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.
An interesting building in Kinsale is the Court House of 1706, now occupied by the Kinsale Regional Museum. The museum keeps several of the black hooded cloaks which were once the traditional dress of the women of the district.
In Kinsale's Cork Street stands the "French Prison," a three-story tower house (15th or 16th C: National Monument) with charming ogee-arched windows.
Built c. 1500 as a customs house by the Earl of Desmond, the building was occupied by the Spanish in 1601 and was used as a prison for captured American sailors during the American War of Independence. It was termed "The French Prison" after a fire in 1747 in which 54 prisoners, mainly French seamen, died.
This annual festival takes place during a weekend in early October in Kinsale, which is said to be the gourmet capital of Ireland. Events include a reception and a grand ball, while local restaurants also offer gourmet meals especially for the festival.
Tips: A one-price membership fee entitles bearer to attend all festivities. One-day tickets are also available.
Kinsale's most notable building is St Multose's Church (12th C.), now the parish church. On the northwest side of the church stands the tower, with a Romanesque doorway. Above the west doorway can be seen a 15th C. statue of St Multose, who is credited with the foundation of a monastery which once stood here. The church has an interesting collection of tombstones (17th C.) and a fine font. Near the church, higher up the hill, is an attractive group of almshouses of 1682.
Tips: Oct. through May visit by appointment.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The R600 runs southwest from Kinsale to the village of Ballinspittle, above which is the Ballycateen Ring Fort, with three deep ditches and a total diameter of 400ft/120m.
From Kilbrittain the R603 leads to Bandon on the N71, which has a nine-hole golf course and good trout fishing. The town was established in 1608 to house English settlers. Kilbrogan Church (1610), the parish church, was one of the first Protestant churches in Ireland. Along the banks of the River Bandon, a good fishing stream, are several ruined castles - on the Inishannon road Shippool Castle (1543) and Downdaniel Castle (1476).
To the west of the Old Head promontory, southwest of Kinsale, lies Garrettstown, a quiet holiday resort with a sheltered bay. Coolmain Castle and Kilbrittain Castle to the northwest are not open to the public.
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Kinsale
