Kinsale Tourist Attractions
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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.
St Multose Church
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.
French Prison (Desmond Castle)
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.
Court House
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.
Gourmet Festival
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.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Kinsale have many features of interest.
Charles Fort
In Summer Cove, 2mi/3km south of the town of Kinsale along the east side of the harbor inlet, can be found the well-preserved star-shaped Charles Fort (1677), the walls of which still stand 40ft/12m high. At the southwest corner is a lighthouse, and within the fort are the ruins of 19th C. barracks (caution required on the outer defenses). On the opposite side of the inlet is a similar fortification, James Fort.2mi/3km east of Kinsale lies another inlet, Oyster Haven, with good bathing. On the shore are the imposing ruins of Mount Lang Castle (1631).
Ballinspittle
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.
Old Head of Kinsale
5mi/8km south of Ballinspittle the Old Head of Kinsale reaches far out to sea, with a ruined castle and a lighthouse in magnificent cliff scenery.
Garrettstown
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.
Bandon
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).
