We had a marvellous time aboard the 'Spirit of Kinsale'! The departure point is found not far from…read morethe tourist office. It was a very pleasant, professionally run, trip around the harbour and beyond, with a great commentary of what to look out for, the history of the area, and there were wonderful views too. The boat was comfortable and not overcrowded. Also, Kinsale is twinned with Mumbles, which is near to where we live in Wales so we were particularly interested to come here.

This is as much a review of a walking tour around historic Kinsale, Cionn tSáile, and the famous…read morepromontory The Old Head of Kinsale, as it is for it's friendly tourist office. Housed in an imaginatively designed modern structure, it manages not to look out of place with the towns vast majority of pretty heritage buildings, and is situated on what was the original quayside of this once important garrison town. I'd come on the 249 bus the 27km from Cork, as I wanted for personal reasons to make a pilgrimage to the Old Head of Kinsale, where within sight of land in 1915, a tragic sinking close to the scale of loss of life on The Titanic took place, more about this at the end! Suffice to say I'd called in the Tourist Office essentially for information on how a non-car driver might get there. The staff were helpful beyond the call of duty, and although as you will see despite the best advice, and considerable effort, I was eventually thwarted in my attempts to get there, they told me about a local historian & guide called Dermot. Dermot Ryan as well as conducting a regular early evening walking tour around the atmostpheric narrow & winding hilly streets, starting from the tourist office, is an absolute gold mine of information. Like the best tour guides I have listened to, he never feels the need to over sell his subject, and has a wonderfully subtle delivery that leaves you hanging on his every word, and wanting more. He takes small groups around the historic town, telling you about everything from Spanish allies helping the locals to fight the English, through wine trade in what was once one of the most important harbours in Europe. Even the 'Kinsale cloak', a famous hooded cloak worn by local ladies from medieval to more recent times, puts in a humorous appearance, with remembrance of the women who wore them being the feared hoodies of their day!. All the time Dermot compellingly managed to put little old Kinsale right in the heart of much bigger history. Dermot was very pleased I asked him about RMS Lusitania, once the worlds largest liner, which brings us neatly back to The Old Head of Kinsale! It was within easy sight of here on a bright sunny afternoon in May that the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, and took just 18 minutes to disappear beneath the calm waters, robbing 1198 men, women & children of their lives. There is a memorial to this tragic event close to the R604. Sadly however this is no easy place to get to get to, particularly if you don't have a car for the around 13km journey from Kinsale. Anyway the day I chose to get a taxi to view the memorial, the road was closed. Also after I'd settled on walking, it seemed that the elements in the form of an incredibly strong & long lasting downpour of rain, were conspiring to keep me away. Next time remind me to bring a bike & oilskins! Controversially this beautiful headland point which stretches out into the sea for almost 2 miles, complete with it's dramatically situated lighthouse is now dominated by Irelands costliest Golf Course. Here non members are denied access, although the Golf Courses website tauntingly boasts of it's beautiful natural habitat & perfect vantage point for viewing Whales & Dolphins. Another reason why I hate golf!

THE ELYSIAN You can't miss the Elysian when you are in Cork:…read moreit is the tallest building, with a 17 storey high tower as its focal point. Designed by Wilson Architecture, the Elysian won the Irish Residential Property of the Year Award. Lush planting, water cascades and sculpture are the highlights of the internal gardens designed and built by the same team that built the multiple Gold Award winning Irish garden in the World Expo 90 in Japan. While the building contains hundreds of apartments, there is also some commercial activity here, mainly at the lower levels; included are a medical company and the El Vino's Restaurant. The tower is open to the public only occasionally, the most recent coming during the August Heritage Day.

I regret to inform everyone that I did not kiss the famous Blarney Stone. The queue was long and…read morethe wait time was two hours. Basically, the length of the drive to Blarney Castle. Plot twist, skipping the queue and exploring the grounds was the better decision. The castle grounds are basically a real-life fairytale mixed with a hint of tranquility. The walk around the property is peaceful, scenic, and picturesque. Highly recommend wandering over to the lake and stopping by the mansion.

Blarney Castle is a must-see. It's a privately owned property. The gardens are spectacular. They're…read morethe greenest gardens I've ever seen. Each section in the garden has a theme. It's fun. The castle is surrounded by the gardens and a stream that flows around it. It's beautiful. Once inside, the stairs are a bit intimidating on your way to the top. The stone is an additional level higher than when you first arrive up. There's someone at the site to help with your Blarney stone kiss. Just don't look down! After you've kissed the Blarney, be sure to make your way to the coffee and gift shop. Grab an Irish or Bailey's coffee and soak it all in. Congratulations on your adventure.

MILLENNIUM GARDENS…read more To commemorate the millennium, the Port of Cork constructed a garden and a short walk at its lands along the river in Tivoli. The walk is quite short with fine river views; it may be extended by walking up the Lower Glanmire Road as far as the new Railway Bridge from where there are fine views of the city. There are two entrances to the facility. Coming from the west, walk through the gate just before the "skew" bridge. Otherwise, use the Silversprings fly-over to access the eastern gate. There is limited car parking there. It is a pleasant spot. Aside, from the river views, you have a variety of shrubs, trees and flowers (hydrangeas and fuchsia are prominent now in late August) and some sculpture. There is no shortage of seats, so you may bring your book or newspaper and give yourself a short break in the fresh air. Enjoyed the stroll today. It is a handy park for residents of the nearby houses and apartments and even guests of Silversprings Hotel and guest houses in the area could well enjoy a walk here.

PROMENADE COBH The promenade in Cobh is where many locals…read moreand quite a few visitors come to take it easy and to do a bit of people watching. Seats for the older folks and a play area for the young ones. Great views out over the harbour, regularly visited by huge cruise ships, and back into the town itself where St Coleman's Cathedral dominates. Water flows in fountains and there are sculptures, some amusing, some serious. What more would you want? Maybe some music. Well, there is the bandstand and, regularly, at weekends, the band plays. Oh to be in Cobh when the sun shines.

We took a short drive outside of Kinsale to visit Charles Fort…read more Street parking was free and less than five minutes walk to get to the entrance. Admission was free with our Heritage Card. We wandered through most of the fort. Most of the buildings were ruins (destroyed during the Irish Civil War) except for a couple near the entrance. The barracks contained two stories of exhibits about the fort, James Fort (across the bay), living as a soldier, and the notable Williamite War. There were scenic views of the bay and Kinsale from the ramparts. Some of the ruins were off limits but many were signed so we could understand what their purpose was. If you wanted to just see buildings with exhibits then check out the barracks (mentioned earlier), fire engine house and the gunpowder magazine.

If you're visiting Cork, Ireland, Charles Fort is an absolute must-see. The star-shaped fort is not…read moreonly impressive in its scale and design, but it also offers some of the most breathtaking views over Kinsale Harbour. Walking along the walls, you get a real sense of the history that has unfolded here--from battles and sieges to its later use as a garrison. The fort is very well maintained, and the wonderful guides help bring the story of the place to life. I especially enjoyed how much space there was to wander at your own pace--it never felt crowded. The guides on site were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about sharing the history. We would not have come here if we had not been on a wonderful tour of Ireland with Derek of Private Tours of Ireland https://www.privatetourscork.ie It's a great spot for families, couples, or anyone interested in history. Plan to spend at least an hour or two to really take it all in, and don't forget your camera--the views are spectacular! Reach out to Derek at Private Tours of Ireland https://www.privatetourscork.ie/about-us to arrange your tour of Ireland. Based in Cork, they specialize in luxury, chauffeur-driven private tours that combine iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and authentic Irish culture. Every tour is tailor-made to your interests, pace, and preferences, ensuring an unforgettable journey across Cork and beyond. Whether you're visiting Blarney Castle, the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, or the Cliffs of Moher, their expert guides bring Ireland's history, landscapes, and stories to life. From city streets to the rugged coast, we create experiences that go beyond sightseeing -- they connect you with the true spirit of Ireland. We are grateful we found them and they took us to Kinsale to see Charles Fort.

Free admittance with a free guided tour through the castle - and in my opinion although smaller,…read moreBarryscourt is way better than Blarney. Our tour guide was excellent and very informative. The castle has been (and continues to be) restored so you get to see each floor as it might have been not just stone rooms without floors like at Blarney. There's a lovely small garden and an orchard within the walls. Close to Fota House and Gardens this is an excellent stop while you're in the area and you can make a full day out of it by also visiting Fota. Fota Gardens and Arboretum are also free.

BARRYSCOURT CASTLE Paid my first visit in decades to…read moreBarryscourt Castle, an impressive relic of the 16th century court of the Barry family. Impressive enough as a stark ruin in the 80s but now it's much improved and well worth a visit, particularly since there is no charge at all, and that includes the guided tour of the interior. Time was short yesterday so we contented ourselves with a walk around the outside of the castle itself, through the herb garden and a large orchard. There are records of an orchard there since the 13th century and this one, with dozens of apple varieties, is laid out according to the 16th century manner. There are smaller plantings of pears and quinces. There is an information office with very helpful and friendly staff, toilets and a cafe and it is just off the main national road (N25). It is a very pleasant visit indeed and I'll be back for a longer stay, perhaps during Heritage Week which takes place in venues across the country from August 21st. Most events are free to enter, some have reduced charges. This is one of many available. See the Heritage Ireland site http://www.heritageireland.com or pick up the comprehensive National Heritage Week brochure at your local library. http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/ Tel: +353 21 488 3864

I know it's unfair to compare this to other jail tours in Ireland but it's really hard not to. The…read morearchitecture was gorgeous but the history was all quite surface level. I do appreciate them trying something different in tackling the stories of the jail and its prisoners.

This is a gem that all must visit. And take the guided tour!!! Rory was a great tour guide and…read moredidn't even feel like an hour plus had gone by. Fiona was always very nice and informative at the gift shop. Don't be deterred during the winter time, just dress in some layers and enjoy the ambience of the space!