Touring Ireland - Kinsale Co Cork

Whenever friends of ours are headed to Ireland, we are always asked for our recommended places to go and things to do!  I thought we would document a few of these so we have them at the ready!

Kinsale in County Cork is one of my favorite places to visit in Ireland.  A cute -- and it really is cute - colorful and quaint town on the southern coast of Ireland.  The shops in town are all brightly painted as are the surrounding homes along the seafront.  This is a true "foodie" town filled with fabulous restaurants, gourmet food shops, fun pubs, and festivals throughout the year such as the Gourmet Food Festival coming up October 7th - 9th.  Kinsale is on the water with a marina that hosts beautifully tall sailboats.  Protected off the coast by the impressive Charles Fort that was built in the 17th century as a great early example of a star shaped fort.  This historical site is wonderful for touring - free on Wednesdays -- and you get some fabulous views of the waterways opening up to the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.  Watch this spectacular video to understand the breathtaking vistas from this location!

Plenty of wonderful places to stay in the area from hotels, B&Bs, and rental properties.  We have stayed with a group before at the Actons Hotel right along the marina -- a fabulous place to stay that is walking distance to everything in town while still being able to enjoy your morning coffee watching the fishing boats and sailboats.  Check TripAdvisor.com to choose from one of several great options for places to stay.

You can't go wrong with any of the places to eat in town.  From Fishy Fishy to Jim Edwards to the Seafood Cafe at the Blue Haven -- you are surrounded by great dining options.  If you are also in the mood to get something to go for a picnic, boat ride, or back at your rental house, try the Kinsale Food Company which has locally made food ready to go.

We are lucky enough to have a supplier in the area, Wild Goose Studios, which gives us a good excuse to visit!  Wild Goose makes beautiful Celtic themed plaques, crosses, and blessings that serve as lovely home decor gifts.  They are some of our most popular gifts for weddings.

Lastly, I'd be remiss in ignoring that you are also close to one of the world's great golf courses which also boasts fabulous views.  Tour the golf course here to see the challenging holes and oceanfront views.  Old Head Golf Course is a legendary course in Ireland.  If you are looking for a luxury stay while in the area, you can also look into their hotel and spa offerings or get a bite here at one of their premiere restaurants.

So much to see and do in this little town situated 17 miles outside of Cork City.  Allow for more than 30 minutes to drive the two lane road -- especially for those visiting Ireland -- between Cork City and Kinsale.  There is a lot to take in along the way and even more when you get to this gem!  Enjoy and if you get there, be sure to try some seafood chowder at this town on the water -- and take lots of pictures!