Discover the Charm of Kinsale, If you’re thinking about staying in Kinsale, you’re in the right spot! This is for you, “Discover the Charm of Kinsale: A Guide to Cork’s Beautiful Town”

Kinsale is a really beautiful town in Cork. Small but full of personality. People say this is the best place for the best food in Ireland. There are many interesting things and beautiful nature around. So many tourists and locals love to visit this place. In this guide, we’ll explore why Kinsale is a great place to visit and why some people will want to live there!

Quick Tips About Kinsale in Cork

Visiting Kinsale in Cork is pretty easy, but here are a few things to know to make your trip even better:

1. Where is it?

Kinsale is located about 25 km south of Cork City on the southwest coast of Ireland.

It is right at the mouth of the River Brandon, which flows into the sea at the city’s harbor. Just nearby is Kinsale’s Old Head, a historic site with an old castle and lighthouse.

2. A busy and colorful city

Kinsale has old streets with many bright, colorful buildings. You will find art galleries, shops, cafes, fancy restaurants and old pubs here.

The people who live here are lively and creative, and many visitors come too. The streets are rarely empty and are always friendly and lively. 

3. Kinsale Jazz Festival

Every year, Kinsale hosts a great jazz festival. There are usually over 100 free music shows in almost every pub, bar and hotel in town. It’s a 4-day party with music from noon to late, starting Friday and ending Monday

A short history of Kinsale

Kinsale is a beautiful little village with a long history, dating back to the 12th century.

I’ll give you a quick history of Kinsale to get you interested in learning more.

How Kinsale Began

In 1333, the town became official and became a major fishing center. In Irish, it is called Sion Tesile, meaning ‘land of the head of the sea’.

The port became important to the military and they built forts and fortifications to protect the city over the years.

Battle of Kinsale

Kinsale had strong connections with Spain, so there were happened many fights. In 1601, some ships from the Spanish Armada arrived in Kinsale. They allied with Irish rebels to try to invade England from Ireland. But the English forces fought back, and the Battle of Kinsale came near the end of the Nine Years’ War. The rebels and the Spanish ultimately lost.

Journey of Freedom

Fort Charles was built in 1677 to protect the harbor and town from French and Spanish attacks. This, along with the old James Fort, was intended to protect the city from attacks from the sea.

The fort was used by the Royal Navy for over 200 years until Ireland became independent.

By 1805, Kinsale was not as important for the navy and military, so life in the town became easier again.

Things to do in Kinsale

In our guide to “Best things to do in Kinsale”, we talked about what you can see in detail, but here’s a quick overview.

You can go for hikes, walks, enjoy delicious food, visit historical sites and relax on the beautiful beaches of Kinsale. 

1. Walk on Scilly Walk

The Scilly Walk is a must in Kinsale, and not just because of its name! It is a very easy 6 km loop from the beautiful village of Scilly to Charles Fort. Along the way, you’ll walk along the waterfront with amazing views of the harbor, perfect for taking photos.

You’ll find great pubs and restaurants along the way, so you can make a whole day out of it. You can also visit Fort Charles while you are there. There are some hills to walk but overall it’s not too difficult, and it’s a great way to explore the area on foot.

2. Or try Windier Old Head on the Kinsale Loop

The Old Head of Kinsale is another great walk out of town. It goes around the old headland that sticks out into the sea.

During the walk, you will see fantastic views from the mountains, see different animals, walk through small villages and farms and see some interesting sights.

Discover a 13th-century castle, old stone ruins and the RMS Lusitania Museum and View Tower — the views are amazing!

3. Have fun at Kinsale Beach (or one nearby)

Kinsale has a small beach with beautiful sand, blue water and great views. It is quite protected, so it is good for swimming or splashing around.

It can get crowded at times, but if you want something different, there are plenty of other beaches nearby (like Garrettstown Beach, which isn’t too far away).

4. Find more things to do

There are countless things to check out in Kinsale, too many to list here. The best thing is to wander around the old streets and see where you end up!

You will definitely come across cool places like Charles Fort, James Fort, Desmond Castle, Old Fish Market and many beautiful old buildings, shops and churches.

If you want to know more about what’s around, you can check out our guide to Kinsale attractions. 

Accommodation in Kinsale

You may also be interested in booking your stay in Kinsale now! Let’s check out your accommodation.

You can choose from hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, apartments and even some luxury self-catering options.

Beautiful B&Bs and hotels in Kinsale

In our Kinsale hotel guide, you can find great hotels with a variety of room types and great sea views. They also have great facilities.

If you prefer smaller places, Kinsale has lovely boutique hotels and B&Bs. They are comfortable and ensure that you have a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Cool airbnbs in Kinsale

Kinsale also has a lot of cool Airbnbs. You can choose from private rooms, whole houses or apartments.

You can find many options in the center of Kinsale, but there are also some outside the city, not far from the best pubs and restaurants!

 Pubs of Kinsale

Kinsale is famous for its restaurants, but people also love its pubs. There are plenty of great places to drink, listen to music and have fun.

You can find some great pubs in our Kinsale pub guide, but here are a few of our favorites to get you going.

1. The Spaniard

The Spaniard is one of Kinsale’s oldest pubs, dating back to 1650. When you walk in, you can feel the history in the air. The old-fashioned decor, cozy fireplace and sawdust on the floor make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. You can even imagine listening to the music of the living sea from long ago!

2. Bullman

If you’re walking along the Scilly Walk you’ll come across Bulman Bar. It is only 10 meters from the sea, making it a perfect place to stop for a drink while enjoying the view of the harbor from the rock wall. Inside, the bar is cozy with a warm fireplace, wooden beams and lots of nautical decor.

3. Kitty and Cece

If you want to hear live music in Kinsale, Kitty’s is a great choice. During the summer, they have music almost every night with top traditional bands from Cork and beyond. The atmosphere is great, and you are sure to have a fun night. The pub is also great with a variety of drinks and delicious Irish food. 

Kinsale Restaurant

Kinsale is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland and for good reason. There are many great places for top-notch food. And it’s not just seafood – you’ll find a variety of delicious options.

You can find some great restaurants in our Kinsale restaurant guide, but here are a few of our favorites to help you get started.

1. Bruno’s Italian Restaurant

Bruno’s serves delicious Italian cuisine made with Irish and Italian ingredients. They use fresh local ingredients for their pasta dishes and salads on the seasonal menu.

But the real stars are their wood-fired pizzas! The crust is perfect, the toppings are delicious and the sauce is delicious. They also have Italian wines to go with your meal.

2. Black pig

The Black Pig is a fancy restaurant in Kinsale, known for its delicious seafood. They collect many of their ingredients from the boat every morning.

In addition to seafood, this restaurant has delicious meat and vegetarian dishes, all sourced locally, mostly from Cork. The cozy atmosphere and soft lighting make it a relaxing place to dine, and they even have a nice patio where you can enjoy lunch in the sun.

3. Fish Fish Kinsley

Fishy Fishy is a famous seafood restaurant in Kinsale right next to the harbour. The owner and chef, Martin Shanahan, is one of Ireland’s leading seafood chefs, and you may have seen him on TV.

The restaurant, which used to be an art gallery, has been recognized by a Michelin plate. They offer a variety of fresh fish and seafood on a menu that changes frequently. Be sure to check out the specials, which depend on what was caught that morning.