Youghal

🫶 Local Support Needed – Help Bianne Walsh & Her Family 🫶 Our Youghal community is coming together once again to support one of our own. This fundraiser, "Ardrath to Anfield - Bianne Walsh", organised by Ian Flanagan, is raising vital funds to help Bianne and her family cover the significant costs of long-term care, home accessibility adaptations, and ongoing medical/support needs.

Every donation, even the price of a cup of tea or coffee, makes a real difference to this local family facing tough challenges.

So far, kind supporters have raised €6,050 with 148 donors – let's keep the momentum going and push it higher!

Please donate and help spread the word. ... See MoreSee Less

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES, THE STRAND, YOUGHAL

There was a strong sense of welcome and global solidarity at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, The Strand, Youghal, on Friday morning for this year’s World Day of Prayer service. The ecumenical gathering brought parishioners and friends together to join a worldwide movement of Christian prayer that links communities in more than 170 countries on the first Friday of March each year.

Local parishioner Anne Murray explained that World Day of Prayer is “an international movement” in which Christians of different traditions come together for a shared service of scripture, reflection and song on the same day across the globe. It was the first time in a number of years that the Youghal Strand church had hosted the event; in past years, the service has alternated between the Church of Ireland - St Mary’s Collegiate Church and the Methodist Church on Friar Street as part of a long–standing ecumenical cooperation in the town.

Anne noted that the movement has been in existence for over a century, with roots going back to Christian women in North America who began organising common days of prayer in the late 19th and early 20th century. In Ireland, World Day of Prayer has been marked since at least the 1940s and 1950s, and Catholic participation grew particularly after the Second Vatican Council, reflecting a wider commitment to ecumenism. The main Irish service this year was also televised nationally, with RTÉ broadcasting the liturgy last Sunday.

Each year, a different country prepares the theme and liturgical materials for the service, and for 2026 the prayers and reflections were written by a group of Nigerian Christian women around the theme “I Will Give You Rest: Come,” drawn from Matthew 11:28–30. Anne pointed out that upcoming years will see programmes prepared by women in Costa Rica, Italy, Nepal and Jamaica, underlining the worldwide nature of the initiative and the way it highlights voices from many cultures.

Music played a big part in the atmosphere on Friday morning. Local musicians Pat and Eleanor O’Keeffe, together with members of the parish choir, led the hymns and responses, filling the bright Strand church with sound. Anne remarked on the excellent acoustics in Our Lady of Lourdes, saying it felt at times “as if there was a choir of a hundred” present. The service built on a strong musical tradition in the parish, which hosted an inaugural choral service just before Christmas; that event filled the church and enabled the choir to make a donation to the local charity Cancer Connect, with plans for further annual concerts to support good causes.

After the ceremony, I spoke with two of the women who had a special connection to this year’s focus country. Bridget Eziashi, originally from Nigeria, said she “did enjoy the programme,” especially as it centred on her home country and its people. She also spoke of how the morning underscored the importance of unity and mutual support within the community, something she felt the service and the setting encouraged.

Standing beside her was Hagar Kodig from Ghana, who radiated joy as she tried to put her feelings into words. “I’m happy,” she repeated with a smile, explaining that being part of the gathering, being able to pray with others, and simply being alive on this February–into–March morning were all reasons for gratitude. Her simple testimony of happiness and thankfulness echoed the day’s theme of finding rest and reassurance in faith, even amid the challenges of life.

Listeners to Community Radio Youghal will be able to hear the full interview with Anne, Bridget and Hagar on Noel Cronin’s “Rural Report” this Saturday morning between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on CRY 104FM. Their voices, together with the music and prayer of the service, offer a snapshot of a parish and a town that continues to look outward, linking local community life on the Strand with a worldwide chain of prayer, justice and peace.

Report and Photo by Michael Hussey ... See MoreSee Less

🎬 Lights, Camera… Action in Youghal!

There was great excitement at the Walter Raleigh Hotel on Monday morning as the 17th First Cut Youth Film Festival was officially launched, marking the start of a fantastic week celebrating the creativity and imagination of young filmmakers.

The festival was formally launched by Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Ian Doyle, who addressed an enthusiastic gathering of students from neighbouring towns and villages who had come to be part of the special occasion.

Joining the Deputy Mayor for the launch were members of the festival team: Lisa O’Brien, Festival Manager; Max Le Cain, Artistic Director and YMVC Coordinator; and Debbie Laatz, Community Liaison Officer with Youghal Credit Union, one of the festival’s valued sponsors.

Now in its 17th year, the First Cut Youth Film Festival continues to inspire hundreds of young people to explore storytelling through film. From animation and live-action shorts to workshops and talks by film professionals, the festival offers a wonderful opportunity for young creatives to see their work on the big screen and connect with fellow filmmakers.

Running from March 2nd to 7th, events will take place at the Walter Raleigh Hotel and the Mall Arts Centre, bringing a vibrant programme of screenings and workshops to the heart of Youghal.

🎥 It’s always wonderful to see so many young people discovering the magic of filmmaking — and once again Youghal proudly takes centre stage in supporting the arts and the next generation of storytellers.

Photo:
Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Ian Doyle pictured with Max Le Cain, Artistic Director and YMVC Coordinator; Lisa O’Brien, Festival Manager; and Debbie Laatz, Community Liaison Officer with Youghal Credit Union, at the official launch of the 17th First Cut Youth Film Festival at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal, on Monday morning, March 2nd, 2026.

📸 Photos: Michael Hussey ... See MoreSee Less

CULTURAL DAY AT YOUGHAL CAMPUS: THE WORLD IN ONE ROOM

The Office Administration students at Cork College of FET –
Youghal Campus are inviting the community to a vibrant Culture Day next Tuesday, 10 March, from 10am to 1pm in Prefab 19.

EVENT PROMOTION

Step into “The World in One Room” as learners showcase the food, music, traditions and stories of Ireland, Poland, Nigeria, Ukraine and Colombia. Everyone is welcome to drop in, meet the students, sample flavours from around the globe and enjoy a relaxed morning of conversation, colour and culture. The event takes place on Tuesday, 10 March, at Youghal Campus (Prefab 19) from 10.00 to 13.00, and all members of the local community are warmly encouraged to come along and support the Office Administration group’s hard work and creativity.

ABOUT YOUGHAL CAMPUS

Youghal Campus is part of Cork College of FET and is a hub for further education and training in the East Cork area, offering a wide range of full-time and part-time courses up to and including Level 5 awards for adult and Youthreach learners. Located at the very top of Windmill Hill with views over the town and the Blackwater estuary, the campus provides an inclusive, learner‑centered environment with strong links to local employers and community groups.

Staff place a strong emphasis on support, progression and community, making Youghal Campus a welcoming place for people of all ages to develop new skills, build confidence and take their next step in education or employment.

DIRECTIONS:

To get to Prefab 19, first make your way to Cork College of FET – Youghal Campus, Youghal, Co. Cork, Eircode P36 F704. You can enter “Youghal Campus P36 F704” into Google Maps or another navigation app, which will bring you to the main campus entrance where there is free parking on site. Once on campus, follow the internal signs for the prefabs/temporary classrooms and look for Prefab 19, or ask at Reception and staff will direct you straight to the building.

Details on the attached poster of the event ... See MoreSee Less

FIONA KENNEDY BRINGS “NATURAL WOMAN” TO YOUGHAL – THIS FRIDAY AT THE MALL ARTS CENTRE

Fiona Kennedy has been on a whirlwind of interviews this week, such is her enthusiasm for her upcoming show “Natural Woman” at The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal, this Friday, March 6th.

Last week, Fiona joined the team on Community Radio Youghal (CRY 104FM) for a warm and lively chat, and just this morning she was featured on C103FM, reflecting the huge interest surrounding her performance. Her energy, passion, and genuine excitement for the show are infectious — all adding to the buzz ahead of tomorrow night’s event.

Following a sold-out run at the Cork Arts Theatre, the acclaimed Cork singer-songwriter now brings Natural Woman to Youghal. Timed beautifully to celebrate International Women’s Day, this powerful production weaves together music, storytelling, readings, and visual imagery in a heartfelt tribute to ordinary women who have achieved the extraordinary.

Audiences can expect an evening filled with original songs, exceptional musicianship, and a deeply personal journey from one of Ireland’s most gifted performers. Supporting Fiona on stage are Billy Kennedy, Paul Seymour, and Ethel Crowley, ensuring a rich, textured sound throughout the 90-minute show.

🎟 Tickets: €20 (no booking fee)
⏱ Running Time: 90 mins (with short interval)
📍 Venue: The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal
🔗 Book Tickets: livingyoughal.ie event link
▶️ Watch Trailer: YouTube link

As the reviews say:

“A brilliant creative show… Very enjoyable and extremely well done.” – Cllr Kieran McCarthy, former Cork Lord Mayor
“Top class show! You’ll come out uplifted and inspired – the songs will stay with you.” – Elmarie Mawe, Cork’s 96FM

“Musicians on the top rung of the musical ladder.” – Irish Examiner

Don’t miss Fiona Kennedy’s “Natural Woman” this Friday night in Youghal – a must-see celebration of music, stories and spirit, performed with the authenticity and soul that define Fiona’s artistry. ... See MoreSee Less

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