Youghal Heritage Town
| County: | Co. Cork |
| Tel: | 024 - 201 70 |
| Email: | tourism@youghal.ie |
Youghal, a designated heritage town is situated on the spectacular South Coast, at the mouth of the stunning Blackwater river. Youghal is one of the best examples of a Norman Walled Port in Ireland today. Discover Youghal’s fascinating heritage for yourself when you take the ‘Youghal Heritage Trail Walking Tour’. See the magnificent town walls - a striking reminder of Youghal’s importance as a Medieval port town. Other iconic buildings on the trail include the famous ‘clock tower’ and Tyntes Castle.
The most famous of Youghal’s buildings is Myrtle Grove, - the home of Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh is said to have planted the first potatoes in Ireland in Youghal, thus introducing a nutritious food which was to have a major impact on Ireland’s future. St Mary’s Collegiate Church and Graveyard (Free Admission) is now a National Monument of Ireland. This ancient place has been a site of continuous Christian witness, worship and prayer for over 1300 years, since the time of St. Declan.
General Information
| Address: | St Mary's College Gardens Emmet Place Youghal Co Cork |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 024 - 201 70 |
| Email: | tourism@youghal.ie |
| Website: | http://www.youghal.ie |
| Location: | Youghal |
| Season: | All Year |
| Open Times: | 09.00 - 17.00 (May-Oct, 7 days) 10.00 - 15.00 (Nov-Aprl, Mon-Fri) Everyday except Christmas |
| Tours: | Mon - Fri: 11.00 : Jun - Sep Private tours can be arranged any time of the year |
| Booking Contact: | tourism@youghal.ie |
| Average Visit Length: | 2 hours |
| Town Amenities: | Gardens, Angling, Beaches, Bird watching, Golf, Medieval festival every August |
| Restaurant: | Savour some authentic Irish cuisine with excellent restaurant choices |
| Picnic Area: | Yes |
| Shop: | Varied and stylish shopping |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Monasteries
Ruins of Dominican Priory of 1268, a Geralding foundation. Miraculous image of Our Lady of Graces was venerated here, now in St. Mary's Church in Cork City. Remains of a 14th Century Benedictine Priory. Ruins of 13th Century Molana Abbey. Ruins of convent of the Knights Templar, 12th Century
Youghal Chosen to Pilot New Heritage Towns Initiative
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, hosted a significant forum, (Thursday 26th April 2012) involving a range of groups, to kick-start the development of a new Historic Towns Initiative for Ireland.
The forum was designed to stimulate an active debate and discussion between key stakeholders to outline how a new Historic Towns Initiative could work and to seek agreement on a way forward for a pilot scheme to test the initiative. Addressing the forum were representatives from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and other stakeholders.
The main outcome of this forum has been the agreement to pilot a new Heritage Towns Initiative in three towns this year: Youghal (Cork), Westport (Mayo) and Listowel (Kerry). The Heritage Council and Fáilte Ireland will be the lead implementation partners working with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The core aim of the Heritage Towns Initiative will be to conserve and protect and find new uses where required for the built heritage of the participating historic towns whilst also maximising the economic value of tourism in each location. The Heritage Towns Initiative will promote heritage-led urban regeneration policies which are increasingly common throughout Europe. A number of international projects have been completed which will provide useful case studies for Ireland in establishing this pilot scheme and which also demonstrate the heritage and economic potential that exists in schemes of this type.
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht commented: “Ireland’s historic towns are a significant attraction for visitors to this country who have an interest in culture and heritage. The Programme for Government recognises the importance of promoting cultural tourism, and the conservation and protection of the architectural heritage assets in our historic towns is vitally important in establishing and developing a quality tourism product.”
“The pilot of the Heritage Towns Initiative will aim to preserve existing heritage assets, stimulate heritage-led regeneration and add to the tourism offering of these locations. The needs of the communities that live in participating towns will remain core to the process.”
“Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council will now commence working on the introduction of this pilot scheme in these three towns. I look forward to seeing this pilot scheme in place and – pending its successful implementation – rolling out this initiative in more locations across Ireland.”
Brief History
Youghal, where past meets present at the mouth of the picturesque River Blackwater. It is one of the best examples of a Norman walled port in Ireland today, combined with a modern seaside holiday resort
Youghal Visitor centre offers a unique starting point from which to explore the exciting history of the town. Guided walking tours direct the visitor through the most notable areas of the town
Following in the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh, Edmund Spenser and Sir Richard Boyle, the visitor is taken through the main streets, spanned by the 18th century clock tower, where Victorian shopfronts stand shoulder to shoulder with 13th and 16th century dwellings
Monuments in Youghal
1798 Memorial Park Statue to Fr. O'Neil commemorating Fr. O'Neil and other victims of 1798. Nellie Fleming (Boat) 1936 all crew lost at sea, at the Mall. Danny McCarthy (founder of Cork Hill pipe band) at Barry's Lane. Our Lady of Graces carved in Portland stone at the southern entrance to the town; the sculptor was the late Seamus Murphy of Cork. At the northern end of the town sculptures representing the river Blackwater flowing through the valleys into Youghal Harbour. Also sculpture representing fishing on the River Blackwater
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