YOUGHAL

In 1868, the parish of Youghal contained the following places:

"YOUGHAL, a parish, parliamentary borough, seaport, and market town in the barony of Imokilly, county Cork, and province of Munster, Ireland, 46 miles S.W. from Waterford, and 36 E. from Cork, with which latter it is connected by the Cork and Youghal direct railway. It is situated at the mouth of the river Blackwater. The harbour is safe, and the quays are accessible to vessels of 500 tons. On the S. side of the town is a lighthouse, and it is intended to build a fort to command the harbour. The town was early a place of importance, and received its charter of incorporation from King John in 1209. It was strongly fortified, and sustained many sieges. The inhabitants were loyal to England, and in 1579 defended the town against the Earl of Desmond, who was proclaimed a traitor. Cromwell made it his headquarters in 1649, but on the Restoration it at once proclaimed Charles II. Sir Walter Raleigh was elected mayor of this town in 1588 on his return from America, and here first introduced potatoes into Ireland. The town consists of one central thoroughfare about a mile in length divided into two parts by a building called the clock-gate, containing the town clock and bell, surmounted by a cupola. The houses occupy the acclivity of a hill on the W. side of the estuary of the Blackwater. The town contained in 1851 7,410, and in 1861 6,514 inhabitants. Of the population in 1861, 739 were members of the Established Church, 5,648 were Roman Catholic, 32 Presbyterians, and 62 Methodists. The parish church of St. Mary formerly belonged to a college founded by one of the Earls of Desmond in 1464. There is also a chapel-of-ease at the S. end of the town. There is a Roman Catholic chapel, a convent of nuns of the Presentation order, also chapels for Independents, Methodists, and Friends. There are National, parochial, endowed, and conventual schools, and almshouses, an infirmary, fever hospital, dispensary, barracks, and prison. The care of the town is vested in 21 commissioners. The streets are paved, and lighted with gas. The borough returns one member to parliament. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. Fairs are held on 5th May, 18th October, and the first Monday in each month."

"CLAY-CASTLE, a rising ground on the W. of Youghall Harbour, county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland. Clay obtained from this spot possesses the quality of petrifying."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868] Copyright Colin Hinson ©2018