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.
🎭 12 Free Events to Enjoy in Youghal for Culture Night 2026
Music, film, art, local history and live performances will take over venues across Youghal on Friday, 18 September.
Youghal has a packed programme lined up for Culture Night 2026, with 12 free events taking place across the town from 4pm until 10pm.
From live music in St Mary's Collegiate Church and the story of the Witch of Youghal at Cromwell's Arch to local film, art exhibitions, open studios and a night market, there is plenty happening throughout the evening.
What's On:
📍 WHAT'S ON
🛍️ 4–9pm | Youghal Night Market
Food, crafts and local producers at Barry's Lane.
🎨 4–5.30pm | Kids Workshop
Irish wild bird printing and collage with Judy Fisher at Youghal Library. Booking required.
🏛️ 6–9pm | Culture & Curiosity
Explore Youghal Freemasons' Hall, museum and meeting rooms. Talks at 6.30, 7.30 & 8.30pm.
🖼️ 6–8pm | Merricks
An exhibition recalling Youghal's historic Merricks department store at the Mall Arts Centre.
🎺 6–7pm | Strings & Brass
Live music in the hidden walled garden at 118 Plumbers Yard.
🎬 6–7pm | Traveller Voices
Short films exploring Traveller music and culture at Cumann na Daoine.
🎨 6–9pm | Artists Open Studios
Meet Youghal artists and see painting, metalwork, illustration and comic art.
🎻 6pm onwards | 75 Years of Passing It On
Celebrate 75 years of Comhaltas. Open-air performance at the market at 6pm, followed by music and a recreation of the Inis Oírr Seisiún at Brú na Sí from 7.15pm.
📷 6.30–8pm | Passport Through the Lens
Youghal Camera Club exhibition at Youghal Credit Union.
🎥 7–8pm | Call Me Isabel
Short film shot at Youghal's Regal Cinema, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers at Youghal Film & Photography Museum.
🧙 7–9pm | A Tale of Florence Newton
The story of Youghal's famous 1661 witchcraft case comes to life around Barry's Lane and Cromwell's Arch.
🎶 7.15–8.15pm | Youghal Choral Society
Live at the Glass Annex, Mall Arts Centre.
🎤 8–10pm | Niall McCabe Live
At St Mary's Collegiate Church with the YewTonics and Ruairi De Leaster.
📅 Friday, 18 September 2026
🎟️ All events FREE
Plan Your Night
With several events overlapping, the best approach is to pick a few favourites and make your way through the town. Most venues are within walking distance, making it easy to combine music, art, film and heritage throughout the evening.
Culture Night Youghal takes place on Friday, 18 September 2026. All 12 events are free, although advance booking is required for the children's workshop at Youghal Library.
Which events will you be heading to? Let us know in the comments, tag someone you'd like to bring along, and please like and share to help spread the word about Culture Night in Youghal.
Programme details and times are subject to change, so please check for updates before attending.
Article by Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ...
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Templemichael & Molana Abbey: What’s Happening With Local Access?
Concerns are growing locally about access to Templemichael graveyard, Templemichael Castle and Molana Abbey.
Much of the discussion centres on the small car park beside Templemichael graveyard, where a barrier was installed earlier this year and opening hours have varied.
While access to the graves remains available, locals point out that the road is narrow and there are few safe places to park when the car park is closed.
That raises an important question: is access really practical if there is nowhere nearby to park?
There has also been discussion about 30th September. Current reporting indicates that this relates to seasonal access to Molana Abbey, rather than a confirmed closure of the Templemichael car park. Molana Abbey is due to close to visitors after 30th September and reopen on Easter Sunday.
The owners of Ballynatray say there are no restrictions on access to the Templemichael graves, although they say there is no right of way.
Meanwhile, Waterford City and County Council is in discussions with the landowner and has sought legal advice.
These are historic places that local people have visited for generations. A local resident has pointed out that the laneway from Templemichael towards the Blackwater was historically associated with an old ferry crossing to Ardsallagh and was used for generations. Questions have therefore been raised about traditional public use and whether any historic right of way exists.
What should reasonable public access look like going forward?
Have you visited Templemichael or Molana recently?
Have you noticed any changes?
Let us know in the comments below but keep the discussion respectful.
Article by Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ...
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⇰ When people started breaking through Youghal’s town wall
Youghal’s town wall was built for defence, control and protection.
But by the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, parts of it had become something else: a problem to maintain.
The Irish Historic Towns Atlas shows that Youghal’s town wall needed regular attention in the 1600s. Repairs are recorded in 1616, 1617 and 1619, with more work again in the 1620s and 1640s.
Despite all that, by 1647 the walls were described as:
“exceedingly ruined and fallen into decay.”
That gives us a different picture of the old town wall. Not the clean heritage feature we see today. Not just a medieval defence. But an old working structure with gaps, repairs, breaches, patched sections and disputes over access.
The Atlas also notes that the corporation continued dealing with breaches into the mid-eighteenth century, either patching them up or trying to control tenants who were breaking through the wall to reach their holdings.
That detail brings the story to life.
For some people, the wall was no longer just a symbol of protection. It was something standing between them and a garden, yard or piece of land.
So they made their own way through.
Historic places do not become “heritage” overnight. For centuries, they are used, repaired, altered, argued over and sometimes simply worked around.
Youghal’s town wall once marked the edge of the protected town.
Later, for some residents, it was probably just the thing in the way.
📚 Source: Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 27, Youghal.
Article & photo by Kieran McCarthy · Youghal Online ...
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Great to see development of the Youghal Primary Care Centre in progress. ...
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TODAY ♫ SAT 29TH AUG · 7:30 to 9:30PM · LIVE BAND · THE ANCHOR BAR
→ Enjoy live music but not the late start? This one's for you.
The Session Bros, play The Anchor Bar, Youghal this evening. Expect classic songs of the ’70s, ’80s and beyond.
Come early for the best seats.
📍 The Anchor Bar, Youghal
📅 Saturday, 29th August
🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm ...
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INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE CUP 2026 – Youghal Welcomes the World
As anticipation builds for the 2026 International Challenge Cup (ICC) at Youghal CYMS this September, Michael Hussey sits down with Brendan Cooney, President of Youghal CYMS, ICC Member & Irish International, and Stephen Merrigan, of the Roadstone Snooker Club, ICC Founding Member & Irish International to talk about the tournament, its players and the tremendous work taking place behind the scenes to prepare for this prestigious international event.
In this insightful 30-minute interview, Brendan and Stephen share their knowledge of the ICC, the competing teams, the logistics involved in hosting an international tournament and the important role played by the Youghal CYMS friendly society and its dedicated volunteers.
The film also takes viewers beyond the snooker tables, showcasing magnificent drone footage of Youghal by James McCarthy – its historic streets, beautiful coastline, beaches, boardwalk and harbour – the town that will warmly welcome players, officials and supporters when they arrive in September.
An insightful look at international snooker, the people behind the scenes, the players, the CYMS and the warm reception that only Youghal knows how to give.
Drone footage by James McCarthy.
Youghal is ready to welcome the world! 🌍
🌍 Watching from abroad? Subtitles are available on YouTube. Click the CC button and, if required, select Auto-translate to choose your preferred language.
With teams and supporters travelling to Youghal from across Europe, please share the video internationally and help spread the word about the 2026 International Challenge Cup and the warm welcome awaiting everyone in Youghal!
...
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🎶 FROM YOUGHAL TO ELECTRIC PICNIC: TWO LOCAL ACTS HIT THE STAGE THIS WEEKEND
Youghal will be well represented at Electric Picnic this weekend, with local acts Safe From Harm and DJ Michael Downing both performing at Ireland’s largest music festival.
Youghal band Safe From Harm will bring their live trip-hop and electronic show to the Survivor Stage on Sunday.
The band are:
🎤 Leah de Leastar, vocals
🎤 Erin Ahern, vocals
🎸 Warren Tivy, bass
🎹 George MacDonald, keys
🎸 Ross Stack, guitars and vocals
🥁 Paddy Moloney, drums
Their set features music from Massive Attack, Portishead, Moby, Morcheeba, Gorillaz, Fatboy Slim, Air, Moloko and more.
🎤 Safe From Harm
📅 Sunday, 30th August
📍 Survivor Stage
DJ Michael Downing has spent decades developing his skills behind the decks in his spare time. This Friday night, he will play at Electric Picnic, a moment he once could only have dreamed of.
🎧 DJ Michael Downing
📅 Friday, 28th August
⏰ 10pm to 11pm
📍 Treasure Beach
Two very different Youghal acts, one major festival and a brilliant achievement for everyone involved.
Article: Kieran McCarthy | Youghal Online
👏 Help us wish Safe From Harm and DJ Michael Downing the very best by leaving them a message in the comments. If you’re heading to Electric Picnic, make sure you catch them live and show them plenty of Youghal support! ...
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🚌 FREE WEEKEND SHUTTLE BUS IN YOUGHAL
Youghal Community Bus is running a free hop-on, hop-off service linking the town centre and Strand area today, Saturday 22nd, and Sunday 23rd August.
⏰ 10am to 4pm
🔄 Approximately every 30 minutes
✅ No booking required
The continuous route will serve:
📍 Post Office
📍 Barry’s Lane
📍 Town Hall
📍 Green Park
📍 Clancy’s
📍 Claycastle Boardwalk
📍 Perks
📍 Strand Church
📍 Walter Raleigh Hotel
This weekend’s service is being run on a trial basis to help plan a more comprehensive service for 2027, so please support it if you can.
The Community Bus will also continue its normal Saturday services.
📢 PLEASE NOTE: This is a free community service operating on a continuous loop rather than a fixed timetable. Completing the full route may take longer than expected depending on traffic and demand, so please allow extra time and be patient while the service completes its circuit.
Photo credit: Kays Flowers ...
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♫ THE SESSION BROS · LIVE AT THE ANCHOR · SAT 29th · 7.30 to 9:30PM
→ If you enjoy live music but not the late start, this one's for you.
Following the success of the recent Buskers’ Open Session, The Session Bros return to The Anchor Bar on Saturday, 29 August, with a live set built around familiar songs and strong ’70s and ’80s influences.
This month’s line-up:
🎸 Paul McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎸 Kieran McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎸 Barry Lawlor, bass
🥁 Pete Mullins, drums
The Anchor Bar · Great Atmosphere · Live Music · Come early for the best seats.
📍 The Anchor Bar, Youghal
📅 Saturday, 29th August
🕢 7.30pm to 9.30pm ...
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