Kinsale

Kinsale is a beautiful former fishing village now at least as much a tourist town with a current population of about 5,000 in Co Cork.  My great grandfather was born in a rural farmhouse about 20 miles west of there and Kinsale is where many of my cousins live today. Its my hometown in Ireland.

Kinsale is beautiful.  Walk or drive to CharlesFort. Go on Don & Barry’s Historic Stroll (not Dermot Ryan’s…). Tell Barry that Joe McDermott (Mary Coughlan’s cousin from Seattle) says hello! Walk the streets.  Walk the harbour.  Absorb Ireland.

Eat in Kinsale.  It is known nationally (and beyond) as a foodie destination.  I recommend Fishy Fishy, the Black Pig, and Jim Edwards, the Supper Club, Man Friday’s (a walk but worth it), but you cannot go wrong.  A casual lunch spot is Lemon Leaf Cafe.  Breakfast spots include the Cosy Cafe and Salvi's where your espresso is made by owned Marie O'Sullivan, a member of the Cork County Council.

The Craic permeates the pubs.  Pubs to drop into include the Bulman (on the way to/from Charles Fort), The Spaniard (near Man Friday’s just outside town), Dalton’s (great trad music some nights), Kitty O’Se, The Greyhound, The Tap Tavern, and Sam’s Bar.

Bring Ireland home with you.  Two local shops I appreciate are Kinsale Silver for jewelry and Kinsale Crystal.  There are also a couple really nice woolen stores.