Kinsale
Kinsale (Cionn Saile, tide head) is 18 miles (29Km) southwest of Cork City on the R600. A sheltered port on the Bandon Estuary, its fame was established years ago as a quaint seaside town with excellent restaurants and carefully preserved 18th-century buildings, clad often as not in grey slates to keep out the damp, or painted cheerful colours.
It was once an important naval port. In September 1601, a Spanish fleet anchored here with 3,500 infantry aboard. They planned to meet with the Gaelic Lords O'Neill and Tyrconnell, who were marching south to meet them.The Gaelic Army were defeated and the Spanish besieged by Elizabeth's forces in the historic Battle Kinsale 1601. Soon afterwards the main players in this struggle, the O'Neill and O'Donnell clan chieftains, fled to Europe and abandoned their lands to English settlers. Later that century, James II landed at Kinsale with French forces in an attempt to regain his throne, and from here he finally left Ireland, defeated. Kinsale became an important English naval base, and Desmond Castle (now a heritage centre) held many French prisoners in Napoleonic times.
St Multose Church is the Oldest building in the town, with parts dating back to the 12th century.
Desmond Castle a tower house from the 1500's, was once used as a customs house and prison for captured american sailors in the War of Independence. Now accommodates the "International Museum of Wine".
Kinsale Regional Museum in the Dutch-style old courthouse and market building, with a collection of material associated with the life of the town and port through the centuries, especially the Siege and Battle of Kinsale.
Charles Fort was built in the 1670's as a strong military point. It is possible to walk from the town to Charles Fort in about 45 minutes. Follow the Scilly Walk from the middle of Kinsale.
Oysterhaven is a little port east of Kinsale.
Ballinspittle The the south on the R604 is home to a ring fort built around 600AD
Garretstown There are some superb sandy beaches at this resort with the european "Blue Flag" award for clean beaches.
Old Head of Kinsale splendid cliff scenery and home to the Old Head Links international golf course. The Lusitania was suck off here with the loss of 1,198 lives.
Summercove is around the Head where the remains of the 15th Century De Courcy Castle known as Ringnone Castle overlooks the blue and white flecked sea.
From Timoleague to Clonakilty -the Seven Heads peninsula - is a massively convoluted shoreline. Timoleague, known for its beautiful
gardens, is also remarkable for its skeletal Franciscan abbey. There the coast is utterly peaceful, but beautiful. Wing birds paddle in the estuary, and the shores down to Courtmacsherry are full of unusual plants. Clonakilty is an engaging
place. It has a lively feel, the main street lined with painted shop-fronts and old-fashioned bars. Traditional music, street theatre, festivals and crafts add to its attractions. Outside town is the birthplace of Michael Collins, whose exploits are recounted in O'Donovan's Hotel.
Seemingly endless, unspoiled sand graces the vast beach at Inchydoney
The drive through the fuchsia-splashed villages of RossCarbery, Glandore and Unionhall is glorious; creeks and lagoons mirror wooded slopes and fishing cottages with sandy coves tucked bib-like under their chins. Leap is famous for Irish music, which is based at Connolly's Bar. Beyond lie the pretty village of Castletownshend, tidal Lough Hyne and a scatter of islands in Roaringwater Bay. After Skibbereen are the colourful villages of Ballydehob, Schull, Goleen and the spec-
itacular 220m cliffs of Mizen Head, guarded by an O'Mahoney stronghold. Barleycove is a fine teach. To the north, Sheep's Head peninsula
is a lovely tour if time permits. The Beara peninsula is unfairly neglected in favour of the Ring of Kerry, but is as rewarding and less crowded. Highlights include the rugged copper-mining country around Allihies and the HealyPass.
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County Cork Golf Clubs
Bandon Golf Club Bandon
Bantry Bay Golf Club Bantry
Berehaven Golf Club & Amenity Park Castletownbere
Blarney Golf Course Blarney
Charleville Golf Charleville
Cobh Golf Course Cobh
Coosheen Golf Links Schull 028 28182
Cork Golf Club Little Island
Doneraile Golf Club Doneraile
Douglas Golf Club Cork
East Cork Golf Club Midleton
Fermoy Golf club Fermoy
Fernhill Golf & Country Club Carrigaline
Fitzpatrick Fitness Ctr & Golf Club Cork
Fota Island Golf Club Carrigtwohill
Frankfield Golf Club Cork
Glengarriff Golf club Glengarriff
Harbour Point Golf Club Little Island
Kanturk Golf Club Kanturk
Kinsale Golf Club Kinsale
Lee Valley Golf & Country Club Ovens
Lisselan Golf Course Clonakilty
McCarthy Ted Municipal Golf Course Mahon
Macroom Golf Club Macroom
Mallow Golf club Mallow
Mitchelstown Golf Club Mitchelstown
Monkstown Golf Club Monsktown
Muskerry Golf Club Blarney 5 miles
Old Head Golf Links Kinsale
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club Kenmare
Skibbereen & West Carbery Golf Club Skibbereen
Water Rock Golf Course Midleton
Youghal Golf Club Youghal
