Charles Fort Kinsale

Charles Fort Entrance

Charles Fort Kinsale is situated a short drive from Kinsale town centre. For the very energetic it can be accessed by foot a 20-30 minute walk. The views from Charles Fort offer stunning picturesque views on a clear day out to sea and down over Kinsale town centre.

Charles Fort was constructed on the site of an earlier coastal fortification in the late 17th century. A classic example of a star-shaped fort and has five bastions. The two seaward bastions, the Devil's and the Charles' were for defending the harbour and both are casemated - that is, they have gun embrasures inside as well as on top of the walls.

The North, Flagstaff and the Cockpit, are the three landward bastions and all three had a brick sentry box at their outermost point, two of these still survive.

William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, is credited with designing the Fort. Across the estuary is James Fort, an earlier structure, which was designed by Paul Ivy in 1602. In 1690 after the 'Battle of the Boyne' the Williamite forces arrived at Kinsale and attacked both forts. Guided tours available. Restricted access for people with disabilities due to uneven terrain. Take your camera for some memorable panaromic photos of Kinsale from the Fort. There is a small admission fee.