Youghal, Ireland

The Irish coastal town of Youghal is rich in history and natural beauty. A walk through this medieval once-walled city reveals parts of the original water gate, medieval walls, and clock tower. Very much strollable, notable sites can be spied throughout, such as St. Mary’s Church, built in 1250, housing the tomb of Richard Boyle, the first earl of Cork, and Myrtle Grove, home of the Elizabethan adventurer and major of the town, Sir Walter Raleigh. During the nineteenth century, Youghal was an important site for pottery works and lace making; these and other artisan crafts are proudly on display in local shops. Youghal is also your gateway to Lismore Castle Gardens, arranged over seven acres within the seventeeth-century outer defensive walls of Lismore Castle. The gardens are said to be the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and Blackwater Valley. Explore the countryside by foot or bike; relax on one of Youghal’s several Blue Flag beaches, or go birdwatching at Ballyvergan Marsh, the largest freshwater coastal marsh in County Cork.