Our Kinsale 7…everything you need to know about this beautiful place

Realli
Realli
Aug 23, 2017 · 4 min read

Nestled in a peaceful inlet guarded by two medieval fortresses, Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns in Ireland. Kinsale has developed with the times like all towns in Ireland, but there is still something magical about its old colourful and winding streets where you’re never more than a stone’s through from a top quality eatery or cosy traditional pub. Whether you’ve come for some action on the sea, the famously fresh seafood or a quiet pint by the fire, Kinsale has something to offer everyone. You’ll never want to leave, we know we didn’t.

Known to many as the ‘gourmet capital of Ireland,’ Kinsale boasts an unprecedented number of top quality restaurants for its size. These include Bastion and Fishy Fishy which have both been recognized with a Bib Gourmand listing in the 2017 Michelin Guide to Britain and Ireland.

From warm winter trad sessions by the fire to open air singing during the summer season, Kinsale boasts a bustling nightlife. All this is complemented by the local brewing companies which give you the chance to try a beer that has been ‘born and bred’ in Kinsale. The most well known of these being Black’s, who offer tours of their brewery and distillery and a serve a broad range of beers and ales, and gin if you’re feeling a little more adventurous.

Sporting fans will not be short of options in Kinsale, but perhaps the most important sporting event of the year in the town is the annual rugby 7’s sevens tournament that takes place each May bank holiday. With humble beginnings back in 1988, the event now attracts teams from across Europe and beyond and has grown to be somewhat of an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether your or a fan or a player the weekend event never disappoints and leaves all counting down the days till next year.

An outcrop of hard sandstone lodged between two layers of shale and eroded over millennia, Old Head Kinsale is a truly breathtaking spectacle. An early lighthouse was first established at the Old Head in the 17th century by Robert Reading. The area with its raw natural beauty has been inhabited for thousands of years and today plays host to one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. Boat trips from the nearby harbour allow unprecedented views.

Discover your sea legs in Kinsale! With three marinas, a yacht club, two outdoor activity centres, boat and yacht hire, harbour cruises, beaches, sailing, kayaking, fishing and scuba diving there are so many opportunities to get out on the water in this busy harbour town. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic newbie, the water at Kinsale is accessible to all.

Kinsale is a town rich in history with evidence of human inhabitation of the area since the iron age. The oldest building still standing in the town is St. Multose’s church and dates back to 1190. In the centre of the town lies the old Desmond Castle, originally built as a customs house around 1500. On the opposite side of the water to Charles Fort (pictured) lies James’s Fort. Both of these were completed in the 1600’s and their very presence highlights the strategic significance Kinsale has had for hundreds of years.

The town was the site of the famous Battle of Kinsale (1601) where the Irish earls with the help of the Spanish were defeated by the forces of Queen Elizabeth I.

This battle is seen as the ultimate battle in England’s conquest of Gaelic Ireland and lead to what is now known as the “Flight of the Earls.” Today a range of historic walking tours guide groups through the streets of Kinsale.

Kinsale is home to a number of galleries including The Boathouse gallery and The Gallery Kinsale. These display a wonderful collection of local scenes and also promote contemporary Irish art. Other galleries include the Giles Norman Gallery and Rohan Reilly Photography which both display some truly breathtaking photography. For those who wish to roll up their sleeves, Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre offer short courses in a wide range of arts and crafts throughout the year. These include pottery, stained and fused glass, jewellery-making, mosaics, batik, needle felting, weaving and rag weaving, sculpting in silver and children’s arts and crafts.


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