Historic Kinsale is our next port of call which was one of our favorites It is a delightful town and a pleasure to roam its ancient streets. It is compact with a quaint air of antiquity in the narrow streets and possible to walk the entire central village in 20 minutes. The walk along the harbour is particularly pleasant and was a favorite of ours.
Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale in County Cork, is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, with no shortage of pubs, cafes, and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Kinsale is still a fishing village. Located some 25 km (18 m) south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of more than 2000, which increases substantially during the summer months with tourism and boating at their peaks.
Kinsale has two major forts James’s Fort and Charles Fort, which is an imposing star fort located at Summer Cove directly across from James’s Fort. It was built to guard the entrance to Kinsale harbour and specifically to protect the harbour from use by the French and Spanish in the event of a landing in Ireland. An underwater chain would be strung between the two forts across the harbour mouth during times of war to scuttle enemy ships by ripping the bottom out of incoming vessels.
You may remember hearing about the sinking of the RMS Luisitania by a German u boat in 1915 some of the bodies and survivors were brought to Kinsale and a subsequent inquest was held in the town’s courthouse. A verdict of murder against the Kaiser and the German forces was a major factor in bringing the US into WWI. A statue in the harbour commemorates the effort.
The town is known for its restaurants, and holds an annual “Gourmet Festival”. There are too many restaurants in town to cover all of them. So we’ll just mention the ones we experienced first-hand. Fishy Fishy is perhaps the best known restaurant in town and one of the best seafood restaurants in Ireland, we would definately recommend it. Jola, owned by a young Polish woman, is located in an old restored stone building, the main room is downstairs with open air right up to the rafters. Mo-Po or modern Polish. The pub food and atmosphere is delightful, check out Jim Edwards at Market Quay.
Kinsale Heritage Town Walks provide the ideal way to explore this unique town which has been at the centre of Irish history since the first settlers came — the history of Kinsale is the History of Ireland.
You may be interested in a walking tour run by Dermot Ryan, rated the best guide in Ireland. Guiding since 1966, he uses maps and photographs to show how the history of Kinsale is the history of Ireland. Open walks from the Tourist Office at 10:30am. cost 5 euro and group, private and specialized tours offered, we did this and it was great.
Old Head Golf Course
Occupying a stunning and unique headland reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to the most spectacular world-class golf course one has ever seen, it will take your breath away. It is a piece of golf real estate like no other, that causes many a golfer and visitor to pinch themselves as they drive through the ancient gateway with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean some 300 feet below. The sensory overload does not stop there with the journey along the fragrant Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa lining the Old Head driveway providing stunning vistas across the superbly manicured golf course, with the powerful ocean on both sides and beyond the famous lighthouse that lies in front. Wow it was amazing and then we saw the helicopters land and unload the golfers on board.
Nine of the eighteen holes play along the cliff tops with all eighteen holes offering unsurpassed ocean views. With the ever changing sea breezes the course provides a stern test to all levels of golfers. Tee times are booked here a year in advance and we feel so fortunate to be able to play at such a prestigious course. When we were there it was a picture perfect day as we sipped our wine on the expansive deck above the course, lets hope we are lucky again. I was checking out Trip Advisor about Old Head and the following is about a visitor who couldn’t get a tee time but just went there to see and take some pictures, and then he was invited to play – what he says gives me shivers,
“What followed is simply the greatest golf experience of my life . Transcendent and Zen in nature. On a clear blue sky overlooking the most dramatic golf course on earth ( and in the land of my ancestors ) I achieved pure golf happiness . Golf Nirvana if you will.”
Can’t wait!!!