Location: Kinsale
Top Things to do in Kinsale
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Kinsale, Ireland
Kinsale (/kɪnˈseɪl/; Irish: Cionn tSáile, meaning "Tide Head") is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland, which also has significant military history. Located approximately 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and had a population of 5,281 at the 2016 census. Its population increases during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and when the boating fraternity and other tourist visitors arrive in numbers. Kinsale is in the Cork South–West (Dáil Éireann) constituency, which has three seats.
Restaurants in Kinsale
1. Blacks Brewery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 84 reviews
Guided brewery tours with tasting samples. Come see a working Irish micro brewery in action. Home of the award winning Kinsale Pale Ale. See map for walking shortcut. Parking available also. Open for tours tasting on Saturdays throughout Sept. For booking http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Blacks-Brewery-tickets-Kinsale/venue/416872
Reviewed By Larko54
Super tour with loads of opportunity to taste a few beers and some delicious gin. I'm not a beer drinker at all but there is such a huge variety that there is something for everyone's palate. Only disappointment is that the delicious specialty beers aren't available in the shops for purchase !
2. Charles Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By SteMcCormack - Dublin, Ireland
This place is worth the visit just for the views from the walls alone, In addition to the walks around the parapets, some of the buildings are still intact and house different exhibits from the various time periods the fort was in use (1680s up to World War 1).
Other bulidings are in ruins but it still gives a very good feel for what the fort would have been like when it was occupied.
There are some steps, steep slopes and rough surfaces, but most of the areas were pretty easily accessible, although Wheelchair users might struggle.
3. Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance
Overall Ratings
5 based on 72 reviews
This garden is located in the townland of Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork in the south of Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their live in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. This garden of Remembrance was established by Kathleen Murphy in November 2001. Kathleen grew up in Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork which is located in the south of Ireland. Following her training as a nurse in England she moved to New York where she worked as a staff nurse for 40 years in Lennox Hill Hospital. Kathleen always admired the brave and courageous work of firefighters. Following the 9/11 attacks she decided to establish the garden of remembrance in memory to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th 2001. Kathleen passed away in March 2011 in New York following a battle with cancer and is buried less than 2 miles from the garden.
Reviewed By Mike M - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Amazing and breathtaking memorial for the 343 FDNY that gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Sept 11th attack in New York City. The garden was created by Kathleen Murphy who was a nurse in NYC for 40 years and was there on 9/11 during the attack. The views are just incredible. See the picture for more background. Thank you to the family for leaving the memorial, even after Kathleen has passed in 2011. Thank you to Kathleen Murphy for her service and for a memorial that we hope will last forever. We recommend highly all Americans stop to see this memorial.
Thank you to Mia from Vagabond Tours for taking us to this memorial – we were both very touched and moved
4. James Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By davidmlowe - Cheshire, United Kingdom
We enjoyed a peasant stroll from lobster cottages across the river, which amounted to around a 3.5 mile round trip. The area around the fort is well kept and the views from the top around the fort are fabulous. There is a lovely sandy bay that is accessible worth an extra trip to. A great place to walk your dog for sure. Well worth it.
5. Old Head Signal Tower and Lusitania Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
The restored Old Head Signal Tower was built during the Napoleanic wars in response to the threat of a French invasion. The ground floor hosts information room about the Tower history with a detailed audio visual. The first floor hosts a Lusitania Museum, as this headland is the closest land point to where the ship was torpedoed in 1915.There are stunning panoramic views from the Tower Top.
Reviewed By Matt M - Milwaukee, WI
I'm only rating this as a 3, as we arrived after the tower was closed. It was our own fault for getting there so late. However, I can imagine the views from the tower are fantastic on a clear day. If we're ever back in...MoreHi Matt, it was a pity that you arrived late to our attraction. Hopefully you will get the chance to visit us next year.
6. St Multose Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By JnVSydney - Sydney
During a walk of this wonderful town, we hit all the high points, being lovers of old structures, this church (built in the 1100 hundreds) was a must see for us. It did not disappoint, the grave yard is a point of interest, with some victims of Lusitania buried there.
7. Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 59 reviews
Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre offer short courses in a wide range of arts and crafts throughout the year. These include pottery, stained and fused glass, jewellery-making, mosaics, batik, needle felting, weaving and rag weaving,sculpting in silver and childrens arts and crafts. We specialise in one-day workshops and weekend breaks for visitors, and half-day sessions for groups of between 6 and 50 people. The Centre also has a large gallery of Adrian Wistreich's ceramics.
Reviewed By Loretta S
we loved the local art pottery and wool! Something for everyone! My favorite shopping of our 10 day trip! We bought so much, we had it shipped back to Florida!
8. Kinsale Tourist Office
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Carol A - Amarillo, Texas
We wish we could have spent the whole day in Kinsale. The tourist office is outstanding
with very helpful staff. We met a walking tour here and got a lot of good information. The restrooms are outside the office, but they are there. We walked the town with our tour that was more talking than walking. It is just a charming town with wonderful old buildings, churches and lots of local shopping.
9. Kinsale Regional Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By NCDoc - Durham, NC
The Kinsale Regional Museum is staffed by volunteers. It's not big, it's not fancy, but it's certainly worth a visit if you're in Kinsale. There's an interesting exhibit on the Lusitania, given the proximity of its sinking to Kinsale. Oddities include a pituitary giant's shoes, odd-lot items from past centuries (mostly 19th), and links between Kinsale and the 1916 Rising. Free, but donations are appreciated. A nice way to spend some time if you're in Kinsale for a few days.
10. Desmond Castle & International Museum of Wine
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By Anitra W - West Virginia
My family and I stopped here one morning because it was a short walk from our B&B. We had purchased the OPW Heritage Card earlier on our trip so we didn't have to pay the entrance fee. The guides at the desk were informative and friendly, giving us a brief history of the "castle." The rest of the tour is self guided and you can do it in under an hour. If you like wine this is a must do. My husband is an American History teacher and found the ties to the American Revolution interesting.
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