Food Glorious Food
by Ekaterinburg
The Kinsale Gourmet Festival held every October is by now world-famous. All the best restaurants and chefs showcase their talents.As Kinsale is twinned with Antibes in France and Newport in Rhode Island, there is a very strong gallic and American flavour added to the pot. As well as twinning towns Chefs are also exchanged and all kinds of crazy spin off activities like Mad Hatters Tastings are organised.
Although most restaurants in Kinsale are of a fairly high standard, there are some which at this stage have achieved Iconic status. Of course iconic status means sky-high prices but if youare a devout foodie then you might consider it well worth the money.
For details of the Gourment Festival and of the Kinsale Good Food Circle, contact Kinsales Tourism Website.
The Legend of the White lady
by Ekaterinburg
The White lady is a name you will come across very frequently in Kinsale, the popular White Lady Night Club being just one example.The legend of the white lady tells the story of Willful Warrender , daughter of an 18th century Governor of Charles Fort. On her wedding night, Willful and her new husband ( an officer at the fort) were strolling on the ramparts when she spotted a beautiful flower down below that she set her heart on having. Her new husband obliged by asking the sentry on duty to climb down for it while he took his place in the sentry box. The groom however, had had one too many (it was his wedding day after all) and fell asleep . Enter the Governor who spots the sleeping sentry and, in the rather churlish manner of the time, shot him dead. Poor Willful couldn't handle this tragedy and threw herself off the battlements. This story could quite possibly be credible after consuming several pints of Kinsale beer, and who knows if you're around in October you might even see Willful's ghost wandering round the ramparts in her wedding dress.
Boating, Shark Fishing
by orlikins
Loads of boats and trawlers in Kinsale harbour, some of them will take you around the harbour for a small fee.
We might be going back to Kinsale next year for a spot of shark fishing, so if that does happen, you can read about it here ! :-)
Dromberg Stone Circle
by Nobbe
On the coastway from Kinsale to Mizen Head (around halfway) you will find this ancient place called Dromberg Stone Circle. The seventeen stones wich together creates the circle dates back to around 150 AD.
Old Head
by SabrinaSummerville
Silly me, I always thought that the Old Head of Kinsale was more or less within the town itself - it's not; it's several miles drive further into West Cork. The signposts just say "Old Head", which can be a bit confusing - at least, I found it confusing and I'm Irish (no Irish jokes here, please). They should, perhaps, just add the words "of Kinsale" to make it clear.
Anyway, when I put two and two together I followed the signs to the Old Head of Kinsale.
This area is really stunning, with the headland surrounded by the ocean on both sides. However, it did strike me that (unusually I might have thought) two of the most scenic parts of the area have been taken over by private development.
The first is a gated development of houses right on the headland and blocking one of the more breathtaking views in the area - I cannot believe that any Planning Council granted permission for this, particularly with the enthusiasm (even passion) in the Irish planning offices to preserve our scenic beauty.
The second is the Old Head Golf Course, which blocks off access to the tip of the headland itself. It's not usual for Irish areas of great beauty to be given over to private enterprise.
Apart from these two spots there is still a lot to see. Put on stout and comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for walking over rough terrain in strong winds and along precarious and unprotected cliffs. Bring your camera. The wild flora is also amazing. I stood at the cliff top and listened to the seals barking on the rocks hundreds of feet below at the foot of the cliffs. I am sure I spotted cormorants there, too.
If you visit any other part of West Cork, this must surely be it.
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At the Kinsale port
Explanation by Katherine
DAO, Dila, Gillybob
Jim Edwards Seafood Restaurant, Kinsale, Co. Cork
