Kinsale and Charlesfort

Your tour begins with a drive to Kinsale. On the way, you’ll visit Charles Fort, an excellent example of a star-shaped fort built in the 1670s. Situated outside of Kinsale, Charles Fort spans 12 acres and boasts a lovely view of this pretty town from across an estuary. The fort was built in the time of Charles II (hence the name) and is a fine, almost unaltered example of 17th-century fortification, which follows the pattern of other fortified structures in Europe. Next, you’ll return to the main road and travel to Kinsale and where you will have a short time for a photo stop. Kinsale is a quaint, little town, lying snug between hills and valleys and safely sheltered by the rounded contours of a beautiful harbor. It has enjoyed a reputation as a port of consequence, mainly through fishing and shipping. Kinsale has won several prizes — among them, the European Prize for Tourism and Environment, National Tidy Town and Gourmet Capital. Kinsale is steeped in history from its well-preserved medieval buildings and streetscapes, its 12th-century church of Multose and the 15th- century Desmond Castle, which houses the International Museum of Wine. Return to the ship in Cobh by passing through the City of Cork.