Information about Kinsale
Kinsale is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland, which also has significant military history. Kinsale is a popular holiday resort for Irish and overseas tourists. Leisure activities include yachting, sea angling, and golf.
The town is known for its restaurants, and holds an annual "Gourmet Festival". Chef Keith Floyd was previously a resident of Kinsale.
Image: Kinsale
What to see
Charles Fort - half a mile south of town in Summercove. This is a 17th century star shaped fort, which is very well preserved and has seen very little military action.
James Fort - 2 miles south of town on Pier Road. This is an older fort and is on the other side of the river and in much poorer condition. On the west shore of the bay.
Desmond Castle - built circa 1500 by the Earl of Desmond as a custom house, this is a well-preserved tower house. The Castle is known locally as the French Prison following a fire in which 54 French prisoners died in 1747. The building was later used as an auxillary workhouse during the Famine.
Kinsale Regional Museum - an interesting small museum with exhibits on domestic and maritime history, including the Lusitania.
Golf in Ireland
Ireland has over 400 golf clubs. Courses such as Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock and Ballybunion Golf Course are renowned worldwide - Read more
Explore historic Ireland
Irish Castles, misty hills and ancient sites. In Ireland, history is everywhere. But in some places, there is a strong connection with the past - Read more
Food & drink
Ireland has long had the raw ingredients for world class cuisine, fresh fish and shellfish, dairy herds & hillside wild herbs for free-ranging lambs - Read more
Music & dance
Irish step dancing, popularised in 1994 by the world-famous show Riverdance, is notable for its rapid leg and foot movements, body and arms being kept largely stationary - Read more
Events
A holiday in Ireland offers something different with a variety of local and national events and festivals and major sporting events held in its many towns and cities throughout the year - Read more
The great outdoors
Climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. Rock climb & abseil in the ice-carved Gap Of Dunloe or maybe kayak & canoe the deep sparkling Lakes of Killarney - Read more
City tourist attractions
There is more to Ireland than countryside and rocks, as any number of attractions in Dublin, such as Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin will confirm - Read more
Horse racing
With 26 racecourses to choose from, going racing in Ireland is a rather unique experience. For so many years, Ireland has been a dominant force on the world's racing stage - Read more
