Kinsale: Food, Sailing and History

Kinsale combines culinary experiences and activities on the water with a rich local history. When planning your trip, you can choose different areas of focus: a tour with tastings and opportunities to meet local producers, activities ranging from kayaking to sailing, or insights into the town’s maritime, military and social history. You can also plan your journey with a specific connection in mind: Bus Éireann’s route 226 connects Kinsale to Kent Station via Cork Airport.

Culinary tours with different areas of focus

Kinsale Food Tours’ Town Food Tour is a 2.5-hour culinary walking experience. Several tastings and opportunities to meet local producers put food culture at the centre of the tour. Those interested in the origins and gathering of food can find a different focus in the Foraging & Picnic Tour: it introduces the gathering of seaweed and plants, followed by a gourmet picnic featuring wild foods.

From paddling to sailing

The Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre offers courses for a range of experience levels. Activities include sailing, powerboating, kayaking, canoeing and bodyboarding. That’s a broad selection if you’re considering different ways to get out on the water during your stay. The activities don’t all fall under the same discipline, so consider which one interests you most.

Sovereign Sailing offers a dedicated focus on sailing: sailing courses, yacht charters and sailing trips are available in Kinsale’s natural harbour. This means you can consider different options, from courses to charters and trips. When planning, you can focus on learning, chartering a yacht or experiencing a sailing trip.

Local history in the museum, on a walking tour and at the forts

Kinsale Museum is housed in a building in the centre of Kinsale that was built around 1600 and extended in 1706. Its many local artefacts include items relating to Kinsale’s maritime, military and social history. The range of subjects gives the museum visit a broad historical scope rather than limiting it to just one aspect of local history.

The Historic Stroll in Old Kinsale presents the town’s history from its medieval beginnings to its strategic importance as a naval base and major trading centre. This leisurely walking tour is suitable for all ages. If you prefer to explore history on a walking tour, it offers a different experience from viewing the artefacts in the museum. Charles Fort is also located near Kinsale: a well-preserved, star-shaped fortification dating from the late 17th century. The historic ruins of James Fort offer views of Kinsale, the river and the harbour.

The bus connection via Cork Airport to Kent Station is another useful detail for planning your journey.

Discover more places

Other destinations include Cloan, Ovens, Doneraile, Gouladane, Youghal, Monkstown, Mitchelstown and Cork.

Back to the main travel guide: Cork.