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A Brief History Of Youghal The picturesque town of Youghal occupies a commanding position at the estuary of the river Blackwater. The town grew up along a strip of flat land beside the river where there was good access to the water at a defensible site. The earliest settlements in the Youghal area were probably small religious foundations. Just west of the present town is the oratory at Kilcoran which may have been associated with the important monastery at Ardmore, 11km (7 miles) east of Youghal. ^ back to top |
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Viking Settlement Ireland was subject to Viking raids from the end of the 8th century and the Youghal area was no exception. It is likely that the Vikings established a settlement at Youghal during the 9th century. In 864 the Viking fortress at Youghal was destroyed by the powerful Deise clan. Youghal was linked to the important settlement at Lismore from at least the 9th century by the Bealach Eochaille, the Road of Youghal. The Viking settlement of Youghal is likely to have been small and may not have been a permanent foundation. It would have been well fortified and probably contained a church. In 1173 a sea battle took place at the mouth of the river Blackwater when a fleet of Irish and Vikings were defeated by Normans returning to their Waterford base with stolen treasure from Lismore. The Norman presence had arrived in Youghal. ^ back to top |
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Medieval Youghal The newly arrived Normans divided up the territory which they had brought under their control. The area around Youghal was granted by King Henry II to Robert Fitzstephen in 1177 who in 1215 passed it on to his half brother, Maurice Fitzgerald, ancestor of the Earls of Desmond. The property was conveyed to the Earls of Ormond in the 14th Century and passed back to the Earls of Desmond in 1420. The town was granted a charter of incorporation in the early years of the 13th century and soon attracted settlers from Britain. By 1350 Youghal was a fine walled town, trading with ports all over Europe. The town walls, with at least 12 towers, surrounded the settlement. The walls date from at least the 13th century; as early as 1275 King Edward I granted a charter to raise taxes for their repair and extension. In 1462 Youghal was created one of the Irish 'cinque ports' granting the town special trading privileges. Various other privileges were given to Youghal during the medieval period, confirming it as one of the principal ports in Ireland. Youghal was also a suitable port to provision vessels of all types. A beacon tower was constructed in the late 12th century to the south of the town and the light was tended by the nearby Franciscan convent of St. Anne. Saint Mary’s Collegiate Church. Historic Church built in 1220 on the site of an existing Church dating to the 11th Century, in the south transept is the tomb of Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork whose son Robert was the noted scientist, after whom ‘Boyle’s Law’ is called. This Church is still in use. Thomas the 8th Earl of Desmond, Lord of the Deise, founded the College beside St Mary’s in 1464, it attracted students from home and abroad, Pope Innocent the V111 referred to it in 1492 as “The University of Youghal”, it was eventually destroyed by Richard Boyle who built his own residence on it’s site. ^ back to top |
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Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most dynamic and colourful characters of the Elizabethan period. Born in Devon c. 1552, he took part in military campaigns in France and Ireland and organised expeditions to America. By the late 1580s Raleigh was a favourite at the court of Queen Elizabeth and was knighted in 1584. Raleigh had taken part in the suppression of the Desmond rebellion in 1579 and benefited from the subsequent distribution of land. He received 40,000 acres which included the important towns of Youghal and Lismore. This allowed him to become one of the principal landowners in Munster, but he had limited success in inducing English tennants to settle on his estates. Youghal was the home of Sir Walter Raleigh for short periods during the seventeen years in which he held land in Ireland. Raleigh is said to have planted the first potatoes in Ireland at Youghal, thus introducing a nutritious food which was to have a major impact on Ireland's future. Another incident recalls how Raleigh was smoking in the garden of his home, Myrtle Grove, when his servant, never having seen tobacco before, threw water over him fearing that he had been set alight. Raleigh was Mayor of Youghal in 1588 and 1589. Amongst his acquaintances in the area was the poet Edmund Spenser who, like Raleigh, had been granted land in Munster. The 1590s brought difficulties on Raleigh's Irish plantations at a time when his own fortunes were in decline. He sold his Irish estates in 1602, thus ending his involvement with the plantation of Munster. ^ back to top |
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Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork Sir Walter Raleigh's estates in Ireland were purchased by Richard Boyle, one of the most successful men of his period. Born in Canterbury in 1566, he arrived in Ireland in 1588 with very few possessions, but with great ambitions. Boyle's marriage to heiress Joan Apsley in 1595 brought him considerable wealth and allowed him to purchase Raleigh's estates for £1,500. He brought over settlers from England and in 1616 became Lord Boyle in recognition of the introduction into the maritime ports of our Province of Munster, and particularly in the neighbourhood of Youghal ... a very excellent Colony, consisting of veteran soldiers and many other persons, brought by himself out of England. (Townshend) Boyle was influential in the granting of a new charter to Youghal in 1609 which was important in the future development of the town. Exports from the area included pipe staves, wool and cattle, while goods such as wine, cloth, tobacco and luxury items for the English settlers were imported. Richard Boyle played an important role in defending Youghal during the risings of 1641 and ensured that it remained loyal to the English cause. He died in 1643 and was buried in St. Mary's Collegiate Church in Youghal. ^ back to top |
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Youghal at War: 1640's The English Civil War provided opportunity for rebellion in Ireland. The risings of 1641 led Richard Boyle to garrison Youghal this poor weak town, where the Irish are three to one of the English, and if this town should be lost, all the hope and retreat of the English in the Province is gone. (Annals of Youghal) Although an Irish Battery of three guns at Ferrypoint threatened the town in 1642, it did not prevent English reinforcements landing at the port. As warfare continued in the country, Youghal became an important base for the English. Admiral Penn was in command of two frigates which were part of an unsuccessful attempt to supply aid to the besieged town in 1645. Penn was granted land in county Cork by Cromwell. The Admiral's son, also called William, was the founder of Pennsylvania in the United States. In July 1649 Oliver Cromwell landed in Ireland with the aim of halting rebellion. After a decisive and violent campaign in the eastern area of Ireland, Cromwell arrived in Youghal in December. Cromwell made Youghal his winter quarters and departed in January 1650 to continue his conquest. In May 1650, after a successful campaign, he departed from Youghal to board the frigate President bound for Bristol. ^ back to top |
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18th Century Youghal Youghal emerged from the turbulent years of the 17th century into a period of growth during the 18th century. The busy town, with its extensive trade with ports all over Europe, needed improved facilities. Throughout the 18th century Youghal expanded along the river front with extensive land being reclaimed and quays and warehouses built by the town's merchants and the corporation. Youghal's population grew during the 18th century; in 1764 nearly 4,000 people lived in the town, reaching over 10,000 by 1821. Most of the population were members of the Roman Catholic or established churches, but Quakers, Huguenots, Presbyterians and Methodists also played an important role in the town's development. Long established trading links gave Youghal a cosmopolitan air, while the military garrison contributed to the economic and social life of the town. Prosperous trade and manufacturing conditions encouraged the increase of Youghal's population and was reflected in the spread of the town beyond the old walls. ^ back to top |
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Moby Dick’s It was in 1954 that John Huston chose Youghal for the location of New Bedford for the movie "Moby Dick". The making of this movie brought such stars as Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart and Leo Genn to Youghal. During the months and weeks of building and filming, Youghal was a hive of activity and excitement with people visiting from all over Ireland and England. But it was in Paddy Linehan's pub that John Huston would sit in the morning and plan out the days shooting schedule. It was then in tribute to this unique time in the history of Youghal that Paddy renamed his pub “Moby Dick’s”. When you visit Moby Dick's, be sure to have a good look around at the photographs that cover the walls, capturing the time and the story of the making of "Moby Dick". There are also scrapbooks collected over the years by Paddy and a Guest book to be signed. Be sure to ask for them. ^ back to top |
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Sources: www.youghal.net www.youghal.ie/history.html |
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