Hotel review: Is this iconic East Cork landmark the best seafood stop in Munster?

"Park your preconceptions: this East Cork classic is one of Ireland’s best value escapes for seafood lovers"

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025 - 01:00

Thom Breathnach

Aherne's Townhouse, Youghal

Our rating: 8.5/10

Location

An icon of Youghal and indeed East Cork for over a century, Aherne’s has been a landmark in the heart of the town since 1923.

The property has been for sale for a couple of years but is very much still open for business and welcoming guests seeking a cosy escape.

In fact, for those looking for an off-season hideaway during the moody winter, Aherne’s makes a very inviting port in the storm.

8.5/10

Style & design

Aherne’s is a classic townhouse inn with a butter yellow and laurel green facade yielding to a side alley (offering al fresco dining in summer) which flanks a more recent accommodation wing with balcony rooms tucked beneath of the mansard style roofs.

Inside, the property is characterful and feels uniquely Aherne’s.

It features a compact reception nook, breakfast room and a very inviting guest lounge centred around an open fire, fine art, and a library of books.

Corridors are eclectic, referencing the property’s heritage from seafood imagery (and a live lobster tank) to a gallery of French culinary prints and old school Youghal memorabilia.

One vibe chink is the upstairs guest corridors, which feel just a touch musty, but it’s loaded with charm otherwise.

Design charm peaks at the hotel’s dining options; a cavernous, elegant restaurant dotted with gorgeous art and a piano which moonlights as a wine rack.

Unpretentious, it’s an inviting space for a special gathering.

Aherne’s seafood bar, a traditional yet smart bar in mahogany, mustard, and navy with candlelit tables and pops of local art, is a dining treasure and one of the most ambient dining spaces in East Cork.

8.5/10

Service

Proprietor and third-generation Aherne, David Fitzgibbon, runs the show alongside wife Gaye.

Characterful ambassadors for the property and Youghal itsel, they’re happy to wax lyrical on everything from lobsters to rugby and tourism fortunes.

Beyond the owners, there’s a small team in the bar, restaurant, and breakfast service who are all warm and professional.

9/10

Guest rooms

Aherne’s is intimate with just 13 rooms to book, from deluxe doubles and twins to larger junior suites.

I stayed in a junior suite which is a fine room with a balcony (though you’re a block or two shy of proper sea views here).

Pluses are the wonderfully comfy bed, the room’s generous, well-functioning size and antique furniture.

Elements like a mint green carpet, digital clock radio, and shower-over-bath en suite feel dated but it’s a pleasant base nonetheless.

Note: Aherne’s rates do not increase at weekends, so considering the fine dining, it does make for one of the most affordable and fine value of Ireland’s Blue Book escapes.

7.5/10

In-room perks

Tea bags, Nescafé sachets, and Drury herbal teas, while bathroom products are by Cork company, Avonlee.

A welcome coffee and biscuit in the lounge would be a lovely addition to the stay experience, even if a few bob were added to the rate.

6/10

On the menu

Preconceptions may suggest that Aherne’s is a pricey establishment, but value here may well surprise.

Guests can choose between the restaurant, with seafood specialities including smoked Blackwater salmon, grilled cod with Provençal sauce, homemade desserts including pear and almond tart, and tea or filter coffee for a very reasonable €60.

I clock that if you book the restaurant dining deal via Aherne’s website, that rate drops to €50.

The bar offers similar fare in a more informal setting and must rank as one of East Cork’s most charming food spots.

Breakfast offers fresh, pulpy orange juice, a tasty fruit bowl, and I opted for hot smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, topped with fresh dill and served atop homemade gluten-free bread.

9.5/10

Activities & amenities

The townhouse won’t appeal for those seeking on-site amenities.

However, you are in the heart of historic Youghal here, with attractions from the Clock Tower Gate to Youghal Film and Photography Museum to outdoor appeal, with the country’s finest beach boardwalk to the all new greenway to Midleton.

6/10

Checking in

The bill? B&B for two from €200. Note that Aherne’s closes annually for the month of November.

Room to improve? A face-lift for guest rooms is the main concern here. Tweak-wise, there was a dormant stereo system in the very silent breakfast room; a little background Debussy or Yann Tiersen could have befitted the ambiance for such a classy gourmand getaway.

Accessibility? One wheelchair friendly room,

Family-friendly? Family rooms are available.

Dog-friendly? Service dogs only.

EV chargers? No.