Youghal is 50km east of Cork city on the N25. By car it's about 45 minutes from Cork and just under two hours from Dublin via the M8. Bus Éireann operates a service between Cork and Waterford that stops in Youghal, making it accessible without a car, though services are limited and the journey from Cork takes about an hour. There is no rail connection — the old Youghal branch line closed in 1963.
From Waterford it's a similar distance, about 60km west on the N25. If you're travelling the south coast, Youghal sits conveniently between Cork and Waterford and makes a natural lunch stop or overnight stay.