Youghal is a seaside town steeped in history, heritage, and coastal charm, promising a memorable experience for all who visit.
Historic Landmarks and Cultural Heritage
Youghal is rich in history, landmarks include the 13th century St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, the preserved Youghal Town Walls, the iconic Youghal Clock Gate Tower, with ties to notable figures such as Oliver Cromwell, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Richard Boyle.
Outdoor Activities and Beach Fun
Youghal is perfect for outdoor activities, explore the countryside on foot or by bike, or take advantage of 5 sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.
Dining and Entertainment
The town offers a diverse range of dining and entertainment options. From traditional Irish pubs to contemporary restaurants and cafes, there’s something to satisfy all tastes. Year-round events and festivals add to the lively local culture.
Accommodation in Youghal
When looking for accomodation in Youghal you can choose from a cozy bed and breakfast or guesthouse to self-catering or a luxurious hotel.
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Thay war the days
Shame on the politicians Remember going to Ardmore on the old bridge Remember living in the U.K. and buying a Datsun 1200 an MOT failure bought for £20 and driving it on the same day to Pembroke Rosslare Summer’s evening and stopping just b4 the new bridge Bought three salmon from great men Grilled cuts grilled with pepper and lemon at 23.00 nothing like it Bet those guys had a pint at Mobi Dicks Continual sell out in Brussels Mackerel if any to feed rotten farm salmon
They war the when all Fisher man went fishing in water all over the country and there was plenty of work for them now they can't fish in own Irish water the fishing rights were sold out behind your back to the golden Circle of evil people's in your government and Europe Union and would Banks IMF ECB for geed and power all remember its your Country ànd should stand up together and tack your Country back for rights and freedom for your children's Children's future and bring its back for your own people's of Ireland 🇮🇪
When Buttimer’s Dock Was Brimming with Life – Youghal’s Fishing Heritage in the 1960s
Back in the 1960s, Buttimer’s Dock in Youghal was packed with trawlers — each one crewed by local men who earned their living from the sea. This short film below gives a glimpse of that busy scene, showing boats moored side by side before they headed out beyond the harbour to fish.
Buttimer’s was considered the smaller of the two docks, yet it was full of character. Just a few hundred yards further down the Blackwater stood the larger Market Dock, once home to dozens of well-known fishing families whose livelihoods depended on the ebb and flow of the tides.
Those days are now part of Youghal’s proud maritime past. The salmon that once made their annual run up the Blackwater have long since disappeared, and even the summer mackerel — once so plentiful along the quayside — were scarce this year.
This short clip reminds us of a time when fishing was central to life in Youghal — a living connection between the town, the river, and the sea.
Written, narrated and edited, by Michael Hussey ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks Michael. How times have changed. So sad to see most of the fish and fishermen gone.
Brilliant job michael 👏
Excellent great to have .put it in a museum
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🎅🏻 Dear Santa, From Youghal · A Christmas Letter by Michael Hussey.
🔊 Listen at: youtu.be/_7yrcJ87Jkg?si=J995AoSGEihU_l0U
This Christmas letter blends warmth, wit, and reflection, speaking for a town that remembers its past and still believes in better days ahead.
Written and narrated by Michael Hussey.
Recorded on Christmas Day 2025 at CRY104FM Studios, Youghal. ... See MoreSee Less
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🔗 Listen at: youtu.be/_7yrcJ87Jkg
Great 🇮🇪
Dear Santa can we bring tourism back to the town
🎵 LIVE MUSIC🎵 Sinéad McCarthy Band live at Hennessy's Bar, Youghal - Sunday 28th December at 8:30PM. Hits from the decades + modern classics. Sinéad McCarthy (vocals) · Simon Daly (guitar) · Brian Hyland (bass) · Kieran McCarthy (drums) 🎵 ... See MoreSee Less
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Festive Spirits Soar as Hundreds Take the Plunge in Youghal’s Christmas Day Dip 2025
Under bright blue skies, swimmers and spectators gathered at Youghal’s Front Strand for a joyful tradition supporting St. Vincent de Paul. By Michael Hussey
Hundreds of hardy swimmers and enthusiastic spectators gathered at Youghal’s Front Strand on Christmas Day for the town’s much-loved annual Christmas Day Dip. Under a blue sky (a rare sight lately), the festive spirit was high as participants—many in colourful costumes—ran to the water’s edge at exactly 12 noon, led by piper, Ex-Sgt., Irish Defence Force, Christy McCarthy of the Youghal Pipe Band, who had the honour this year of officially starting the event with a stirring tune on the bagpipes.
With his final note rising above the excited cheers, a mass of dippers charged toward the ice-cold Atlantic and plunged into the waves along Youghal’s Blue Flag beach, one of three the town proudly holds along its coast (Front Strand, Claycastle, and Redbarn). As tradition goes, most stayed in only moments before dashing back out, laughing and shivering, but full of festive joy.
The event wasn’t just about fun—it was also about community spirit. Once again, many participants used the occasion to raise funds for the local St. Vincent de Paul (SVP), with volunteers collecting donations along the promenade. The funds raised will go directly to support families and individuals in need within the local area.
The Youghal Coast Guard, RNLI, Gardaí, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, and local emergency services were all on standby throughout the event to ensure safety. The Youghal Coast Guard Unit had just returned from an earlier Christmas morning callout.
Organisers this year continued the move to call the event a “Dip” rather than a “Swim,” reflecting the reality that most participants take a quick plunge rather than swim any real distance. The new term also adds an inclusive, fun tone that invites everyone—from veterans to first-timers—to join in.
Among the many who braved the chilly waters were the Tierney family, visiting from New Zealand and proudly wearing their green “Tierney's On Tour” shirts. They shared that their ancestors go way back—lost in time—to the Redbarn/Ballymacoda area, and they included Youghal’s Christmas Dip as a special stop on their year-long journey around the world. Having recently travelled through Vietnam and Cambodia, their next destination will be South America—but they say their Christmas morning in Youghal will be a memory to treasure.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part—from the lone piper and tireless emergency services to the SVP volunteers and, most of all, the brave dippers who turned out in support of a great local cause. Youghal’s community spirit shone bright once again this Christmas Day—warm hearts conquering cold waters.
The full picture gallery of the Christmas Dip will be in the next edition of the Youghal News which will be available on January 15th 2026
Photo: The Tierney family from New Zealand at Youghal’s 2025 Christmas Day Dip, proudly sporting their ‘Tierney's On Tour’ T‑shirts. ... See MoreSee Less
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I lived on the Front Strand in the 50's early 60's. Once, after a storm all the sand was gone and there were black tree stumps. The next day the sand was back.
Fiona Keane Fowler Cheers Luvv 🍀💚 🍺🍻
John Ricciutti
Youghal Parish Choir Opens Midnight Mass with “Adeste Fideles”
The Youghal Parish Choir, under the direction of Eleanor O’Keeffe with her husband Pat accompanying on organ, opened Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Parish Church, Youghal, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 2025, with the timeless hymn “Adeste Fideles.” Their beautiful voices led the congregation in this much-loved carol, inviting everyone to join in the refrains of Christmas. ... See MoreSee Less
Youghal Parish Choir Opens Midnight Mass with “Adeste Fideles” The Youghal Parish Choir, under the direction of Eleanor O’Keeffe with her husband Pat accompanying on organ, opened Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Parish Church, Youghal, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 2025, with the timeless hymn “Adeste Fideles.” Their beautiful voices led the congregation in this much-loved carol, inviting everyone to join in the refrains of Christmas.
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Youghal Parish Choir Opens Midnight Mass with “Adeste Fideles”
The Youghal Parish Choir, under the direction of Eleanor O’Keeffe with her husband Pat accompanying on organ, opened Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Parish Church, Youghal, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 2025, with the timeless hymn “Adeste Fideles.” Their beautiful voices led the congregation in this much-loved carol, inviting everyone to join in the refrains of Christmas. ... See MoreSee Less
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A HOLY NIGHT AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES, YOUGHAL
Soft candlelight falls on the manger, wrapping the Holy Family in a gentle golden glow as shepherds and wise men gather in adoration. The Christmas Crib at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, The Strand, Youghal, captures the timeless wonder of that first Christmas night. Each figure, set carefully among the straw, invites quiet reflection, gratitude, and hope. In a busy world, this peaceful Nativity scene calls hearts back to the simple miracle of Christ’s birth and the enduring light it brings to our community and our homes at Christmas. ... See MoreSee Less
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WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS EVE: ST MARY’S PARISH CHURCH MIDNIGHT MASS
MIDNIGHT MASS at St Mary’s Parish Church, Youghal, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 2025, drew the faithful into a warm embrace of prayer, song and timeless tradition.
A HOLY CHRISTMAS EVE
The Mass was led by Rev. Canon William Bermingham P.P., with Deacon John Nestor assisting. Faithful from Youghal and beyond gathered at 9pm, filling the church with quiet reverence for the Nativity. Canon Bermingham and Deacon Nestor blessed the crib to the left of the altar, with the Canon placing the baby Jesus figurine in the manger—a gentle moment of reflection.
The Youghal Parish Choir under the direction of Eleanor O’Keeffe with her husband, Pat O'Keeffe accompanied on the organ, filling the church with rich harmonies, while the clear, joyful sound of Mark O’Keeffe’s trumpet added a festive brightness to the carols. The choir led the congregation in much‑loved hymns, including “Adeste Fideles”, inviting everyone to join in the timeless refrains of Christmas. Sacristan Ann Ryan prepared the sanctuary smoothly, supporting the reverent liturgy.
A CHURCH FULL OF MEMORIES
For the people of Youghal, there is something particularly special about St Mary’s Parish Church. The old wooden pews, the confession boxes lining the walls, the statues and plaques and the familiar glow of candles all carry memories stretching back over generations since the nineteenth century. From baptisms and First Communions to weddings, ordinations and funerals, St Mary’s has held the joys and sorrows of countless local families, becoming as much a part of the town’s story as any street or landmark.
As parishioners departed, friends lingered exchanging greetings, carrying the glow of The Nativity and carols into the night. In this sacred space, Christmas truly began for Youghal.
By Michael Hussey | Photo: Michael Hussey ... See MoreSee Less
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Beautiful written. It was a joyous night and our wonderful choir, probably one of the best in the country, led by Geraldine Kelly (Harty) sang the beautiful Oh Holy Night to perfection. A perfect start to Christmas. Thank you to all concerned
Well done Mick
Nice artical steeped in history mick