HISTORY:
Kinsale is situated Less than 20 miles south of Cork City. With its narrow streets and its picturesque harbour, neatly beside the Bandon Estuary, Kinsale takes its name from the Irish language,"Cionn tSaile", meaning "Head of the sea"
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Kinsale is a favorite with the Cork people and with visitors who enjoy walking, boating, fishing, and an interest in fine food and good wines.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Kinsale was one of Ireland's principal wine ports. There are many fine restaurants and shops which sell imported wines with labels such as Chateau McCarthy, Dillon, Barton, Phelan, Lynch, and Murphy-Goode.
Kinsale is renowned for its fine quality of food in its many restaurants hence it gained the title of "Gourmet Capital" of Ireland. Each October the town's many restaurants join together to host a three-day "Gourmet Festival."
Only Charles Fort is fully accessible to visitors
Harbour
Other attractions include Charles Fort, a unique star-shaped fort built c. 1677, and James Fort, dating back to 1602. Both are fine examples of 17th century
