Things To Do in Kinsale

Southeast of Kinsale, at the head of the harbor, this coastal landmark dating from the late 17th century was named after Charles II, who was king of England and Ireland at the time it was built. A classic star-shaped fort, it was constructed after the Battle of Kinsale (1601) to…

This small, squat stone fortress doesn’t really look like a castle, in part because it sits incongruously half way up a residential street. Built around 1500 as the Customs house for Kinsale Harbour, in the late 17th century it was turned into a prison—at which time its history took…

One of the most pleasant ways to spend an hour in these parts is to take local resident Don Herlihy’s excellent walking tour—or “historic stroll,” as he prefers to call it—of Kinsale town. Don and his fellow guide, Barry Moloney, have been leading visitors around the main sights…

This excellent ceramics workshop outside of Kinsale sells beautiful, original items of pottery from delicate tea sets and tableware to ornamental masks. The shop is full of surprises, and prices aren’t too steep for the quality of what’s on offer. A two-floor gallery always has some…