Youghal was formerly a strong manufacturing town, but Ireland's economic success since the mid-1990s to a large extent bypassed the town, and the infrastructural deficit is a major constraint to its growth.
In April 2011 it was reported that all the town's large factories had closed over the past decade, leaving at least 2,000 people jobless, and with unemployment approaching 20%, young people were leaving in search of work and workers commuting from Youghal to Cork and Waterford.

The focus of the voluntary, business and statutory bodies in the town has switched to promoting Youghal as a tourist destination, with emphasis on its three sandy Blue Flag beaches, its history and its natural amenities.

Youghal was declared one the tidiest towns in Cork (and nationally) in the 2012 IBAL anti-litter league (run in conjunction with the Department of the Environment).

Youghal hosted the Irish Ironman Triathlon in 2019, and is scheduled to host it for another two years.
Youghal was formerly a strong manufacturing town, but Ireland's economic success since the mid-1990s to a large extent bypassed the town, and the infrastructural deficit is a major constraint to its growth. In April 2011 it was reported that all the town's large factories had closed over the past decade, leaving at least 2,000 people jobless, and with unemployment approaching 20%, young people were leaving in search of work and workers commuting from Youghal to Cork and Waterford.
The focus of the voluntary, business and statutory bodies in the town has switched to promoting Youghal as a tourist destination, with emphasis on its three sandy Blue Flag beaches, its history and its natural amenities.
Youghal was declared one the tidiest towns in Cork (and nationally) in the 2012 IBAL anti-litter league (run in conjunction with the Department of the Environment).
Youghal hosted the Irish Ironman Triathlon in 2019, and is scheduled to host it for another two years.
Youghal