Youghal
If you travel west about 15 minutes drive from Newtown Farm Bed & Breakfast you will arrive in Youghal. The Gaelic word for the name actually means Yew wood, suggesting the presence of such a forest at one time perhaps. These woodlands once fed the 17th century Ironworks nearby.An historic walled town and a long established seaside resort, the port of Youghal has a 5km beach and many historic buildings. There is much in Youghal which links it to the past. It has recently earned acclaim as an Irish Heritage Port, which hints at the many historically interesting buildings in the town. Youghal was home for a time to Walter Raleigh and Richard Boyle. In more recent times Youghal was an important centre for brick making, pottery, lace making and carpet manufacture. Some fine local potters still work in the town to this day.
Youghal is well known for it's several top class seafood restaurants, if you like your seafood they are well worth a visit.
There are many attractive picnic areas and scenic drives in the around Youghal. Take a trip up the Blackwater Valley with Castle Crags, haunted by many a wild legend. Proud mansions and majestic cliff side Castles lording over the Blackwater will greet your eyes.
An extremely informative Visitor Centre, which adjoins the Tourist Office, will be of further interest. From here you can join one of the guided tours which will reveal Youghal's ancient fortifications. The 11th century St Mary's Collegiate Church is a definite inclusion in your tour as it is still in use after eight centuries. Here lies the tomb of Mary, Countess of Desmond. Legend maintains that she fell out of a cherry tree and died at the age of 147 years. Similarly, the Clock Gate which dates from 1777 and the Benedictine Priory will remind you of a past age.
Occupied by the Danes and then the Normans, the town received a Charter from King John and went on to be part of the land allocated to Sir Walter Raleigh. His home, Myrtle Grove, is open to the public and there is a local belief that it was here that he first planted potatoes and smoked a cigar.
The town has not avoided the 21st century entirely, though. Youghal features as one of the well-loved tourist towns of County Cork, boasting the largest funfair in the country. The four miles of sandy beaches in Youghal are safe for swimming and two of these beaches are European Blue Flag approved. Golf, Pitch and Putt, tennis and angling are all popular activities here. Newtown Farm Bed & Breakfast is the ideal accommodation for anyone holidaying in the Youghal area.