This colorful harbor town in County Cork has narrow winding streets lined with art galleries, craft shops, and seafood restaurants near the 17th-century Charles Fort.
Kinsale wraps around the point where River Bandon meets the sea in County Cork. Along Market Street and Pearse Street, buildings painted in yellow, blue, and red house seafood restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Bastion. You can walk from the 1677-built Charles Fort to sandy Garrylucas Beach, or watch fishing boats unload their daily catch at the harbor. The town's streets follow their original 1700s paths, leading you past art galleries, craft shops, and down to the waterfront where yachts bob in the calm waters.
Getting to Kinsale
Cork Airport is 25 minutes away by car, with regular bus connections to Kinsale. You can park in several lots around the town center and walk to most places. Bus Éireann runs services between Cork City and Kinsale every hour during daytime.
Walking Through the Town Center
Market Street and Pearse Street form the center, where buildings from the 1700s now contain independent shops and cafes. Art galleries display local paintings and pottery in their windows. Small lanes branch off in all directions, following the original medieval street pattern down to the harbor area.
Historic Fortifications
Charles Fort stands at the harbor entrance, its stone walls extending in a star pattern. Inside, you'll find exhibits about the soldiers who lived here and the fort's role in the 1601 Battle of Kinsale. James Fort sits across the water, built in the early 1600s. You can walk through both forts' barracks, guardrooms, and along their walls.
Coastal Walks and Beaches
Walk the Scilly Trail from town to Charles Fort, passing fishing spots and waterside homes. Garrylucas and Garrettstown beaches, both with Blue Flag certification, are 15 minutes from town by car. At Old Head peninsula, paths run along the cliffs, giving you views across the Atlantic.
Maritime Activities
Join a sailing event at Kinsale Yacht Club, or take a fishing trip from the harbor to catch mackerel and cod. The Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre teaches kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the harbor waters.
Food and Restaurants
Fishing boats bring their catch to the harbor each morning. Local restaurants prepare fresh fish and shellfish daily. In October, the Gourmet Festival brings together chefs from around town. You'll also find Irish pubs pouring local craft beers and cafes with tables on the sidewalk.
Arts and Events
Main Street's galleries showcase paintings and sculptures by Cork artists. During the last weekend of October, the jazz festival fills pubs and hotels with live music. In summer months, musicians and performers set up along the streets, adding to the town's atmosphere.
