What To Do in Kinsale: Class Food, Old Heads & Beach Saunas

Our Cork Hub: Kinsale

Why We Chose Kinsale For Our Cork Hub

Kinsale is a colorful coastal town that is the food capital of Ireland. The small town's many restaurants get their fish straight off the boats on the pier.

Kinsale is more touristy than our usual hubs, but it is where Irish people go on holidays and so it retains a very Irish feel. As opposed to Killarney for example, which might be the 51st state.

Folks come from Cork City & Dublin to dine in the Michelin restaurants of Kinsale. The energy and craic on a sunny Summer evening is hard to beat here. It's a genuine Irish experience.

Kinsale is the starting point of the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way. We follow a lot of that route on this website, because it is one of the greatest drives in the world.

In and Around Kinsale

The Scilly Walk To Charles Fort

The Charles Fort was built in 1682, is star shaped and is just a 40 minute walk from Kinsale along the delightfully named Scilly Walk. For a 340 year old structure, it's in good condition. Enjoy the beautiful views over Kinsale Harbour

That is English that the guides are speaking, it's just the Cork version.

James Fort

It's little brother, James Fort is also a 40 minute walk from town. It's not as well taken care of, so take care as you explore it. Have a pint in the The Dock and don't miss the beach behind it where you can warm up at the Cozy Sauna. There's less tourists here than other parts of Kinsale, so well worth the wander.

Sandycove

In the same direction, is Sandycove. It's a gorgeous walk. Keep left past the pier to find a coastal path with views that'll rack up your Instagram likes. If you're feeling adventurous, there's an old fishing rope to help you down to the rocks , just remember you'll need to climb back up. You'll love the views out to Sandycove Island. While you're out there, check out Courtaparteen, an abandoned famine village with a well preserved church. Most people don't even know it exists.

Eat & Drink in Kinsale

Walk the streets of Kinsale, eat fish and drink Murphys or Beamish, none of that Guinness stuff down here in Cork. Choose your restaurant wisely, a crowded place in a tourist town often means good marketing rather than good food. Take a risk on a quieter, smaller spot, and bonus points if it's down a side street.

Marie and Salvador (Irish-Spanish couple) at Salvis on Pearse St have been feeding the same locals for years

The three best bars are all outside town, The Dock, The Spaniard, and The Bulman. In town, the Greyhound is where you'll find actual locals. Sam's is decent enough for a pint if you're stuck in the center.

Something different? Try the Flying Poet, an aviation cafe run by a South African family with walls of books to browse. Or Prims, which transforms from a bookshop-cafe by day to a cozy wine and sherry bar at night.

A friend who lives in Kinsale told their perfect Kinsale night is wine at Prims, pizza at Bruno's, then pints at the Greyhound. Can't argue with that

Remember, listen for Irish accents in a place because locals know best!

Black's Brewery and Distillery

Can't decide between a beer or a whiskey. No worries, take a short walk out of town to visit Black's. Ireland's only distillery & brewery in one locations. It's owned by a couple, not a corporation so give them a visit.

The Kinsale 9/11 Garden of Remembrance

This is an unexpected as it is solemn. The Kinsale Garden of Remembrance was established by a Kinsale lady, Kathleen Cait Murphy who worked as a nurse for over 30 years in New York City. 344 trees planted in Kinsale to remember Father Michael Judge & 343 the members of the NYFD who lost their lives on 9/11.

The Sauna Snugg

This is my vibe completely and very local. Go for a swim at Garrylucas Beach, or surf at Garrettstown beach, then warm up at The Sauna Snugg, a mobile sauna wagon. While the wagon is cool looking on the outside, it's sweltering hot inside. You will definitely be mixing with locals here. You’ll be in tight quarters and will make sweaty friends easily. Check ahead for their opening times at The Sauna Snugg.

You can walk from Garretstown Beach, onto Garrylucas and up to the Old Head. Stop off for a sauna, then a pint at the Speckled Door.

If you’re feeling adventurous, do a kitesurfing lesson at this beach. It’s one of the best spots in Cork for it.

Old Head Kinsale Golf Club

The Old Head of Kinsale golf club is maybe the most spectacular golf course in all of Ireland. If you're a golfer, it's surely on your bucket list. Speaking of buckets, bring a lot of balls. The cliffs surrounding the course are a magnet for wayward hits and have claimed countless Titleists over the years.

Our Cork local, John Dooley at Concierge Golf Ireland has the connections to get you a tee time.

Get Lost in Cork

We'll point you in the right direction, but the real adventure is when you wander off on your own. Because in Ireland, there's no such thing as a wrong turn. Just don't ask the locals for directions unless you've got time for a chat.

Explore 9 More Cork Day Trips

There's 5 day trips in our central Cork guide. And we have 5 more Cork day trips in our West Cork guide. You'll be speaking like a Cork native if you do all ten!

Have Questions?

Need help planning your trip? Got a burning Cork question? Leave a comment below or on Facebook.