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Kinsale (Irish: Cionn tSáile) is a small town in County Cork, Southwest Ireland.

Understand

Kinsale Harbour

Kinsale is situated in the estuary of the river Bandon, nestling among hills that hide it from the open sea. Because of its location it is an historic port and is still very popular with pleasure sailors and anglers.

Two forts, James Fort and Charles Fort, guard the approach to the sea. The Siege of Kinsale, one of the most significant battles in Irish history, took place here in 1601. It was fought when an Irish army had travelled from Ulster to relieve an English siege on the town that was held by the Spanish and Gaelic Irish. Against the odds the Irish and English besiegers lost the battle, but the siege continued and the Spanish ultimately surrendered weeks later. Many of the Gaelic lords fled to continental Europe, hoping to raise an army and return, but the English consolidated their power preventing a reconquest. This marked the end of the ancient Gaelic social order in Ireland and was also one of the final battles in the Anglo-Spanish war.

In addition to its visual charms, Kinsale has become a home of good food, especially seafood, and holds an annual festival to celebrate.

Get in

If you have not already rented a car for your trip, the easiest way to get to Kinsale is via taxi, or by bus.

By taxi

Taxis await in a line ("queue") just outside the front entrance to the terminal at Cork Airport, and are always present. Count on spending €25-30 for the 30 minute drive.

By bus

Bus Éireann run buses to and from Kinsale hourly every day. The 226 bus service runs from the bus station in Cork City to Kinsale via Cork Airport. The 226A services Cork Airport only.

By car

  • From Cork city, take the N27 towards Cork Airport, then take the R600 to Kinsale.
  • From Bandon, take the N71 towards Inishannon, then take the R605 to Kinsale.

Get around

By taxi

There are two taxi companies operating in Kinsale:

By foot

Kinasle is a small town and it is easy to walk around.

See

Charles Fort
  • 1 Charles Fort, Summercove (Half a mile south of town in Summercove), ☏ +353 21 477-2263. This is a 17th century star shaped fort, which is very well preserved and has seen very little military action. 45 minute tours depart every hour, last entry 45 min before closing. Open mid Mar-Oct daily 10:00-18:00, rest of year 10:00-17:00. €5. Charles Fort (Q1064401) on Wikidata Charles Fort (Ireland) on Wikipedia (updated Aug 2019)
Desmond Castle
  • 2 Desmond Castle, Cork St, ☏ +353 21 477-4855. Built c. 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 ancillary workhouse during the Famine. Admission €2.90, covered by Heritage Card, open Apr-Oct daily 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:15, tours given on request, closed Nov-mid Apr. Desmond Castle (Q3752910) on Wikidata Desmond Castle on Wikipedia 
James Fort
  • 3 James Fort (2 mi south of town on Pier Road. On the west shore of the bay). This is an older fort on the other side of the river and in much poorer condition. James's Fort (Q6127951) on Wikidata James's Fort on Wikipedia 
The Museum
Inside the Museum
  • 4 Kinsale Regional Museum, Market Square, ☏ +353 21 477-7930. M-Sa 10:30-17:30, Su 14:00-17:30. An interesting small museum with exhibits on domestic and maritime history, including the ocean liner Lusitania which was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat in World War I (the Great War). €3.50. 

Do

Kinsale town centre

Buy

Eat

Kinsale is a gourmet centre with many restaurants for all prices and tastes.

  • 1 Man Friday, Scilly, ☏ +353 21 477-2260. 19:30-22.30. Famous for its Steaks, Seafood and their Stuffed Duck served in a nice restaurant with a good atmosphere. Range from €20-€35. 
  • 2 Fishy Fishy Cafe, Pier Rd, ☏ +353 21 470-0415. Open daily 12:00-16:30. Big with spacious indoor, balcony and terrace seating. Phone for reservations. 
  • 3 Cafe Blue, Pearse St (in Blue Haven Hotel). Open daily. 
  • 4 Mother Hubbard's, Near market square. Open daily. Sandwiches, baguettes, salads & coffee. 
  • 5 The Little Skillet, 47 Main St, ☏ +353 21 477-4202. Romantic atmosphere, Irish music, much fresh vegetables, €20 entrees, €25 3 course early-bird meal before 19:30, open daily 12:00-14:30 & 18:00-22:30. 
  • 6 Hoby's Restaurant, 5 Main St, ☏ +353 21 477-2200. 18:00-22:00. Romantic, quiet, & candlelit, €25 3 course dinners. 
  • 7 Max' Wine Bar, 48 Main St, ☏ +353 21 477-2443. International food, fancy interior & presentation, lunch from 12:30, dinner from 18:30, closed Tuesday, €22 3 course specials before 19:30. 
  • 8 Jim Edward's, Market Quay, ☏ +353 21 477-2541, fax: +353 21 477-3228, . Bar 12:30-22:00, Restaurant 18:00-22:00. A crowded local favourite with €20-30 dinner only meals in romantic area, or €12-19 meals in the bar, steaks, seafood, & vegetables, cheaper than other restaurants. 
  • 9 Cobra Tandoori, 69 Main St, ☏ +353 21 477-7911. 16:30-23:30. One of many ethnic restaurants, this one serves Indian food, €12 for a main course. (updated May 2020)
  • 10 The Bulman, Summercove (200 yards towards Kinsale from Charles Fort in Hamlet of Summercove), ☏ +353 21 477-2131, . 12:30-21:30. Seafood & seasonal produce, €10 lunches, €22-26 meals in fancy restaurant upstairs. 

Drink

Kinsale's many pubs have a lively atmosphere, all near the center of town:

  • 1 The Bulman, Summercove (200 yards towards Kinsale from Charles Fort in Hamlet of Summercove), ☏ +353 21 477-2131, . Has great music sessions Tu Th Su 21:30, folk session W 21:30, get there a half hour early to ensure a seat. 
  • 2 Spaniard Inn, ☏ +353 21 477-2436. A ten minute walk from town out onto the Scilly Peninsula, music W 21:30, arrive an hour before to ensure a seat. 
  • 3 The Folk House (On Guardwell, which is off the end of Main Street as you walk away from the sea), ☏ +353 21 477-2382. Two real ale pumps. Yes, real ale in Ireland. Usually one available depending on supplier like Hobgoblin or Pride. Howling Gale, Speckled Hen etc. on keg. Music at the weekend. 
  • 4 The Grey Hound (On Market Square by the town museum), ☏ +353 21 477-2889. A proper old Irish pub established in 1690 with a very mixed crowd from rugby/hurling fans to hippies. Tables outside, umbrellas and heaters for smokers. Usually sport on TV and a good selection of music if not. 
  • 5 The Tap Tavern (Below Saint Multose Church). Has music on Thursday nights. 

Sleep

  • 1 Actons of Kinsale, Pier Rd, ☏ +353 21 477-9900, . Newly renovated and reopened hotel overlooking Kinsale Harbour. 
  • 2 Trident Hotel, World's End, ☏ +353 21 477-9300, . 66 rooms, harbor views, restaurant and bar. €35-€100. 
  • 3 The Old Presbytery, 43 Cork St P17 AE80, ☏ +353 21 477 2027, fax: +353 21 477 2166, . This has closed as a B&B and is now self-catering. Open Mar-Oct, no dogs. From €200 / night. (updated May 2020)
  • 4 Friar's Lodge, Friar St, ☏ +353 21 477-7384, . New & modern on a hill with 18 rooms, single €80, double €90-130, triple €150-160, quadruple €190, wi-fi, private parking. 
  • Chart House B&B, 6 Dennis Quay, ☏ +353 21 477-4568, fax: +353 21 477-7907. A Georgian hotel with 1 single, 4 doubles, non-smoking, quiet, high ceilings, chandeliers, great lounge, a block from the harbour, single €40-45, double €120, deluxe double €170, 10% discount when paid with cash, easy parking. 
  • 5 The Olde Bakery B&B, 56 Lower O’Connell St, ☏ +353 21 477-3012. Six quilt bedded rooms, 2 friendly dogs, cozy breakfast, cash only, non-smoking, laundry service available, double w/no bathroom €70, double w/bathroom €80. 
  • The Sea Gull, Cork St, ☏ +353 21 477-2240. On a hill next to Desmond Castle, cash only, six rooms, single w/no bathroom €35-40, double w/bathroom €70, triple w/bathroom €95. 
  • Kinsale Suites (Guardwell Lodge), Guardwell St, ☏ +353 89 941 7412. A great budget hotel, with 44 rooms on top of a hill, but stark and somewhat prison-like, but modern and comfortable. Almost like a hostel, but isn't, no breakfast, all bedding provided, TV lounge, fully equipped self-service kitchen, quiet rooms are on the church side. €17 beds in 4-bed dorms, single €30, twin double €55, double with large bed €60, triple €60. (updated May 2020)
  • 6 Jos Cafe & Rooms (Kinsale Arms Guesthouse), 55 Main St, ☏ +353 21 477-2233, . Rooms are en-suite with complementary Wi-Fi. €45-€50 per room. 

Go next

  • There are a number of excellent Blue Flag beaches in the area. Both Garretstown and Garrylucas (White Strand) beaches are just over 8km from Kinsale and can be reached by following the R600 to Ballinspittle village. Garretstown beach in particular is renowned for its surf and equipment is available to rent on the beach.
  • The charming, but not-as-charming-as-Kinsale town of Cobh is reached by first driving and then taking a poorly signposted ferry to the island it's on, make sure you don't accidentally take the ferry that goes to France instead. It can also be reached by road via Cork city.
  • The ever-famous castle at Blarney is also less than an hour away.
This city travel guide to Kinsale is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.



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