Youghal

Town and seaside resort in County Cork, Republic of Ireland; population (2002) 6,200. Youghal (pronounced ‘Yawl’) is situated on the west side of the Blackwater estuary, 48 km/30 mi east of the city of Cork. Carpets, health-care products, and computer products are manufactured here, a type of needlepoint lace (‘pointe d'Irlande’) is made, and there are salmon fisheries. The town contains the ruins of Benedictine and Dominican abbeys and has medieval town walls and towers.

Youghal was founded by the Anglo-Normans in the 13th century. During the plantation of Munster in the 16th century the town and surrounding lands were granted to the adventurer Walter Raleigh.

The Clock Gate, built in the 18th century on the site of a medieval gate, was used as a jail until 1837. St Mary's Protestant church dates from the 13th century but was heavily restored in the 19th century.

The ruins of Rincrew Abbey, which was built for the Order of St John, lie 3 km/2 mi north of Youghal. Also to the north (5 km/3mi) are the ruins of Templemichael Castle.