Kinsale
Photos: (Clockwise) International Museum of Wine, Desmond Castle, Kinsale Harbour
Less than 20 miles south of Cork City is Kinsale, a hilly harbor town with narrow streets in a picturesque setting on Compass Hill beside the Bandon Estuary. Appropriately, it takes its name from the Irish language, "Cionn tSaile," meaning "head of the sea."
Kinsale is a favorite with Corkonians and with visitors who enjoy walking, boating, fishing, and an interest in fine food and good wines.
In recent years, Kinsale has made a big name for itself as home to more than a dozen award-winning restaurants. All this fine cuisine has earned Kinsale the title of "Gourmet Capital" of Ireland. Each October the town's many restaurants join together to host a three-day food festival.
In addition to the charms of the town itself, visitor attractions include:
Desmond Castle, Cork St. (tel. 021-477-4855), built as a custom house by the Earl of Desmond c. 1500. It was later used as a prison, but today the castle is home to the International Museum of Wine, a reflection of the fact that in the 17th and 18th centuries, Kinsale was one of Ireland's principal wine ports. Ireland's connections to the "Wine Geese" of Europe, the Americas, and Australia are explained in a series of colorful exhibits. Open daily mid-June to early October and on Tuesday - Sunday during mid-April to mid-June. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie
Other attractions include Charles Fort (tel. 021-477-2263), a unique star-shaped fort built c. 1677, and James Fort, dating back to 1602. Both are fine examples of 17th century military architecture, offering sweeping views of the harbor, the town and each other. Only Charles Fort is accessible to visitors. Open daily mid-March to October; and on weekends from November to mid-March. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie
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