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Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque,
popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of
Ireland. Famous for its harbour in Kinsale, the favourable mild
climate and its safe harbour make Kinsale the ideal sport for yachting,
sea angling,
Dolphin & Whale
Watching Trips, gourmet
restaurants and golf.
For those of you who would like to improve your English, there
is the excellent Kinsale
School of English and
Art galleries
 Kinsale can easily claim its place amongst Ireland's
most historic locations for this has been a centre of
population, commerce, trade and fishing far beyond memory
and record. In its earliest days the estuary of the Bandon
River gave it great importance as the river is tidal as
far as Innishannon and water transport was dominant until
the 18th Century. The estuary also provided excellent anchorage for ancient
shipping which went in peril of the vagaries of the weather.
Kinsale town nestles between the hills and the
shoreline, a maze of narrow streets, never far from the water and
little changed in many hundreds of years. Amongst buildings of
later periods are those of another age with historical links to
the French, Spanish, British and Americans.
HISTORY
The Battle of Kinsale, fought in 1601 between a
combined Spanish, an Irish force and English armies, was a turning
point in Irish history.
The harbour is guarded by two very fine star-shaped fortresses
built in the 17th century: Charles Fort
is well worth a visit (guided tours). See also the old Courthouse,
now a museum; St Multose Church, built in the 13th century and
still in use, and 'French Prison', the 16th century Desmond
Castle. There is a signposted tourist trail to this
fascinating town with a guide booklet. Take a trip too to the Old
Head of Kinsale for magnificent cliff scenery. It was off here
that the Lusitania was sunk in 1915 with a loss of over 1,500
lives.
KINSALE TODAY
Today Kinsale is a busy town for locals and tourists alike.
Walking around the town of Kinsale you can enjoy browsing in its
many shops, for gifts, crafts, paintings, locally designed
fashions, art galleries, book shops or take time out in one of its
many lovely café's for coffee and cakes. Winding along the many
little streets in Kinsale, is a delight. Stop off and
enjoy Kinsale's Harbour views once you have visited Charles Fort,
and down town stop at the water front and enjoy the marina
activity.
There are many guided tours around Kinsale and
little walks to explore around the Kinsale area including a visit to Sandycove,
just a short drive from Kinsale town where you can enjoy a visit
to James Fort and
the fantastic views it offers or sit and enjoy its little beach nearby.
Take a stroll along the Scilly Walk which can go from Charles Fort all the way
into Kinsale town or start middle way in the walk a little way
after the Bulman Pub and enjoy.
Garretstown and Garrylucas are the
Blue Flag Beaches close by to Kinsale if you are looking for a dip in Irish waters. Ballinspittle is the next village over from Kinsale which
you can take a drive to and take a walk in Garrettstown Woods
afterwards. Why not hire a boat and enjoy the waters around
Kinsale for experience Whale watching and maybe some basking
sharks, or just enjoy some angling on board, where on some boats
rods and tackle are supplied, with the waters out from Kinsale
onto the Atlantic being popular for pollack, mackeral and cod.
Something for the entire family to enjoy is all the water based
activities at the Oysterhaven Centre, which is tucked away in its
own safe little bay perfect to enjoy tuition on windsurfing,
sailing and kayaking, or just hire the equipment and head to the
water. The evening can be spent enjoying a meal in one of the many
excellent well know restaurants and relaxing with a drink in one
of its many pubs.
Kinsale town is very accessible just 30 minutes
from Cork Airport you can be taking in the water views in no
time, walking the Scily Way and over to the Old Head of Kinsale,
exploring the narrow streets, visiting the art galleries,
exploring the Sandycove area, with its beach and bay areas,
taking in the views from Charles Fort, visiting the craft shops
or simply enjoying a gourmet meal in one of Kinsale's many
restaurants. Within easy reach of Kinsale are
Ballinspittle, Timoleague and Courtmacsherry, Inishannon and
Bandon, local towns and villages. |
