ACTIVITIES The Penthouse, Youghal is situated at the mouth of the Blackwater River -one of Ireland's best known salmon fishing rivers- as it reaches the sea. Youghal is renowned for its Blue Flag beaches, and is a favourite seaside destination. There is no shortage of outdoor and indoor activities for all age groups. Fishing trips and leisure boats are readily available for hire. There are many attractive picnic areas and scenic drives in and around Youghal including Fota Wildlife Park, House and Arboretum, Blarney Castle, Lismore, Ballycotton and Cork City. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, sailing, canoeing and boating, windsurfing, a magnificent 18-hole golf course and pitch and putt, 4 hard-court tennis courts, greyhound racing, guided Heritage walking tours, excellent restaurants, and nightly entertainment of Irish music, cinema, or sing and dance in hospitable pubs. The food and hospitality Youghal is famed for its seafood, caught and landed locally in the small town quay. Locally caught and smoked wild salmon is always available. But many other specialities come and go with the seasons. Take care to ask about the specials that day. There are an array of restaurants catering for all tastes from the traditional to the exotic. The finest restaurant in town (and Ireland) is Aherne's the famous seafood restaurant - no visit to Youghal would be complete without dining in Aherne's at least once. www.ahernes.com Heritage Youghal is a very historic town, and is still encircled by medieval walls. The impressive clock gate - a four story tower that straddles the main route into the town is now a heritage centre. Sir Walter Raleigh was once a resident, and its said he introduced the potato and tobacco to Ireland here. Much of the film "Moby Dick" was filmed in Youghal, with local residents as the extras. The 50th anniversary of the making of Moby Dick is to be celebrated in 2004. One of the daily walking tours is a must, and they leave from the Tourist office that is less than 100 yards from the Penthouse. Days out Youghal lies midway between the two main cities of the south of Ireland, Cork and Waterford, making this ideal base to tour the South. Waterford Crystal, Cobh, Kinsale, Jameson Irish Whiskey Centre, Blarney , Rock of Cashel, Fota Golf Club, and the famous golf club at the Old Head of Kinsale are all within easy driving distance. Killarney, the Beara Peninsula and Kenmare are just a little further. Click on the links below to find out more............... The history of Youghal A great centre for golf Blue flag beaches Day Trips