  We report on a solution-growth based method to synthesise single crystals of
Y$_2$Co$_3$ and on its structural and magnetic properties. We find that
Y$_2$Co$_3$ crystallizes in the La2Ni3-type orthorhombic structure with space
group Cmce (No. 64), with Co forming distorted kagome lattices. Y$_2$Co$_3$
orders antiferromagnetically below $T_N$ = 252 K. Magnetization measurements
reveal that the moments are primarily aligned along the b axis with evidence
for some canting. Band-structure calculations indicate that ferromagnetic and
antiferromagnetic orders are nearly degenerate, at odds with experimental
results. Magnetization measurements under pressure up to 1 GPa reveal that the
N/'eel temperature decreases with the slope of -1.69 K/GPa. We observe a
field-induced spin-flop transition in the magnetization measurements at 1.5 K
and 21 T with magnetic field along the b direction. The magnetization is not
saturated up to 35 T, indicating that the antiferromagnetic ordering in
Y$_2$Co$_3$ is quite robust, which is surprising for such a Co-rich
intermetallic.
