Youghal

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A NEW TRADITION BEGINS: FIRST CAROL SERVICE AT THE STRAND CHURCH CELEBRATES TESS O’BRIEN AND SUPPORTS CANCER CONNECT

The Christmas Carol Service held this evening, Friday 19th December 2025, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church – fondly known as The Strand Church – was a deeply moving yet thoroughly enjoyable occasion, as performers played to a full congregation who happily joined in traditional and popular Christmas songs and carols, all in aid of Cancer Connect.

From the opening hymn, there was a strong sense of togetherness as voices rose in unison, filling the church with warmth and shared emotion. A beautiful rendition of “Silent Night,” sung in Irish, held the congregation in reflective silence, followed by a particularly poignant moment when Tess’s granddaughter, Katie Hegarty, played the flute and violin with great sensitivity. The Strand Choir then led the way with heartfelt carols, the group Harmony added a rich musical blend, and soloist Caroline Fraher’s soulful singing drew a particularly appreciative response.

The late Tess O’Brien was remembered with great affection throughout the evening. Her daughter Teresa O’Brien acted as MC, introducing each artist with warmth and grace, while to the right of the altar a beautiful image of Tess on a stand, facing the congregation, served as a powerful reminder of her presence and legacy.

The setting of the Strand Church greatly enhanced the atmosphere, with its soft pastel colours and the statue of Our Lady, lit with a halo of lights on the plinth to the left of the altar, seeming to watch over the proceedings. The Christmas Crib was on display with a lit up star over the holy manger scene. On the sanctuary, Canon Bill Bermingham, Fr Patrick Donovan and Deacon John Nestor presided, while Martin Carey and Angela O’Loughlin served as sacristans, ensuring everything ran smoothly

Remarkably, this was the first ever Christmas Carol Service held in the Strand Church, and judging by the warmth of the reception and the enthusiastic singing, it certainly will not be the last. It was a wonderful celebration, a fitting tribute to Tess O’Brien’s faith and community spirit, and a generous show of support for Cancer Connect.

By Michael Hussey | Photo: Michael Hussey

Pictures:
1. Áine Flynn supporting Cancer Connect
2. Soloist Caroline Fraher’s soulful singing drew a particularly appreciative response.
3. Tess’s granddaughter, Katie Hegarty, played the flute and violin with great sensitivity.
4. Tess’s daughter, Teresa O’Brien acted as MC
5. The Strand Choir led the way with heartfelt carols
6. Harmony added a rich musical blend.
7. The Christmas Crib was on display.
8. The statue of Our Lady, lit with a halo of lights on the plinth to the left of the altar
9. The congregation at the first-ever Carol service in the Strand church.
10: The wonderful architecture of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Youghal. ... See MoreSee Less

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Pasley's Old Woman Steals the Show This Year at Brookes Supervalu Christmas Display - By Michael Hussey

This Christmas, let's shine the spotlight on Pasley's Old Woman, the fierce and unforgettable counterpart to the tipsy old man who's long been a Youghal holiday icon. In a fresh interview today at Brookes Supervalu, Michael Hussey drew out store owner Ken Brookes' vivid take on her, noting how she's often overlooked despite her starring role in the duo's century-old mechanical charm. Now in her second year back at Brookes Supervalu—following time in Kay Curtin's flower shop window—she's captivating shoppers once more.

HER FIERY PERSONALITY CAPTURED

Youghal locals cherish memories of the pair from the original Pasley's grocery on North Main Street, displayed every Christmas from 1880 to 2002. Made in Germany in 1870, the figures moved to Brookes Supervalu in 2003, with the "Guinness bottle" actually a 1910 Christmas cracker—a cheeky nod to the days when "I never got a 'drop' at Pasley's" held true, as no alcohol was sold.

Ken Brookes brought her to life: "The face up on her is very much of a lady who is mightily annoyed that it could be her husband and she's about to kill him. So what she does is she shakes her head, gives him a real dirty look and a savage look actually, which would frighten anybody, and then she shuts down the window and he's left out."

Comfortably resettled for a second season, she's "watching everybody too as well," while her husband enjoys the warmth indoors. Ken added, "He's going down very well again this year and he's in luxury this year. Happy as Larry back here."

Pasley's Old Man's original 1850s attire remains untouched for authenticity, preserving the magic four generations of Brookes grocers have nurtured since John Brookes joined Pasley's in 1888.

WARM WELCOMES AND HOLIDAY CHEER

Unlike her window-shutting glare, Brookes Supervalu offers only hospitality: "There'll be nobody closing the door on you here, everybody's very friendly and we don't bite."

Ken's heartfelt message rings out: "Thank you so much for all your support and your friendship over all the years. And I wish every one of you a peaceful and a lovely Christmas and God bless you all."

Swing by to witness Pasley's Old Woman (and old man) rule Youghal's festive streetscape and stir those nostalgic Christmas memories. Photos: Michael Hussey

PICTURE: Local shoppers Denis McCarthy and Anthony Whyte join Ken Brookes at Brookes Supervalu, gazing at Pasley's Old Man and the Old Woman shaking her head with a face of thunder—as if to say, "You're not coming in here with that amount of drink on you!"

PICTURE: Close-up of Pasley's Old Woman finally receiving her due recognition after 145 years since first delighting Youghal shoppers in 1880—her thunderous glare and head-shake stealing the Christmas show!

PICTURE: The full festive scene at Brookes Supervalu: Pasley's Old Man knocks persistently on the door, but the Old Woman answers with a face of wrath—you keep on knocking, but you can't come in!

RADIO PLUG: Catch the full audio interview with Ken Brookes this Saturday morning on Community Radio Youghal's Noel Cronin Rural Report show, 10am-12 noon. Tune into CRY 104FM or online! ... See MoreSee Less

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FROM GLENBOWER WOODS TO GALLERY MÓR: POET–ARTIST PAUDRIG LEE IN FOCUS

Poet, painter and photographer Paudrig Lee of Killeagh, East Cork, is quietly shaping a distinctive creative life, with music, words and images all at its core. Interviewed recently at Gallery Mór on North Main Street, Youghal, he spoke about the pleasure of seeing his work hanging in the new space alongside fellow members of the Mór Artists Collective.

FROM MUSIC TO PAGE AND CANVAS
Paudrig’s artistic journey began with song. He started out as a young singer‑songwriter, growing up in a family steeped in music. From there, poetry and visual art naturally followed. “Poetry I was always writing,” he said, explaining how painting and photography grew out of that same urge to capture moments. Today, music’s rhythm, the poet’s eye and the photographer’s sense of framing all feed into his work.

WORK ON SHOW AT GALLERY MÓR
At Gallery Mór, Paudrig is showing an oil painting and a black‑and‑white photograph. The painting portrays a woman gazing out over Howth Harbour in Dublin Bay, from a large empty house. The photograph brings things closer to home, taken from White Bridge in Glenbower Wood, Killeagh, after rain, when mist was rising from the earth. The soft vapour between the trees, he explained, made the familiar landscape feel mysterious and newly alive.

SMOKING BEES AND WHAT COMES NEXT
Paudrig’s poetry collection “Smoking Bees”, published in 2024, has already gone into a second print run. He is delighted that readers responded so strongly to the book and is now preparing a new poetry chapbook, “Chance Meeting”, due in 2026. His books are available in local shops such as Midleton Books, on his website paudriglee.com, at Gallery Mór in Youghal and in selected Dublin bookshops, giving readers several ways to support his work.

AN “AMAZING” ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE
Asked about the Mór Artists Collective, Paudrig described it as “an amazing group of East Cork and West Waterford artists”. Around sixty members work across print, ceramics, audio textures, collage, photography, writing, music, textiles and more. Meetings alternate between Greywood Arts in Killeagh and venues in West Waterford such as Tallow and Dungarvan, helping to knit the region’s artists together. Those interested in joining or finding out more can connect through social media or the collective’s website.

ART, COMMUNITY AND CHRISTMAS IN YOUGHAL
Before the interview ended, congratulations were exchanged on his contribution to the gallery’s Christmas exhibition. Paudrig’s painting, photograph and poetry sit among a rich mix of local work, offering visitors original gifts that directly support artists and the local economy. For anyone wandering North Main Street, a visit to Gallery Mór is an invitation to step into that creative world – and perhaps to bring a piece of it home.
By Michael Hussey | Photo: Michael Hussey ... See MoreSee Less