12 Best Things to Do in Kinsale

Kinsale is one of the most famous towns in Ireland, renowned for its brightly painted buildings and excellent restaurant scene. In fact, Kinsale is often labelled the ‘foodie capital of Ireland’. It’s also the starting point for the famous Wild Atlantic Way drive. And despite its popularity, Kinsale remains one of my favorite spots in Cork!

And that’s not just because I spent every summer of my childhood there. This charming town holds countless cherished memories for me, but I assure you, my love (or gra) for it is well-founded. And when you visit for yourself, you’ll encounter a vibrant coastal town adorned with winding, narrow streets, brightly painted buildings, and some of the finest restaurants in all of Cork.

So, read on to find out the best things to do in Kinsale, where to eat here, and the best hotels in Kinsale.

1. Explore the town

The first thing I do when I arrive in a new town is to spend a few hours exploring it on foot. That way, I can get my bearings, snap some photos, and check out where I want to eat during my stay. And this is exactly what I suggest you do on your first day in Kinsale. Start on Main Street and take your time peeking into all the cute boutique stores along the way. Favorites of mine are Sister Vintage and Lindas of Kinsale Jewelry Store.

Be sure to stop in front of the Stoney Steps on Main Street, which is painted with an image of the world’s most famous woman pirate – Anne Bonny. Who was born in Kinsale in 1697.

I’m sure you’re in need of a caffeine hit by now (I always am at this stage in the morning) so stop into either The Post House Coffee Shop or Kinsale Coffee – two of my favorite Cafes in Kinsale. They are located pretty much opposite one another on Main Street.

Then, it’s time to head for one of my favorite parts of Kinsale, the super-colorful Market Street, which is often overflowing with hanging baskets filled with flowers. Stone Mad Gallery is the standout building here.

2. Go on a Harbor Cruise

For me, the best way to see Kinsale is on the water with a Kinsale Harbor Cruises tour. On the tour, you’ll pass by the picturesque former fishing village of Scilly, where your captain will bring you close to the shore in order to see the seals, otters, etc., which are often found lazing on the rocks here. You’ll also pass by Charles Fort and the Old Head of Kinsale.

The cruise departs from the dock about 300 meters down from Acton’s Hotel on the hour between 12 and 4 pm during the summer season. Tickets cost €15 per adult.

3. Check out Kinsale Farmers Market

If you’re visiting on a Wednesday, head over to Short Quay for the town’s weekly Farmer’s Market, which runs from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. There are over 30 stalls here, mostly food stalls, but you’ll also spot some clothing and jewelry stalls, too.

4. Walk over to The Dock Beach

This tiny local-favorite beach is hidden behind a pub called The Dock bar on the other side of the harbor. To get here, you can walk along the harbor in the direction of Garrettstown and over the huge bridge – it will take around 30 minutes each way.

This beach is small, sheltered, and the perfect spot for a swim as the waves are very gentle. It’s very popular with local families, especially. And the pub at its entrance serves food and a great pint of Guinness.

5. See the Old Head of Kinsale

The majestic Old Head of Kinsale is a series of eye-catching cliffs that tower over the choppy Atlantic Ocean. They are so photogenic and remind me a little of the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The Old Head (as locals call it) is around a 15-minute drive from Kinsale. If you’re driving, there are several small pull-in bays where you can park your car and venture over to the edge of the cliff to take some photos. There’s also a small-ish car park next to the entrance to the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course.

If you don’t have a car, you can catch the 253 Local Link bus to the Old Head Signal Tower. It departs regularly from the main car park in town.

6. Old Head Signal Tower & Lusitania Museum

Also worth checking out while you’re here is the Old Head of Kinsale Signal Tower, which is not only a stunning viewpoint but also a fascinating museum. It’s over 200 years old, and the museum tells the story of the RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat in World War I, resulting in the loss of around 1,200 lives.

7. Garrettstown Beach

A popular surf beach, around a 15-minute drive from Kinsale, Garrettstown is very popular with local families, as it is one of the closest beaches to Cork city. You can try your hand at surfing with G Town Surf School.

Grab some food and refreshments from the food trucks along the beach or walk to Stranded Cafe or up the hill to Bean & Berry for a sit-down lunch.

8. Charles Fort

A few minutes’ drive from town is the historic Charles Fort, which was built in the 17th Century to reinforce the defenses of the harbor. The view from the fort is breathtaking, and it’s a very important site in Irish history as it’s associated with some of the most momentous events in the nation’s past.

There is a small visitor center here, with audio and visual exhibits for a self-guided experience. Or you can arrange a guided tour, which lasts about one hour. The entrance to Charles Fort costs €5 per person.

While here, watch out for the ghost of the White Lady. According to local legend, a local soldier had to go on patrol at Charles Fort on his wedding night. He arrived at the fort drunk after his wedding celebrations and fell asleep on watch. He was shot for abandoning his post, and his grief-stricken bride threw herself from Charles Fort’s walls when she was informed of his death.

She is said to still haunt Charles Fort to this day.

9. Taste awesome beer at Blacks Brewery

Sitting above the Bandon River is a cool spot for beer and spirit lovers: Blacks Brewery & Distillery. They whip up a bunch of different beers, along with some pretty awesome gins and whiskeys. Whether you’re a pro at tasting or just want to see what it’s all about, you’re welcome to join a tour and try out their stuff. With their new outdoor space open, it’s a great chance to check out their local brews and gins.

You could also check out Kinsale Mead:

Crafted from fermented honey, mead holds the title of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, with origins tracing back to 6,000 B.C. At Kinsale Mead, you can uncover the ancient secrets of this storied drink through an engaging and informative meadery tour, which lasts an hour.

10. Have a meal at The Bulman

It’s actually a short 5-minute downhill walk from Charles Fort to my suggested dinner spot tonight – The Bulman!

You can’t miss The Bulman, painted bright orange and with an excellent location in Summercove overlooking Kinsale Harbour. Despite its playful exterior, The Bulman serves up some of the best food in Cork.

With numerous awards under its belt, it’s worth reserving a table in advance, especially during the busy summer months. Be sure to order a seafood dish; the seafood is so fresh, and most is locally caught. After dinner, take your drinks outside to enjoy the sunset over Kinsale.

Some other awesome restaurants in Kinsale, include –

• Fishy Fishy
• Bastion
• The Supper Club
• Man Friday’s

11. Walk the Scilly Walk

To get to the Bulman/ Charles Fort, you can either drive or walk the very scenic Scilly Walk, which is around 3.5 km long and boasts views of the town and Charles Fort.

Along the way, you’ll be treated to not just breathtaking vistas of the harbor but lush greenery and charming cottages that dot the path. The walk is relatively easy, making it accessible for most fitness levels.

12. Kinsale Library

It’s rare I’ll suggest a library in a list of best things to do (although I do bring my daughters to libraries regularly). But the Kinsale Library is stunning inside – it was transformed from an old, derelict mill building into what you see today. And it’s impressive!

They also have a seed library at the entrance – which is such a cool idea!

Where to Stay in Kinsale

• Perryville House is a 4-star hotel in the center of town. You can’t miss it, it’s painted pink and is very eye-catching. The rooms here are luxurious, and there’s a lovely courtyard out back.

• The luxurious Kinsale Hotel and Spa has great views over Kinsale and the harbor and is a few minutes’ drive from the town. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and many have been renovated very recently. There’s also a leisure center on-site featuring an indoor pool and spa, and the on-site restaurant is excellent.

• In the center of town is the massive Acton’s Hotel, which offers lovely, spacious rooms – some with a view of the harbor. This is the best spot to stay if you want a large hotel smack bang in the middle of the action. The hotel also has an indoor pool and bar and restaurant on-site.

Getting to Kinsale

From Cork City, Kinsale is an easy and pretty uneventful 35-minute (27 km) drive. There are a few routes you can take, but the most popular and easiest route takes you past Cork International Airport. This route follows the N40 and N27 motorways in the beginning and then changes to the R600 (a regional dual-lane road) after the airport.

Alternatively, you can grab a taxi for around €50 or catch the 226 bus, which costs around €7 for a one-way ticket. But my top suggestion is to rent a car for your time in Kinsale, as that way you can easily explore the rest of glorious West Cork.

Slainte!

I hope you enjoyed my guide to Kinsale in County Cork, and if you have any questions for me, please ask me via the comment section below.