Kinsale (Ceann Saile, "Tide Head") lies on the Irish south coast, overlooking the broad estuary of the River Bandon.
Kinsale became an English town in 1602, closed to Irish residents until the end of the 18th C., and still preserves something of the atmosphere of that period. Many of its older houses have been well restored, though a modern
hotel introduces a jarring note.
This was once an important naval harbor. In 1601 a Spanish fleet landed a force of several thousand men to support the Irish against the English, but the Spaniards were forced to surrender to English forces. One consequence of this English victory was the "Flight of the Earls" to Central Europe, after which Ireland's position as a dependency of England was confirmed.
William Penn, founder of the State of Pennsylvania, was a native of Kinsale.
Kinsale is today a popular holiday resort and excursion center. The harbor is now a fishing port (mackerel) and a well-equipped fishing center.
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