Cromwell's Arch

The Water Gate

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The Water Gate

The Water Gate or "Cromwell's Arch" as it is khown by the townspeople of Youghal is located towards the end of Quay Lane.
The battlemented arch seen today is a 19th Century reconstruction of part of the medieval gate to the defended harbour, through the seaward side of the town wall.
              It was one of the gates of the old town and perhaps the most important, because it controlled the sea trade of Youghal.
The medieval harbour, located just outside the gate, was infilled in the mid 18th Century. The quayside wall was located a few metres in front of the wall of the modern Court House.
                  The gate is often called "Cromwell's Arch because it is through it that Oliver Cromwell left Ireland in May 1650, after spending the Winter in Youghal.