Kinsale is a town 'crawling with history'
Kinsale can claim to be one of Ireland's most historic towns, being a centre of population, commerce, trade and fishing from times before formal records were kept. Early records show that in 1177 the Anglo-Normans founded the town of Kinsale in a small walled area close to the water.  St. Multose Church was built in 1190, replacing an earlier church on the same site.
	By 1334, when the first charter was received from Edward III, Kinsale was already a thriving town and port. The Old Courthouse (now Regional Museum) was started in 1600. The most famous and significant event in Kinsale's history was the Battle of Kinsale, fought in 1601, when Spanish troops, coming to assist the Irish Chieftains O'Donnell and O'Neill, were defeated by the English forces and sustained heavy losses.  The Spanish were given safe passage back to Spain and the Irish Chieftains retreated back to Ulster, their power and influence gone for ever.
Kinsale is an attractive town for shopping. Pottery, silver, candles and glassware are manufactured in the town and many shops display the work of local artists working with sculpture, painting, ceramics and photography.
	The attractive narrow streets of the town have a variety of restaurants and eateries catering for all pockets.
Kinsale has long been recognised as a yachting centre, the crews being attracted by the range of restaurants, lively night life and Irish craic!