Launch of Family Fun Festival in Youghal

Youghal's First Family Fun Festival Launched by newly elected Youghal Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley.

Youghal's first Family Fun Festival is an example of how a small vibrant community can celebrate and make known the spectacular amenities of the River Blackwater, Blue Flag Beaches and vast variety of local activities.
In addition, the festival’s focus on providing FREE Family Fun Entertainment for all ages is “most welcome” said Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley in Youghal (July 1st 2010).

At the first official function since her election, the Mayor of Youghal launched the 2010 Youghal Family Fun Festival at the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal. The festival takes place in the harbour town on the weekend of the 16th to 18th July 2010.
Failte Ireland South West Representative Hilary Creedon, spoke on how Youghal, seen as an area of excellent amenities was chosen as a Family Fun Hub last year, one of the few in Ireland to be supported by Failte Ireland. "We are delighted to see that the businesses of the area have come up with such a range of activities suitable for all families for this, the first of what is sure to be many Family Fun Weekends in Youghal, the heart of the Sunny South" commented Hilary.
Announcing the details of this year's festival programme, the Chairperson of Youghal Family Fun Festival Committee Mrs. Sal Tivy outlined the financial support that made the festival possible and detailed the events schedule.
"We hope that this exciting and varied programme of events will appeal to both locals and visitors and pay tribute to the support of SECAD, Youghal Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Youghal Town Council and Failte Ireland for their support not to mention the local business community" commented Mrs Tivy.



The Festival is an open-air, land and sea-based weekend event, with the aim of highlighting the attractions and amenities of Youghal; including the river, beaches, town and countryside. It also promotes local, community-based arts and crafts, as well as some good old traditional style family fun" said Mrs Tivy.
Musical offerings include ‘DJ Freddie’ Friday night, local favourites ‘Rannach’ on Saturday night as well as a host of surprises during the Mardis Gras Parade which kick starts the festival on Friday evening. Literary Lovers will be treated to some storytelling on Saturday afternoon in the library to the delight both young and old. Activities to enthuse the adventurous will feature Raft Races, Crab Competitions, "Fastest Daddy" race or test one’s skills on a Spud & Spoon course!
Not forgetting the vast heritage associated with Youghal; guided walks suitable for all the family are also featuring in this packed schedule. The weekend of the 16th to 18th of July is packed with options for all the family, while art exhibitions, dance workshops and storytelling are just a sample of some of the other activities to keep young people
highly entertained.
Guest Speaker, Veronica Hunt, a Youghal native and the Kerry Rose for 2010 delighted the crowd with the details of a very exciting first for Youghal introducing the participants of the "Queen of the Sea" Competition. Each girl was introduced by Miss Hunt who went on to detail that the money fundraised by each "Queen of the Sea" was going to "Childline", encouraging all to dig deep in the coming weeks for such a worthy Charity. Childline received over 800,000 calls in the past year, 500,000 of which the helpline was only in a position to answer. The government contributes only 10% of the entire budget of the ISPCC, and it was re-iterated that fundraising events such as the Family Fun Festival in Youghal were vital to its very existence.
At the heart of the festival is the "Family" and the opportunity to share in all types of FREE Fun activities that will be remembered as the happy memories of Summer 2010 for all!
Further information and schedule of events can be found on www.youghal.ie or call 024-20170 for further information.