Re-opening of famed Youghal tower a step closer

Plans to transform one of the country’s most iconic monuments into a tourist attraction are proceeding, following a €35,000 grant from Cork County Council.

Negotiated by the former county mayor, Barbara Murray, the funding, along with €15,000 from the former Youghal Town Council, will fund a period design strategy for the interior of the town’s 337-year-old Clock Gate tower as a prelude to its re-opening for public access.

The work will be conducted by Scroope Design, Cork, whose previous projects include Kilmainham Gaol Museum. The firm is under contract to the Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group, a project management organisation and to whom the monument is leased on a 99-year agreement by the county council.