Youghal's picturesque lighthouse is situated on the cliffs at the entrance to Youghal Bay. The Geraldine owners of the town first built a tower on the site in 1202 and generously funded the nuns of the Chapel of St. Anne under the condition that they maintain the light in the tower.

This tower was demolished in 1848 to allow for the construction of the present lighthouse due to the large number of vessels using Youghal Bay - over 500 circa 1850. 

The current lighthouse was built of granite and began working on 1st February 1852. It has since been automated with a light flashing every 2.5 seconds reaching a distance of 17 nautical miles miles from shore. There are diving rocks below the lighthouse for those wishing to take a refreshing dip!