Top 5 Things To Do in Kinsale
Kinsale: quaint, picturesque, vibrant and providing a diverse and intriguing range of activities. Here is our Top 5 Things To Do in this West Cork gem.
1. Walking
Kinsale has a rich and colourful heritage, owing its unique character to the fact that it was a garrison town and port of consequence for over 300 years - hence its magnificent Georgian houses and the Dutch influence of its architecture. The best way to view and really appreciate the heritage of the town is to take one of the daily guided heritage walks that leave from the tourist office in the town centre. We’ll leave it you to decide which guide to choose; suffice it to say that all guides are both extremely knowledgeable and entertaining.
Once you’ve done the guided tour and are versed in the history of Kinsale, pick up The Kinsale Maps walking guide from the tourist office. The routes marked out will take you to some of the most scenic parts of the Kinsale surrounds and provide spectacular views of the town and breath-taking panoramas of the harbour. Our pick of these routes is the water’s edge walk. Starting from the town centre you walk to the village of Scilly (you can drive but parking is at a premium), then onwards along the pedestrianised waterfront walkway to Summercove and Charles Fort. This route offers incredible views as well as a welcome reprieve from the splutter and hum of passing traffic.
While you could turn back at Charles Fort (No.2 in our Top 5 Things To Do in Kinsale) and maybe stop for a bite and a drink in one of the fine establishments you passed on the way out, those of you in the mood for a longer hike should continue on from Charles Fort and take the coastal walk to Prehane Point. Never more than a few meters from the sea this rugged pathway offers many rewards with stunning views of the Old Head of Kinsale and the Sovereign Islands. The full route should take between 5 and 6 hours so pack a lunch!
2. Charles Fort
Charles Fort is a classic example of a late 17th century star-shaped fort. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, and Superintendent of Fortifications, is credited with designing the fort. As one of the largest military installations in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. The most significant of these are the Williamite War 1689-91 and the Civil War 1922-23. Charles Fort was declared a National Monument in 1973.
As well as offering a very tangible insight into the history of Kinsale, Charles Fort also offers some of the best views of Kinsale town and harbour – so bring your camera!
Location: 3km from Kinsale - turn off Cork-Kinsale road (R600) 2km from the town. Guided Tours are available for up to 40 people and last 1 hour.
3. A Dip in the Ocean
Okay, the water might be a little on the cool side for a leisurely swim but there are many other ways to enjoy the sea in and around Kinsale. The Kinsale Harbour Cruise offers an insightful tour of the harbour and a unique perspective from which to view the town. Plus there’s the added bonus of catching a glimpse of the local seals population, who keep a watchful eye on proceedings.
The harbour cruise is certainly the most laid back way to explore the harbour, however if you would like to be a bit more active then a day of sailing might be more your thing. Half and full day packages are available and all skill levels are catered for. Alternatively, you should consider going kayaking for the day. A kayak is by far the best way to explore the caves, nooks and crannies that dot the coastline around Kinsale
And, if you really want to get close to the water and get your adrenaline flowing then we recommend you go surfing at Garretstown beach. Surfing lessons run all through the summer months for beginners and those looking for a refresher. If you’re more experienced then you can rent a board and wetsuit on the beach.
4. Dining Out
Restaurants in Kinsale pride themselves on their high reputation for culinary expertise, and work together to ensure they offer a diversity of cuisine with a guarantee of quality, service, comfort and ambience and of course, fine dining. The Kinsale Good Food Circle is an 11 member restaurant group that adhere to the highest of standards in food service. This commitment to food excellence is replicated in all of the bars and restaurants in Kinsale – the array of award plaques on the entrances is testimony this fact.
With fresh fish arriving in the dock every morning and the highest calibre chefs creating mouth-watering dishes in the kitchens around Kinsalethe result is some of the finest seafood dishes you will taste anywhere in the world. Enjoy!
5. Festivals
The number and quality of festivals and events has grown in recent years. The long running Kinsale Rugby Sevens (May Bank Holiday Weekend) the revived Kinsale Arts Week 09-17 July 2011) and the fringe Jazz Festival in October (28-31, 2011) are perhaps the pick of the lot. From April to December the event calendar in Kinsale is jam packed with fun, interesting and exciting things to do. Visit www.kinsale.ie/festivals for a full listing of festivals and events in Kinsale throughout the year and make sure you don’t miss out.
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