Kinsale
Kinsale (/kɪnˈseɪl/ kin-SAYL; Irish: Cionn tSáile, meaning 'head of the brine'[2]) is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. Located approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of Cork City on the southeast coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon, and has a population of 5,991 (as of the 2022 census)[1] which increases in the summer when tourism peaks.
For other uses, see Kinsale (disambiguation).
Kinsale
Irish: Cionn tSáile
Ireland
10 m (30 ft)
5,991
+353(0)21
Kinsale is a holiday destination for both Irish and overseas tourists.[3] The town is known for its restaurants,[4] including the Michelin-starred Bastion restaurant,[5] and holds a number of annual gourmet food festivals.[6]
As a historically strategic port town, Kinsale's notable buildings include Desmond Castle (associated with the Earls of Desmond and also known as the French Prison) of c. 1500, the 17th-century pentagonal bastion fort of James Fort on Castlepark peninsula, and Charles Fort, a partly restored star fort of 1677 in nearby Summercove.[7] Other historic buildings include the Church of St Multose (Church of Ireland) of 1190, St John the Baptist (Catholic) of 1839, and the Market House of c. 1600.[7] Kinsale is in the Cork South-West (Dáil Éireann) constituency, which has three seats.
Transport[edit]
Bus Éireann provides Kinsale's primary means of public transport. Buses regularly operate from Kinsale to Cork City, with most of these stopping at Cork Airport on the way. Kinsale and Bandon are linked by public transport with a bus service provided by East Cork Rural Transport.
The Archdeacon Duggan Bridge, on the R600 road to the south-west of the town, was opened in March 1977 and named after Father Tom Duggan MC OBE, a chaplain in both WWI and WWII, and later a missionary priest in Peru. This bridge replaced an older cast iron structure of the early 1880s which was located approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) upstream on the River Bandon, near Tisaxon More (Tigh Sacsan Mór).
Education[edit]
There are a number of primary and secondary-level schools in the area.[27] The town's community school was awarded "Best School in the Republic of Ireland" twice,[28] as well as receiving awards at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in 2014.[29]
Kinsale College offers a number of further education courses,[30] and the town also has a school of English.
Community and sports groups[edit]
Kinsale Yacht Club (KYC) began in 1950 and today is a sailing club that runs events for all ages of sailors and social activities throughout the year. Junior sailing includes Optimists, Lasers and 420's. The yacht classes include Squib (keelboat), International Dragon (keelboat) and A-Class Catamaran as well as three Cruiser Classes (Class I, II and III).[31]
Founded in 1982, the grounds of Kinsale Rugby Football Club are used for the annual Kinsale Sevens event, which attracts international teams and thousands of spectators annually.[32][33]
The Kinsale GAA club plays in the Carrigdhoun division of Cork GAA.[34] They won the Cork Football Intermediate County Championship in 2011, the first time since 1915.
Kinsale Badminton[35] club which is affiliated with Badminton Ireland is based in St Multose Hall Kinsale. It caters to both adult and juvenile players and enters teams in Cork county Leagues and Cups.
The Kinsale Branch of the Irish Red Cross has been in existence since 1939 and is staffed by volunteers, who are present at local events and activities – including the annual Kinsale Sevens rugby event.[36] The Kinsale Red Cross has 2 ambulances which are housed in a purpose-built building in Church Lane and crewed by trained volunteers.
Kinsale competes in the Irish Tidy Towns Competition and was the overall winner in 1986.[37][38]
Kinsale is the first 'Transition Town' in Ireland, and the Transition Town community organisation, supported by Kinsale town council, holds meetings locally. It has taken some guidance from the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan 2021, which has spawned further Transition Towns worldwide.[39]
Development[edit]
Residential developments in the 21st century include the Convent Garden scheme near the historic centre.[46] This development involves the conversion of the former St Josephs Convent of the Sisters of Mercy on Ramparts Lane into 79 apartments and the building of 94 houses in the grounds. After several years of inactivity,[47] construction and sales activity recommenced in 2015 and 2016.
A further residential development, Abbey Fort, includes 260 units at the north end of Kinsale.[48] Initial phases were completed in 2007–2012. Part of the 22-acre site at Abbey Fort was sold by the National Asset Management Agency in December 2015.[49]
Demographics[edit]
As of the 2011 census, ethnically Kinsale was 76.5% White Irish, 18.5% other white, 0.5% black, 1% Asian, and 1% 'other', with 2.5% not stated.[50] In terms of religion, the 2011 census captured a population that was 76% Catholic, 10% other stated religions (mainly Protestant), 11% with no religion, and 3% not stated.[50]