Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
departs from Pier Road in front of Acton's Hotel roughly 200 yards south of the TI, not
necessary to book ahead but be at dock 30 minutes before departure, tel. 086/250-5456,
Remember that Kinsale's top sight is the town walking tour with Don and Barry (listed
earlier, under “Tours in Kinsale”). But with extra time, there's much more to explore.
Kinsale Town Wander
Strolltheoldpartoftown.Themedievalwalledtown'seconomywasfueledbytheharbor,
where ships came to be stocked. The old walls defined the original town and created a
small fortified zone that made taxation of goods coming in or going out easier. The wall
followed what is now O'Connell Street and Main Street.
The subtle curves of Main Street trace the original coastline. Walking this street, you'll
see tiny lanes leading to today's harbor. These originated as piers—just wide enough to
roll a barrel down to an awaiting ship. The wall detoured inland to protect St. Multose
Church, which dates from Norman times. In these days, worshippers sharpened their
swords on the doorway of the church. Just like today, there were more right-handers than
left-handers—check it out.
A block downhill from the church (across from today's Tap Tavern) was the town
pound: a small enclosure where goods and livestock would be impounded until the owner
could pay the associated tax. After the James and Charles forts were built in the 1600s,
the wall became obsolete—and also boxed in the town, preventing further expansion. The
townspeople later disassembled the wall and used its ready-cut stones to build out the piers
in the harbor.