Youghal

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CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY – NOMINEES OF THE YOUGHAL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY AWARDS 2026
By Michael Hussey

“If you see someone you know among the nominees, feel free to tag them below so we can recognise their great work.”

Before the winners were announced upstairs in the packed Blackwater Suite of the Walter Raleigh Hotel, a special moment of recognition took place in the foyer where every nominee in the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026 was presented with a framed Certificate of Recognition.

Welcomed by members of the Youghal Business Alliance and the wonderful staff of the Walter Raleigh Hotel, nominees gathered for photographs and presentations in a warm and celebratory atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.

These nominees — representing businesses, voluntary organisations, community groups and individuals — are all part of what makes Youghal such a special town. Their dedication, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and pride in place are the very qualities that continue to shape the town’s future.

The evening itself was a tremendous success and credit is due to so many who helped make it such a memorable occasion — the Youghal Business Alliance for organising the event, Jessica Power and the staff of the Walter Raleigh Hotel for their exceptional hospitality, MC Orla O’Riordan for guiding the ceremony so professionally, and Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork, whose heartfelt address reflected her deep love for the town.

Special thanks also to Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, whose inspiring words about resilience, leadership and entrepreneurship resonated strongly with the audience.

Acknowledgement is also due to the judging panel, who were presented with framed photographs of Youghal and the East Cork area in appreciation of their work, and to Noel Cronin and the team at Community Radio Youghal CRY104FM, who recorded the evening for broadcast.

There is no doubt that Youghal, like many towns, has faced its share of challenges over the years. But nights like this remind us of something far more important — the strength, resilience and generosity of the people who live and work here.

👏 Congratulations to all nominees:

COMMUNITY INDIVIDUAL AWARD
Jim Flanagan
Maurice Cronin
Frankie Keane

COMMUNITY GROUP AWARD
Youghal Talks
YARA
Meals on Wheels

VOLUNTARY GROUP AWARD
CRY FM
Youghal Coast Guard
Spirit of Youghal

NEW BUSINESS AWARD
Youghal Bike Rental
Digital HQ
Walter Raleigh Hotel

TASTE OF YOUGHAL AWARD
Clancy’s Restaurant
Boardwalk Café
The Quays Bar & Restaurant

SHINING STAR AWARD
Pearl McCarthy
Eileen O’Connor
Donna Carey

RETAIL EXPERIENCE AWARD
Read & Write
Kirby’s
SuperValu

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
DR Kay’s Flowers
My Hot Spot
Crees’s Card Shop

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD
Doyle’s Takeaway
The Nook
Ken-Co Cleaning

Together, the nominees and winners tell the real story of Youghal — a town full of talent, generosity and community spirit ... See MoreSee Less

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WALTER RALEIGH HOTEL – YOUGHAL NEW BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS. By Michael Hussey

The historic Walter Raleigh Hotel, overlooking the River Blackwater, was honoured with the Youghal New Business Award at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026.

The award recognises the remarkable revival of one of the town’s most iconic landmarks following its recent purchase by Choice Hotels Group, led by hotelier Andrew O’Neill, in a deal reported to be worth approximately €2.8 million.
The new owners have already signalled their strong belief in the future of Youghal, with plans to invest up to €500,000 in restoration and improvement works, including interior upgrades and roof restoration.

Representing the hotel on the night, Jessica Power and Michael Brett proudly accepted the award to warm applause from the packed Blackwater Suite of the Walter Raleigh Hotel itself — a fitting setting for this special recognition.

Since reopening under its new management, the hotel has quickly re-established itself as one of the town’s most important hospitality venues, welcoming visitors, hosting community events and once again becoming a vibrant social hub for the town.

The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

👏 Congratulations to Jessica Power, Michael Brett and the entire team at the Walter Raleigh Hotel on this well-deserved recognition. ... See MoreSee Less

THE QUAYS BAR & RESTAURANT – TASTE OF YOUGHAL AWARD WINNERS. By Michael Hussey

A wonderful recognition of culinary excellence at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026 saw The Quays Bar & Restaurant named winners of the Taste of Youghal Award.
Located along the historic quayside of the town, The Quays has become a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike, offering quality dining, warm hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the character of Youghal itself.

This award celebrates businesses that contribute to the town’s growing reputation as a destination for great food and hospitality — something The Quays Bar & Restaurant continues to deliver with pride.

The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

👏 Congratulations to the entire team at The Quays Bar & Restaurant on this well-deserved recognition. ... See MoreSee Less

MEALS ON WHEELS – YOUGHAL VOLUNTARY GROUP AWARD WINNERS. By Michael Hussey

Warmest congratulations to Meals on Wheels, winners of the Youghal Voluntary Group Award at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026.

This dedicated group of volunteers provide an invaluable service to members of the community who rely on their kindness, care and commitment. Day after day they ensure that people across the town receive not only a meal but also a friendly visit and vital connection.

Their work often happens quietly behind the scenes, but its impact on the lives of so many in the community cannot be overstated.
The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

👏 Thank you to all the volunteers involved with Meals on Wheels for the wonderful work you do. ... See MoreSee Less

CREES’S CARD SHOP – YOUGHAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS. By Michael Hussey

Congratulations to Crees’s Card Shop, winners of the Youghal Small Business Award at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026.

For many years Crees’s Card Shop has been a familiar and welcoming presence in Youghal, providing a wonderful range of cards, gifts and everyday essentials while offering the personal service that only a truly local business can provide.
Small businesses like Crees’s are the backbone of towns like Youghal — places where customers are greeted by name and where community connections are built every day.

The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

👏 Congratulations to the team at Crees’s Card Shop on this richly deserved award. ... See MoreSee Less

€1 MILLION INVESTMENT SHOWS CONFIDENCE IN YOUGHAL – SUPERVALU WINS RETAIL EXPERIENCE AWARD. By Michael Hussey

A major investment of close to €1 million in the modernisation of their North Main Street store has demonstrated the Brookes family’s continued confidence in the future of Youghal — and on Saturday night that commitment was recognised when Brookes SuperValu was named winner of the Youghal Retail Experience Award at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026.

For generations the store has been a cornerstone of daily life in the town, providing quality produce, excellent service and strong support for local suppliers, charities and community initiatives.
A special moment on the night also saw Eileen O’Connor of SuperValu receive the Shining Star of Youghal Award, recognising the dedication and professionalism of the staff who help make the store such an important part of the community.

SuperValu’s connection to the town stretches back well over a century. Each Christmas season locals look forward to the return of the much-loved “Pasley’s Old Man” — the famous mechanical festive display that greets customers at the store entrance and signals that the Christmas season has truly begun.

The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

👏 Congratulations to Ken Brookes and the entire SuperValu team on this well-deserved recognition. ... See MoreSee Less

THE NOOK – YOUGHAL LARGE BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

A wonderful moment at the inaugural Youghal Business & Community Awards 2026 came when The Nook Bar & Restaurant was announced as the winner of the Youghal Large Business Award.

A true landmark in the town, The Nook has been welcoming customers for an incredible 125 years, standing proudly on North Main Street as one of Youghal’s most recognised and cherished family-run establishments.

Representing the business on the night was semi-retired publican Michael Treacy who continue the proud tradition of hospitality, warmth and community spirit that has defined The Nook for generations.

The award was presented by Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork; Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Deirdre O’Sullivan and Anne Treacy, Co-Chairs of the Youghal Business Alliance.

Beyond its long history, The Nook continues to look firmly towards the future, with ongoing investment and development ensuring that this historic venue remains a vibrant part of the town’s social and business life for generations to come.

The recognition was warmly received by the packed audience in the Walter Raleigh Hotel, acknowledging not just a successful business, but a place that has been at the heart of the town’s story for well over a century.

👏 Congratulations to Michael Treacy, Anne Treacy and the entire team at The Nook on this well-deserved honour. ... See MoreSee Less