Holiday homes and rentals in Kinsale

County Cork’s famous fishing town of Kinsale has morphed over the years from a major port and historic battleground into one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland, a town of narrow winding streets, brightly painted galleries, shops, and houses, and fabulous eateries. The best way to experience this town is from a holiday home that immerses you in its historic centre, where you can step out of your door right into centuries of history. Look out also for the homes along the Bandon just south of the centre for fantastic riverside living.

Kinsale delivers its fortuitous visitors both character homes with more than a hint of rustic, and ultra-modern supremely well-appointed flats, essentially spanning all tastes and requirements. There is even a mansion for rent that holds up to 24 people! Relax in well-kept gardens and enjoy a meal looking out over beautiful River Bandon!

Kinsale is a small but perfectly formed town located in the far south of Ireland just 20 minutes’ drive from the major airport city of Cork. Many visitors choose to fly into Dublin, three hours’ drive to the north, and make Kinsley part of a tour of Ireland.

Kinsale is located on an inlet, and one of its main attraction is its intimate harbour full of sailboats, rocking in the wind. The gorgeous waterfront makes way to the colourful houses and narrow, winding streets of its town centre. Put together, Kinsale is such a "typically Irish" town that it almost hurts! With an impossible laid-back vibe, gently strolling the streets of Kinsale is a real treat!

Just outside Kinsale, the six-kilometre loop around the Old Head of Kinsale peninsula is one of Cork County’s most celebrated hiking paths. Old Head boasts the sensational scenery of a rugged and narrow headland surrounded by the tempestuous Irish sea, historic sites including Celtic ruins and a Victorian lighthouse, and even an 18-hole golf course! The peninsula is a gentle two hour walk, and what better way to work up an appetite before visiting one of the town’s spellbinding restaurants?!

Kinsale can claim to be the culinary capital of Cork County, and perhaps even Ireland. Seafood lovers are in for a treat, with renowned restaurants supplied by local fishermen, including Bastion, one of a small number of Michelin awarded restaurants in Ireland, with seafood dishes that will leave you spellbound. The annual Kinsale Gourmet Festival in October is an obligatory fixture on every Irish foodie’s calendar, where you will experience a full-frontal assault on your tastebuds of Kinsale's finest chefs.

Family-run Boathouse is an exceptional gallery with a wide assortment of artistic styles on display. Much of the artwork is from local artists, and the gallery is full of lively pieces that would look tantalizingly good in your home!

Kinsale Regional Museum showcases the colourful past of this mesmerizing part of the world. Exhibits include a unique poster from 1788 detailing local taxes and excise duties, traditional local dress in bygone times, and most importantly, the town’s connection to the sinking of the Lusitania, a tragic event that gained international fame.

Beer snobs simply must pencil a visit to Blacks Brewery. With fresh beer made by local artisans, the tours of the facilities climaxes with the bit we all really came for – the tasting session! With a wide range of hoppy delights, from IPA to light lagers to barley wine, there is something for everyone!

A fortified house from the early 16th century, this impressive building is ready to welcome you on a tour of its ancient halls. History is brought to life in a way only a knowledgeable guide can do – learn all about the goings on in the castle life and the various families that once called it home!

Kinsale ghost tour is a real romp, with less horror and more theatre, fun, and humour. Two actors weave hilarious stunts and stories into a loose history of the town, as they lead you around Kinsale’s oldest streets once the sun goes down. Great fun for all the family!