Youghal town, in County Cork, has a long history which predates most others in Ireland. The area was settled by Vikings (Danes) and later, the town was fortified with walls built by the Normans in the 1100s. For centuries after, the town was a hub of trading activity and a vital port during the early stages of the English empire's expansion. This book looks at a period which saw all the elements and dynamics of this history come together.