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St Mary's Collegiate Church
Youghal, Co. Cork
Hidden gem
Family friendly
Rainy days
St Mary’s Collegiate Church, the medieval parish church of Youghal, County Cork, is the largest and most important medieval building in the town and one of the largest churches in the country. It also happens to be the oldest Church in Ireland still in continuous use. Now, however, it has a new story to tell.

Voices of St Mary’s is an immersive visitor experience at St Mary’s Collegiate Church. Using a variety of interpretative media, you can engage with the ‘Voices of St Mary’s’ and explore the meaning and significance of the site.

Media and technology have been used to enhance the visitor experience, with a self-guided, multi-lingual system. Interactive touchscreens allow you to explore the past with fascinating insights into what the church looked like in different periods since Early Christian times. Animated illustrations show the exterior changes to the church over the centuries and video footage of the excavations and discoveries unearthed during the Church’s archaeological dig of 2014 are on display.

The audio tour is something really special and a must do part of any visit to St Mary’s Collegiate Church. It is part theatre, part tour, bringing visitors on a remarkable journey through time in the company of the fictional Roe family, sharing in their emotional reunion and their conversations about the history of the church and their own family memories.

St Mary's Collegiate Church is wheelchair accessible. The audio tour is available in English, French, German and Irish.

Why we like it
  • Take the ‘Voices of St Mary’s’ audio tour to learn about the church’s history.
  • Have a look at the interactive touchscreens that tell the story of the church from the 13th century onwards.
  • There is a model of medieval Youghal Town to see.
Tips from locals

Explore the Graveyard Trail where you can see the old town walls and magnificent views over Youghal.

Contact details
Emmet Pl, Youghal-Lands, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland
Visit duration

We recommend planning to spend 1 to 2 hours here.

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