Youghal - Encanto Medieval - Medieval Charm
Youghal (pronounced Yowl) is a charming walled town in the harbor area on County Cork, which can be visited on foot and has explanatory posters around town (which are in English, Spanish, German and French) in front of its historical buildings. More Irish cities should adopt this practical auto-guide, this way you learn important local facts and you don't have that odd feeling to be walking in a city not knowing where to go! You just have to follow the signs like this one:
Youghal (which is 48 Km from Cork City and 230 Km from Dublin) was used as a settlement for both Vikings and Normands. The port geographical location was very good! And the port had fundamental importance on the life of the city during many centuries. With the years going by, this importance went down considerably.Site of the Exchange
With so much port business, it was natural to have a place for commercial transactions. The Water Gate
This gate linked the medieval city to the port. Youghal had 5 bridges like this. Clock Tower
As soon as you arrive in town, you already find one of its main buildings. it is the Clock Tower. Since its construction in 1777, it had several uses. It was a police station at first. It was also a provisional prison for people waiting for conviction. In 1798 some member of the United Irishmen, who fought for the Irish independence, were hanged on these windows by the British Army. It was for many years considered the town's clock, because it could be seen from almost all places. It curiously only has 3 sides - north, south and east. It was believe that whoever looked up from the west didn't really need to know the time! hehehe...The Red House
This house is an example of the Dutch architecture that was taken to Youghal. The red color on the bricks was very rare, and all of these ones were imported. It is very seldom to currently find this kind of house in Ireland.Tynte's Castle
Tynte's Castle is the only example that survives until today from the several houses with a tower that could be found in Youghal. It is believed this house was built on the XV century.Boyle's Almshouses
This building was constructed by the first Count of Cork, Richard Boyle, in 1643 with the objective to shelter sick soldiers. After this, the widows of these soldiers started to be sheltered there. It has a Jacobean architectonic style. The doors are shaped in arc with a tip.St. Mary Collegiate Church
The main nave of this church dates from the XIII century, and keeps the original structure of the roof. It is one of the few medieval churches still working in Ireland. Going inside it is really special. It was raining cats and dogs, quickly entered the church to get s shelter, and the peace was really amazing!
The church cemetery is a place of tombs from several local personalities.
Pay attention on the whole in the wall shaped as a coffin. In the old days, here is where a community coffin was found for the poor people. The deceased was kept on it while people kept vigil over, and at the time of the burial the person was removed and rolled up in clothes. The coffin would be returned to the whole to be waiting for the next funeral.Town Wall
Here you can see well the old walls of Youghal, which are from the XIII century. Along the wall there were defense towers.The College Gardens
On the gardens of the College Gardens we finished our tour in Youghal. Here is an excellent place for relaxing a little after the stroll in the town, and even to have a picnic!
Nunca tinha ouvido falar desse lugar, muito legal! Adorei a história do relógio e as fotos dos jardins... :) como você descobre essas coisas em cork? Rs
ResponderExcluirOI Bárbara!!!
ExcluirA gente adora viajar pela Irlanda!!! Este país é encantador.
Lugares bacanas não faltam, né???