We’re driving into the beautiful town of Kinsale in County Cork, which is an historic port and a popular holiday destination at the mouth of the River Bandon. It is the start, or if you prefer the finish point, of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way - a beautiful scenic route stretching all the way up the west of Ireland’s coastline to Donegal in the North.
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In 2020 in was rated among the 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland. If it’s not the most beautiful, then it’s definitely the most colourful as you’ll soon see.
As I take a little walk around. The first thing that strikes you is the colourful buildings. The town Lies 25 Km South of Cork City and has a population of about five and a half thousand, which swells in the summertime due to the influx of tourists. It is twinned with Newport Rhode Island, Antibes in the South of France and Mumbles in Wales.
We visit a very beautiful little square, and remember we’re visiting in winter, so you can only imagine what the atmosphere would be like here on a warm Saturday night in the middle of August. I’m certain this gastro pub would be a popular place. And just look at these buildings, we’ll be passing the front of these a bit later.
There’s a lot of boutique craft shops and galleries reflecting the large artistic community that has settled here. And of course, there’s plenty of pubs, this is Ireland after all.
The town has a few good restaurants the most famous of which is the Michelin Stared Bastion Restaurant, (indeed the famous chef Keith Floyd was a previous resident of the town) but we’re dining much more humbly today a great fish and chip shop called Dino’s. Mind you just to call it a fish and chip shop is perhaps to do it some disservice as it has quite a comprehensive menu. It’s licenced and has a small wine list too. But the great thing about this place is the freshness of the seafood on sale. And, as one expects in Ireland, the helpings are piled sky high on your plate. There’s also a great view of the harbour from the restaurant.
There are some amazingly historic buildings in the general area. Desmond Castle for example (originally the town’s Custom House) dates back to 1500. It was also used to incarcerate French and Spanish prisoners during the 17th Century and became known as the French Prison.
The town is rich in history. One of the most important events being the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 which took place after the Spanish Armada landed here to hook up with Irish rebels whose common cause was to attack England. The Spanish and their Irish Allies led by Ulster Princes Red Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, were beaten by the English and this was a turning point in Irish history signalling the end of the od Gaelic order as O’Donnell and O’Neill went into exile in Europe in 1607 in and event known as the Flight of the Earls.
Two forts then came to be built as a means of guarding the narrow harbour from future landings either by the French or Spanish: James Fort and Charles Fort faced each other on either side of the water and an underwater chain was used between the two forts to scuttle enemy boats in times of war - perhaps I’ll make separate videos on these at some point.
It was also at Kinsale where James II landed with his army in 1689, supported by France’s Louis XIV and began his campaign to regain power. This culminated in his defeat by King William of Orange at the battle of the Boyne, and that led to James scarpering back to France again via Kinsale.
And then of course there’s the impressive waterfront, which offers a harbour for yaghts, but also all manor of marine activities, like deep sea angling, scuba diving, boat hire, fishing and kayaking
This is definitely a place you’ll want to visit if you’re coming to Ireland or even if you’re planning a staycation this year.
17 апр 2024
