Youghal (from Eochaill- a yew wood), is both an historic town and a popular seaside holiday resort at the mouth of the River Blackwater, with a long promenade and 8km of safe, sandy beach. The climate is milder here – you’ll find myrtles, nectarines and a few sub-tropical shrubs flourishing in the area. Amenities are well developed and good food and entertainment are plentiful in season. Golf, tennis, fishing, boating, amusements and nightlife are among the many ways to enjoy your stay here.
Youghal began as a Danish walled seaport. In the time of the Normans the town received a Charter from King John, and in return supplied him with 3 fighting ships. It was a well fortified town, and portions of the old walls and towers may still be seen. Later it became a centre of pilgrimage. Youghal is full of old abbeys and interesting buildings, reflecting its colourful and varied history. In the late 16th c. Queen Elizabeth I granted the land to the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh, who planted the first Irish potato here (see Youghal Potato Festival, Chap 4) and, it is said, smoked the first cigar in Europe! His stately Elizabethan house, Myrtle Grove, although privately owned and occupied, is open to groups by prior arrangement. Youghal Heritage Centre entertains the visitor with a spectacular audio and visual presentation of life in centuries past, entitled ‘Youghal – Historic Walled Port’. It is open daily, 0930-1730, 024-92390
One of the recent additions to Youghal’s tourist attractions is Fox’ Lane Folk Museum, which contains a vast collection of domestic gadgets and appliances used by past generations. Items range from an egg topper to a cucumber straightener, a moustache cup to a wasp trap, a hat iron to a wool winder. See this fascinating display of some 400 bygones as well as an authentic country kiltchen giving an insight into domestic life from c1850 to c1950. A Cead Mile Failte is assured by the very friendly staff.
The Church of St Mary (C of I) dates from 1250 and 1464, and contains some very interesting tombs, effigies and monuments. Among them is the elaborately sculptured tomb of Richard Boyle (1566-1643) and the tomb of Margaret Countess of Desmond who danced with Henry VII after the battle of Bosworth and died at the age of 147 in reign of James I – after falling from a cherry tree! Much of the interior is very beautiful, especially the great east window. The massive tower adjoining the church was for defensive purposes, while the ancient churchyard is reputed to be haunted – many times over! The Clock Tower (1777), spans South Main Street and served as the town gaol and public gallows until 1837. South Abbey Street commemorates the Franciscan Abbey founded there in the lifetime of St. Francis (1224) – the first to be established outside Italy. Tyntes Castle, a 15c. fortified castle on the Main Street was built by the Walshes, a family of Norman descent. The College, located at Emmet Place, was Ireland’s first post-Norman University, founded in 1464 by Thomas, Earl of Desmond. The Red House a Queen Anne style parochial house dating from 1703, was built by Leuventhan for the Uniackes, landowners and mayors of the town.