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.
📖 BOOK TALK & DISCUSSION AT THE GALLERY, SCOTT'S YOUGHAL
Local book lovers are invited to an evening with author Shirley Bowers at The Gallery, Scotts Gifts & Art Gallery, Youghal, on Wednesday, 4th November 2026, at 7:00pm.
Shirley will discuss her latest book, I Heard Their Cry: The Forgotten Souls, which explores the stories of those deported to Barbados and the descendants who continue to carry that history.
The evening offers an opportunity to hear more about the book, reflect on this often-overlooked chapter of history and join in the discussion with the author.
EVENT DETAILS
📅 Wednesday, 4th November 2026
🕖 7:00pm
📍 The Gallery, Scotts Gifts & Art Gallery
12 North Main St, Youghal, Co. Cork.
FREE ENTRY
An interesting evening for anyone with a love of books, history and storytelling.
All welcome! ...
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YOUGHAL’S LOST DOMINICAN ABBEY: BRINGING HISTORY BACK TO LIFE. By Michael Hussey
A Glimpse Into The Past Of One Of Youghal’s Historic Religious Sites
Standing among the gravestones of North Abbey Cemetery in Youghal are the evocative ruins of a Dominican friary that dates back to the 13th century. Although much of the original structure has disappeared, the surviving stonework offers a glimpse of an important chapter in the town’s religious history.
According to the information provided on the heritage sign beside the ruins, the Dominican friary was founded in 1268 by Thomas FitzMaurice, outside the walls of medieval Youghal. The friars lived, worked and worshipped here, while the foundations of the church and domestic buildings lie beneath the modern graves.
The friary suffered a major upheaval in 1541, when Henry VIII’s campaign to control the wealth and power of the Church led to the confiscation of its possessions. However, some friars may have remained discreetly on the premises until 1583. The property was subsequently granted to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1587, and he may have been responsible for its eventual destruction.
Today, the remains of the church are still visible, including the western gable with its distinctive three-light window and fragments of stonework elsewhere in the cemetery. Viewed from different angles, the surviving walls convey something of the scale of the original building.
To help people imagine what has been lost, we have used artificial intelligence (AI) to create an illustrative reconstruction of how the Dominican Abbey may have looked in its heyday. The image is not a historical photograph or an exact architectural reconstruction, but an interpretation informed by the surviving ruins and the historical information available.
By bringing together the physical remains, historical records and modern technology, we hope to encourage renewed interest in Youghal’s rich heritage and help a new generation appreciate the buildings and stories that shaped the town.
Photo: The surviving western gable of Youghal's Dominican Friary in North Abbey Cemetery. Its distinctive stonework and three-light window are reminders of the medieval religious building that once stood on this site. (Picture by Michael Hussey)
Illustration: An artistic reconstruction, created with the assistance of AI, illustrating how Youghal's Dominican Friary may have looked during its medieval heyday. The image is an interpretation based on the surviving ruins and historical information, rather than an exact architectural reconstruction. ...
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FROM BOOLA WATER WORKS TO YOUGHAL'S WATER TOWER — A LOOK BACK AT OUR WATER SUPPLY. By Michael Hussey
With Youghal's water supply currently in the news, we take a look at some of the infrastructure behind this essential service.
Boola Water Works, near Glendine, has long been associated with the town's water supply. Our recent videos and photographs offer a glimpse of the treatment plant and its surroundings, while the water tower at the top of Cork Hill remains a familiar feature of Youghal's skyline.
We are also delighted to share a wonderful piece of local archive footage showing the water tower under construction during the late 1960s, filmed by Bobby Chapple in his home movie.
For those who remember the tower being built, this footage may bring back memories. For younger generations, it offers a fascinating glimpse of an important chapter in Youghal's development.
The current Boil Water Notice remains a serious matter for affected households and businesses. This post is intended to explore the history and infrastructure of the town's water supply, rather than speculate about the cause of the present situation.
Do you remember the water tower being built? We would love to hear your memories.
Main image: The Boola Water Works
Photo and Video: The Water Tower at the top of Cork hill.
Photo and Video: The Boola Water Works near Glendine.
Archive film: Youghal's Water Tower — Under Construction in the 1960s. ...
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FROM FLOWER POWER TO RAINWATER POWER: IS IT TIME TO GET THE BUCKETS OUT IN YOUGHAL?
By Michael Hussey
Remember Kay Curtin of Kay’s Flower Shop, who was pictured watering her beautiful bouquet while calling for an emergency water tanker to help Youghal through its ongoing Boil Water Notice?
Well, if the situation continues, perhaps it’s time for the rest of us to follow her example — although, instead of watering flowers, we might soon be out on the streets with buckets and bowls, trying to catch a drop of rainwater!
With Youghal’s Clock Gate looking on, our imagined local housewife has taken matters into her own hands. Curlers in her hair, bucket at the ready, she’s determined not to let a single drop go to waste. And with a prominent Do Not Consume notice nearby, she certainly knows that the town’s water troubles are no laughing matter.
The Boil Water Notice, introduced on Friday, 23 October, has left approximately 10,000 customers supplied by the Youghal Regional Public Water Supply waiting for normal service to return. Residents and businesses have been asking for updates, while calls have been made for an emergency tanker to provide some practical relief.
Of course, collecting rainwater might make for a funny picture, but it is no substitute for a safe, reliable drinking-water supply. Any rainwater collected should not be assumed safe to drink.
So, while Kay keeps her flowers blooming, perhaps our bucket-wielding neighbour is preparing for a new hobby — rainwater collecting!
COME ON, UISCE ÉIREANN — THE PEOPLE OF YOUGHAL WOULD MUCH RATHER TURN ON THE TAP THAN GO CHASING CLOUDS WITH A BUCKET!
Illustration: With Youghal’s Boil Water Notice continuing, perhaps it’s time to get the buckets out! An imagined scene capturing the frustration of residents still waiting for normal water supplies to return. ...
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“BLOOMING HELL! HOW LONG IS THIS GOING ON?” — YOUGHAL’S BOIL WATER NOTICE ENTERS SECOND WEEK.
By Michael Hussey
There’s plenty of water going around in Kay Curtin’s Flower Shop on North Main Street, Youghal — but a reliable supply of drinking water for the town is another matter entirely!
Pictured watering a beautiful bouquet, Kay, President of the Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development, is calling on Uisce Éireann to provide an emergency water tanker immediately, as the town’s Boil Water Notice enters its second week with no clear end in sight.
“IT’S AFFECTING EVERYBODY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS ALIKE, ESPECIALLY OVER THE BUSY HALLOWEEN SEASON,” KAY SAID.
Her appeal follows a similar call by local councillor Mary Linehan Foley, who raised the issue on Tuesday, 27 October. She said Cork County Council was writing to Uisce Éireann to request a tanker or alternative water provision for the affected area, along with an update on how long the disruption was expected to continue.
The notice was introduced on Friday, 23 October, following a deterioration in raw water quality that affected the treatment process. Approximately 10,000 customers supplied by the Youghal Regional Public Water Supply remain affected.
While Uisce Éireann says its experts are working to restore normal water quality as quickly and safely as possible, the continuing uncertainty is proving particularly frustrating. Residents and businesses are struggling with the practical consequences, with many asking the same question: when will life return to normal?
For older residents, the situation brings back memories of water shortages in years gone by. Some recall the late Podgy O’Keeffe driving through the estates with a tannoy mounted on his car, announcing water curtailments. Others remember the late Olly Casey of the former Youghal Town Council, the town’s water curator, who was always on hand when pipes burst or similar problems arose.
But nostalgia only goes so far. A week into the disruption, residents and businesses need answers — and practical help in the meantime.
With drier weather forecast, perhaps the people of Youghal will have to make the most of whatever rainwater they managed to collect over the past week! After all, when the heavens were open, at least the rain was falling freely. Who would have thought that in a town waiting for its water supply to return to normal, collecting rainwater might have seemed like a sensible backup plan?
Photo: Pictured on Friday 30th October 2026 - Blooming hell! Kay Curtin of Kay’s Flower Shop calls for an emergency water tanker as Youghal’s Boil Water Notice enters its second week. ...
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THE SESSION BROS. (live) · THE ANCHOR BAR · SAT 31st · 7:30 to 9:30PM
Early Gig · If you enjoy live music but not the late start, this one's for you.
The Session Bros return to The Anchor Bar, Youghal - Saturday, 31st October 2026, playing classic songs from the 70s, 80s and beyond.
This month’s line-up:
🎸 Paul McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎸 Kieran McCarthy, guitar and vocals
🎸 Aidan McCarthy, bass
🥁 Pete Mullins, drums
📍 The Anchor Bar, Youghal
📅 Saturday, 31st October
🕢 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Come early for the best seats. ...
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A BEWITCHING HALLOWEEN DISPLAY AT KAY'S FLOWER SHOP.
There is a little Halloween magic happening on North Main Street in Youghal, where Kay’s Flower Shop has created a spectacular window display that is sure to catch the eye of anyone passing by!
With hanging witches’ hats, autumn leaves, twinkling lights and colourful floral arrangements, the award-winning shop has embraced the spooky season in wonderful style.
It is a display full of imagination, colour and seasonal charm, bringing a touch of Halloween enchantment to the town centre.
But those familiar with Kay’s Flower Shop will know that this creativity is nothing new. There hardly seems to be a season, celebration or festival in Youghal that Kay doesn’t put her heart into. From Christmas and Easter to the Ironman Challenge, the autumn harvest, and St Brigid’s and St Patrick’s Day, Kay consistently rises to the occasion.
Her efforts go far beyond decorating a shop window. The colourful displays and carefully arranged lighting help brighten this part of North Main Street, adding character and a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
While every season brings something special, we must admit that this year’s Halloween display is simply awesome! It is a wonderful example of how a little imagination and community spirit can help bring a town street to life.
Well done to Kay and her team for keeping the magic alive in Youghal!
By Michael Hussey ...
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27/10/2026
CALL FOR WATER TANKER AS YOUGHAL BOIL WATER NOTICE CONTINUES. By Michael Hussey
Cllr Mary Linehan Foley has called for a water tanker to be provided for Youghal while the town’s Boil Water Notice remains in place.
Speaking on Tuesday, 27 October, Cllr Linehan Foley said she had raised the issue and that Cork County Council is writing to Uisce Éireann to request a tanker or water provision for the affected area, along with an update on how long the disruption is expected to continue.
The Boil Water Notice was introduced on Friday, 23 October, following a deterioration in raw water quality which affected the treatment process at the local water treatment plant. It remains in place for approximately 10,000 customers supplied by the Youghal Regional Public Water Supply.
With households and businesses continuing to face the inconvenience of having to boil water before drinking it or using it for food preparation, the proposal offers a practical measure to help the community while work continues to restore normal water quality.
Uisce Éireann has said its drinking water experts are working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible.
Picture: A familiar landmark on the Youghal skyline, the town’s water tower has stood watch over the rooftops since it was built in the late 1960s. For generations, its distinctive silhouette has been a reminder of home for locals and a recognisable feature for those approaching the town. ...
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