"The Kinsale Magical Virtual Tour" Top 5 Page for this destination Kinsale by Ekaterinburg

Kinsale Travel Guide: 183 reviews and 391 photos

Ticking All the Boxes

Kinsale ticks all the boxes: great harbour and marina; picturesque town with narrow streets and tiny lanes; steeped in history; gourmet capital of Ireland; exclusive shops; pubs to suit all moods.

Touristy ? Yes, inevitably, but everything in Kinsale reeks of GOOD TASTE and there are plenty of secluded places which youwill enjoy finding for yourself.

I've always loved Kinsale but now, bringing groups of German and French students here every Saturday and watching them fall in love with the place, I still find something new every time. This page is a virtual version of my Saturday tour, I hope you enjoy it.

A Little History

Charlesfort from the Exhition Centre

In 1601 the Battle of Kinsale, one of Ireland's most significant battles with England,was fought here. The great Irish chiefs O'Neill and O'Donnell along with 3,000 Spanish troops under Don Juan D'Aguila made a brave attempt to halt the British occupation of Ireland. They failed, and the Irish leaders subsequently had to forfeit their lands and flee the country. Their lands in Ulster were then 'planted' (colonised) by Scottish and English protestants and the old Gaelic way of life, dominated by clans and chieftans, died for ever. Repercussions from this battle and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 are still felt todayand are obvious every 12th of July when protestant orangemen march through catholic areas in the North.

After the Battle of Kinsale the British took care to protect the town from further invasions resulting in the fortiifications known as James Fort and Charles Fort. Consequently Kinsale remained a garrison town with soldiers billeted in Charles Fort until 1922.

Practicalities

Outdoor Ediucation Centre in Session

Kinsale is 28km from the centre of Cork and getting there is as easy as hopping on the 249 bus from the Bus Station at Parnell Place or from the Airport. Kinsale Tourist office is at the junction of Pier Road and Emmet Street, very close to the bus stop.

Tourist office:021-4772234

Kinsale Chamber of Tourism: 021-4774026

www.kinsale.ie

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful, cosmopolitan atmosphere, always buzzing
Cons:Can get a little crowded in Summer
In a nutshell:A place where past and present are equally important

Intro Updated May 13, 2007
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Reviews (28)

Charles Fort - Where Willful Met her End - Kinsale

The Legend of the White lady Local Customs (3)

The White lady is a name you will come across very frequently in Kinsale, the popular White Lady Night Club being just... more travel advice

Eating al fresco at Fishy Fishy - Kinsale

Where beautiful people eat beautiful... Restaurants (6)

There are many important things to remember about Fishy Fishy but two of the most important are Fish Only and Lunch... more travel advice

What to Buy in Kinsale Shopping (1)

When it comes to shopping you could really go crazy in Kinsale. So many tastefully appointed shops with artistically... more travel advice

Food Glorious Food Local Customs (3)

The Kinsale Gourmet Festival held every October is by now world-famous. All the best restaurants and chefs showcase... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Garretstown and the Old head of Kinsale.
Things to Do (13)
See All Short Organised Walking Tours

Comments (30)

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RickinDutch May 16, 2012 at 9:14 AM

I have lots of cousins in and around Limerick. They own half the pubs in that town. Always fun to visit and blend the tourism with family gatherings. We've kicked around the idea of moving there some day. Might even be able to afford it with the current economic downturn.
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mvtouring Oct 25, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Just returned from my Ireland tour and Kinsale was one of the places we visited. Also the place where I had the best fish ever! ;-)
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omidamini Jan 6, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Thanks for made very nice and helpful page.
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BruceDunning Nov 5, 2009 at 11:02 AM

The greenery in your country is great, and the Kinsale battle steeped in history. You did a good job of presenting your enjoyable trip
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ranger49 Apr 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM

My second visit here. Your beautifully written & illustrated tips fire my yen to visit! Whenthe £/euro situation improves.......
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EllenH Mar 27, 2009 at 10:13 PM

we had dinner at jim edwards!
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sourbugger Mar 21, 2009 at 5:02 PM

now i know why i love living here after this week - guinness, spring sunshine and we win at rugby ! must get to kinsale sometime
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Fullmoonfever Jan 9, 2009 at 6:55 AM

Happy Birthday!
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angiebabe Jul 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Thanks for the good tour here - we arrived with only time to drive around the harbour and wherever & get to Blarney castle before closing!then phone the friend who lives in Kinsale who was up in Dublin.
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BruceWMcC May 22, 2008 at 11:57 AM

A glass of Beamish at the Bulman and ambling along the Scilly Walk to dinner at the Spaniard were highlights of a wonderful time on our trip from the U.S. to Kinsale last summer. Thanks for the tips, descriptions, and photographs.