Featured Images by John Hennessy

Youghal’s reputation as ‘Ireland’s Finest Coastal Resort’ will be significantly enhanced with the completion of the first phase (395 metres) of the long-anticipated 2000mm-wide mobility-disabled access boardwalk running from Youghal Front Strand to Claycastle. The route is set to be completed by the end of January 2012. (The second phase of the development will see the completion of the link between Claycastle and Redbarn).The boardwalk consists of hardwood timber deck supported on piled foundations, not requiring a railing, and once complete will span 1926 metres, eventually forming part of the National Coastal Walking Route.

Financed by Failte Ireland (under the Tourism Capital Investment Programme 2007-2013) in partnership with Youghal Town Council, the boardwalk will promote and enhance Youghal’s considerable ecological resources in a sustainable manner. The completion of the walkway will benefit both domestic and international visitors to Youghal, but also local Youghal residents, providing a safe and well marked walk-way for recreational use. The amenity will further enhance the resort’s three blue flag beaches. It is expected that families of all ages (the key target market for the area) staying in the Quality Hotel & Self Catering Resort in Redbarn will be provided with direct pedestrian access to the town.

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A full moon shines down on Youghal Harbour on a mild January evening.

A lone trawler fishes off of Youghal on a mild January night.

Over seventy swimmers took to the sea in Youghal on Christmas Day, 2011, in aid of the Youghal branch of St. Vincent De Paul.

Billie Jean’s Rhythm Dance Company performing at a night of Dance and Acrobatics in The Grain Store, Ballymaloe.

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Two girls enjoying Youghal Beach on a December Afternoon, 2011.

Edel O’Connell, Youghal Camogie Club, at the launch of Youghal GAA’s CYCLING FOR OUR CLUB.

A fundraising cycle to Waterford will be held on January 28th by Youghal GAA Club. There will be 10 teams of 6 cyclists who will be taking part. The cycle will depart from Club Áras at 9.30am on Saturday morning, January the 28th. There will be a number of stops at water & food stations along the way. These stops will allow the “peleton” to re-group, before heading off again. The plan is to arrive in Waterford in one group at 2.30 approx. Accommodation will be provided in Waterford.

After a meal later that evening,the group will head to greyhound racing at Kilcohan Park & then an early bed. The timelines for the return trip will be the same. This will most likely be the most difficult leg as the cyclists may be facing the south-westerly winds. The cyclists areexpect to return to Youghal at 2.30pm approx on Sunday the 29th of January and cycle through the streetsof Youghal before finishing at Club Áras.

After showers & refreshments at “Our Club”, we hope to have an evening of entertainment & craic to celebrate the event & also celebrate the fact that the playing season will be upon us once again.

Bill Cooper, Cork and Youghal Hurler, Edel O’Connell, Youghal Camogie Club, and Mickey Downing, Youghal GAA, at the launch of Youghal GAA’s CYCLING FOR OUR CLUB.

Waves breaking off the Front Strand in Youghal on a cold and windy December afternoon.

Yes, it’s definitely Christmas! Santa is here! Santa certainly visits boys and girls around the world in many different ways, but on Saturday 3rd December 2011, Santa made a spectacular entrance on water with the help of local sailing school, Aquatrek to the Quayside in Youghal. Organised by Youghal Town Council’s Heritage Committee, Santa was transported on horse with his ‘one horse open sleigh’ to The Mall Arts Centre for an afternoon of free fun and festivities where the children of Youghal were treated to a ‘free’ Santa visit.

Hundreds of kids turned out to greet Santa on the day, which saw the Youghal Pipe Band give of their time to accompany Santa to Market Square in the town for the turning on of the Christmas Lights. The occasion was made all the more special with a blessing by Canon Browne of the Christmas Crib which was presented by Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Development.

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Youghal Lifeboat, The Patricia Jennings, with John Griffin, Helmsman, Patsy O’Mahony and Thomas Cliff, Crew, towing John Roche’s trawler, The Maisie J, back into Youghal Harbour after it suffered engine failure while out fishing off the coast of Youghal.

Fr. Eddie O’Donnell SJ, at the launch in Cobh’s Heritage Centre of Fr. Browne’s Titanic Album and Exhibition, which he edited. Fr. Eddie discovered 42,000 photographs which Fr. Browne took during his lifetime.

Fr. Frank Browne SJ, the iconic photographer, was saved, when he was ordered to get off the Titanic at Cobh by his provincial. He disembarked, but had an extraordinary collection of photographs, that were used the world over when tragedy later hit. Messenger Publications marked the centenary of the sinking (1912) with the launch of Fr Browne’s Titanic Album, edited and revised by Eddy O’Donnell SJ at 7pm in Cobh Heritage centre on Wednesday 23rd of November.

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