Youghal has more to offer than being a bargain-basement holiday town

I wish to comment on Dan Buckley’s article on the Irish Examiner today, in relation to Kathleen Peddicord’s writing on a Washington-based magazine stating that Youghal ranks number three in the five chosen retirement destinations for American people.

However accurate this lady’s comments are, it would be extremely unfortunate if the seaside town of Youghal was merely portrayed as a retirement destination with bargain-basment properties.

Yes, you probably would secure a one bedroom apartment there for €49,000, but this situation is not indicative of Youghal alone — most rural, seaside towns and villages in Ireland follow suit, which is related to the global economy.

What makes Youghal different is the massive array of facilities and character it offers outside just-affordable properties.

Steeped in art, backed up by local historians, film makers, actors, musicians, and a beautiful Mall Arts Centre to display Youghal’s indigenous and finest works, culture nights are also on the menu, an initiative co-ordinated by Temple Bar Culture Thrust, Cork County Council and the Dept. of Arts.

Historically, the town is bordered by medieval walls that date back to early times.

Vikings settled in the area in the ninth century, Sir Walter Raleigh arrived there in 1588, and Oliver Cromwell made his presence known in Youghal around December 1649, etc.

The town offers different types of festivals right through the year, ie Mackerel, Medieval Market, Queen of the Sea, Halloween, Moby Dick celebrations.

As for things to do in Youghal, there are cruises on the Blackwater, visits to the famous St. Mary’s Church and gardens, Youghal Golf Club, a Greyhound Stadium, deep sea fishing/angling, and water sports.

In relation to the extreme foreign climates of today, our temperate weather, beautiful beaches and scenery and our traditional and genuine ‘céad mile fáilte,’ affordable property is only a molecule of what our towns and country has to offer the visiting or settling tourist.

Kevin Jordan

Clashmore

Co Waterford