not getting an offer - of being left like a 'wallflower' must have been awful. To overcome this and to get started - girls would earlier ask the brothers of their friends to ask them out onto the floor - particularly during the early part of the night.

Then the announcement of "Please take your partners for the next dance". This started what could be called a stampede of males in an effort to get the girl that they had their eye on. A nice coloured dress – a fancy hairdo and pretty looks were sought. But not all requests from the boys were granted. Some girls were frank and would say “No” if they didn't like the look of a guy. He would slink away quietly (talking to himself) to the end of the hall to await the next dance – hoping that nobody had noticed the rejection.

Talking about glamour and pretty looks dictating the selection - but did any guy ever ask a girl if she could make an apple tart or knit a jumper or darn socks? Can you imagine the answer that he would get. Those abilities weren't considered - as our hormones set the pace of the 'Boy meets Girl' scene.

Talking about knitting jumpers - a girl friend of mine made a lovely orange jumper for me one time and it was delightful. I wore it to a dance (while she was away) and it was much admired. But then the sweat started to pour out through me and nearly through the jumper as the hall got hot with the crowd. My head was like a red turkey cock waiting for Christmas. One girl remarked that I was positively ugly. The jumper had to come off.

To go back to times of a little bit earlier - Ceili dances were held in the Town Hall in Youghal every Sunday night while the ‘modern dancing’ took place in the Showboat with Mick Delahunty and in the Strand Palace with the Tower Dance Band. The Town Hall was all Irish dancing like the Walls of Limerick, the Military Two-Step and the Barn Dance. The latter was when rows of people pranced (not danced) around in big circles and you could feel the floor vibrating severely under your feet. It was a great floor that did not collapse. Another memory is of the 'Ladies Choice' - when the girls could ask out onto the floor the guys that they liked. And still talking about the dances in the Town Hall - no dancing was allowed there during Lent. That was when the cinemas would be packed full on a Sunday night with nowhere else to go.

A pal of mine from Kilmallock came to Dublin with me for a rugby match many years ago - at the old Lansdowne Road pitch. On the Saturday night after the match we took a bus out to a dance in Blackrock Boat Club. We knew nobody there and we spotted two girls sitting in a corner. Having asked them to dance - they got up okay but starting dancing together while ignoring us. They kept giggling and laughing for the whole of the tune. We must have looked like two ignorant country boys in town – which we were. Those two gigglers were on the same bus going back into the city and we stayed well away from them.

Another incident comes to mind concerning a dance in the hall at Ardmore. It was very poorly attended with just a dozen boys and girls. The band on stage was a four piece from Clonmel and a very pretty girl was sitting beside them. Every now and then one of the band members would dance with her - it seemed that she was a sister to one of them. It crossed my mind to get close to her – but the musicians were watching every move. How much was I prepared to risk in temptation – but you had four in the band and I was on my own. Not worth it!

Cannot finish without mentioning the great showbands of the 1960s era like Brendan Boyer and the Royal Showband from Waterford - Billy Brown and the Freshman from Ballymena - Joe Dolan and the Drifters from Mullingar - Joe Mc with the Dixies from Cork - Tommy Drennan with the Monarcs from Limerick. Then Dublin had many stars like Butch Moore, Paddy Cole, Eileen Reid and Dickie Rock. Those bands ensured packed halls wherever they performed - with dancers travelling many miles to see them.

There was a story told about a girl with a 'crush' on Dickie Rock. She was up in front of the stage looking for a sign from her idol. "Give me something to bring home" said she - and then she gave a shout "Spit on me Dickie". That was some adoration of a singer. On another occasion a guy I knew kept telling the innocent strangers that he was an airline pilot just into Cork for the night - and they believed him.

But the most memorable story of all concerns my sister Eileen (R.I.P.) and her pals who would hire a taxi to bring five of them the four miles to Redbarn Ballroom. A small problem was the taxi would not go back to collect them at 2 am because of the large number of cars returning up the narrow roads. So a plan was devised. The five would meet at the bottom of the hall before the last dance to see if anyone had 'shifted' a guy with a car. If nobody had - then whose turn was it to get a guy with a big wagon. They knew their 'victims' and the 'bait' got to work to shift him. Having succeeded - she then had to sit up front with the owner while the other four sat quietly sniggering in the back.
Mike Hackett - November 2025.

Picture: Noel Purcell sings with Mick Delahunty at the Showboat

Picture: Billy Lynass, Dinny Kellegher, Bernard O'Keeffe, Henry Clohessy and Cecil Roddy playing in the Town Hall ... See MoreSee Less

CYMS Hosts Celebration Honouring 30 Years of the Community Employment Programme

A special gathering took place in the Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Society (CYMS) hall at Market Square on Monday, 3rd November 2025, as supervisors and participants from the Community Employment (CE) Programme, along with officials from the Department of Social Protection (DSP), were warmly welcomed by CYMS committee members. The morning marked the 30th anniversary of the Community Employment Programme — an initiative that has provided vital work and training opportunities across Ireland for three decades.

To commemorate the occasion, a newly designed plaque inscribed with “Fostaíocht Pobail Ag Comóradh 30 Bliain – Community Employment Celebrating 30 Years 2024” was unveiled and installed on the CYMS Sporting Wall of Fame inside the society’s recently refurbished premises.

Speaking at the event, Brendan Cooney, Honorary Vice President of the CYMS, expressed his delight in hosting the group alongside fellow committee members Anthony Horgan, Treasurer, and Gary Roche, CYMS employee. “We’re proud of our long-standing friendship with the CE supervisors and participants,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to welcome both the new faces and some of our retired supervisors back to see the wonderful improvements we’ve made to our historic venue.”

Brendan guided guests through the revamped facilities, which now include upgraded seating, new doors and heating, and four championship snooker tables fitted with under-table heating. “We’ve invested €20,000 in this refurbishment,” he noted, “ensuring CYMS remains a welcoming and well-equipped space for both senior and junior members—membership is now almost at full capacity.”

Among the guests was retired CE Supervisor Mary Carson, who fondly recalled her years of collaboration with CYMS. “The kindness and professionalism shown to me during my time here were exceptional,” she said, smiling as she reunited with familiar faces. Linda O’Loughlin, representing the CE Programme, also emphasised the enduring value of CE placements, remarking that many participants have gone on to successful and rewarding careers thanks to the experience gained through the scheme.

During the visit, the group admired the array of trophies and memorabilia celebrating CYMS sporting successes at national and international levels, including the most recent award presented by visiting snooker teams at the Anthony Fouhy Memorial Tournament, attended by Irish snooker legend and tournament patron Fergal O’Brien just two weeks ago.

The gathering concluded on a warm and convivial note, as everyone enjoyed tea, coffee, and scones in the inviting surroundings of Treacy’s Nook Bar on North Main Street. The welcoming atmosphere — complemented by a glowing fire on a wet November morning — perfectly reflected the enduring spirit of friendship, community, and hospitality that CYMS has exemplified for more than a century.

Pictured at the CYMS, Youghal, marking 30 years of the Community Employment Programme are: Linda O’Loughlin, Community Employment Supervisor; Edel Powell, Department of Social Protection, Community Development Officer; Dermot Ryan, Department of Social Protection, Assistant Participants Officer; Theresa Aherne, Assistant Supervisor, Youghal Community Services; Sarah McQuade, Chairwoman, Youghal Community Services; Mary Carson, Retired CE Supervisor; Brendan Cooney, Honorary Vice President, Youghal CYMS; Anthony Horgan, Treasurer, Youghal CYMS; and Gary Roche, CYMS employee. ... See MoreSee Less