Brú na Sí Cultural Centre

12/08/2026

27/07/2026

Seisun at Brú na Si final performance before Fleadh na hÉireann and a Cultural Residency Trip to Inis Oírr on August 15th hup

26/07/2026

“Our objective is not simply to teach traditional Irish music. It is to strengthen the traditional music ecosystem across East Cork by removing barriers to participation, making instruments accessible, providing affordable tuition, encouraging ensemble playing, and creating lifelong pathways into community cultural life.”

20/07/2026

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A Journey of Culture, Community and Pride
These two photographs tell a remarkable story of Brú na Sí’s continuing cultural journey.
The first was taken in 2013, when Brú na Sí had the honour of representing Ireland in Brussels during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was a proud moment for our branch, showcasing the richness of traditional Irish music, song and dance on an international stage.
The second was taken in 2025, when our young performers proudly represented Youghal during the visit of the Le Bellot cruise ship. Once again, Brú na Sí welcomed visitors through the universal language of Irish traditional culture, giving our youngest members the opportunity to become ambassadors for their town and heritage.
These moments remind us that Brú na Sí is about far more than teaching music. We are creating opportunities for young people to grow in confidence, represent their community with pride, and carry our cultural traditions into the future.
From Brussels to Youghal, and from one generation to the next, the journey continues.
Watch this space for news of our upcoming cultural trips and performances. The next chapter is already being written.
Brú na Sí – Creating the conditions where culture, community and belonging flourish.

19/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Collette Hegarty, winner of the luxury hamper, the first prize in our recent community partnership fundraiser supporting Brú na Sí’s Cultural Residency Educational Trip to Inis Oírr.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone in the community who supported this fundraiser. Your generosity is helping to make this unique cultural journey possible for our participants.

A very special word of appreciation to Pat Carey, who acted as our liaison with our valued community partner, Lidl, and helped make this initiative such a success.

The good news doesn’t end there! Everyone who contributed has now been entered into the draw for €5,000 and a host of other fantastic prizes later this year.
Míle buíochas to each and every one of you for your continued encouragement and support.

Brú na Sí

29/06/2026

New life for Fising Boat at Brú ma Sí

Future Use of the Restored Local Salmon Fishing Boat

Background

The salmon yawl “Eochaill” was built as part of the Youghal Maritime Heritage Project, which took place in August 2010 in Tynte’s Castle, North Main Street, Youghal, under the direction and expertise of renowned boat builder Jimmy Horgan, a Youghal native living in Galway. Supported through SECAD, which provided approximately 75% of the €7,000 project cost, and facilitated through the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, the project attracted considerable public interest and community participation. The vessel was built using traditional hand tools and methods and was modelled on the last salmon yawl constructed locally by Paddy Buttimer some two decades earlier.

Following its launch in August 2011, the boat was subsequently withdrawn from use and gifted to the Youghal Scouts. After a number of years in storage at the Scout Hall , it was relocated to Brú na Sí where it is weather protected, in 2025. Members of Youghal Men’s Shed have kindly offered their support and are currently on standby to undertake essential repairs and repainting.

Looking to the Future

Following the completion of these repairs, consideration should be given to the long-term stewardship and future role of this important heritage asset.

A suitable mobile structure should be established to oversee its care, interpretation and development. The boat represents an important link with Youghal’s maritime history and offers a unique opportunity to preserve and share the stories, traditions and skills associated with salmon fishing in the town.

While returning the vessel to the water is an attractive prospect, it would place considerable responsibilities on a voluntary committee. Insurance requirements, health and safety obligations, regulatory compliance, maintenance demands and ongoing operational costs would all require specialist expertise and resources. In the absence of a dedicated management structure, recommissioning the boat as an active vessel may expose the organisation to unnecessary risk.

A Heritage and Educational Role

A more sustainable and achievable approach may be to preserve the vessel as a static heritage exhibit. In this capacity, it could:
• Serve as a focal point for festivals, heritage events and educational programmes.
• Interpret the history of traditional salmon fishing and Youghal’s maritime heritage.
• Support local tourism and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide opportunities for intergenerational storytelling and the recording of memories from former fishermen and their families.
• Form part of a wider maritime heritage project incorporating photographs, artefacts, oral histories and interpretive displays.
• Become a distinctive symbol of local identity and pride.
• Showcase traditional boatbuilding skills and celebrate the remarkable community effort which created the vessel in Tynte’s Castle in 2010.

This approach would allow the boat to continue serving the community while avoiding the considerable liabilities associated with returning it to operational use. It would also provide scope for future partnerships with museums, heritage organisations, schools, tourism bodies and funding agencies.

Recommendation

That a small Heritage Boat Steering Group be established to examine options for the long-term preservation, interpretation and display of the vessel, with a view to developing it primarily as a heritage and educational asset rather than recommissioning it for active use.

Such an approach would safeguard the boat, honour the legacy of Jimmy Horgan and all those involved in its construction, celebrate Youghal’s rich fishing traditions, and ensure that these stories can continue to be shared with future generations.

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Possible next step:

The Steering Group could explore the development of a “Youghal Maritime Heritage Project”, centred around Eochaill, incorporating oral history recordings, photographs, artefacts and displays, and potentially linking with Tynte’s Castle, Brú na Sí, Youghal Men’s Shed, the Scouts, local schools of and Cork County Council as part of a wider cultural tourism and heritage initiative.

Micheál de Buitléir
Brú na Si.

26/06/2026

Brú na Sí 2026 – The Next Chapter 🎶

Growing Music • Building Community • Supporting Tradition

This autumn, we’re starting something special at Brú na Sí 💫
With support from a Credit Union loan, we’re investing in the future of traditional music in East Cork—creating more opportunities to learn, connect, and share music across all ages.

✨ Here’s what’s coming:

🎶 Learn
�New weekly classes, more tutors, and clear pathways for beginners to returning players.

🤝 Belong
�A warm, inclusive space where friendships grow and generations come together through music.

🌱 Grow
�New supports for tutors and learners, plus a dedicated Cultural Development Support Worker.

🎼 Share
�More sessions, concerts, and community events celebrating our rich musical heritage.

We’re investing €10,000 into this vision—because we believe in our community, our tutors, our young people, and the future of traditional music in East Cork.
This is just the beginning.
Brú na Sí 2026 — Growing Music. Building Community. Supporting Tradition.

25/06/2026

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A Message to Everyone Travelling to Inis Oírr

If our trip to Inis Oírr is to be a success, it will take all of us working together. Every person can play a part, and every contribution—big or small—will make a difference.

One of the simplest ways to help keep costs down is to sell your €5 fundraising tickets. Please return both the ticket stubs and the money as soon as possible. The funds you raise will go directly towards helping to cover the cost of your own trip.

By keeping track of ticket sales, we’ll be able to see how we’re progressing and decide together whether any additional fundraising activities are needed. This is a genuine team effort, and if everyone does their bit, we can make this trip affordable and enjoyable for all.

Finally, another exciting update: our friends from South Wales are now planning a visit to Youghal on 24 October. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the friendships and cultural links we’ve built over the years, and we’ll be looking for everyone’s support in giving them a warm Youghal welcome.

Let’s all get behind both of these exciting events and make them a great success. Together, we can do it!

23/06/2026

Fans of forensic dramas must add another "perfect" series to their watch lists.

21/06/2026

🎶 Happy World Music Day! 🎶

Seventy-five years ago, the founders of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann had a vision: to preserve and promote Irish traditional music, song and dance for future generations.

Today, that vision has grown into a worldwide movement, with branches in every county of Ireland, twenty cultural centres across the country, and a global network spanning 26 countries across five continents.

On World Music Day, we celebrate the musicians, singers, dancers, teachers, volunteers and communities whose dedication ensures that our traditions continue to thrive and inspire new generations.

As we mark 75 years of Comhaltas, we honour the past, celebrate the present and look forward with confidence to the future.

Happy World Music Day!