Youghal

€150,000 BOOST FOR THREE WEST WATERFORD GAA CLUBS

Shamrocks, Tallow and Lismore to benefit.

Three West Waterford GAA clubs are set to benefit from a welcome €150,000 funding boost, with Shamrocks GAA in Knockanore, Tallow GAA and Lismore GAA each receiving €50,000 over the next two years, paid at €25,000 per year.

The donation comes from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who recently purchased Strancally Castle and its estate, around 20 km from Youghal.

The funding is going directly to the three clubs closest to Strancally, where it will be used for a range of practical projects and improvements.

For Shamrocks, a small rural club serving Knockanore, Glendine and Kilwatermoy, the funding will help with plans to upgrade dressing room facilities.

Tallow GAA intends to invest in coaching and games as well as club facilities, including a community walkway and a new 100 seat spectator stand.

In Lismore, the funding is expected to contribute towards improvements including floodlighting, pitch side fencing and a community walkway.

In a statement announcing the donations, Zuckerberg and Chan acknowledged the role played by GAA clubs in communities around Ireland.

“The GAA is at the heart of communities across Ireland. As new members of the Waterford community, we're proud to support these local clubs and the important role they play.”

While the names behind the donation will inevitably attract attention, the lasting impact will be much closer to home.

For Shamrocks, Tallow and Lismore, €50,000 each represents a significant contribution towards facilities used week in, week out by players, volunteers, young people and families.

And with all three clubs just up the road from Youghal, it's a welcome bit of good news for our West Waterford neighbours.

Article by Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ... See MoreSee Less

150TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE YOUGHAL FERRY BOAT TRAGEDY

WEDNESDAY, 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026 – 5PM
YOUGHAL FERRYSLIP

This Wednesday, 30th September, marks 150 years since the tragic Youghal Ferry Boat disaster of 1876, when fourteen people lost their lives on the River Blackwater.

To mark this sombre anniversary, a small commemoration ceremony will take place at the Youghal Ferryslip at 5pm sharp, at the very place from which those on board set out on their final journey.

The ceremony will open with prayers and the blessing of a floral wreath by Fr Pat O'Donoghue.

Local speakers will include Mike Brooks, formerly of Youghal RNLI; local river historian Tony Lawlor; and John Kelly of Youghal Celebrates History. A specially composed poem to mark the 150th anniversary, written by Tommy Byrne, will also be read.

Following the ceremony, Sean Murphy and Barry Clohessy of the Youghal Fishermen's Co-op will lay the wreath on the waters of the Blackwater from Tony Gallagher's boat, Maeve Og.
Members of Youghal RNLI and Youghal Coast Guard will also be in attendance.

The tragedy remains one of the darkest chapters in Youghal's maritime history. The fourteen people who lost their lives would have had families, homes and connections in the communities on both sides of the Blackwater, and for many, the ferry was an important and regular means of crossing the river.

It is only right and fitting that, 150 years later, their memory is remembered at the very place where their final journey began.

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER AT 5PM – YOUGHAL FERRYSLIP.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND JOIN US IN REMEMBERING THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
By Michael Hussey

Illustration: An artistic reconstruction of the 1876 Youghal Ferry Disaster ... See MoreSee Less

NEW HEADSTONE FOR YOUGHAL'S TITANIC SURVIVOR JACK FOLEY
An enquiry to Youghal Online led to a new headstone for Youghal's Titanic survivor.

Almost a year ago, Youghal Online received an unexpected message from the British Titanic Society asking for help with a very worthwhile project.

Trevor Baxter, Titanic Graves Co-ordinator with the British Titanic Society, was trying to make contact with relatives of Youghal-born Titanic survivor John "Jack" Foley. Jack's grave at Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton had remained unmarked for more than 90 years, and the Society wanted to erect a headstone in his memory.

Youghal Online was happy to help and put Trevor in contact with local maritime history enthusiast Kevin Melly, who, together with Peter Landers, had previously led the campaign to have Jack commemorated with a plaque in Youghal's Market Square. The connection was made and the project moved forward.

Now, almost a year later, a fitting new headstone stands at Jack Foley's grave in Southampton, and Kevin made the journey from Youghal to attend the unveiling.
The black headstone, bearing the crest of the British Titanic Society, records Jack's Youghal roots and his role aboard RMS Titanic:

"TITANIC CREW MEMBER WHO MANNED LIFEBOAT 4"

The British Titanic Society funded the headstone. Jack Foley was born at Muckridge, Youghal, on 14th September 1865. He was serving as a deck storekeeper aboard Titanic when the ship sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912.

Jack was among the crew who manned Lifeboat 4, which carried women and children away from the sinking ship. After Titanic went down, the boat also picked up men from the freezing Atlantic.

Among those pulled from the water was Jack's shipmate Samuel Hemming. Hemming swam towards Lifeboat 4 and called to Foley for help. Jack, together with others aboard, helped pull him to safety.

Jack survived the disaster and returned to Southampton, where he continued working at sea. He died on 18 September 1934 following a stroke and was buried at Hollybrook Cemetery.

For more than 90 years, his grave remained without a headstone.

The photographs from the recent gathering show flowers laid at the new memorial, alongside the Irish tricolour and Cork colours. The unveiling is another chapter in the work already undertaken to remember Jack in his hometown.

In August 2020, Kevin Melly and Peter Landers led a fundraising campaign which resulted in a bronze plaque being unveiled in Jack's honour at Market Square in Youghal.

The following year, Kevin and Peter compiled A Man To Remember, a booklet telling Jack's story, with proceeds going to the RNLI.

More than 90 years after his death, John "Jack" Foley's grave now bears a fitting memorial to the Youghal man who survived the sinking of the Titanic and helped others to safety.

Youghal Online was glad to have played a small part in making the initial connection.

Special thanks to Kevin Melly for sharing the photographs and making the journey to Southampton, and to Trevor Baxter and the British Titanic Society for their work in ensuring Jack's final resting place is now appropriately marked.

Photos: Kevin Melly
Article: Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ... See MoreSee Less

YOUGHAL NATIVE KIM WHYTE CELEBRATES NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD

From Youghal beginnings to national recognition with her Irish design brand Pawpear.

From collecting fancy notepaper as a child to building an Irish design brand now reaching customers at home and overseas, Youghal native Kim Whyte has plenty to celebrate after being named Creative Professional of the Year at the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026.

More than 600 women applied for this year's awards, 101 reached the national final and just eight winners were chosen.

Kim's love of stationery goes right back to childhood. After studying Visual Communication at Limerick School of Art and Design, she built a career spanning more than 20 years in design and print, including working as a stationery designer in London.

After returning to Ireland, the idea of creating her own stationery brand took hold and Pawpear was launched in 2022. What began as an idea sketched in a notebook has grown rapidly. Kim recently told Ireland AM that Pawpear is now stocked in more than 100 retailers across Ireland, as well as in the United States and the Netherlands, with collaborations including Guinness and Trinity College Dublin's Book of Kells.

But Kim's Youghal roots have also played a part in how she has built the business.

Speaking about her commitment to Irish manufacturing, Kim said: "I'm from Youghal in East Cork and I saw firsthand what happened when manufacturing moved out of towns like ours."

She said the impact on families, communities and local economies helped shape a principle she still follows today: "I'm a firm believer that if something can be made in Ireland, then it should be made in Ireland."

That Irish identity runs throughout Pawpear. Kim illustrates the designs by hand, drawing inspiration from Ireland's landscapes, language and cultural heritage, while the products themselves are designed and made in Ireland.

She describes Pawpear simply as "a love letter to Ireland."

For Kim, the national award carries particular significance after more than two decades in the creative industries and years of working to have the value of her craft recognised.

From a childhood love of fancy notepaper in Youghal to a national award-winning Irish brand, it's a wonderful local success story.

Article: Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online

👏 Congratulate Kim by showing your support in the comments below and wish her every success as Pawpear continues to grow. ... See MoreSee Less

MY FRIEND - SIOBHAN LINCOLN OF ARDMORE

Remembering friends during a long lifetime brings a mixture of happiness and sadness. It brings good times to mind that occurred along the road of life - but on the other hand so many friends have sadly departed to be fondly thought of and missed.

The following are just some of people that readily come to mind for me. Pat Coughlan of Ardsallagh - a great motor-bike enthusiast. Noel Hogan of Piltown - who did so much quietly for the Vincent-De-Paul society. John Tarrant of Shanacoole - would give you all that he had if you needed it. Neil Collender, Shanacoole - who used his J.C.B. to make a football pitch for my kids and didn't want to take any payment. Peg O'Shea - Bayview House - lovely neighbour - very knowledgeable about herbs and the old cures and remedies of long ago. Eileen Burns - Ticknock near metal bridge - most helpful re the history and people of the area. Mary and Bridie O'Connor, Shanacoole - always good for a welcome and a cup of tea. Mary played the organ in Piltown chapel over decades.

One person stands out in my mind more than anyone - Siobhan Lincoln of Ardmore. Maybe because we had so much in common - researching local history and recording it in simple publications. Siobhan's books include Ardmore in Song and Story, Declan of Ardmore and Along St. Declan's Way.

What brought Siobhan to my mind was when her son Richard (Dick) Lincoln called to me last week with a present of the latest Ardmore Journal (no. 11). When I had missed the launch of it at Halla Deuglan - Richard guessed that it was because of health problems and he kindly brought a copy to me. He mentioned how his mother and her sister Eileen (Colbert) used to come to my house at Shanacoole every Monday night for weeks to prepare the book 'Along St. Declan's Way'.

Siobhan was forever researching and writing about her native village and published many books as well as contributing to the Ardmore Journals of James Quain. Because the girl who used to type for her had moved away to some other town - she asked me to help her. I was honoured and delighted that such a great historian should come to me for help.

Before I go on about the visits - let me tell of some of Siobhan's memories of her young days. Reared in the Ardmore parish - she was Hurley by maiden name and her Dad, Martin, had a lorry long ago with which he would drive the Ardmore football team to Dungarvan to play a match. By putting long stools on the lorry - the whole team could fit. A cold and windy experience but reliable.

Martin had a fuel business and a guest house in Ardmore. Siobhan went on to become a national school teacher and her first appointment was at the Presentation Convent school in Youghal. It was a ten mile bike journey from her home by crossing the old metal bridge - but she took a shorter route. In all kinds of weather - she would cycle the five miles to the Ferrypoint - then take the large ferry boat across the Blackwater. The boat had a big flat forecastle where the bike was placed. It docked at the quay of the Market Square in the centre of Youghal.

Then up on her bike again for the half-mile to the school. In the afternoon around 4 pm - the return journey was made by the same means. It was okay in good weather - but in cold and wet conditions it was a challenge. No doubt it toughened up the young teacher and she went on to achieve so much in life.

Siobhan then got a teaching job at Ballycurrane before she became friendly with Dick (senior) Lincoln - the Principal of Ardmore N.S. at the time. whom she later married. They went on to have five children - Richard, Liam, Martin, Declan and Colum. Very sadly Liam was lost in a fishing tragedy in Ardmore Bay with Tom Morrissey in 1982 when their salmon yawl capsized in rough weather. Following her husband's death - Siobhan became Principal at Ardmore N.S..

Siobhan never rested from enhancing and promoting her village. She was very involved in the Tidy Towns and on the committee that won the Inter-Flora award twice for Ardmore. Another goal was the restoration of St. Declan's Hall to what it is today - where concerts, plays and sales of antiques and goods are held. She also helped start the Halla Deuglan Monday club (3 pm to 5) with John Kennedy and Jim Lane where pensioners sing, play an instrument, recite or tell a story.

All this was done while researching and writing about the people and ways of the village - leading to the publication of several books and contributions to James Quain's Ardmore Journals. The new Ardmore Journal (no. 11) is available at Ardmore P.O. with Alice.

Now back to 'Along S. Declan's Way'.

St. Declan's Way - from Ardmore to Cashel - had earlier been opened up as a walking trail. Siobhan and her son Richard were members of the group that met with the many landowners along the route to get permission for pilgrims to use the track. A few farmers at first were slow to agree with the project but eventually came on board.

The next phase was more difficult because large sections of the Way were overgrown and had to be cleared. The Ardmore Boy Scouts troupe were a great help and they then walked the whole route from Cashel to Ardmore over three days.

Siobhan was anxious that the project be successful - that it would get plenty of publicity - and that a guide book be produced. There are lots of historical and religious places along the sixty mile walk and the listing of those - in encountered order - was the aim.

So every Monday night for about eight weeks - Siobhan and her sister Eileen Colbert arrived at our home here in Shanacoole to make slow progress on the book. Eileen was wife of Eddie Colbert - a producer of plays and he was a founder member of Youghal Little Theatre with Clare O'Brien and Albert Cole. In the nights between the visits some typing would be done to keep the project progressing. One got to learn about sites in West Waterford - over the Knockmealdown mountains - and into South Tipperary. All very interesting!

As the weeks went by - the book began to take shape. However she had a habit of forgetting some items and sites - so a lot of the earlier section had to be enlarged many times - much to my bother. Thank God for computers - they made it easy to put in extra pieces. When you think that every remarkable location had to be in the perfect order as met on the route.

Siobhan and Eileen were slow to accept a cup of tea - just an odd time - when all the talking brought dry mouths.

When the book was completed - Siobhan got one of her brothers - a priest in Hong Kong, James, - to get a publisher for her. She had another brother, Michael, a priest at Milltown in Dublin. The book was a successful project and is still selling.

The announcement recently of Mount Mellerary Abbey becoming Ave Maria University for American students will bring new interest in St. Decan's Way as it passes through the Abbey grounds.

While talking about walks and tracks - the next time that you walk the Cliff Walk at Ardmore - note the lovely bench seat located near the well - in memory of Doctor Joe Meehan. Dr. Joe saved many lives during his time at Ardmore - including that of my son Gavin (then aged ten) in 1984. Wouldn't it be nice to have another seat on the walk in memory of Siobhan.

Finally - it is very cheeky of me to write about such a remarkable woman whose laces I would not be fit to tie. R.I.P. Siobhan.

Mike Hackett - October - 2026.

The montage captions include:

Declan of Ardmore — a book compiled by Siobhan Lincoln.

Along St. Declan’s Way — Siobhan Lincoln’s guide to the walking route from Ardmore to Cashel.

The St. Declan crest/illustration.

Mike Hackett, Julian Walton, Siobhan and Joe O’Farrell of Lismore.

John Kennedy and Siobhan Lincoln.

Siobhan Lincoln, Pensioner of the Year 1994, with Seamus Dooley, CEO of Irish Life. ... See MoreSee Less

THE SESSION BROS · THE ANCHOR BAR · SAT 26th · 7:30 to 9:30PM

🎶 Early gig · Enjoy live music but not the late start, this one's for you.

The Session Bros return to The Anchor Bar, Youghal - Saturday, 26th September 2026, playing classic songs from the 70s, 80s and beyond.

This month’s line-up:
🎸 Paul McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎸 Kieran McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎹 Jason Byrne, keyboards and vocals
🥁 Pete Mullins, drums
📍 The Anchor Bar, Youghal
📅 Saturday, 26th September
🕢 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Come early for the best seats. ... See MoreSee Less

YOUGHAL LIGHTHOUSE SHINES BRIGHT FOR NEW ERA.

There was a wonderful sight on Youghal’s coastline tonight as the town’s iconic lighthouse was illuminated, highlighting this much-loved landmark against the night sky like never before.

Whether the new lighting is permanent or temporary remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that it adds a striking new dimension to the lighthouse and its setting.

And beside it, the exciting new glass-walled viewing platform is taking shape nicely. As work continues, the lighthouse is preparing to enter a new era — one where this historic building can be appreciated in a very different way and enjoyed by visitors and locals for generations to come. ... See MoreSee Less

🎶 NIALL McCABE LIVE AT ST. MARY’S · CULTURE NIGHT YOUGHAL 2026

A great night of live music is lined up for St. Mary’s Collegiate Church this Friday as part of Culture Night Youghal 2026.

Niall McCabe will headline the evening, with support from Ruairí de Leastar, The Yewtonics and students from Youghal School of Music.

Originally from Clare Island, Niall McCabe has built an international following as a singer-songwriter, performing at the Grand Ole Opry, Celtic Connections, Cambridge Folk Festival and Galway Folk Festival.

🎸 Ruairí de Leastar has been writing and performing for over 20 years, touring in Ireland, the UK, Canada and the US and sharing stages with artists including Duke Special, Lisa Hannigan, Jerry Fish, Jack L and Foy Vance.

🎤 The Yewtonics bring another strong local connection to the night. The Youghal band combine soul, groove and a range of other influences in their original music and are currently working on their debut EP.

🎶 Students from Youghal School of Music will also take to the stage, giving some of Youghal’s younger musicians the opportunity to be part of this special Culture Night concert.

📅 Friday, 18th September
🕗 Doors 7:30pm Starts at 8pm until 10pm
📍 St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal
🎟️ FREE

A great mix of established, local and emerging talent in one of Youghal’s most distinctive venues. ... See MoreSee Less

🎭 CULTURE NIGHT YOUGHAL 2026 - WHAT'S ON (Updated 15/09/2026)

Culture Night returns to Youghal on Friday, 18th September, and the programme has grown considerably since we first shared it.

Tag someone you'd like to bring along and please LIKE & SHARE to help us spread the word and let more people know what's happening in Youghal.

There’s a great mix happening across the town, with live music, film, art, exhibitions, museums, open studios, guided tours, local history, the market open late and plenty more.

📅 Friday, 18th September 2026
🎟️ Free events across Youghal
📍 See the poster for the full programme, times and venues.

Some events require advance booking, including the Kids Workshop at Youghal Library and the Clock Tower Guided Tours.

With so much happening at the same time, have a look through the programme now and start planning your Culture Night.

👇 What are you planning to see?

Programme details and times are subject to change. This guide includes official Culture Night listings along with additional events and updates supplied directly by local organisers.

Article by Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ... See MoreSee Less