Although a short move may be required, the estuary can offer complete protection from all conditions. With strong southerly conditions a roll tends to develop in the anchorage off the town quay, but at such times shelter may be easily obtained by moving to the opposite side of the river. Although there are many obstructions in Youghal Bay, including a moderately deep bar outside the entrance, two well-marked channels lead across it, providing straightforward access night or day. The entrance is, however, subject to strong tidal currents and it is best to arrive here on the flood and depart on the ebb.
Keyfacts for Youghal
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Summary
A completely protected location with attentive navigation required for access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
51° 57.114' N, 007° 50.548' WOff the town basin beside the Town Hall.
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
- Vessels approaching from the east should use the East Bar, pass in ½ mile north of the Blackball East Cardinal and steer for the prominent Youghal Light.
- Vessels approaching from the west should round Caple Island and use the East Bar, pass 200 metres to the west of the Bar Rocks South Cardinal and steer for the Youghal Light.
- Follow the western shore in through the estuary standing off 200 metres.
Not what you need?
- Knockadoon Slip - 4 nautical miles SSW
- Ardmore Bay - 4.7 nautical miles E
- Ballycotton - 9.5 nautical miles SW
- Dungarvan Town Quay - 11.8 nautical miles NE
- Helvick - 12.6 nautical miles ENE
- Ballynacourty (The Pool) - 12.7 nautical miles NE
- Northeast of Great Island - 14 nautical miles WSW
- East Ferry Marina - 14.7 nautical miles WSW
- Aghada - 15 nautical miles WSW
- Cuskinny - 16.8 nautical miles WSW
- Knockadoon Slip - 4 miles SSW
- Ardmore Bay - 4.7 miles E
- Ballycotton - 9.5 miles SW
- Dungarvan Town Quay - 11.8 miles NE
- Helvick - 12.6 miles ENE
- Ballynacourty (The Pool) - 12.7 miles NE
- Northeast of Great Island - 14 miles WSW
- East Ferry Marina - 14.7 miles WSW
- Aghada - 15 miles WSW
- Cuskinny - 16.8 miles WSW
Chart
What's the story here?
Image: John Finn
Youghal is a seaside town situated at the head of Youghal Bay, in the estuary of the River Blackwater. Being built on the western edge of what is a steep riverbank, the historically strategic town has a distinctive long and narrow layout. Its comparatively small harbour consists of a number of quays fronting the town.
Image: Michael Harpur
The estuary is of a small extent but well sheltered. Berthing options include the harbourmaster’s pontoon, situated at Nealon’s Quay, and eight deepwater visitor moorings off of the town. Mooring fees are €10 per day or €25 a week for the pontoon. A temporary berth may be available on the Commercial Quay should it be vacant and no ships expected. It has 3 metres LAT, but it is essential to contact the harbourmaster to see if this is a possibility. The harbour is managed by the East Cork Harbour Master Liam Keating (including Ballycotton Harbour), +353 (0)24 929 26, Ext: 8610, +353 (0) 86 780 08 78, Liam.Keating@corkcoco.ie.
It is also possible for leisure craft to anchor in ample water in one of its three primary anchoring locations:
- (i) Off the town at Buttimer Quay beside the Town Hall
- (ii) Upriver of the town quay alongside the Red Bank
- (iii) North of Ferry Point where the yacht club is located
There are no harbour dues for anchoring.
Image: John Finn
It is best to plan to come into Youghal on the tide and exit on the ebb; expect it to get a bit rough at the harbour mouth when the ebb strikes a southerly. With offshore winds or in moderate weather, it is possible to anchor off and wait for the tide on the south side of the bay. With northerly winds vessels may also anchor ½ mile offshore in Whiting Bay in 10 or 12 metres, where a sandy bottom will be found.
Image: Michael Harpur
How to get in?
Image: Burke Corbett
Seaward approaches are available from southeastern Ireland’s coastal overview for Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour . Youghal Bay is entered between Ram Head and Knockadoon Head, with Capel Island situated immediately offshore about 7 miles to the southwest.
Image: John Finn
Identical square Napoleonic watchtowers stand on Ram Head and Knockadoon Head, while the small Capel Island has a round base of an unfinished light tower, meaning that all are positively identifiable.
Image: Burke Corbett
Youghal Harbour is located at the head of the bay and set within the mouth of the River Blackwater. The entrance opens between high bluff shores and is easily recognised in daylight.
Image: Michael Harpur
The approach to the harbour is encumbered by a central bay rock and a ledge, which are marked by buoys, and a sand bar. 'The Bar' is moderately deep, with as little as 1.5 metres LAT of water over it, and is composed of sand. It sweeps around the entrance of the harbour in the form of a horseshoe, about ½ to 1½ miles outside the entrance to the harbour.
About ½ mile southwestward of the bar, and almost central to the Youghal Bay, are the Bar Rocks. They consist of three irregular patches extending 800 metres in length and 100 metres wide, with a least depth of 0.6 metres over them at low water. Located ½ mile northeastward of these rocks is the Blackball Ledge, which is more of a concern for commercial shipping having a depth of just 3.4 metres LAT over its shallowest point. Both of these dangers are marked by lit cardinal marks.
Image: Michael Harpur
Two channels cross the bar, known as the East and West Bars. Both channels are supported at night by the conspicuous Youghal light tower situated on the western side of the entrance about 250 metres northward of Moll Goggin's Corner. Its light sectors are as follows: White 183°-273° (90°). Red 273°-295° (22°). White 295°-307° (12°). Red 307°-351° (44°). White 351°-003° (12°).
Youghal – Fl WR 2.5s 24m 17/13M position 51° 56.571' N, 007° 50.535' W
Leisure vessels may choose either the east or west channel as convenient. East is thought to be marginally better for entering under sail and it has slightly more water.
Image: Burke Corbett
Vessels approaching from the west and intending to cross the Youghal West Bar may round Capel Island at a sensible distance, then haul up northward to the West Bar initial fix, set 200 metres to the west of the Bar Rocks South Cardinal and in the sectored light.
Bar Rocks – South Cardinal Q (6) + LFl 15s position: 51° 54.855' N, 007° 50.053' W
Pass the Bar Rocks marker to starboard, by night entering the white sector of the Youghal Light. From there continue in to pass the West Bar, which has a least depth of 1.8 metres LAT situated just under 1 mile south of the Youghal light. From here simply steer for the Youghal Light Tower on a bearing of 300° T for a distance of 1¾ miles.
Image: Burke Corbett
Vessels approaching from the east and intending to cross the East Bar should use Youghal East Bar Initial Fix, set ½ mile north of the Blackball East Cardinal. From here simply steer for the Youghal Light Tower for a distance of 1¼ miles.
Blackball – East Cardinal Q (3) 10s position: 51° 55.334' N, 007° 48.529' W
The east channel, running closely along the north shore, is considered best as it is the deeper of the two channels, with a minimum charted depth of 2.8 metres. Stay in the channel, however, as a shallow 1.8 metres LAT section lies immediately south of the fairway, a mile to the southwest of the East Point.
Image: John Finn
Once across the bars the water deepens to 3 metres, and then 6 to 7 metres in the entrance fairway of the harbour that leads in between East Point (on the east side) and Moll Goggin’s Corner (on the west). A vessel should then steer along the western shore of the estuary, standing off a distance of 200 metres as the shoreline dries to the channel and is very steep.
Image: Michael Harpur
Although the estuary above appears wide, it is narrow and all the depth is on the town side of the river. The east side of the channel dries in the area to the south of Ferry Point, off the eastern shore, and is very shallow in the Dutchman’s Ballast area that lies south of this drying area.
Image: Burke Corbett
The harbour consists of a number of quays fronting the town on the west bank of the river. The first berthing option is to pick up one of the eight visitor moorings available off the town basin, Buttimer Quay, beside the Town Hall. These are provided by Aquatrek Sea Skills, the local ISA/RYA training centre.
For details (daytime) contact John Griffin +353 (0) 86 805 0726
or John Innes +353 (0) 86 859 3482.
Image: Michael Harpur
It is also possible to anchor outside the line of moorings in 6 to 7 metres. The bottom of this ancient anchorage is foul and the use of a tripping line is highly advisable. Vessels mooring here can come ashore and land the dinghy in the basin at Buttimer Quay. This location offers convenient access to the town, but it can get rough here in a southerly. Likewise, a vessel can get badly tide-rode here, with wind-on-tide conditions, especially so on a Spring ebb.
Image: Youghal Online
The Town Quay has a landing pontoon adjacent to the pier for charter boats, which can be used on occasion for loading and obtaining water; at night it is marked by a light (FR). The harbourmaster’s pontoon can be found at Nealon’s Quay.
Image: Burke Corbett
A quieter anchoring option may be had by proceeding ¾ mile beyond the Town Quay and past Green’s Quay to the area west of the Red Bank. This has excellent sand and mud holding and is made clearly identifiable by the special pontoon marker Fl.Y.5s2M at the southwestern extremity of the Red Bank. Vessels continuing up to this area should take a mid-channel approach to pass a small drying bank that lies 100 metres east of the commercial Green Quay.
Image: Burke Corbett
It may be possible for the harbourmaster to find a temporary berth alongside Green's Quay if it is vacant and no ships are expected. Although it is possible to anchor out to the northeast of Green’s Quay, it is best to head up to the area just northwest of the pontoon marker. Ships use Green’s Quay with surprising frequency and they turn about the bank to come alongside the north end of the quay. Any vessels anchored in this area will either impede that turn or at least be disturbed by the wash from the ship's movement. It is far better to be well out of the way, up past the Red Bank marker.
Image: Michael Harpur
In the event of strong southerlies, there is the option to anchor in quieter waters to the north of Ferry Point. This is on the opposite shore at the north side of the finger extending to the point where the yacht club is situated. It is truly a great place to spend a night.
Image: Burke Corbett
Most of the area north of Ferry Point is highly populated with local moorings, but there is a hole of water here no bigger than 100 metres wide with about 8 metres depth in it that is clear. It will require some depth sounder work, but once located it is an ideal place to settle down in perfect security and away from the noise of the town. Land at the slip close to the clubhouse or, with a stalwart outboard, across the estuary at the town.
Image: Michael Harpur
Upriver from Youghal, the River Blackwater is famed for the picturesque beauty of its banks. Although possessing considerable natural advantages, it is little used for navigation as about 1½ miles above the town a bridge spans the river with a vertical clearance of 6.5 metres.
Image: John Finn
Vessels with a low airdraught that draw up to 3.7 metres can reach Strancally Castle, located 9 miles above Youghal, where they may lie afloat. As the tide in this part of the river maintains a rise of 4 metres on springs, vessels may ascend above Camphire to Dromana, where there are some deep gullies with 3 to 3.5 metres of water.
Image: John Finn
Why visit here?
Youghal, pronounced yawl, derives its name from the Irish eochaill meaning 'yew woods', which were once plentiful in the area. Set into the estuary of the River Blackwater and standing on the downward slopes of the hills on the west side of the harbour, this is a town of considerable antiquity, of which a sizable majority is still well preserved today.Image: Tourism Ireland
Evidence of early human occupation dates back to the Neolithic period, as can be discerned by the findings at nearby Newport. Many of the buildings of the town date back to the 5th century. The Church of Coran, thought to have been founded by St Declan around AD 450, was in the town's western suburbs. It may have been associated with the important monastery at Ardmore, 7 miles to the east. Likewise, the island monastery of Molana, 3 miles north of Youghal, was founded in the early 6th century and it became a great centre of learning and religious reform during the 7th to 10th centuries. The origins of the still existing St Mary's Collegiate Church date back to that time, but the building was rebuilt in Irish Romanesque style circa 750, while a great Norman nave was erected in 1220 and since that time has been frequently restored.
Image: Public Domain
From the end of the 8th century, Ireland’s coastline was subject to Viking raids, and Youghal was no exception. During the 9th-century, it is thought that a Viking settlement established itself here. They used it more as a 'forward operating base' than a settlement, as it was primarily somewhere to execute raids upon the surrounding wealthy monastic sites, as well as those at Lismore. This settlement is likely to have been small and may not have been a permanent foundation, but it would have been somewhat fortified and probably contained a church. It was, however, far from insurmountable, and in 864 it was attacked and destroyed by the local powerful Deisi clan. It was recorded that the raiders had re-established themselves by 945, when a battle with their own kinsmen close outside of Youghal was recorded. After the 1014 'Battle of Clontarf', in which Brian Boru's Irish armies defeated the Vikings, hostilities with the Nordics finally ceased and Youghal first took on the mantle of 'trading port'.
Image: Tourism Ireland
The Norman Conquest would come in the 12th century and it was not long before Youghal was in their sights. In 1173, Strongbow, the invasion leader himself, led a Norman raiding party to plunder Lismore. Whilst returning downriver to secure their spoils at their Waterford base, they were surprised at the harbour mouth by the men of Youghal and an Irish fleet out of Cork, including Gaelicised Vikings. The technologically advanced Norman war machine proved decisive in the battle and the Irish and Vikings forces were defeated. So began the Norman era in Youghal, and in 1177 King Henry II gave the Youghal area to Robert Fitzstephen, who had led the initial 1169 invasion and captured the first major prize, Wexford Town.
Image: Public Domain
Fitzstephen rebuilt and extended the Viking fortifications of the town and Youghal quickly gained power and influence. King John granted the town a charter of incorporation in 1209, and the settlement soon attracted 'Men-at-arms, traffickers and other adventurers' from Britain. Robert Fitzstephen passed the lands on to his half-brother Maurice Fitzgerald, ancestor of the Earls of Desmond, in 1215. It was he who introduced the Franciscan monastery founded here in 1224. This would have been the earliest house of that order in Ireland, and in the lifetime of St Francis. In 1268 a Dominican priory was founded close to North Gate. All of this accelerated Youghal’s development and it was soon a thriving port, second only in stature to Bristol as the busiest in the British Isles. By then the town walls surrounded the important settlement with at least 12 towers. As early as 1275 it is recorded that King Edward I granted a charter to raise taxes for their repair and extension. A beacon tower was constructed in the late 12th century to the south of the town, its light tended by the nearby Franciscan convent of St Anne.
Image: Michael Harpur
By 1350 Youghal was a fine walled town and one of the main medieval ports in Ireland, trading with ports all over Europe. The property was conveyed to the Earls of Ormond in the 14th century and passed back to the Earls of Desmond in 1420. In 1462 Youghal was made one of the Irish Cinque Ports, granting the town special military and trading privileges. Various other dispensations were afforded to Youghal during the medieval period, confirming it as one of the principal ports in Ireland, and it was a port capable of provisioning vessels of all types. Alongside this, a small extension to the walls had been made to the south to create a 'base town' with an adjoining quay. The three main openings in the walls were the Watergate, which opened onto the quays, the North Gate, the principal landward entrance to the town, and the Iron Gate, at the southern edge. The latter was subsequently called the Trinity Gate and is now the site of the Clock Gate.
Image: Michael Harpur
During the 16th century the power and possessions of the Earls of Desmond, the head of the FitzGerald dynasty in Munster and his followers, and the Geraldines and their allies, were generating concern and envy in the English administration. Likewise, the Earls or feudal lords did not take kindly to the interference of the Elizabethan English government over the province. Always testing the limits of their power and independence, it was the threat of the Elizabethan English government's South Welsh Tewdwr cousins having their powers extended that caused the situation to spiral into open rebellion. Youghal was to feel the brunt of the Second Desmond Rebellion when in 1579 it was sacked by the forces of Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond. Desmond had the town's garrison massacred and the English officials hanged, and then allowed his soldiers to loot the town.
Image: Mike Searle via CC BY SA 2.0
Amongst his acquaintances in the area was the poet Edmund Spenser, who, like Raleigh, had been granted land in Munster. They both had limited success in inducing English tenants to settle on their Irish estates. Sir Walter Raleigh is, however, credited with introducing the potato to Ireland. As noted by Nicholas Hilliard, circa 1585: "Sir Walter Raleigh was Mayor of Youghal in 1588 and 1599 and lived at Myrtle Grove, the Warden's Residence of the Collegiate Church. The first potatoes in Europe were planted in the gardens of Myrtle Grove in 1585. Myrtle Grove's South Gable is where Edmund Spencer is reputed to have written part of his poem The Faerie Queen. The house is not open to the public, except during the summer months when tours are organised."Another incident recalls how Raleigh was smoking in the garden of Myrtle Grove, when his servant, never having seen tobacco before, threw water over him, fearing that he had been set alight.
Image: Public Domain
In 1641 Youghal was garrisoned and defended by the Earl of Cork. In 1649 it 'declared for the parliament' and was occupied as his headquarters by Cromwell. As a historic walled seaport town on the coastline of East Cork that is close to a number of beaches, it has been a tourist destination since the mid-19th century.
Image: Michael Harpur
This is but a taste of the history within the town, which has been designated an Irish Heritage Port by the Irish Tourist Board. It is very fitting designation as the downtown area of Youghal is a treasure trove of historic buildings and monuments, all set within ancient town walls that are among the best-preserved in Ireland. Today a stone in St Mary's Collegiate Church still bears a historic etched outline of a longboat as a mark of their time here. It also contains the elaborate tomb of Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork, who died in the mid-17th century. It is one of the few remaining medieval churches in Ireland to have been in continual use as a place of worship.
Image: Michael Harpur
The charter of 1275, granted by King Edward I for the repair and extension of the wall, has paid good dividends, as sections of the walls can still be seen. A 450-metre stretch remains intact high above the southwest side of the town, with part of the wall-walk accessible from the churchyard. Tynte's Castle is a late 15th-century urban tower house, while Myrtle Grove also survives. In 1777 the town's Clock Gate was built on the site of Trinity Castle, part of the town's fortifications. The Clock Gate served the town as gaol and public gallows. As grim as the thought of it may be, prisoners were executed by being hanged from the windows of this building until 1837. There are also 17th-century almshouses, constructed by Richard Boyle, standing solid.
Image: John Finn
The Mall House and its promenade, constructed in 1779, are now used as Youghal's Town Hall. The town's Water Gate became known as Cromwell's Arch; it was from here that Oliver Cromwell left the country in 1650 following his campaign in Ireland.
Image: Public Domain
From a boating perspective, Youghal is made for the coastal cruiser, with excellent shelter, provisioning and connections, and all just a short distance from the main passageways along the coastline. What it has most is a deep sense of antiquity, and built over a short space on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout that is ideal to experience on foot. The first stop should be to the tourist office so that a plan can be made to take full advantage of this historic town and all that it has to offer. For younger families, Youghal is also adjoined by a number of fine safe beaches, with the 5km-long front beach holding two Blue Flags for water quality.
Image: Sean O Riordan
What facilities are available?
Once alongside the main town, you will be right in the centre of it for shopping. Catering for a population of about 7,000 and catchment area of about 10,000, it is an excellent location to provision. Bus Eireann operates a regular service from Youghal to Cork, with buses leaving approximately every hour between 07:00 and 23:00. Cork Airport is the nearest airport in the region and is located about 40 minutes’ drive from Youghal.Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored or on moorings in Youghal.With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Photographs: With thanks to John Finn, Raymond Norris, Will McGoldrick, David Brookes, John Berry, Montclaire Kimberley Acadamy, Eugene Mehegan and Youghal on Panoramio.Add your review or comment:
Michael Harpur wrote this review on Sep 27th 2022:
Thank you Tony, a really helpful observation.
Average Rating: UnratedTony Lawlor wrote this review on Sep 26th 2022:
I am a native of Youghal. An unusual thing about Youghal harbour is that the flood tide only lasts for FIVE hours. This is because of the river Blackwater which enters the sea at Youghal with a huge flow of water. To get the proper low water times you should go to the following high water prediction time and count back five hours.
Average Rating: UnratedRodolphe Thimonier wrote this review on Jun 19th 2016:
Nice anchorage almost in city center. Yet the anchorage North of Ferry Point is shallow and the best spots are already occupied by local boats. So, from a draft of 2m, you shall have to anchor almost in the middle of the river, where the tidal currents are strong (several knots on a spring tide) and the boat is exposed to southerly winds/swell. However, the holding is good and the place enjoyable.
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