Located at the mouth of the River Bandon, Kinsale is a historic port and fishing town on the coast of County Cork. It’s home to centuries-old forts, art galleries and one of the only meaderies in Ireland and hosts several gourmet food festivals throughout the year.
Occupying a late 16th-century building is the Kinsale Museum, which explores the town’s maritime heritage and some of its most notable residents. Learn about the 1601 Battle of Kinsale and the 1915 sinking of the “Lusitania”, with an inquest taking place in the museum building when it served as the local courthouse.
Watching over the River Bandon is one of Ireland’s largest military installations, the Charles Fort, a star-shaped fortress that has played a significant role in the country’s past. From its ramparts, there are magnificent views of Kinsale Harbour. On the opposite bank lie the remains of James Fort, a 17th-century pentagonal bastion that is protected as a National Monument.
Getting there
Kinsale is around 30 minutes’ drive from Cork and 20 minutes from Cork Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Kinsale and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.