"Founded under the title of the Holy Cross, in 1268, by Thomas Fitzmaurice, Justiciary of Ireland and grandson of the founder of Tralee abbey. The founder was buried here in 1298. In 1281 and 1304, provincial chapters were held here.

1493. This abbey accepted the reform to Regular Observance, and in 1509, the community was formed, with those of Cork, Limerick and Coleraine, into a “Congregation of Regular Observance."

1543. June 8. Grant to William Walshe, of Youghal, of the House of the Friars Preachers Observants, to hold for ever. This Walshe was again given the lease of the abbey by Edward VI., on November 25, 1550.

In the reign of Queen Mary, the prior, Robert Gogan, bore a letter from the Earl of Desmond to the Queen, in 1557, petitioning for the restoration of the Cork convent. In a petition presented at the same time by himself, he refers to the abbey at Youghal as having lately been repaired and of the community as leading a life of Regular Observance.

1565. Card. Moran in the Irish Eccles. Record July, 1866, refers to a chapter of the Dominicans being held secretly in Youghal this year, and of a Father Higgins, O.P., bishop-elect of Raphoe, losing his life on his way to it while crossing a river.

1581. April 28. The abbey, with six gardens within the liberties of Youghal (tithes excepted), was granted for ever, in capite, to William Walsh, at the yearly rent of twenty-two pence. They were then granted to a John Thickpenny, a soldier, in 1584.

1587. Oct. 16. Grant to Sir Walter Raleigh ... of the late priory of Observant Friars, or Black Friars, near Youghal, in the occupation of the widow Thickpenny.

The abbey was destroyed the same year. However, those who were employed in the work of demolition are recorded to have met with terrible punishment. One fell from the roof of the church and was killed, and three soldiers, who threw down the cross from the top of the abbey, also came to a sad end, for one died insane within a week, another was eaten alive by rats, and the third was killed by the seneschal of the earl of Desmond.

The miraculous statue of Our Lady of Graces, now preserved in St. Mary's of Cork, belonged to this abbey, and from the Provincial's records in the early part of the seventeenth century, we find that it was greatly venerated in Youghal at this period. The Protestants made numerous attempts to seize on it, but it was successfully kept hidden from them. It is a carving in ivory about three inches long, much worn and discoloured by time. The silver case which encloses it has the following inscription.—Orate pro anima Onorice Filice Jacobi de Geraldinis quos me fieri fecit. Anno Domini, 1617.

The Dominicans do not appear from the Provincial's records to have been in Youghal, either in 1622 or in 1629. However, they must have returned shortly after, as a Father James Hurley was prior in 1638. One of the acts of the general chapter of 1638 decreed that all the offerings which are made to the statue of Our Blessed Lady of Youghal are to be applied to use of the Youghal community and not disposed of otherwise by the Provincial, as heretofore.

In 1756, there were three fathers in Youghal, but only one in 1767. The last name connected with Youghal in the obits is that of Father James Cunningham, who died between 1785 and 1789."

Fergal Jennings

"Beautiful location but very rough around the graves. Its obvious its run over with a mower but thats it...around the graves themselves is very unkempt"

Annette Browne

"It could be so much better if they done a guided tour as there are many things of Historical significance to see."

Kevin Melly