20 Attractions to Explore Near Youghal Beach

Built in 1777, the tower in the centre of Youghal is nowadays the city’s landmark. But its history is rather frightening. The Clock Tower, which was used as a prison for a long time. As the most visible landmark in the centre of Youghal Main Street, the tower is inextricably linked with the surrounding landscape and community across more than 700 years of history. Today visitors can move through the inner stairs of the four storey, 24 metre high tower.

Goat Island is a beach located roughly 5 kilometres west of Ardmore, County Waterford. The inlet where the beach is located faces south and is sheltered to the west side by the island itself. The beach can be found via a windy lane signposted for Goat Island.

A small Augustinian monastery near Youghal. It is now a dreary and lonely spot, on the banks of that beautiful Munster river- the Blackwater: although it was at one time, the home of pious monks, whose graves can still be discerned beneath the tall oaktrees which form a long body-guard around the Abbey ruins.

The Ardmore Round Tower is one of the best-preserved examples in Ireland. Situated in the middle of a still-used Cemetery. It is a complete tower but the conical cap is not the original. The 12th century tower has three clearly visible string courses and each course is offset, this plus the inclination or batter of the walls give the tower it's distinctive tapered shape. The sandstone blocks are dressed to the curve. The tower has a total of 7 windows and a decorated.

One of the earliest ecclesiastical sites in Ireland was founded in Ardmore by Saint Declan, a pre-Patrician Saint in the 5th century. At the site are the later remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure. Inside the enclosure are Saint Declans Oratory, the 'Cathedral' shown above, a 12th century round tower, two ogham stones and several cross slabs. The Cathedral, which consists of a nave and chancel, was built by Moelettrim O Duibh Rathra sometime during the 12th century in a number of phases.

The beautiful Ardmore Beach is one of the more popular places to visit in Waterford. Especially as you can pair a visit here with a ramble along the Ardmore Cliff Walk and then lunch in the Cliff House Hotel, if you fancy! A day trip to the beach is much more special when it comes imbued with history, tradition and plenty of other activities for the outdoor-minded visitor.

This walk brings you on cliff-top paths, minor roads and laneways past Early Christian St Declan's Well, Ardmore Round Tower, 12th Century Cathedral and a lookout post with a variety of flora, fauna and birdlife (coastal birds, Rock Pipits, Pheasant, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon) and some stunning coastal scenery.

Ogham stones are stones on which short marks were made in groups of between one and five notches, strokes or diagonal lines, usually on the edge of the stone. Each group signifies a sound in Old Irish, and they are the oldest surviving written form of the language which is still spoken in this area. The greatest concentration of Ogham stones in Ireland is to be found here in Corca Dhuibhne, with over 60 known examples.

Tourin Gardens and woodland, created by countless generations since the tower house was first built in 1560 extends over 15 acres to the banks of the Blackwater river. Fine collections of trees, shrubs and plants give colourful displays at all times of the year. The gardens at Tourin House extend over 2 hectares and include a walled garden. A fine collection of camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and other shrubs give a beautiful seasonal display of colour.

Midleton is Ireland's largest distillery and produces many well-known Whiskey brands: Jameson, Midleton, Powers, Redbreast, Writers Tears, The Irishman, Green Spot, Yellow Spot. The distillery is high-tech, but still produces an impressive range of whiskeys with great craft and character.

Dromana Gate is a striking Hindu-Gothic gate lodge and was the entrance to Villierstown and the Dromana estate. Henry Villiers Stuart inherited the estate in the early part of the 18th century and in 1826 married an Austrian widow known as Theresia Pauline Ott of Vienna.The Gate-Lodge comprises of a central pointed archway topped with an onion dome and two side chambers, each with four windows and a fireplace.

The Midleton distilleries complex is situated in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. It is owned by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Located alongside is the Old Midleton Distillery, which was established in the early 17th century and now operates as a visitor centre known as the Jameson Experience.

Lismore Castle Gardens are situated on the outskirts of Lismore town, Spread over seven acres, the historic gardens at Lismore Castle in County Waterford are divided into two very distinct and different halves. The Upper Garden is a complete example of the 17th-century walled garden first constructed here by Richard Boyle, the First Earl of Cork, in about 1605. The Gardens are open 7 days a week from 10.30 am – 5.30 pm.

St. Carthage Cathedral, Lismore is a Church of Ireland cathedral in Lismore, County Waterford. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin. Formerly the cathedral of the Diocese of Lismore, it is now one of six cathedrals in the United Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory. The medieval cathedral was in ruins after a fire in the 17th century.

Lismore Castle is a luxury exclusive use castle, built by King John in 1185. It sleeps up to 27 guests and is perfect for family gatherings and celebrations. Spread over seven acres, the historic gardens at Lismore Castle in County Waterford are divided into two very distinct and different halves. The Upper Garden is a complete example of the 17th-century walled garden first constructed here by Richard Boyle, the First Earl of Cork, in about 1605.

Lady Louisa’s walk is a gentle and picturesque walk which takes you, for the most part, on a woodland walk along the river bank. Along the walk one can expect to find plants such as beech, ash, ferns, spindle tree, holly and ivy as well as wood sorrel, golden saxifrage and wild garlic. Make sure to look back along the riverbank as you walk to catch views of Lismore Castle.

Waterford County Museum located in Dungarvan, County Waterford. It features the history of Dungarvan and district with a series of illustrated panels and displays. The museum and its collections aim to document, collect and preserve the history of Dungarvan and west County Waterford. The museum is split into two areas, one for the permanent collections, and one for temporary exhibitions.

Cappoquin House is an 18th century Georgian mansion built on the site of an old Fitzgerald castle with a large south facing hillside garden. The gardens are not wheelchair friendly being on a slope. 5 acres, south facing on acid soil. Wide range of interesting herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees.

This is an Anglo-Norman fortification founded in 1185. It was built in a very strategic location at the mouth of the River Colligan. The castle consists of a polygonal shell keep with an enclosing curtain wall, a corner tower and a gate tower. The shell keep is the earliest structure, dating from the 12th century. Shell keeps are common in England, but rare in Ireland. Inside the curtain wall is a two storey military barracks, which dates from the first half of the 18th century.

The Waterford Greenway, is a route on a former railway track in County Waterford, Ireland, used for cycling and hiking. It features 11 bridges, three viaducts and a 400-metre tunnel and runs between the city of Waterford, Mount Congreve, Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas, and Dungarvan, and passes along part of the Copper Coast. At 46 km, it is Ireland's longest greenway.The Waterford and Suir Valley Railway shares the route along the banks of River Suir.