Republic of Ireland, Kinsale

Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and when the boating fraternity arrive in large numbers.

Kinsale is a popular holiday resort for Irish and foreign tourists which is known for its many gourmet restaurants and leisure activities - including yachting, sea angling, and golf. The town also has several art galleries and a noted school of English.

On October 8, 2005, Kinsale became Ireland's second Fair Trade Town, with Clonakilty being the first.

History

In 1601, Kinsale was the site of a battle in which English forces defeated an Irish/Spanish force, led by the princes Hugh Roe O'Donnell and Hugh O'Neill. Following this battle the Flight of the Earls occurred in which a number of the native Irish aristocrats, including the Earls of Tyrone and Tir Conaill abandoned their lands and fled to mainland Europe.

In 1690, James II of England, following his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, departed to France.

Charles Fort, located at Summer Cove and dating from 1677, is a fortification that guards the entrance to Kinsale harbour. It was built to protect the area and specifically the harbour from use by the French and Spanish in the event of a landing in Ireland.

When the RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, rescue efforts were co-ordinated out of Kinsale, which was the nearest harbour.

Transition towns

Kinsale is the first transition town in Ireland. It is a community-based group, supported by Kinsale town council. It looks for sustainble solutions to the challenges of peak oil and climate change.

Sports and community groups

Kinsale Rugby Football Club recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. It has a strong underage system , a women's team and competitive squad of players in both the first and seconds junior men's team.

The Kinsale Branch of the Red Cross has been in existence since 1939 and served the town throughout the years with volunteers. The branch has 2 ambulances which are housed in a purpose built building in Church Lane and crewed by trained volunteers.

Transport
Bus Éireann provides Kinsale's only means of public transport. Buses regularly operate from Kinsale to Cork City, with most of these going through Cork Airport on the way.