{"id":5311,"date":"2026-11-10T10:18:04","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T09:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/guides\/que-faire-a-kinsale\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T10:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T09:21:31","slug":"what-to-do-in-kinsale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/what-to-do-in-kinsale\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Do in Kinsale: Forts, the Old Head and Food"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colorful facades, a marina, star-shaped fortresses, and renowned restaurants: Kinsale<\/strong>, Kinsale, about thirty minutes from Cork, is often described as the culinary capital of Ireland. It's also the southern starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way. Here's what to do in Kinsale and our recommendations. Based in the UK and Ireland since 2012, we include it in our tailor-made trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short:<\/strong> In Kinsale, stroll through the colorful streets of the town center, visit Charles Fort, a 17th-century star-shaped fortress, and James Fort, then head to Old Head of Kinsale, off which the Lusitania sank in 1915. Don't miss the seafood restaurants. Allow a day, or even an overnight stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to discover Kinsale?<\/strong> Our local French-speaking team integrates it into your tailor-made trip to Ireland<\/a>.<\/div>
Get my free quote<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Things to do in Kinsale: the must-sees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The center and its colorful alleyways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The heart of Kinsale is best explored on foot: brightly painted houses, art galleries, independent shops and traditional pubs line up in alleyways that lead down to the port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles Fort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built at the end of the 17th century, this star-shaped fortress overlooks the harbor entrance. Its ramparts offer superb views of the bay. A beautiful coastal promenade, the Scilly Walk, connects it to the town centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James Fort and the Battle of Kinsale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the other side of the bay, James Fort serves as a reminder of the port's strategic importance. Indeed, it was near Kinsale that a decisive battle in Irish history took place in 1601.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Cork County coast, around Kinsale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Old Head of Kinsale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This spectacular cape juts out into the Atlantic, with its lighthouse and cliffs. It was off this coast that the ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915; a small museum, housed in the former signal tower, recounts this event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gastronomy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kinsale boasts numerous renowned restaurants, especially for their locally caught fish and seafood. Furthermore, the town hosts a food festival every autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is there to see around Kinsale?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n