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This old courthouse/markethouse, now turned regional museum is bang smack in the centre of town. Its display of traditional craft items and artifacts associated with ships and the sea isn't exactly riveting. Upstairs however, in the panelled courtroom, things liven up a bit. Here in this courtroom on the 10th of may 1915 Captain Turner, whose Lusitania had sunk off the Old Head of Kinsale, was called to account. Transcripts of this and other less important trials are available to read. For opening hours of this museum you need to check with the Tourist Office. Address: Just off Market SquarePhone: 353-21-4777930Directions: In the very centre of town.
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A quick downhill trot along River Road and Long Quay brings you to the town centre The Tourist office which is clearly visible here is a good place to start from and once you cross the street it's impossible not to arrive at the central shopping/restaurant area. There are really only about five shopping streets but all of them are crammed with objects of desire. Make no mistake about it, the shops are expensive.But the merchandise is spectacular- exquisitely crafted handmade objects in pottery, glass, wood , lace and linen. There are almost equal numbers of cafes, bistros and pubs to tempt you to rest and refreshment and again, while many of them are on the pricey side, it would be silly not to indulge yourself and enjoy Kinsale's very special ambience Address: TownCentre, Kinsale
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 Approaching Summercove from Charles Fort by Ekaterinburg, 1 more photos Leaving Charles Fort via the drawbridge, pause to look at the three plaques in Irish, English and Spanish unveiled in 2001, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Battle of Kinsale. This spot high on the hill is obviously a great place for first impression photos of Kinsale, lying tantalisingly off in the distance. Going down the steep hill you immediately come to the little village of Summercove, with it's small harbour and views across the estuary to James Fort. The Bulman Bar and restaurant is here ( see restaurant tips) and the houses are all amazing. Many are clad in the characteristic grey slate of Kinsale houses and many are quaint and cottagey. All of them cost obscene amounts of money so if you decide you want to come nd live here you need to have a very healthy bank balance. Address: Summercove, KinsaleDirections: About fortyy minutes walk from the town centre.
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by Ekaterinburg Desmond castle is a short walk uphill from St Multose Church. This 15th century Custom and Town House has had a chequered histor to say the least. It has served as a Customs house, an Arsenal for Don Juan D'Aguila and his Spanish troops during the 1601 battle, a prison for French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars and for American prisoners during the American War of Independence; a relief centre during the famine, and now finally as an International Wine museum. An impressive building with many stories to tell. Don't miss it. Desmond Castle is open from 10 am -6.00 pm every day from April to October. At other times checkwith the tourist office.
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 Old Head of Kinsale, lighthouse in the distance by evaanna, 4 more photos This is one of my favourite places in County Cork, this windswept rocky promontory reaching out into the ocean. There is a lighthouse at the end of it but you can't get to it - the road ends with a gate a long time before it and a fence on both sides tells you in no uncertain terms you won't be welcome there. Unless... unless you join the exclusive golf club, which has its golf course at the tip of the cliff. Just EUR 250 and you can drive in. We didn't of course - Katherine parked the car in the small car park by the gate and off we went to explore the cliff. It was lovely - the lush grass dotted with masses of white and yellow flowers looked so soft and inviting. Coming to the edge of the cliff, we saw the rugged rocks and heard the cries of seabirds nesting on them. There is a colony of seabirds including kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills on the cliff but it would be best to observe them from the sea as the rocks seem to be inaccessible. The wind was so strong that a sudden gust nearly pushed me off the cliff, but the place was great. To me, it brought back memories of Cornwall, buried deep in my mind years ago. Here they were again - the cliff, the jagged rocks, the seagulls and the invigorating wind. There is a ruined tower or castle wall nearby and another a little further up the hill. I still keep wondering what they were and why they had to fall into oblivion, like all things, sooner or later. Only the cliff must look as it looked centuries ago and, hopefully, there will always be people who will admire the wonderful scenery. Leave a Comment
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by Ekaterinburg Eventually this woodland track peters out onto a road and here with an elegant terrace of georgian houses, the town becomes closer. There's a great vista of the ships and marina here, quite different to the aspect you see from the Pier Road. The Spinnaker Pub is the next source of interest, with its nautical knickknaks and over the top decorative style. As the Spinnaker doesn't open until 5.30 we can only look from the outside and continue uphill to the Spaniard for lunch. The Spaniard is one of Kinsale's best known and best loved landmarks and I will describe it in detail in the restaurant tips section Address: On the Scilly Walk
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 The Scilly Walk between the Woods and the Sea by Ekaterinburg From Summercove to Kinsale, we take the Scilly Walk, along the very edge of the sea. There's a steep but short hill first, then you go through an old revolving style, tread carefully down a sometimes slippery slope and emerge to a woodland track, bordered with lush vegetation on one side and the sea on the other. The students always remark on the proliferation of palm trees and sometimes draw comparisons with the South of France. At that stage I think all the fresh air is having a slightly euphoric effect on them but they are always adamant that this place is diferent from other parts of Ireland and who am I to argue? Address: Between Summercove and Kinsale town
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Very close to the regional Museum is St Multose Church. St Multose founded a monastery here in the 6th century AD and this church is named for him. Built in 1190 but with substantial alterations over the years, this remains an interesting example of Norman architecture. Even if you don't feel like going inside then a walk round the walled churchyard with it's ancient tombstones is a welcome interlude of peace and tranquility. It was in this church that Charles the 2nd was proclaimed King of England by Prince Rupert who's fleet was anchored in Kinsale at the time. Address: Church Street, Kinsale
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We always start our trip at Charles Fort. Walking round the fort and visiting the Exhibition Centre give visitors a good chance to familiarise themselves with the history of the town and a chance to view it from this vantage point at the mouth of the harbour. Charles fort is a Star Shaped Fort built around 1677, with 5 bastions. Two of the Bastions guard the entrance to the harbour and three of them defend the landward approaches. The fort is huge with troops quarters, parade grounds, hospital, stores, stables and everything else necessary for large batallions of soldiers. Walking around it, scrambling up and down, sitting on the battlements and gazing out to sea are all easy and enjoyable ways to get a feel for the place. For serious history buffs, there are guided tours by onsite experts, information booklets and the audiovisual presentations at the central exhibition Hall. In summer there is a great cafe with reasonably priced hot drinks and homemade scones, apple tart and chocolate cake. Open daily From 10.00am to 6.00pm from mid March to mid-October and from 10.00am to 5.00pm from November to mid-March. Entrance is about 4 EURO and the guided tours are free. Address: In Summercove just outside KinsalePhone: 353-21-4772263Directions: From town take the Scilly walk, or coming from Cork get off the bus at Pewter cross and it's a 20 minute walk.Website: www.heritageireland.ie
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Chairmans Lane runs downhill from Desmond Castle to Newmann's Mall, bringing you righ tback to the centre of town again. This lane is famous for its pretty cottages, like the Giants Cottage, painted all in purple, or the humourously named MansionHouse, the smallest house in Kinsale. Address: Chairmans LaneDirections: Between Cork Street and Newmans Mall
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