scenic viewpoint
Old Head of Kinsale
A slender headland with a lighthouse and clifftop views where the Lusitania sank offshore in 1915.
11 km · about 20 min drive
Munster, Ireland · Europe
Kinsale is worth a stop: 30 minutes from Carrigaline, 25km from Blarney Castle.
Kinsale is a town located in Munster, Ireland. With a population of 5,281, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Kinsale sits in Ireland, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/Dublin time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Kinsale to your route.
Kinsale ( kin-SAYL; Irish: Cionn tSáile, meaning 'head of the brine') is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. Located approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of Cork City on the southeast coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon, and has a population of 5,991 (as ofRead more
the 2022 census) which increases in the summer when tourism peaks. The town is in a civil parish of the same name.
Kinsale is a holiday destination for both Irish and overseas tourists. The town is known for its restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Bastion restaurant, and holds a number of annual gourmet food festivals.
As a historically strategic port town, Kinsale's notable buildings include Desmond Castle (associated with the Earls of Desmond and also known as the French Prison) of c. 1500, the 17th-century pentagonal bastion fort of James Fort on Castlepark peninsula, and Charles Fort, a partly restored star fort of 1677 in nearby Summercove. Other historic buildings include the Church of St Multose (Church of Ireland) of 1190, St John the Baptist (Catholic) of 1839, and the Market House of c. 1600. Kinsale is in the Cork South-West (Dáil Éireann) constituency, which has three seats.
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Kinsale offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Kinsale is located in Munster, Ireland, Europe. The coordinates are 51.7075 latitude, -8.5306 longitude.
Kinsale has a population of approximately 5,281 people, making it a town in Ireland.
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3 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
A slender headland with a lighthouse and clifftop views where the Lusitania sank offshore in 1915.
11 km · about 20 min drive
castle
Medieval stronghold famous for the Blarney Stone, which legend says grants the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it while leaning backwards.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
A tranquil mountain lake with a tiny island chapel, source of the River Lee in the heart of West Cork.
53 km · about 60 min drive
April to October
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