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.
END OF AN ERA AS JD’S PUB IN YOUGHAL PREPARES TO CLOSE ITS DOORS
A landmark of Youghal’s social life will close its doors for the final time next Tuesday (30th June 2026) as Colin and Marian Doyle retire after three decades running JD’s Pub on South Main Street.
For many, JD’s has been far more than a pub. It has been a place where friendships were formed, music filled the air, and generations gathered under one roof.
Pictured beneath the famous words “There are no strangers here, just friends you haven’t met,” Colin and Marian stand as the very embodiment of that spirit.
Speaking to Michael Hussey in a heartfelt interview for The Rural Report Show on Community Radio Youghal, the couple reflected on the highs and lows of pub life and the incredible journey they shared.
The Doyle family’s connection with hospitality stretches back to 1959, when Colin’s father, the late John Doyle, opened the famous Doyle’s chip shop before later purchasing the pub in 1988. Colin and Marian took over in 1996 and have spent the last 30 years building it into one of Youghal’s most beloved venues.
Over those years, JD’s became synonymous with live music, sport, and community, hosting bands almost every weekend and welcoming customers from all over Munster.
“We’re down four generations of families now,” Marian said. “Everyone who came through that door became part of the family.”
Like many publicans, they adapted to enormous changes over the years — from the smoking ban and changing social habits to the rise of mobile streaming and the soaring costs of sports subscriptions.
“It’s €1,300 a month now just to have the Premiership, golf and darts,” Colin explained, highlighting the huge costs faced by modern pubs.
But perhaps their greatest challenge was surviving the Covid pandemic.
“It was very difficult,” Colin said. “We just kept plugging away and kept our heads above water.”
As retirement now arrives, the emotions are raw.
“It’s breaking our heart to close it,” Marian admitted. “We tried for the last three and a half years to sell it. It genuinely is breaking our heart. It feels like going through Covid again personally.”
Colin paid tribute to Marian’s tireless work behind the scenes.
“This lady was the backbone of the business for 38 years,” he said. “That’s why the place is spotless. That woman’s touch is all over this place.”
Together, they thanked the loyal customers, staff, musicians and family members who helped make JD’s what it became.
“We appreciate every customer who came in here,” Colin said. “We’re here 51 out of 52 weekends of the year. Maybe now it’s time to put the feet up.”
Though the doors may close, both hope someone will one day breathe new life into the building.
“We’d love to come back in and see it flourish again.”
For Youghal, the closing of JD’s is more than the loss of a pub. It is the closing of a chapter in the town’s living history.
The full interview with Colin and Marian Doyle will air this Saturday morning between 10am and 12 noon on Noel Cronin’s Rural Report Show on Community Radio Youghal. ... See MoreSee Less
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BONFIRE NIGHT AT TEMPLEMICHAEL
Rare Bobby Chapple archive film captures a lost Youghal midsummer tradition
Following on from our look back at Bonfire Nights in Youghal, another remarkable piece of Youghal history has emerged — a short archive film clip taken by the late Bobby Chapple, showing Bonfire Night celebrations at Templemichael, just outside Youghal, sometime during the 1960s.
The rare footage offers a fascinating glimpse into a tradition that was once deeply rooted in the life of the town and surrounding countryside.
Held every year on the 23rd June — St John’s Eve — Bonfire Night was one of the great midsummer customs in Ireland, blending ancient pagan traditions of fire and sun worship with Christian celebration on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist.
While many in Youghal will remember the fierce competition between neighbourhood bonfires in places like Sarsfield Terrace, Cork Hill, Tallow Street and The Strand, the Templemichael gathering reflects another side of the tradition — one that was more religious, family-centred and community-based with members of the local Church of Ireland and Methodist Church joining together to celebrate the religious feast day.
The archive footage shows local people gathered in Templemichael, many of them familiar faces from the time, taking part in what older generations recall as both a spiritual outing and a midsummer treat for children from Youghal and nearby areas.
As darkness fell, the bonfire would be lit and people would gather in celebration — sharing stories, prayers, music and conversation as the flames rose into the June sky.
For many, it was a night of wonder.
Today, these customs have largely disappeared.
Changing times and modern life have seen many of these ancient traditions fade away, but thanks to archive footage like this from Bobby Chapple, we are reminded of the richness of Youghal’s cultural memory.
These old films are more than nostalgia. They are windows into who we were. And perhaps, in remembering them, we keep a small part of that flame alive.
Video: Bonfire Night at Templemichael, Youghal, captured on film by the late Bobby Chapple in the 1960s. The annual St John’s Eve tradition once brought communities together across Youghal and beyond in celebration of midsummer, faith and folklore. ... See MoreSee Less
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→ New Museum Opens in Youghal Honouring Local Women
A new museum celebrating the lives of women connected to Youghal has opened on 53 South Main Street, Youghal.
The Pioneering Women of Youghal Museum highlights the stories of women whose achievements had an impact locally, nationally and internationally. The exhibition features figures including Edith Blake, Anna Fisher Haslam, Patricia Cockburn, Bríd Ní Fhoghlu, Katherine Boyle Jones, the Princess of Capua and Florence Newton.
The museum is the latest addition to Youghal's growing collection of heritage attractions and joins the Youghal Film & Photography Museum and the Youghal Lace Museum.
The project was developed by the Youghal Museums Committee with support from local historians and volunteers.
Located at 53 South Main St. Youghal near the Clock Gate Tower the museum aims to share the stories of women whose contributions are not always widely known but played an important part in history.
Visitors are welcome throughout the summer, with opening hours being announced through the museum's Facebook page.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the museum through its Facebook page.
Article: Kieran McCarthy | Youghal Online
Photo: Pioneering Women Of Youghal - Facebook Group Page ... See MoreSee Less
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→ NEW PHOTO No.9 “The Debs” Youghal. If you were there, you’ll remember it well. What year do you think this was? 👉 Do you recognise anyone? Tag them below 👇 Photo © Bob Rock Archive. Shared with permission to Youghal Online. Please do not reproduce, alter or republish without permission. ... See MoreSee Less
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🎬 Exciting News for Youghal! 🎉
Youghal TIDE has announced a major breakthrough in efforts to secure the future of the Regal Cinema following its closure last December.
Working in conjunction with the Youghal Business Alliance and other stakeholders, the group says it hopes to have positive news for the community shortly, helping to ensure that this iconic building remains an important part of Youghal's future.
The announcement is being described as a significant vote of confidence in the town, with exciting possibilities for regeneration, culture, enterprise and community activity in the years ahead.
The news also marks a new chapter for the organisation with the launch of its new identity, TIDE formerly the Youghal Town Centre First Stakeholder Group:
🌊 TIDE – Town Centre Innovation, Development and Enterprise
👏 Congratulations to everyone involved in the work carried out behind the scenes. We look forward to hearing more as the next stages of the project develop.
What would you like to see happen at the Regal Cinema? Share your thoughts below. 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
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Where in Youghal? 👀 #3 · Think you know the town inside out? Here’s your first close-up clue.📍Where in Youghal is this? Drop your guesses in the comments below. We’ll reveal a little more in the next post! ... See MoreSee Less
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Where in Youghal? 👀 Think you know the town inside out? Here’s your first close-up clue.📍 Where in Youghal would you find this?
Drop your guesses in the comments below. We’ll reveal a little more in the next post! ... See MoreSee Less
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PROCESSION SUNDAY MEMORIES by Mike Hackett
When we lived in Tallow Street - one of the highlights of the year was to see Bob Cronin's Fife and Drum band form up on the street - in front of our house - as it prepared to march off to take part in the annual Eucharistic Procession. The members were old senior citizens like Mick Hickey and Will Kelleher. Then you would hear the bagpipes of the Cork Hill pipe band as it came down the hill to play it's part. And a third band - the Boy Scouts pipe band would come up Brown Street. All would go to Ashe Street to take their places in the mile-long procession. It was quite a spectacle.
Up in front would be the altar boys - then the Children of Mary in their blue and white veils - the women's confraternity group, Cork Hill Pipe band, men's confraternity group, all the local fishermen, the Gortroe men and women, Boy Scouts band, boy scout troupe, boy scout cubs, and Girl Guides.
Next came the C.B.S. accordian and flagolette band, the C.Y.M.S. would have a group - as would the local Urban Council. Next could be the Fife and Drum band leading the army F.C.A. company before the church choir - the flower petal strewers and the Blessed Sacrament with the canopy bearers. Lastly - everybody else was welcome to join in.
The local priests walked beside the formations - giving out the different decades of the rosary to be answered by the people. It all made for very religious, colourful, musical, joyful day in town with the centre at the Green Park before returning to the Parish Church.
That huge church would be packed with two thousand people for the final singing of Faith of our Fathers - and I often thought that the roof would lift off.
Remember the nuns in the Presentation Convent were not allowed to come outside the convent grounds in those days and so they would be crowded up at the school windows as the procession passed. They didn't miss a trick and could say the next day what style everyone had worn. Forgive me if anyone has been forgotten in this recollection.
OLD COMRADES ON PROCESSION SUNDAY
St. Mary's Brass and Reed band were always proud to participate in the local Eucharistic Procession and would give a big display on the day. A band of over thirty musicians would practice hymns and marches weeks in advance - uniforms would be bought for newcomers - and formation marching would be practiced down on the quayside.
We remember our comrades who have passed away like: Sean Browne, Andrew Cronin, Billy O'Connell, Jim Coleman, Liam Carroll, Dinny Kelleher, Kevin (Cookie) Kearns, Tony O'Connell, Tommy Plante, Jimmy O'Regan, Thomas Williams, Paddy Sheehan, Paddy Broderick and many more. A few elderly survivors are left like : Tom Donnelly, Liam Healy, John Kiely, Billy Collins, Oliver Kelleher and myself. So today in this month of June (Procession month) - we think of and pray that they are enjoying their music and marching in a higher place. Here is 'Old Comrades' in honour of all.
Mike Hackett - June 2026.
Pictures
Brass Band 1; C.B.S. boys band; Children of Mary; Colm Keane with son Sean at Green Park; Cork Hill Pipe Band; Flower stewers; Procession approaches back to Parish Church; Scout Pipe Band; Walkers in Procession and the Women's Confraternity. ... See MoreSee Less
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→ Loreto Convent, Youghal. What year do you think this was? 👉 Do you recognise anyone? Tag them below 👇 Photo: © Bob Rock ... See MoreSee Less
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