When Youghal was a walled medieval town, it had five gates and this gate gave access to the harbour and the sea.
This gate, though, was witness of two important events in Youghal's history. In 1593, during the Sack of Youghal, the final bloody assault took place here. The local tradition has also that Cromwell left Ireland to return to England from this gate on May 26th, 1650.
This gate, hence, is also known with the name of Cromwell's Arch.
The gate was restored in the 19th century.
Today the gate is pinched between two lines of more modern buildings in Quay Lane and only a short section of the original wall can still be seen. The top of the gate has some crenellations and a nice arrow loop.
The gate leads to the sea towards northeast (55°). The passage is 3.20 metres wide.
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