The 18th Century Georgian Walter Raleigh Boutique Hotel is spectacularly located on the sea front promenade in the famous heritage town of Youghal in East Cork. The gateway to Ireland's Ancient East.

An easy commute from Cork City, Youghal, with its magnificent seven kilometre Blue Flag sandy beach, golf course, superb fishing on the Blackwater, sea angling and major visitor attractions close by, has always been a favourite holiday destination, and now the town has another reason to visit.

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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 tenants 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.