Start your tour at the tourist office in the centre of Kinsale, the historic harbour town in County Cork, where visitors gather to explore the compact streets lined with brightly painted buildings.
From this point, walkers head towards the nearby harbour, passing views of boats moored along the waterfront before turning onto Main Street, where shops and eateries occupy the ground floors of Georgian and Victorian structures. The route continues to Market Square, a focal point for local activity with cafes serving coffee and pastries for around €4, allowing participants to pause amid the pedestrian traffic. Proceeding along the colourful streets, the path leads past landmarks such as St Multose Church, an ancient parish church with origins dating back to the 12th century, and the remnants of medieval town walls that once defended the settlement.
Walkers then make their way southward along the waterfront promenade towards the Scilly area, following the coastal path known as the Scilly Walk, which offers sights of the Bandon River estuary and the opposite shore. The trail arrives at the Bulman Bar, a pub overlooking the water, before reaching Charles Fort, the star-shaped 17th-century fortress constructed between 1670 and 1682 to guard against naval threats, with an admission fee of €5 for adults to enter the interior grounds and exhibits.
From the fort’s walls, the circuit provides perspectives across Kinsale Harbour towards James Fort on the far side. The return journey follows the same scenic path back into town or detours along High Road for elevated outlooks, passing the Spaniard Inn en route. The excursion covers approximately 4 kilometres in two hours, concluding near the starting point after revealing the blend of maritime history and daily life in the coastal community.
Ireland county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Largest town walking tour
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Towns
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Villages
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
