KINSALE, COUNTY CORK, surely Ireland's most beautiful town, or at the very least its most colourful!

We’re driving into the beautiful town of Kinsale in County Cork, which is an historic port and a popular holiday destination at the mouth of the River Bandon. It is the start, or if you prefer the finish point, of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way - a beautiful scenic route stretching all the way up the west of Ireland’s coastline to Donegal in the North.
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In 2020 in was rated among the 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland. If it’s not the most beautiful, then it’s definitely the most colourful as you’ll soon see.
As I take a little walk around. The first thing that strikes you is the colourful buildings. The town Lies 25 Km South of Cork City and has a population of about five and a half thousand, which swells in the summertime due to the influx of tourists. It is twinned with Newport Rhode Island, Antibes in the South of France and Mumbles in Wales.
We visit a very beautiful little square, and remember we’re visiting in winter, so you can only imagine what the atmosphere would be like here on a warm Saturday night in the middle of August. I’m certain this gastro pub would be a popular place. And just look at these buildings, we’ll be passing the front of these a bit later.
There’s a lot of boutique craft shops and galleries reflecting the large artistic community that has settled here. And of course, there’s plenty of pubs, this is Ireland after all.
The town has a few good restaurants the most famous of which is the Michelin Stared Bastion Restaurant, (indeed the famous chef Keith Floyd was a previous resident of the town) but we’re dining much more humbly today a great fish and chip shop called Dino’s. Mind you just to call it a fish and chip shop is perhaps to do it some disservice as it has quite a comprehensive menu. It’s licenced and has a small wine list too. But the great thing about this place is the freshness of the seafood on sale. And, as one expects in Ireland, the helpings are piled sky high on your plate. There’s also a great view of the harbour from the restaurant.
There are some amazingly historic buildings in the general area. Desmond Castle for example (originally the town’s Custom House) dates back to 1500. It was also used to incarcerate French and Spanish prisoners during the 17th Century and became known as the French Prison.
The town is rich in history. One of the most important events being the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 which took place after the Spanish Armada landed here to hook up with Irish rebels whose common cause was to attack England. The Spanish and their Irish Allies led by Ulster Princes Red Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, were beaten by the English and this was a turning point in Irish history signalling the end of the od Gaelic order as O’Donnell and O’Neill went into exile in Europe in 1607 in and event known as the Flight of the Earls.
Two forts then came to be built as a means of guarding the narrow harbour from future landings either by the French or Spanish: James Fort and Charles Fort faced each other on either side of the water and an underwater chain was used between the two forts to scuttle enemy boats in times of war - perhaps I’ll make separate videos on these at some point.
It was also at Kinsale where James II landed with his army in 1689, supported by France’s Louis XIV and began his campaign to regain power. This culminated in his defeat by King William of Orange at the battle of the Boyne, and that led to James scarpering back to France again via Kinsale.
And then of course there’s the impressive waterfront, which offers a harbour for yaghts, but also all manor of marine activities, like deep sea angling, scuba diving, boat hire, fishing and kayaking
This is definitely a place you’ll want to visit if you’re coming to Ireland or even if you’re planning a staycation this year.

[@WLK1965]

I have visited Kinsale, back in the summer of 2022. Spent three lovely days there. It was awesome seeing your video. It brought back fond memories of one of my favorite places in Ireland. Cheers!

[@nakedireland]

So glad I was able to help you re-live your trip to Kinsale. Many thanks for watching and commenting.

[@patriciacarmenherederojuda6946]

Nice video. Thank you so much for sharing. I went in Kinsale a few yerars ago and I enjoyed a lot! Is a nice town!! Your videos helps to me to remember your lovely country.

[@nakedireland]

Aww thanks Patricia!☺

[@sandiandgregh]

Looks gorgeous. Another place to add to our “to visit” list.

[@nakedireland]

You’re gonna have a looooooooong visit list!

[@eugenekearney4761]

Nice wee video again!! I was in Kinsale once, 1995 or '96, but not for long. We were in a hurry to get to Cork I think. A lovely town indeed.

[@nakedireland]

Beautiful place Eugene. I’m sure you’ll get down again before long.

[@belfast01uk]

Never been, but looks great. Hotel prices are not cheap. You have a great life to say the least. Great video. Try Waterford, great place. Cheers, Tony & Trisha

[@nakedireland]

Yes, Waterford is a must. It’ll come. Thanks as always for watching.

[@peteyoungman3903]

Yes. 2012 for Navy vs Notre Dame football game. And yes, Kinsale was our favorite stop. Coming again this summer

[@nakedireland]

Enjoy

[@billyo54]

Went to Kinsale on my Honeymoon back in 1979. It didn't have the profusion of gastro-pubs or cafes back then but it was still a lovely town to wander around and have a few pints in. I've been back several times since and love the look of the place. The colourful facades are great, even if one or two are a bit jarring. I recommend Alihies in West Cork if you want to explore how inventive Irish towns are with regards to colourful facades.

[@nakedireland]

Thanks William, that’s a great tip.

[@GleeSmee]

There are some salt-box style buildings by the harbor in Kinsale that wouldn't be out of place in New England.

[@nakedireland]

Yes, there’s a bizarre range of architecture.

[@2sk21]

We spent a day in Kinsale just a couple of weeks ago and it's so beautiful! We really enjoyed walking on Pier Road in the evening

[@nakedireland]

You obviously got the weather? Such a beautiful little town. Thanks for watching.

[@2sk21]

@@nakedireland Indeed we were in Ireland in mid April during the week of spectacular weather.! We had such a wonderful trip

[@nakedireland]

Yes, always good to get a nice day. Makes it look so much better.

[@binflynn1]

It’s as if the residents have tried to go better than their neighbours while a mad trip on magic mushrooms 👍great video was there in the summer good Guinness and great history seminally some people were taken by the spanish

[@nakedireland]

Yes, colourful streets are great in Irish towns, but some of those houses are crazy!

[@dukeofaaghisle7324]

Thanks for an interesting video - another place to add to my ‘must visit’ list! The brightly coloured buildings reminded me of my impression of Carlingford a few years back, though Kinsale is on a much larger scale. …& you pronounced Mumbles correctly. I was there with friends a few weeks ago to see their rugby team thrashed by St. Clears (San Cler), division champions.

[@nakedireland]

So glad I got my Welsh town prononciation correct. Thanks for watching and taking the trouble to comment.

[@dukeofaaghisle7324]

@@nakedireland I’m sure I would have trouble pronouncing a few Gaelic names! With Welsh, you can sometimes get a hint by looking at the actual Welsh spelling - Y Mwmbwls in this case.

[@nakedireland]

Many thanks, that’s helpful.

[@kimroberts2292]

Visiting Kinsale in August 😊

[@nakedireland]

I hope this video helps prime you for your visit. Thanks for watching.

[@WelshRob1964]

Yes, you pronounced Mumbles correctly 👍. What a pretty town Kinsale is, I can’t say I recognised any of it but it was 22 years ago I was there. We had driven down from Kenmare around the coast and ended our day, I think, at a hotel near Cork airport as leaving the next day. I know we stopped at Kinsale but it wouldn’t have been for long, an hour at the most. Damn you had me drooling in Dinos! 🤤 Charles fort is modelled at The West Cork Model Railway Village in Clonakilty, a place you should visit one day, its very good. Yes, please do make a video on the forts, that would be of great interest. I do love how the Irish paint their houses in bright colours. Kinsale is worth another visit for sure, I just need some pennies to come over 😃

[@nakedireland]

Glad I got that prononciation right. What a strange name for a town! Yes, Cork model Railway village, I should have done that while I was there. A reason to go back!

[@WelshRob1964]

@@nakedireland It takes its name from the headland sited on the western edge of Swansea Bay on the southern coast of Wales. A beautiful area as I recall, I haven’t been there for years. I have ancestors buried in that area I know. I have some stills on my channel of Cork model Railway village if you want a look, it’s a cracking place and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, you must go back, you have your orders 😁

[@nakedireland]

I’ll check that out Rob. Thanks.

[@patrickkeating7074]

I wonder how beautiful this town would be if it was still under the British crown....I know the answer ......S......like most small towns now in Britain.

[@nakedireland]

Opps, couldn’t possibly comment.

[@doitatit]

Beautiful wee Town! I was there once in '81. The Battle of Kinsale finished up at Glengarriff, were under the leadership of O'Sullivan Bere, they remnants of the Irish forces walked to Donegal. All in the middle of winter, 1500 people, and only 60 survived. The event is known as O'SULLIVANS MARCH. What shocked me, was that there is no marker of the tragedy in the Glen, were something like 1000 camp followers were put to the sword by the victorious Elisabethen forces. Such is Irish History.

[@nakedireland]

Wow Des, that does sound like it needs redressing. I think we should try to convince Hollywood into making an epic. I see myself in the role of O’Sullivan. 😂

[@doitatit]

He made out ! So nice part to play 😃 You could do the music score? I can see the intro... fog clearing, rattle of of a borhan.. a bloody pike... The title on a ripped cloth.. O'SULLIVAN!!!

[@nakedireland]

⁠I’m appointing you Director.

[@doitatit]

Did I mention it was in the dead of winter, and all along the trail , the shattered army was attacked by rival Gaelic Clans as well as the Forces of The Crown? That the Spanish army hold up in Kinsale refused to come out and fight with the Irish who came to save them from the British sege? So picture the screen, a frozen waste, bogs and Ireland still had wolves and thick forest. Got to get Liam involved😎

[@nakedireland]

⁠yes but Liam will only want my role!

[@alanleahy2047]

Lovely town..but when like me you're a Dub..the locals go a bit "funny "😂

[@nakedireland]

Have the Dubs a bad reputation in Kinsale do you think Alan?

[@alanleahy2047]

@@nakedireland na ..jus a bit of humour..October Bank Holiday weekend is the best in kinsale 👍😁

[@nakedireland]

I’ll make a note of that.

[@thekinsalestory]

Maybe it's the cold, misty morning, the flat colour palette and the melancholy music but you've not really nailed the town there. I like your videos and your style. Your text is good too (though it's Hugh Roe O'Donnell rather than Rory) but come again in summer, pop your head into a few shops and cafés, have a chat with a history guide or food tour guide, watch the boats in the harbour as you stroll Scilly Walk, drink a pint and enjoy the craic sitting on the seawall at The Bulman, then walk on up to Charles Fort. Best wishes and best of luck to you.

[@nakedireland]

Many thanks for those pointers. And thanks for watching.

[@NedNew]

The only downside to Kinsale is the huge number of people, young and old, with hairy backs.

[@nakedireland]

Well, I know I’ll hairy back there! 😂

[@doitatit]

😂😂😂😂