Discover Alone
“Eat the crumpet, ignore the goat.”
Kinsale, lads, it’s the head of the brine, which sounds like a bad hair gel but means we’re right on the coast. Situated south of Cork, this place is basically a giant fish trap with a Michelin star, thanks to Bastion. The population jumps when the tourists arrive, and suddenly everyone is a sommelier. You’ve got Desmond Castle, which is fancy, and James Fort, which is a pentagon that looks like it’s been chewed by a giant. The Market House dates back to around 1600, so it’s older than most of your relatives. We’re talking about real history, not just vibes. The sea breeze will slap you, and the prices will sting your wallet, but the views are absolute gold. It’s not just a town, it’s a whole personality. You’ll see the old head in the distance, looking like it’s judging your outfit. It’s cheeky, it’s salty, and it’s definitely worth the trip down the coast.
Photo: Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0
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Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · A few steps on
Saint Multose Church
“Tower’s single, tower’s ancient.”
Saint Multose Church (Kinsale) has a belltower from an original Norman church built in 1190. That tower is basically the oldest part of the party, still standing while everything else got renovated. It would write 'seeking stable relationship' on its dating profile.
Freestanding cruciform-plan Church of Ireland church with crypt, commenced c.1190, with various later additions and alterations, including upper-stage of bell tower. Renovated, remodelled and extended throughout eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20851091Photo: Jonjobaker, CC BY-SA 4.0
More about Saint Multose Church →
Stop 3 · 5 minutes down the road
James's Fort
“Pentagon, six hundred seventy-five quid.”
James's Fort in Old-Fort is a pentagon that cost six hundred seventy-five pounds, which was a fortune for 1601. I swear a goat once ruled this place and nobody believed him. Stick around for a bit and see if anything moves.
Freestanding coastally sited star-shaped fort, built 1604, now disused. Rubble limestone star-shaped fort to interior of outer fortifications comprising four diamond plan bastions with remains of repaired castellated parapets. Round-headed door opening having…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20911215Photo: The Speckled Bird, CC BY-SA 4.0
More about James's Fort →
Stop 4 · A 5-minute spin away
Ringrone Castle
“Wall has attitude, wave back.”
Ringrone Castle is just a wall standing by itself near the Bandon river. Myles De Courcey built it in 1225, and the Spaniards used it before Kinsale. It’s not much left, but it’s still got that de Courcy attitude. Wave at the wall!
Recorded as: Castle.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w345737351Photo: Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Ringrone Castle →
Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 10 minutes
Garrettstown House
“House ran out of cash, hey.”
Garrettstown House in Garrettstown is actually a wing of a house that never got built because they ran out of money. They spent the savings on gardens instead. Tell me if you find any leftover coins in the shrubs!
Detached five-bay two-storey country house, commenced 1702, completed 1720, having central pedimented gable-fronted breakfront to front (south) elevation, five-bay return to rear (north) and later extension to side (west). Now ruinous. Slate hanging and…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20912421Photo: Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Garrettstown House →The whole day on one map
See everything else around Kinsale →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.