Kinsale is a scenic coastal town along The Wild Atlantic Way in County Cork in Southern Ireland. It is a popular tourist destination with winding streets lined with colourful gift shops, galleries and traditional bars.
It's myriad of beautiful restaurants is what makes Kinsale the undisputed gourmet capital of Cork.
Historic Kinsale
Kinsale, a seafront town on the Southern Coast of Ireland, is one of the most picturesque and popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Its military history along with its oceanic beauty are surpassed. The open hydrographic location of Kinsale on the South West of Ireland, along with its sheltered harbour meant it offered easy access for attack from the sea. This left Irelands defenses susceptible to attack.
The defeat of the Irish in the Battle of Kinsale on Christmas Eve 1601 changed the course of Irish history, with the success of the British in its fight to conquer Gaelic Ireland, causing the collapse of the 9 Year War (Tyrone Rebellion) in Ireland.
Charles Fort
Charles Fort was built in 1680 during the reign of King Charles II, Charles Fort remained a British army base until Irish Independence in 1921.
A massive fort, with five defensive bastions framing its perimeter, it was built in a star shape. This style of fort was common throughout Europe at that time and Charles Fort is one of the best remaining examples of a star-shaped fort in Europe. The star-shaped design structure provided better defense against attack than a circular fort.
The open hydrographic location of Kinsale on the South West of Ireland, along with its sheltered harbour meant it offered easy access for attack from the sea. This left Irelands defenses susceptible to attack.
The Battle of Kinsale, which took place in 1601, saw an English army sent to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth to defeat a combined force of Irish and Spanish soldiers, a vital victory which resulted in England gaining complete control of Ireland.
During the siege Ringcurran Castle, an earlier building which stood at the site of Charles Fort was destroyed. This left the harbour unprotected.
Charles Fort is a huge compound, with sleeping quarters including married quarters, parade grounds, an infirmary, gun and ammunition stores, barracks and stables. Although quite a bleak hilltop ruin now, it’s not difficult to imagine what an active and industrious stronghold it once was.
James Fort
On the opposite side of the harbour from its better-known partner, Charles Fort (The Old Fort), James’s Fort (The New Fort) holds a commanding position over the sea. It was built between 1602 and 1607, immediately after the Siege of Kinsale. It too was captured in the Siege of Cork in 1690 by Williamite forces.
Desmond Castle
Desmond Castle is an urban castle nestled neatly in the center of a quaint and colourful building lined street in Kinsale Town.
The entry is 5€ per adult & includes a brief history given by quirky & enthusiastic staff. The tour is then self-guided with the help of detailed information plaques & some antique wine pieces making this an ideal tour for any wine lover. The castle is small but the history is vast none the less. The castle was built by the Earl of Desmond in the 1500's as a Customs house but through the centuries has also served as a prison, ordnance store during the Battle of Kinsale & Great Famine workhouse.
Desmond Castle now serves as a small wine museum which details Ireland's ties to wine and wine producing countries.
Water Activities in Kinsale
Sovereign Sailing
Kinsale Harbour Cruises
Wild Atlantic Sports
Atlantic Offshore Adventures
Kinsale Nature and Maritime Walking Tour
Kinsale Deep Sea Angling
Kinsale RIB Tours
The Oysterhaven Centre
Golf in Kinsale
Old Head Golf Links
Kinsale Golf Club
Gourmet Kinsale
Food Festival October
A guaranteed weekend of foodie fun.
Kinsale Gourmet Festival Tickets 2019 – 11th to 13th October 2019
This October foodies are invited to Kinsale for a weekend of food heaven & fun! Kicking off on Friday 11th October with a Champagne Reception and dinner at the Good Food Circle restaurant of your choice. Followed by the ever popular Mad Hatters Taste of Kinsale on Saturday 12th October 2019, with Alice, the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and March Hare escorting guests on a ‘foodie walking tour’ around the 11 members of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle restaurants. Don’t be late for a very important date, so be quick to grab your tickets!
The Piece de Resistance on Sunday 13th October 2019 is our Fruits de Mer Luncheon. Celebrate 43 years of Kinsale Gourmet Festival in style with a drinks reception, followed by delicious seafood, wines and an array of talented musicians to dance away the evening to.
For queries regarding any event simply call us with your ticket enquiries on: +353 (0)871671004
Kinsale Street Feast
April 6th 2019
‘Taste the Wild Atlantic Way’ Street Feast will once again take place on the streets of Kinsale with many local businesses participating and plenty of street entertainment to keep everyone happy.
Time: 1pm – 4pm. Tastes from €2 to €5
Local food vendors are welcome to set up stalls anywhere on Main Street between Giles Norman and Bastion, Short Quay, Market Street, Pearse Street and The Glen.
All Ireland Chowder Cook-Off
Cast Your Vote in the 9th All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off on Sunday 7th April 2019
Kinsale Good Food Circle wants your help to find the best chowder chef in Ireland. A representative from each of the 32 counties will compete for the title of “All-Ireland Chowder Champion” at the annual All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off. Everyone attending the event will have a chance to vote for their favourite chowder-chef.
Kinsale-Food-Tours
Web: www.kinsalefoodtours.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KinsaleFoodTours
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KinsaleFoodTour
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kinsalefoodtours
Kinsale Food Tours are walking daytime culinary tours which explore the treats and food history of Kinsale. Kinsale is the Gourmet Capital of Ireland and these tours give you unique access ‘behind the scenes’ to see what makes the food and the producers of Kinsale so special.
The tour lasts 2 – 2.5 hours approximately and is akin to a walking meal, so come hungry!
There is also the option of an extended tour (~3 – 3.5 hours) which include the tasting tour and a foraging trip.
This tour allows participants to sample the delicious food Kinsale has to offer while also travelling to a local haven to learn about the wild seaweeds, plants and shellfish that adorn its coastline.
For those who love their food and drink, there is also a combined food and drinks tour (~3 hours). This traditional food tour then goes on to taste some fine Irish whiskies/mead which is made locally
Tours can cater to vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs.
Morning tour daily from 10.30 am– 1.00 pm.
Afternoon tour daily from 2.30 – 5pm
These times are subject to availability. Please check www.kinsalefoodtours.com for up to date prices and bookings.
Places to Eat
Fishy Fishy
Address: Crowleys Quay, Kinsale Co, Co. IE
Phone: (021) 470 0415
Bastion
Address: Junction of Market St & Main St, Kinsale, Cork
Phone: (021) 470 9696
Finn’s Table
Address: 6 Main St, Kinsale, Co. IE
Phone: (021) 470 9636
The Supper Club
Address: 2 Main St, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 A076
Phone: (021) 470 9233
The Black Pig Wine Bar
Address: 66B Lower O'Connell St, Town-Plots, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 FX54
Phone: (021) 477 4101
Brunos
Address: 37 Main St, Town-Plots, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Phone: (021) 477 7138
