Youghal come back for more

Travel Youghal come back for more! Mairead Robinson delights in all the amenities the town of Youghal has to offer to visitors and locals alike.

General view of the town dominated by the celebrated Clock Gate Tower

With all the ‘staycationing’ going on for the past two summers, you would be forgiven for thinking that the west of Ireland was the only place to head to for a good holiday break. While South Kerry and West Cork do justly enjoy popularity with many people, it would seem that East Cork is actually the hidden gem when it comes to the destination that actually has it all. You might think I am being biased as I have just made my home in the lovely town of Youghal, but in all honesty this town has so much to offer that I don’t think I could have found a better destination in the whole of the country. you are a fan of sea swimming, the seven kilometres of blue flag sandy beach feels almost like the Mediterranean and the newly extended Eco Boardwalk is the most perfect place for a walk and kept many of us sane during the various restrictions.

Whatever time of the day or year, you will meet dog walkers and joggers, and families enjoying the beach or just taking in the fresh sea air. There is a friendly atmosphere while it is never crowded, and you even get to spot hang-gliders, water skies, occasional football families and indeed yoga classes on the beach sometimes too. / Waterford bus, which runs every hour. The town itself is very compact and virtually everything is within walking distance. At the western end of the strand is the indoor/ outdoor restaurant bar Clancys, and then the lovely Walter Raleigh Hotel facing the green on the seafront. As you come further into the town itself you pass under the famous Clock Gate Tower, which has over seven hundred years of incredible history. A visit to his iconic building is a ‘must do’ when coming to Youghal as the tour will bring you on a fascinating journey through the decades including its time as a very grim prison. www.youghalclockgate.ie

St Mary’s Collegiate Church

harrowing Famine Walk or the Historic Town Trail where you can delve into the buried history of Youghal at your own pace. You can pop into the Tourist Office in Market Square for all the information you could want on what is open to you in and around Youghal. You can also enjoy a visit to the adjacent heritage centre for a fascinating insight into the history of Youghal from the Viking raids of the eighth century to the present day, and following that you can enjoy a meal or drink at the nearby Quays Bar overlooking the pier.

As you progress further through the town you come to The Raleigh Quarter. A short walk up the narrow road from Tracey’s Bar on your right (home of the best toastie in town) will bring you straight up to St Mary’s Collegiate Church which is over eight hundred years old. The beautiful stone walls and amazing oak roof have provided sanctuary and solace through times of war and famine, as well as a calm presence in times of prosperity and peace. It is a most beautiful building and Church of Ireland services are regularly held there to this day.

A unique audio-tour with interactive touch screens allow you to explore the past with insights into what the church looked like in different periods since early Christian times. This is another ‘must-do’ on your visit to Youghal. www.stmaryscollegiateyoughal.ie You can also take a walk around the fascinating graveyard and explore the historic town walls.

With so much to learn about Youghal’s past, I found it really interesting to hear about not only what is available now, but what is coming down the tracks for the town. Ex Mayor of Cork, and native of Youghal, Councillor Mary Linehan Foley is passionate about the town’s growing prosperity.

‘My vision for Youghal would be very positive, we have come such a long way over the last number of years with particular projects , The Middleton to Youghal Greenway will be a game changer for the whole of east cork at a cost of 15 million and will open up all the villages in between. This project was a motion I put forward years ago and I would be hoping that after speaking to minister Eamonn Ryan earlier this year that we would also incorporate a ferry from the quayside in Youghal to the ferry point in Co. Waterford.

This ferry would be for cyclists only to help join up the Dungarvan Greenway. Our beautiful town of Youghal has so much to offer - a lighthouse within walking distance of the town centre, a beautiful quayside at one end and at the other our beach and Eco Boardwalk that brings you right up to the Quality Hotel and our 7 km of sandy beaches. You can also tap into the heritage and history -Town Walls , Clockgate , Raleigh Quarter to name just a few , so in my opinion Youghal is the Town to visit.’

Other great attractions that are available are river trips, subject to weather and tides – www. blackwatercruises, Leahy’s Open Farm, which is a lovely day out for the whole family – www.leahysopenfarm.ie, and the excellent Regal Cinema and Wine Bar, one of Ireland’s oldest cinemas which reopened its doors two years ago – www.regalcinema.ie There are plenty of places to eat and stay in Youghal, and I have included my favourites:-

Ireland’s longest boardwalk

Where to stay in Youghal:

Quality Hotel. Very popular with locals and visitors alike. Great food and also has a spa. www.qualityyoughal.com

The Walter Raleigh Hotel – fabulous location, excellent food and beautifully refurbished rooms. www.walterraleighhotel.com

The Old Imperial – Right in the centre of town, great food, very popular locally and secure parking. They also run the Brunch & Deli at 77 Main Street. www.theoldimperialhotel.com

Where to Eat in Youghal:

All the hotels above do great food for both lunches and dinner and bar food. Other places to check out are:-

Clancy’s Bar & Restaurant – on the Front Strand with fabulous sea views, great food, lovely cocktails and super friendly service. www.clancysyoughal.com

The Quays Bar & Restaurant – On the quays, great food, occasional music, very popular and great service. www.thequaysyoughal.ie.

The Nook – Run by the Tracy family, exceptional ambiance, great lunchtime sandwiches, very cosy and popular and very friendly. www.findthenook.ie