Kinsale, Ireland

Kinsale, Ireland

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About Kinsale

About Kinsale

Why Visit the Town of Kinsale, Ireland

The small town of Kinsale in Cork County is often treated as a transit town, just one of the starting points of the famous Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. After briefly reading Kinsale's description, people think that this fishing town with 5300 citizens just can't possibly have anything interesting to offer. But that's where they are wrong.

And there is no better way to find out about the town's fascinating history than a city tour with a professional guide. The love for Kinsale and passion for its history will rub on you and you won't have a choice but to fall in love with the town by the end of the tour. If you are lucky, apart from the dry historical facts, your guide will share with you some fascinating local legends. And if you are interested in having a closer look at the local lore, you can continue your Kinsale itinerary with a ghost tour.

If you want to know more about the town's past, visit the Kinsale Museum. It contains various fascinating historical artifacts, as well as the boots of Patrick O'Brien, the tallest man in the world at the time, and the anchor of the Spanish Armada ship, one of the participants of the Battle of Kinsale. Also, you might want to add the Kinsale Regional Museum to your agenda. There you can learn about one of the most tragic events in Kisale's history, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in 1915.

There are quite a few things to explore for architecture lovers as well. The Charles Fort, for example, is definitely a "must" visit place during your Kinsale stay. This beautiful 17th-century building still boasts a pretty good shape and the local guides will be happy to tell you about the fort's interesting military past and its planner's major mistake. The 12th-century Norman St. Multose Church with the portal in the Romanic style and the 16th-century Desmond Castle, also known as the "French Prison", are also worth visiting during your Kinsale travel.

Anyone who appreciates a glass of cold beer can't miss the Black's Brewery. It's run by two locals who started their company in 2013. Their goal is to show the difference between beer created with passion and personality and yet another humdrum mass-market bottle. You are welcome to take the guided tour to find out more about the brewery's history and to enjoy the degustation at the end.

The town itself is very charming with its colorful houses, beautiful harbor, and winding streets full of little shops, galleries, and museums. But what Kinsale prides itself in the most is its cuisine. There are numerous cozy cafes, vibrant bars, and elegant restaurants, offering to enjoy delicious local and international food on every street. And it doesn't matter where you decide to spend the evening, there is no way you will be disappointed. But if you want to fully enjoy what Kinsale has to offer in terms of delicious food, visit the Kinsale Gourmet Festival taking place in October.

Best Things to Do During Kinsale Trip

  • Visit the Kinsale Museum
  • Explore the Charles Fort and the Norman St. Multose Church
  • Attend the Kinsale Gourmet Festival
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