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.
Kay's flowers at Clarke's - Flowers, sunshine and a very breezy morning on Youghal Front Strand ... See MoreSee Less
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Youghal, let’s get behind Ryan tonight🔥
Our own Ryan Phoenix is taking to the stage on The Late Late Show TONIGHT, with a massive chance to win the Opening Act competition.
He’s already made it to the Top 5 finalists, now it comes down to performance and public vote.
The prize?
👉 Opening for Shania Twain in Thomond Park this July
👉 Plus a spot on the Late Late Country Special
This is a huge moment not just for Ryan, but for Youghal and Irish country music.
Let’s not be quiet about it.
📺 Watch on RTÉ One / RTÉ Player
🗳️ Vote when lines open
📣 Share this post and spread the word
If everyone gets behind him, this is winnable.
Let’s push him over the line. 💪🎶 ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨 Youghal’s Ryan Phoenix is heading to the Late Late Show with a chance to open for Shania Twain.
Huge congratulations to local musician/songwriter Ryan Phoenix who has been chosen as one of the five finalists in the brand new Late Late Show Opening Act competition.
This Friday night, 17th April on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player, Ryan will perform live in front of a studio audience and judging panel. The winner will be decided by media/industry juries and public vote and the prize is massive: Opening for Shania Twain at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick on Tuesday, 7th July 2026 plus a performance on the Late Late Country Special later this year!
From the stages of Cork to potentially sharing the stage with one of country music’s biggest icon, this is a dream opportunity for Ryan and a proud moment for Irish country music.
Tune in this Friday, cheer him on, and vote when the public voting opens. ... See MoreSee Less
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Youghal Mum Creates Special Book To Help Kids Through Parents Break Up
A kind hearted new children's book from Youghal is making a real difference for little ones when mum and dad separate.
Deirdre McCarthy, a social worker based in Youghal, has written "Its Not Fair: Bróds Journey Through Their Parents Break Up". This gentle story is designed for primary school children aged 4 to 11.
It helps them understand their feelings and know they are not alone during family changes.
With more than ten years experience working with children and families, including time at Tusla and in the family courts, Deirdre saw how tough it can be for kids caught in the middle. She created this book to give children a safe way to express their emotions and build their own little toolbox of coping skills.
The story follows Bród the rabbit and includes a simple feelings gauge, ideas for safety friends to talk to, and practical tips for kids. There is also a matching wellbeing kit with a cuddly Bród toy, extra resources, a special workbook for the child, and helpful planners for parents.
Deirdre wants every child to know this important message: they do not have to carry the heavy feelings that belong to the adults. Clear and honest talks at their level, plus keeping the focus on what is best for them, can really help families move forward in a healthier way.
She is already working on the next book in the series, this time gently exploring grief and loss with children. If you are going through family changes, or you know someone who is, this could be a lovely supportive resource.
Huge credit to Deirdre for turning her professional knowledge and personal journey into something that truly puts children first. Every family deserves this kind of gentle help 💛
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Can you help put names to faces? Pictured is a public garden allotment in Youghal, situated at the back of Blackwater Cottons (circa 70s/80s) Photo © Bob Rock · Presented by YoughalOnline. Have you any info? Share in the comments below. ... See MoreSee Less
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JAKE KALILEC TO PERFORM AT THE TRISKEL ARTS CENTRE
RISING STAR of the Cork music scene, Jake Kalilec will perform at Triskel Arts Centre on Saturday, April 18th as part of Triskel’s renowned Lunchtime Jazz Series. Jake is a multi-instrumentalist from Youghal, Co. Cork, now based in Cork City. A graduate of the Cork School of Music with a BMus in Jazz Piano, he studied under renowned musicians Cormac McCarthy and Scott Flanigan.
Jake’s music defies the usual categorization, his compositions often fluctuating with ease between jazz, traditional and contemporary sounds. This freeform fusion brought his unique talent to the attention of Paul Dunlee. Jake explained. “I have been studying, arranging, and composing with Paul since late last year. He offered me the gig. All the music I will be performing is inspired by Youghal history, folk tales and personal memories.”
Themes included in the compositions will be the folk tale of Moll Goggin, a heartbroken lover whose lament for a sailor leads to her death. Another composition is inspired by the arrest, trial and conviction of Florence Newton for witchcraft in Youghal in 1661. Jake added that the sombre tone of these stories “inspires him” and offers him the opportunity to “use the full dynamics of the 12-piece band.”
His versatility as a musician, composer and arranger has seen him play the Irish Embassy, Cairo 2021 and the Global Food Forum, Rome 2023. More recently he composed and performed a new score for a screening of German expressionist film, "The Cabinet of Dr Caligari" in the Regal Cinema, Youghal. That piece at times seemed to swamp the audience and bend the cinema to its will, with dynamics ranging from achingly beautiful to darkly discomforting.
Triskel marks the first live performance of his new body of work. It is an unmissable opportunity for Cork audiences to witness a musical maverick whose name looks sure to be familiar in the future. Jake Kalilec’s performance begins at 1pm. Tickets available from the Triskel box office and Triskel website.
Picture: Rising star of the Cork music scene, Jake Kalilec will perform at Triskel Arts Centre on Saturday, April 18th as part of Triskel’s renowned Lunchtime Jazz Series. ... See MoreSee Less
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A COUNTRY WELCOME FOR TOWNIES By Mike Hackett
A kind woman lived about a mile outside Youghal in the 1940s and she loved to entertain her friends from town when they walked out on Sunday afternoons. That was the time for townies to seek fresh air in the open countryside - away from the smog of the coal-fire chimneys. Her name was Minnie Hackett (Mrs. Ansbro) and she was my aunt. Minnie lived with her father, husband and four children in a house at Knockatigan near 'The Bush' - on the Quarry Road.
She never seemed to mind how many came to visit her and there was a welcome and a seat for all. It was real Old-Ireland style.
There was one thing missing from the house - and that was running water. It had to be drawn in buckets from a stream about fifty yards away and it was pure and cold. It came from a spring up in the nearby field where a 'pattern' day was held once a year in bygone days.
Granda Hackett had a donkey and cart to transport vegetables to town - mainly potatoes and cabbage - and then to bring back provisions for the house. Granda would get the donkey hitched to the cart - but it was usually Minnie who went with it to town. She was very popular in the middle of town with her donkey and cart. Saturday was shopping day and the kids of the town - who had no school - would pester Minnie for a spin. If they helped her to unload and deliver the potatoes and cabbage - they were allowed to sit up on the cart and steer the donkey up the street. Then Minnie would call to my mother for a cup of tea and a chat or to Kathleen Whyte. She had a choice of more houses - because she looked after them all well when they walked out to Knockatigan on Sundays.
Friends, relations and walkers that come to mind from those years of the 1940s and 50s - are Mary-Anne Smyth of Sarsfield's Terrace - Hanny Kelleher (nee Hackett - another aunt of mine) of Mill Road - Mary Nevin and Anne Donovan both of Mill Road and Reenie Murphy (nee Bradley) of Copperalley.
Most remarkable was how she fed everybody - mothers and kids - who had nice appetites after their walk. In the large living room/kitchen was a big open fire with a crane hanging over it. There was ample sticks and timber to ensure a roaring fire to cook whatever would be in the pot hanging on the crane. Then to cook the contents evenly - more fagots (hot embers) would be piled onto the lid.
Minnie had her own free-range hens running around the garden and that meant lots of eggs available for any cake. Sunday afternoon always saw a bastable cake in the pot - getting ready for the visitors. The smell was enough to make anyone hungry. Then when it was cooked - it was cut while red-hot into chunks and buttered with salted country butter. Rosaleen and Angeline Smyth (whose Dad was owner of Youghal Brickyard) lived nearby and made the country butter for the shops in town.
All the adults sat around the big kitchen table - telling yarns about the happenings of the week - while the kids ate their chunks of bastible cake playing outside.
The fun lasted until around six o'clock before the first guest began to move to go home. Then it was just an easy stroll back into town after an enjoyable day at Minnie Hackett's.
Pictures courtesy of Mike Hackett.
Image: The Mill Road, Youghal.
Image: Minnie with her donkey and cart. ... See MoreSee Less
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Easter Sunday 2026 Sinn Fein Commemoration on April 5th in Youghal.
A large parade will leave from Pearse Square at 10-30 am on Sunday April 5th and march through town to North Abbey cemetery. It will be led by the Youghal Pipe Band (now the third best in the world) and a colour party of flags plus relations and supporters. A short service - with the raising of the tri-colour - will take place at the Republican plot where Conor Mcguinness T.D. and Pat Buckley T.D. will both speak. Several wreaths will then be laid on behalf of various sections of West Waterford and East Cork Republicans. The proclamation of the G.P.O. will be read and the Last Post and Reveille will be played on trumpet by Billy Collins. Then the group will move to the nearby new headstone of Johnny Kenefick for a short tribute to him before a wreath is laid on his grave. The morning will finish with the National Anthem played by the Youghal Pipe band.
Bi ann linn le cunamh De - (Be there with us with the help of God).
An Clar -The Programme
10-15 am Assemble at Pearse Square.
10-30 am Parade to the Republican Plot at North Abbey Cemetery
Lowering of the tri-colour by Eddie Fitzgerald
Welcome address by Andrew Burrell of Youghal Sinn Fein.
The men buried in the Republican Plot - a tribute by Liam Allen.
Wreath Laying as follows:
Pat Buckley T.D. on behalf of Sinn Fein nationally.
Andrew Burrell on behalf of Sinn Fein Youghal.
Frank Cummings for the Piltown Ambush Committee
Martin O'Donnell for the West Waterford Ambush Committee.
John Daly on behalf of 4th Battalion 1st East Cork Brigade.
Speakers:
Pat Buckley T.D. - Cork East Sinn Fein.
Conor McGuinness T.D. - Waterford Sinn Fein.
Conor will then read the G.P.O. Proclamation of 1916.
Last Post and Reveille played by trumpeter Billy Collins.
The Tri-Colour will be raised by Eddie Fitzgerald.
Closing remarks by Andrew Burrell.
The group will then gather at the nearby Johnny Kenefick memorial where a wreath will be laid by Richard Leo who is a family member.
Andrew Burrell will introduce Mike Hackett - another family descendant who will give a brief account of the life of Volunteer Johnny Kenefick.
To conclude - the National Anthem will be played by pipers from the Youghal Pipe Band.
Pictures from last years commemoration 2025 ... See MoreSee Less
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Paudrig Lee is a poet from Killeagh village. He recently published his second poetry chapbook, Chance Meeting [2026]. Like Smoking Bees, his first chapbook [2024], this new collection also reflects his interests as a local historian and photographer, with poems presenting contrasting snapshots of intergenerational family dynamics, encounters with the natural world, and a focus on historical injustice.
His poetry film Under Chestnut Trees featured in IndieCork Film Festival 2025 and has been selected for screening at the International Poetry Film Festival Los Angeles, California in April 2026. Special thanks to Michael Fitzgerald who directed the film short. His poem ‘The Miracle of Healing’ has been nominated for the PushCart Prize 2026.
Four of his poems from Smoking Bees have recently been translated into German by prize-winning poet and novelist Matthias Nawrat. Published by Box of Rain Press, Issue 4 will be launched on 16 April in Berlin at the Club der Polnischen Versager, Ackerstrasse, Mitte. Poems translated: Unearthing Potatoes [Kartoffeln aus der Erde ziehen], Farting Jacket Envy [Furzpellen-Neid], Trappings [Fallenstellen] and Under Chestnut Trees [Unter Kastanien]. Thanks again to Matthias for choosing to work on these poems and including them in the collection.
You can purchase Paudrig’s books locally in Read and Write Youghal, Midleton Book, RoJo Deli Killeagh, Clifford’s Butchers Castlemartyr, and other local shops. Also available online. ... See MoreSee Less
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